
198 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Press and hold selector lever in the æ direction:
The transmission will shift from the current gear 
directly to gear range “D”.
Important!
With transmission in gear range “D”, “4” or “3”, 
upshifting from 1st to 2nd to 3rd gear is delayed 
depending on vehicle speed and engine temperature. 
This allows the catalytic converter to heat up more 
quickly to operating temperatures.During the brief warm-up period this delayed upshift 
and increased engine noise might be perceived as a 
malfunction. However, neither the engine nor 
transmission are negatively affected by this mode of 
operation.
The delayed upshift is effective with vehicle speeds 
below 31 mph (50 km/h) at partial throttle and engine 
temperatures below 95
°F (35
°C).
To avoid overrevving the engine when the selector lever 
is m ove d to a lower  gear  range , t he tran smi ss ion  will n ot 
shift to a lower gear, if the engine’s revolutions per 
minute limit would be exceeded. In this case there will 
be no downshift, even when the vehicle speed reaches 
the engine’s RPM limit of that gear, e.g. by applying the 
service brakes.
To prevent the engine from laboring at low RPM when 
driving uphill gradients or with your vehicle heavily 
loaded, the automatic transmission will downshift when 
necessary to maintain engine RPM within the best 
torque range.
Wa r n i n g !
O n  s l i p p e ry  ro a d  s u rfa c es ,  n eve r d ow n s h i f t  i n  o rd e r  
to obtain braking action. This could result in drive 
wheel slip and reduced vehicle control. Your 
vehicle’s ABS will not prevent this type of loss of 
control.
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218 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces 
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving 
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by 
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a 
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also 
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the 
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in 
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road 
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see 
towing the vehicle on page 272), the engine must be 
shut off (electronic key in steering lock position 0 or 1). 
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and 
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics 
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the 
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent 
ac c id ent s, i nc l udi ng t hose resul tin g from  exc es si ve 
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, 
attentive, and skillful driver can prevent accidents. 
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must 
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous 
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or 
the safety of others.
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220 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
To switch ESP off, press upper half of the switch.
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer dial, 
comes on.
To switch ESP on again, press lower half of the switch.
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer dial, 
goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with 
sn ow chain s,  or  startin g of f in  d eep  sn ow, san d o r grave l,  
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half of the ESP 
switch. The ESP warning lampv, located in the 
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque 
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced 
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road 
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with 
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the 
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient 
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds 
up  to ap pr oxim ately  2 4 mph (40 km /h), an d swi tche s of f 
at 50 mph (80 km/h).
P54.25-2037-26
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated 
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Ad apt your s peed  an d  d ri vi n g to the prevai li ng road  
conditions.
J_C208_II.book Seite 220 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

259 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation, 
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part. 
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further 
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
information on tested and recommended rims and tires 
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer 
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires 
must be of the correct size and type. For dimensions, 
see “Technical Data”.
We recommend that you break in new tires for approx. 
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be 
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm) 
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread 
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained 
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine 
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the 
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in 
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.
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265 Tires, Wheels
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 10. Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel hub. 
Install spare wheel on wheel hub. Insert wheel bolts 
and tighten them slightly.
To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat against hub 
and hold it there while installing first wheel bolt.
Unscrew the alignment bolt (1) to install the last 
wheel bolt.11. Lower vehicle. Remove jack and insert jack tube 
cover.
12. Using the wrench, tighten the five bolts evenly, 
following the sequence illustrated, until all bolts are 
tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm).
Before storing the jack, the jack arm must be 
lowered almost to the base of the jack. For proper 
storage of vehicle jack see page 258.
13. Ensure proper tire pressure.
1
1
J_C208_II.book Seite 265 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10 

301 Technical data
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Technical data
Model CLK 430 (208.370)
1
CLK 55 AMG (208.374)
1
Engine113 113
Mode of operation 4-stroke engine, 
gasoline injection4-stroke engine, 
gasoline injection
No. of cylinders 8 8
Bore 3.54 in (89.90 mm) 3.82 in (97.00 mm)
Stroke 3.30 in (84.00 mm) 3.60 in (92.00 mm)
Total piston displacement 260.3 cu.in. (4265 cm
3) 322.0 cu.in. (5439 cm
3)
Compression ratio 10:1 10.5:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349 275 hp/5750 rpm
(205 kW/5750 rpm)342 hp/5500 rpm
(255 kW/5500 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349 295 ft.lb/3200 rpm
(400 Nm/3200 rpm)376 ft.lb/3000 rpm
(510 Nm/3000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed 6000 rpm 6000 rpm
Firing order 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt 2390 mm 2390 mm
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
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303 Technical data
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rims – Winter tires
Electrical system Model CLK 430 CLK 55 AMG
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Winter tires:
Radial-ply tires 205/55 R 16 91 H M+S 225/45 R 17 91 W M+S
Model CLK 430 CLK 55 AMG
Generator (alternator) 14 V/150 A 14 V/150 A
Starter motor 12V/1.7 kW 12V/1.7 kW
B a t t e r y 12 V / 10 0   A h12 V / 10 0   A h
Spark plugs
Electrode gap
Tightening torqueBosch F 8 DPER
Beru 14 FGH 8 DPUR X 2
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15–22ft.lb (20–30Nm)NGK PFR 5-11
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15–22ft.lb (20–30Nm)
J_C208_II.book Seite 303 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 10:13 10