2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 COUPE headlamp

254 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from the vehicle and do not open the
hood until the engine has cooled. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.

259 Operation
Engine compartment
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approx. 6.4 US qt. (6 l).
During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Pre-mix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available pre-mixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing. Failure to do so could result in
damage to the washer system/reser-
voir.The windshield washer system on this ve-
hicle is heated, so a fluid mixture produced
for temperatures of approximately 14°F
(–10°C) should be sufficient.
More information can be found in the
“Technical data” section (
page 357).1Washer fluid reservoir
Warning!
G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer
solvent / antifreeze on hot engine parts, be-
cause it may ignite. You could be seriously
burned.
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.

264 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a pre-mixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for below freezing temperatures
(page 357).


Battery test. 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.


Tire change. We recommend M+S rat-
ed radial-ply tires on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 39°F (4°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and the ESP in win-
ter operation.
For safe handling, ensure that all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available from your tire dealer or
from any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under 0.16 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire* when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

271 Operation
Vehicle care
Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, tail lamps, turn signal
lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.Cleaning the Distronic* system sensor
cover
1Distronic* system sensor cover
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water to clean sensor
cover1.To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the sensor cover. Do
not attempt to wipe dirty sensors with a
dry cloth or sponge.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approx. 3 ft. (approx. 1 m), the
vehicle could be inadvertently locked
or unlocked.
iRestart the engine after cleaning sen-
sor cover1.

296 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 251).
Y
Hood open!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 254).
I
Remove key
You have forgotten to remove the key.

Remove the key from the starter
switch.
Replace key!
No additional code available for SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
.
Lamp sensor
Visit workshop!
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp opera-
tion to manual (
page 129).

Switch on headlamps using the exteri-
or lamp switch.
Low beam, left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Low beam, right
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Display defective!
Visit workshop!
The display for the lamps or the system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Turn signal rear left
Substitute lamp on!

The left rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal rear right
Substitute lamp on!

The right rear turn signal lamp is malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb is being used.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

316 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Replacing bulbsSafe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
Bulbs
iIf the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity, driv-
ing the vehicle a distance should clear
up the fogging.
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Turn signal lamps


Brake lamps


Parking lamps


Tail lamps

317 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Front lamps Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement
Lamp
Type
1
Low beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps* do not replace
the Bi-Xenon bulbs yourself.
H7 (55 W)
Bi-Xenon*
D2S-35 W
2
High beam
H7 (55 W)
Parking and stand-
ing lamps
W 5 W
3
Additional turn sig-
nal lamps
LED
4
Turn signal lamp
1156 NA
5
Side marker lamp
W 5 W
6
Fog lamp
HB4/9006
(55 W)
Lamp
Type
7
Rear fog lamp, driv-
er’s side
P 21/4 W
Turn signal lamp
P 21 W
Brake lamp
P 21 W
Backup lamp
P 21 W
Tail, parking and
standing lamp, side
marker
P 21/4 W
W 5 W
8
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
9
License plate lamps
C 5 W
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

320 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsFront lamps Bi-Xenon*-type
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2Housing cover for high beam lamp
3Housing cover for Bi-Xenon* lamp4High beam bulb
5Parking and standing lampHigh beam bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 253).

Turn housing cover2 counterclockwise
and remove.

Turn bulb holder 4 with the bulb coun-
terclockwise and remove.

Press the bulb backwards and turn
counterclockwise out of the bulb hold-
er.

Press the new bulb into the holder and
twist it clockwise.

Place the bulb holder back into the
lamp and turn it clockwise.

Place the housing cover 2 back on and
turn them clockwise.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover 3 for the Bi-Xenon*
headlamp. Because of high voltage in xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
o mme nd t h at y ou ha ve s uc h w o rk do n e by a
qualified technician.