2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 CABRIOLET key

263 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine.
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axle. On a level road, place one chock in front of and
one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to
the wheel being changed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from the area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle is
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.
Wa r n i n g !
Before working on the vehicle, e.g. when changing
wheels, the roll bar should be raised with the
switch, and the electronic key be removed from the
steering lock, to prevent possible injury.

270 Battery
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in steering lock position 0. The battery
and its filler caps must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation. During removal and
installation always protect the disconnected battery
positive (+) terminal with the cover attached to the
battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water and seek medical help if necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc..

273 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that move
when the engine is started. Allow the discharged
battery to charge for a few minutes. Start engine of
the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables
by exactly reversing the above installation
sequence, starting with the last connection made
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it
does not touch any other metal while the other end
is still attached to a battery.
Notes:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated failed
starting attempts may damage the catalytic converter.Tow i n g t h e v e h i c l e
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle be
transported with all wheels off the ground using flatbed
or appropriate wheel lift/ dolly equipment. This method
is preferable to other types of towing.
Caution!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/ dolly equipment with key in
steering lock turned to position 0.
Do not tow with sling- type equipment. Towing with
sling- type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie down
vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (see page 40) as well as
the ESP (see page 218).
When circumstances do not permit the recommended
towing methods, the vehicle may be towed with all
wheels on the ground or front wheels raised only so far
as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods can be
employed.

274 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (electronic key in steering lock
in position 0 or 1). Otherwise, the EPS will immediately
be engaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground,
the selector lever must be in position “N” and the key
must be in steering lock position 2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground
or the front axle raised, the vehicle may be towed only
for distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not
to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
drivetrain, however, we recommend the drive shaft be
disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any towing
beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Important!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the ground,
please note the following:
Wa r n i n g !
If circumstances require towing the vehicle with
all wheels on the ground, always tow with a tow bar
if:
• the engine will not run
• there is malfunction in the power supply or in
the vehicle´s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
steering lock position 2.If the key is left in the steering lock position 0 for
an extended period of time, it can no longer be
turned in the lock. In this case, the steering is
locked. To unlock, remove electronic key from
steering lock and reinsert.

275 Towing
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle
doors lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more. To prevent the vehicle doors from
locking, deactivate the automatic central locking, see
page 34.
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2 and activate combination switch for left or
right turn signal in usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the
passenger side behind a cover in the bumper panel.
CLK 320 (except Sport Package):
Cover removal:
Insert finger in recess of cover and pull cover out.
Cover installation:
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.
P88.20-2026-26

285 Electronic key
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Changing batteries in the electronic key
1Transmit buttons
2Lamp for battery check and function control
Checking batteries
If one of the transmit buttons (1) is pressed, the battery
check lamp (2) lights up briefly – indicating that the
batteries are in order.
Change batteries if the battery check lamp (2) does not
light up briefly.Changing batteries
Move locking tab (3) in direction of right arrow and
remove mechanical key (4, left arrow).
P80.20-2201-26
1
2
P80.35-2029-26
4
3

286 Electronic key
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Insert mechanical key (4) in side opening (5) to open
latch. Press briefly (do not use mechanical key as lever)
to release battery compartment.
Remove mechanical key from side opening.
Carefully remove battery compartment in direction of
arrow (6).Change batteries (7), inserting new ones under contact
spring (8) with plus (+) side facing up.
Return battery compartment into housing until locked
in place and slide mechanical key back into electronic
key.
P80.35-2025-26
5
4
6
P80.35-2027-26
78

287 Electronic key
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Important!
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment if disposed of improperly. Recycling of
batteries is the preferred method of disposal. For
disposal, please follow manufacturer’s recommendation
on battery package.
Replacement Battery:
Lithium, type CR 2025 or equivalent.Synchronizing remote control
The remote control may have to be resynchronized, if
the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked.
To synchronize insert electronic key in steering lock.
The remote control should once again be operational.