3 ContentsAutomatic transmission ............... 195
Parking brake .................................204
Driving instructions ......................205
Drive sensibly –
save fuel .......................................205
Drinking and driving .................205
Pedals ...........................................205
Power assistance ........................206
Brakes ..........................................206
Driving off ...................................207
Parking ........................................208
Tires .............................................208
Snow chains ................................ 211
Winter driving
instructions ................................. 211
Deep water .................................. 213
Passenger compartment ........... 213
Traveling abroad ........................ 213
Cruise control ................................. 214
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 218Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 220
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 224
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 226
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 228
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 228
Brake warning lamp .................. 229
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp .... 230
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 230
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 231
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 231ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 231
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................232
Seat belt warning lamp .............232
Malfunction and
indicator lamps in the
center console ...........................232
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....232
Roll bar warning lamp ...............233
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ..................235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ........................235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........236
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................237
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................237
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............238
BRAKE FLUID .............................238
PARKING BRAKE .......................239
J_A208.book Seite 3 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
177 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 178
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 179
Maintenance ................................... 179
Catalytic converter ........................ 180
Emission control ............................ 181
Tele Aid ........................................... 182
Steering lock ................................... 192
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 194
Automatic transmission ............... 195
Parking brake .................................204Driving instructions ...................... 205
Drive sensibly –
save fuel ...................................... 205
Drinking and driving ................ 205
Pedals .......................................... 205
Power assistance ........................ 206
Brakes .......................................... 206
Driving off ................................... 207
Parking ........................................ 208
Tires ............................................. 208
Snow chains ................................ 211
Winter driving
instructions ................................. 211
Deep water ...................................213
Passenger compartment ............ 213
Traveling abroad ......................... 213Cruise control ................................. 214
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 216
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 218
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ...........................................220
What you should know
at the gas station .......................224
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................226
J_A208.book Seite 177 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
211 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 222.
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire sizes
225 / 45 R17 and 245 / 40 R17.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.
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.
J_A208.book Seite 211 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
213 Driving instructions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 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 211.
Deep water
Caution!
Do not drive through flooded 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.
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Passenger compartment
Traveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service
network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas
which are not listed in the index of your Mercedes-Benz
Center directory, you should request pertinent
information from your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Always fasten items being carried as securely as
possible.In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and cause injury to vehicle
oc cu pa nt s u nl ess t he i tem s are s ecurely fastened i n
the vehicle.The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
J_A208.book Seite 213 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
221 Driving systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp¿ for the ESP is
combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. They should
go out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
If the ESP warning message is displayed, have the BAS
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
For ESP warning message, see page 245.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial c omes on ). For t his r eason , all wheels , i nclud in g t he
spare wheel, must have the same tire outside diameter.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and/or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.
J_A208.book Seite 221 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
314 Technical data
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Rims – Tires (except Sport Package) Rims – Tires (Sport Package)
1 Also permissible 225/45 ZR 17.
2 Also permissible 245/40 ZR 17.
3
3 Must not be used with snow chains.
4 Also permissible 225/45 ZR 17 91 Y.
5 Also permissible 245/40 ZR 17 91 Y.
3
Model CLK 320
Rims (light alloy)
Wheel offset7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
All season tires:
Radial-ply tires 205/55 R 16 91 H
Winter tires:
Radial-ply tires 205/55 R 16 91 H M+S
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 205/55 R 16 91 HModel CLK 320
Rims front axle
(AMG light alloy)
Wheel offset7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Rims rear axle
(AMG light alloy)
Wheel offset8
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.18 in (30 mm)
Radial-ply tires
Summer tires, front axle:
Summer tires, rear axle:225/45 R 17 91 Y
1, 4
245/40 R 17 91 Y
2, 3, 5
J_A208.book Seite 314 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
315 Technical data
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
1 Also permissible 225/45 ZR 17
2 Also permissible 245/40 ZR 17
3
3 Must not be used with snow chains.4 Also permissible 225/45 ZR 17 91 Y.
5 Also permissible 245/40 ZR 17 91 Y.
3
Model CLK 430 CLK 55 AMG
Rims front axle
(AMG light alloy)
Wheel offset:7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Rims rear axle
(AMG light alloy)
Wheel offset:8
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.18 in (30 mm)8
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.34 in (34 mm)
Radial-ply tires:
summer tires, front axle
summer tires, rear axle225/45 R 17 91 W
1
245/40 R 17 91 W
2, 3, 5
225/45 R 17 91 Y
1, 4
245/40 R 17 91 Y
2, 3, 5
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tire:
Radial-ply tire 225/45 R 17 91 W
1
225/45 R 17 91 W
1
J_A208.book Seite 315 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09
335 Index
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Setting the audio volume .............................................. 108
Shelf below rear window ..............................................250
Side marker lamp ..........................................................284
Snow chains .................................................................... 211
Soft top ............................................................................ 162
Emergency operation ............................................... 291
Lowering ..................................................................... 164
Raising ........................................................................ 166
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 182
Spare parts service ........................................................ 310
Spare wheel ........................................................... 260, 264
Special settings (Automatic climate control) ............ 123
SRS indicator lamp ........................................................ 230
SRS malfunction .............................................................. 68
Start lock-out .................................................................... 26
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 194
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. - malfunction
and warning messages ............................................ 243
Steering column, adjustable ........................................... 77
Steering lock ................................................................... 192
Storage compartment
Trunk floor .................................................................260Storage compartments
Center console ........................................................... 152
Glove box .................................................................... 151
Storage compartments, armrest
and cup holder ........................................................... 151
Stowing things in the vehicle ..................................... 250
Sun visors ........................................................................ 150
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 65
Synchronizing remote control .................................... 290
TTachometer ........................................................................ 87
Technical data ................................................................. 313
Electrical system ....................................................... 316
Main dimensions ...................................................... 317
Rims and tires ........................................................... 314
Weights ....................................................................... 317
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 182
Emergency calls ........................................................ 183
Information ................................................................ 187
Initiating an emergency call manually .................. 185
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 186
J_A208.book Seite 335 Donnerstag, 31. Mai 2001 9:35 09