2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 CABRIOLET power steering

202 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
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 212.
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.

213 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Applying the brakes very quickly results in maximum
BAS assistance.
To receive the benefit of the system you must apply
continuous full braking power during the stopping
sequence. Do not reduce brake pedal pressure.
Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
The malfunction indicator lamp for the electronic
stability program (ESP) is combined with the BAS
malfunction indicator lamp.
The BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the electronic key in
steering lock position 2 and should go out with the
engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
permanently while the engine is running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. As a result, it is
possible that now only partial engine output will be
available. If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system
functions in the usual manner, but without BAS.If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the BAS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
BAS is operational.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS is also switched
off. Both malfunction indicator lamps come on with the
engine running.
If the BAS warning message is displayed, have the BAS
or ESP checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

214 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km/h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.

217 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
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 241.
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 comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
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.

241 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability program)
1 A malfunction has been detected in the system. Pressing the
accelerator pedal will require greater effort. Only partial engine
output will be available.
2 This message may be displayed if the power supply was
interrupted (battery disconnected or empty).
3 Synchronize ESP. See page 217
REMOVE KEY
This message plus an audible alarm indicate that the
electronic key is in steering lock position 0 or 1, and the
driver’s door is open.
Line 1 Line 2
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE VISIT WORKSHOP!
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. VISIT WORKSHOP!
1, 2 , 3
Line 1 Line 2
REMOVE KEY!
P54.30-3573-21

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

288 Emergency operation of soft top
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Raising soft top manually
In case of malfunction, the power soft top can also be
raised manually. This procedure should be performed
with great care by two persons.
We recommend to take off your watch or other jewelry to
prevent personal injury.
A combination open-end / hex-socket wrench in the
vehicle tool kit is required for this job.
1. E n ga ge p a rk i n g b ra ke .
2. Lower windows and open doors.
3. Lower roll bar with roll bar switch.
Note:
If the roll bar cannot be lowered, carefully guide the
soft top across the roll bar. Lift the rear window over
the roll bar.
4. For safety reasons, remove electronic key from
steering lock. Important!
Ensure that the trunk lid is closed while raising the soft
top manually. Otherwise there is the possibility of
contact between the trunk lid and the soft top
compartment cover.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not place your hands near the roll bar, soft top
frame, upper windshield area or soft top storage
compartment or between the soft top rods while the
soft top is being raised and locked. Serious personal injury may occur.