
3 Contents 
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 176
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 177
Maintenance  ................................... 177
Catalytic converter  ........................ 178
Emission control  ............................ 179
Tele Aid  ........................................... 180
Steering lock  ................................... 190
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 192
Automatic transmission  ............... 193
Parking brake  .................................202
Driving instructions  ......................203
Drive sensibly – save fuel  .........203
Drinking and driving .................203
Pedals  ...........................................203
Power assistance  ........................204
Brakes  ..........................................204Driving off ................................... 205
Parking  ........................................ 206
Tires  ............................................. 206
Snow chains  ............................... 209
Winter driving 
instructions  ................................ 209
Deep water  ...................................210
Passenger compartment  ............ 211
Traveling abroad  ......................... 211
Cruise control  .................................212
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ...........................................214
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 216
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ............................................ 218
What you should know 
at the gas station  ...................... 222
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ...................... 224
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and 
indicator lamps in the 
instrument cluster  ....................226
On-board diagnostic system 
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................226
Brake warning lamp  ..................227
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................228
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  ....................228
Electronic stability program 
(ESP) — warning lamp  ...............229
BAS/ESP malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................229
ABS malfunction 
indicator lamp .............................229
Telescoping steering column – 
indicator lamp .............................230
Seat belt warning lamp  .............230
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175 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of 
radio transmitters  ..................... 176
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ................................. 177
Maintenance  ................................... 177
Catalytic converter  ........................ 178
Emission control  ............................ 179
Tele Aid  ........................................... 180
Steering lock  ................................... 190
Starting and turning off 
the engine  .................................. 192
Automatic transmission  ............... 193
Parking brake  .................................202Driving instructions ...................... 203
Drive sensibly – save fuel  ........ 203
Drinking and driving  ................ 203
Pedals  .......................................... 203
Power assistance ........................ 204
Brakes .......................................... 204
Driving off ................................... 205
Parking  ........................................ 206
Tires  ............................................. 206
Snow chains  ............................... 209
Winter driving 
instructions  ................................ 209
Deep water  ...................................210
Passenger compartment  ............ 211
Traveling abroad  ......................... 211Cruise control  ................................. 212
Brake assist system 
(BAS)  ........................................... 214
Antilock brake system 
(ABS)  ........................................... 216
Electronic stability program 
(ESP)  ........................................... 218
What you should know 
at the gas station  .......................222
Check regularly and 
before a long trip  ......................224
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203 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving 
habits and operating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
•keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
•remove unnecessary loads,
•remove roof rack when not in use,
•allow engine to warm up under low load use,
•avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
•have all maintenance work performed at regular 
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold 
weat her, i n stop -and -go  traf f ic,  on  short trip s an d i n hilly  
country.Drinking and driving
Ped al s
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking or taking drugs and driving can be a very 
dangerous combination. Even a small amount of 
alcohol or drugs can affect your reflexes, 
perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is 
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs 
and drive.Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow 
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects 
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.
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206 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking
Important!
It is advisable to set the parking brake whenever 
parking or leaving the vehicle. In addition, move 
selector lever to position “P”.
When parking on hills, always set the parking brake.Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by law. These 
indicators are located in six places on the tread 
circumference and become visible at a tread depth of 
approximately 
1/16in (1.5 mm), at which point the tire is 
considered worn and should be replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears as a solid band across 
the tread.
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of 
vehicle movement, before
 turning off the engine 
and leaving the vehicle, always:
1. Keep right foot on the service brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”.
4. Slowly release the service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the electronic key to steering lock 
position 0 and remove.
7. Take the electronic key and lock vehicle when 
leaving.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or ride 
disturbance, or you suspect that possible damage to 
your vehicle has occurred, you should turn on the 
hazard warning flashers, carefully slow down, and 
drive with caution to an area which is a safe 
distance from the roadway.Inspect the tires and under the vehicle for possible 
damage. If the vehicle or tires appear unsafe, have 
it towed to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or 
tire dealer for repairs.
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207 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexSpecified tire pressures must be maintained. This 
applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high 
loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient 
temperatures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road, 
aquaplaning may occur, even at low speeds and with 
new tires. Reduce vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in 
the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As 
tread depth approaches 
1/16in (1.5 mm), the 
adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply 
reduced.
Depending upon the weather and / or road surface 
(conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects the 
ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You may lose 
control of the vehicle. Continued driving with a flat 
tire or driving at high speed with a flat tire will 
cause excessive heat build-up and possibly a fire.
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208 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or icy road is 
always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the condition of 
the road whenever the outside temperatures are close to 
the freezing point.
We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires for the winter 
season for all four wheels to insure normal balanced 
handling characteristics. On packed snow, they can 
reduce your stopping distance as compared with 
summer tires. Stopping distance, however, is still 
considerably greater than when the road is not snow or 
ice covered.Tire speed rating
CLK 430:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “W”-rated tires, 
which have a speed rating of 168 mph (270 km/h). An 
electronic speed limiter prevents your vehicle from 
exceeding a speed of 130 mph (210 km/h).
CLK 55 AMG:
Your vehicle is factory equipped with “Y”-rated tires, 
which are permissible for speeds over 188 mph 
(300 km/h). An electronic speed limiter prevents your 
vehicle from exceeding a speed of 156 mph (250 km/h).
Despite the tire rating, local speed limits should be 
obeyed. Use prudent driving speeds appropriate to 
prevailing conditions.
Wa r n i n g !
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction will be 
substantially reduced. Under such weather 
conditions, drive, steer and brake with extreme 
caution.
Wa r n i n g !
Even when permitted by law, never operate a 
vehicle at speeds greater than the maximum speed 
rating of the tires.Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are 
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of 
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury 
and possible death.
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209 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended 
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow 
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered 
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). 
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on 
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control 
switch to OFF, refer to page 220.
Use of snow chains is only permissible when winter 
tires are mounted, see technical data on page 303.
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to 
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking 
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control 
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move 
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle 
under control by corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking 
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary 
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore 
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically 
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can 
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to 
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done 
without endangering other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked af ter being driven on salt treated 
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as 
possible after driving is resumed while observing the 
safety rules in the previous paragraph.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure 
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and 
from around the vehicle with engine running. 
O t h e rw i s e ,  d e a d ly  c a r b o n  m o n ox i d e  (CO )  ga s e s  m ay  
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a 
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not 
facing the wind.
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210 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE/CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
seepage305.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze 
concentration.
•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing 
temperatures, see page 256.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low 
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
antilock brake system (ABS) or of the electronic stability 
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
For driving instructions with snow chains see page 209.
Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through f looded areas or water of unknown 
depth.
If you must drive through deep water, drive slowly to 
prevent water from entering the engine compartment or 
passenger compartment, being ingested by the air 
intake, possibly causing damage to electrical 
components or wiring, to engine or transmission that is 
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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