Page 59 of 346

56 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Heated seats, front 
(optional, standard on model CLK 55 AMG)
The front seat heater switches are located in the center 
console.
The front seat heaters can be switched on with the 
electronic key in steering lock positions 1 or 2.Press switch to turn on seat heater:
1Normal seat heating mode. One indicator lamp in 
the switch lights up.
2Rapid seat heating mode. Both indicator lamps in 
the switch light up.
After approximately 5 minutes in the rapid seat 
heating mode, the seat heater automatically 
switches to normal operation and only one indicator 
lamp will stay on.
Turning off seat heater:
If one indicator lamp is on, press upper half of switch.
If both indicator lamps are on, press lower half of 
switch.
If left on, the seat heater automatically turns off after 
approximately 30 minutes of operation.
P54.25-2036-26
12
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        Page 60 of 346
57 Seats
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
When in operation, the seat heater consumes a large 
amount of electrical power. It is not advisable to use the 
seat heater longer than necessary.
The seat heaters may automatically switch off if too 
many power consumers are switched on at the same 
time, or if the battery charge is low. When this occurs, 
the indicator lamp in the switch will blink (both 
indicator lamps blink during rapid seat heating mode). 
The seat heaters will switch on again automatically as 
soon as sufficient voltage is available.
If the blinking of the indicator lamps is distracting to 
you, the seat heaters can be switched off.
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        Page 128 of 346

125 Automatic climate control
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Air recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the 
entry of annoying odors or dust into the vehicle’s 
interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the vehicle’s interior.
To select, press O button.
To c a nc el,  pr ess  O button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated 
air to fresh air
•after approx. 5 minutes at outside temperatures 
below approx. 40
°F (5
°C),
•after approx. 30 minutes at outside temperatures 
above approx. 40
°F (5
°C),
•after approx. 5 minutes, if button S is pressed.
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch 
from recirculated air back to fresh air.
At high outside temperatures, the system automatically 
engages the recirculated air mode thereby increasing 
the cooling capacity performance, switching to partially 
fresh air within 30 minutes.Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue 
heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume and distribution are controlled 
automatically.
To   s e l e c t :
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or 
remove key.
Press T button
This function selection will not activate if the battery 
charge level is insufficient.
To   c a n c e l :
Press T button.
The system will automatically shut off
•if you turn electronic key in steering lock to 
position 2,
•after approx. 30 minutes,
•if the battery voltage drops.
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155 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index LighterTurn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. 
Push in lighter (1); it will pop out automatically when 
hot.
The lighter socket can be used to accommodate 
electrical accessories up to maximum 85 W.
Wa r n i n g !
Never touch the heating element or sides of the 
lighter, they are extremely hot, hold at knob only.When leaving the vehicle always remove the 
electronic key from the steering lock. Do not leave 
children unattended in the vehicle, or with access 
to an  unl ocked vehic l e. Uns upervi s ed us e of  vehi cl e 
equipment may cause serious personal injury.
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        Page 209 of 346

206 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesExcessive use of salt and other snow melting chemicals 
spread on roads during the winter months may cause a 
build up of moisture or residue to form on the braking 
components. This build up or residue could cause light 
corrosion of the braking components if the vehicle is 
parked with the brakes cold. Apply steady and even 
braking pressure when stopping the vehicle to warm up 
and dry the brake components.
Important!
Please pay attention to the function of the brake assist 
system (BAS), see page 216.
The condition of the parking brake system is checked 
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required 
maintenance service at an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning 
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid 
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the 
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and 
steering systems are without power assistance. 
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is 
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without 
applying the brakes or through water deep enough 
to wet brake components or salty road conditions, 
the first braking action may be somewhat reduced 
and increased pedal pressure may be necessary to 
obtain expected braking effect. Be sure to maintain 
a safe distance from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause 
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby 
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may 
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time 
to avoid an accident.
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        Page 210 of 346

207 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index All checks and service work on the brake system should 
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz.
Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the 
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use 
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent 
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some 
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream 
will cool down the brakes faster.Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after 
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road 
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on 
the engine until the operating temperature has been 
reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do not allow one 
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP 
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the 
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are 
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid 
is  us ed, t he b ra ki ng properti es of  the vehic l e c an  be 
degraded to an extent that safe braking is 
substantially impaired. This could result in an 
accident.
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