2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 COUPE manual transmission

Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 141
One-touch gearshifting................. 142
Gear ranges ................................. 143
Gear selector lever position ......... 144
Program mode selector switch..... 145
Accelerator position ..................... 146
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 146
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) and manual
shift program CLK 55 AMG .......... 146
Good visibility .................................... 149
Rear view mirror........................... 149
Parking position ........................... 150
Windshield wipers ........................ 151
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 151
Sun visors .................................... 152
Rear window sunshade* .............. 153
Automatic climate control ................. 154
Setting the temperature ............... 157
Adjusting air distribution .............. 158
Adjusting air volume .................... 159
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 159
Defrosting .................................... 159
Air recirculation mode.................. 160
Charcoal filter .............................. 161Rear window defroster .................. 162
Air conditioning............................. 163
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 163
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 164
Audio system ...................................... 165
Audio and telephone, operation .... 165
Operating safety ........................... 165
Operating and display elements.... 166
Button and soft key operation....... 168
Operation ...................................... 168
Radio mode................................... 171
Cassette mode.............................. 174
CD changer* operating mode ....... 178
Telephone* operation ................... 182
Power windows .................................. 187
Opening and closing the windows. 187
Synchronizing power windows ...... 189
Sliding/pop-up roof* .......................... 190
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 190
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 192
Driving systems .................................. 193
Cruise control ............................... 193
Distronic* ..................................... 196PARKTRONIC system* .................. 208
Loading .............................................. 212
Roof rack ...................................... 212
Ski sack* ...................................... 212
Split rear bench seat .................... 215
Loading instructions ..................... 217
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 218
Useful features ................................... 219
Interior storage spaces ................. 219
Ashtrays........................................ 223
Cigarette lighter ............................ 224
Floormats* ................................... 225
Telephone* ................................... 226
Tele Aid ......................................... 227
Garage door opener ...................... 235

Contents
Practical hints................................. 275
What to do if …?................................. 276
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 276
Lamp in center console................ 282
Messages in the display ............... 283
Where will I find...? ............................ 305
First aid kit ................................... 305
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 305
Minispare wheel ........................... 307
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 310
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 310
Locking the vehicle ...................... 311
Changing batteries ....................... 312
Fuel filler flap ............................... 313
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 313
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 314
Sliding/pop-up roof ..................... 314
Replacing bulbs ................................. 316
Bulbs ............................................ 316
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 318
Side marker lamp bulb ................. 321
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 322Replacing wiper blades....................... 323
Removing ...................................... 323
Installing ....................................... 323
Flat tire ............................................... 324
Preparing the vehicle .................... 324
Mounting the Minispare wheel ...... 324
Battery................................................ 329
Disconnecting the battery............. 330
Removing the batteries ................. 330
Charging and
reinstalling batteries ..................... 330
Reconnecting the batteries ........... 331
Jump starting ...................................... 332
Towing the vehicle .............................. 334
Towing the vehicle ........................ 334
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 336
Fuses .................................................. 337
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 337
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 337
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk............. 338
Technical data.................................. 339
Spare parts service ............................ 340
Warranty coverage ............................. 341
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 341
Identification labels ............................ 342
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 343
CLK320 / CLK500 /
CLK 55 AMG ................................. 343
Engine ................................................ 344
Rims and tires .................................... 345
Same size tires ............................. 345
Mixed size tires ............................. 346
Minispare wheel............................ 347
Electrical system ................................ 348
Main dimensions ................................ 349
Weights .............................................. 350

146 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionAccelerator position
Your driving style influences the transmis-
sion’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode, only 2nd gear and reverse gear can
be activated.
Stop the vehicle.

Move selector lever toP.

Turn off the engine.

Wait at least ten seconds before re-
starting.

Move selector lever to positionD (for
2nd gear) orR.

Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) and manual shift program
CLK 55 AMG
The CLK 55 AMG can be driven in both the
automatic and manual shift program
modes. In the manual shift program mode,
you can change the gears yourself on the
steering wheel or by using the selector le-
ver.
1Shift button
2Left button: downshift
3Right button: upshift

147 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
To do so, you must first select the manual
shift program M on the program mode se-
lector switch.
1Program mode selector switch
S SPORT For regular driving
C COMFORT For comfortable driving
M MANUAL For manual gear shifting
The selected shift program (
S/C/M) is indi-
cated in the speedometer display field
(
page 114).Activating steering wheel gearshift
control

Press the program mode selector
switch repeatedly until the
M for manual
shift program appears in the speedom-
eter display field.
Automatic gear shifting is deactivated.Upshifting

Press button 3 located on the right side
of the steering wheel.
or

Briefly press the selector lever to the
right in the D+direction.
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.
Warm up the engine gently. Do not place
full load on the engine until the operating
temperature has been reached. Shift into
reverse gear only when the vehicle is
stopped.
!Never change the program mode when
the selector lever is out of positionP. It
could result in a change of driving char-
acteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
!When driving off on slippery road sur-
faces, avoid spinning a drive wheel for
longer periods. This may cause damage
to the drivetrain.

313 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries under the contact spring with the
plus (+) side facing up.

Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until it locks into place.
Fuel filler flap
1Release lever
Remove the right side trim panel in the
trunk.

Reach inside in direction of arrow 2.

Turn release knob 1 clockwise as far as
it will go.
The fuel filler flap can be opened.Manually unlocking the transmission
selector lever
In case of power failure, the transmission
selector lever can be manually unlocked,
e.g. to tow the vehicle.
Open the storage compartment in front
of the center armrest.

Take out cover 1.

Insert a pin into the opening of
division2 and pry the division out.

Insert a tool3 (e.g. screwdriver) into
the opening.

Perform the following two steps simul-
taneously:
Push pin3 forward in the direction
of the arrow.

Move selector lever from
positionP.

Reinstall the division and cover after re-
moving the tool from the opening.iThe selector lever is locked again when
moving it to positionP.

364 Technical termsMemory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each key or, if so equipped, KEY-
LESS-GO* feature.
Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
Select
radio station
or Operate CD player
.
Using commands you can directly
change the settings for your vehicle.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gi ne sp ee d ra nge , a s it m ay re su lt i n s e-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Parktronic*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case


drive shaft


differential


axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between regular operationS and
winter operationW.
CLK 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program.
In addition toS andC (for regularS or
comfortC operation, see above) you
can use theM for manual shift
program.

365 Technical terms
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being inadvertently moved out
of positionP without key turned and
brake pedal depressed.
Speedshift
Steering wheel gearshift control and
manual shift program. In the manual
shift program mode you can change
the gears yourself on the steering
wheel or by using the selector lever.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.

369 Index
Automatic lighting control
Activating 109
Deactivating 109
Automatic locking when driving 95
Automatic transmission 141
Accelerator position 146
Activating steering wheel gearshift
control 147
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 148
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 146
Fluid level 256
Gear ranges 143
Gear selector lever position 144
Gear shifting malfunctions 146
Kickdown 146
Manual shift program, CLK 55 AMG
146
One-touch gearshifting 142
Program mode selector switch 145
Selector lever position 141
Speedshift, CLK 55 AMG 146
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift), CLK 55 AMG 146Transmission fluid 256
Winter program mode 145, 147
Auxiliary fuse box 338
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 68
Compatible child seats 68, 361
Self-test 68
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
361
Backrest
Folding forward 216
Folding rearward 217
Backup lamps 317, 322
Bulbs 317
BAS 76, 361
Messages in display 285
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 312
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 312
Checking 86
Battery discharged
Jump starting 332Battery, vehicle 258, 329
Charging 330
Disconnecting 330
Messages in display 303
Reconnecting 331
Reinstalling 330
Removing 330
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 361
Block heater* 265
Blocking
Rear window operation 72
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 309
Brake assist system (BAS) 361
Brake fluid 353
Brake lamp bulbs 317
Brake lamp, high mounted 317
Brake pads
Message in display 286
Brakes 242
Warning lamp 279
Break-in period 240