2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE parking brake

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats .............................................. 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts ................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 47
Windshield wipers ........................... 47
Problems while driving .................... 49
Parking and locking .............................. 50
Parking brake ................................. 50
Switching off headlamps................. 51
Turning off engine ........................... 51

ContentsOperation......................................... 239
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 240
Driving instructions ............................ 241
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 241
Drinking and driving ..................... 241
Pedals .......................................... 241
Power assistance ......................... 241
Brakes .......................................... 242
Driving off..................................... 243
Parking ......................................... 243
Tires ............................................. 244
Hydroplaning ................................ 245
Tire traction .................................. 245
Tire speed rating .......................... 245
Winter driving instructions ........... 246
Standing water ............................. 247
Passenger compartment .............. 247
Driving abroad .............................. 247
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 248
Catalytic converter ....................... 248
Emission control........................... 249
Coolant temperature .................... 250At the gas station .............................. 251
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 252
Engine compartment ......................... 253
Hood ............................................ 253
Engine oil ..................................... 254
Transmission fluid level ................ 256
Coolant ........................................ 256
Battery ......................................... 258
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 259
Tires and wheels ................................ 260
Important guidelines .................... 261
Life of tires ................................... 261
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 262
Rotating wheels ........................... 263
Winter driving .................................... 264
Winter tires .................................. 264
Block heater* ............................... 265
Snow chains ................................. 265Maintenance...................................... 266
Clearing the service indicator ...... 266
Service term exceeded ................ 266
Calling up the service indicator .... 267
Resetting the service indicator .... 267
Vehicle care....................................... 268
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 268

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Headlamp washer switch*
151
2
Combination switch

Turn signals


High beam


Windshield wipers
47
47
47
3
Cruise control lever

Cruise control


Distronic*
193
196
4
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
115
5
Instrument cluster
22,
111
6
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate op-
erating instructions
7
Starter switch
31
8
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
210
9
Overhead control panel
27
Item
Page
10
Glove box
219
11
Center console
25, 26
12
Hood lock release
253
13
Horn
14
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
37
15
Parking brake pedal
45
16
Door control panel
28
17
Parking brake release
45
18
Exterior lamp switch
46,
105
19
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
38

45 Getting started
Driving
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Parking brake
1Parking brake pedal
2Parking brake release handle

Release the parking brake by pulling on
handle2.
The indicator lamp
;
(USA only)
or
3
(Canada only) in the clock
goes out.Driving

Depress the brake pedal.

Move selector lever in positionDorR.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automat-
ic central locking system engages and the
locking knobs drop down.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the starter switch, take the Smart-
Key with KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) with
you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with ac-
cess to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake, which could re-
sult in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.

50 Getting startedParking and locking
Parking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows:
Parking brake
1Parking brake
2Release handle
Step firmly on parking brake1.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp
;
(USA only)
or
3
(Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the key from the starter switch. The
vehicle cannot be steered when the key is
removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to stop or steer the vehi-
cle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of inadvertent vehicle movement, be-
fore turning off the engine and leaving the
vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the selector lever to positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the key to starter switch position0
and remove, or press start / stop button
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*).


Take the key or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) and lock
vehicle when leaving.

51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
M

(
page 46).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 105).
Turning off engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.Turning off engine with the SmartKey

Turn the key in the starter switch
(page 31) to position0 and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 42).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
key from the starter switch, take the Smart-
Key with KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) with
you and lock the vehicle. Do not leave chil-
dren unattended in the vehicle, or with ac-
cess to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or move the
gear selector lever from positionP, either of
which could result in an accident and/or se-
rious personal injury.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 143).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to position P.
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the curb.
iThe SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* (if so equipped) can only
be removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
positionP.

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 276).
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lamp
v
flashing in the in-
strument cluster. In this case proceed as fol-
lows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving, ease upon the accelerator


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.iDistronic* is switched off when ESP is
activated.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
t i o n , t h e e n g i n e m u s t b e s h u t o f f ( k e y i n
starter switch position0 or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.


the vehicle is being towed with the
front ⁄ rear axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.

144 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionGear selector lever position
Effect
P
Park position
Selector position when the vehicle
is parked. Only place selector lever
in positionP when vehicle is
stopped. The park position is not in-
tended to serve as a brake when
the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the park-
ing brake in addition to placing the
selector lever in positionP to se-
cure the vehicle.
The key can only be removed from
the starter switch with the selector
lever in positionP. With the key re-
moved the selector lever is locked
in positionP.
Effect
R
Reverse gear
Place selector lever in positionR only
when vehicle is stopped.
N
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the en-
gine to the drive axle. When the
brakes are released, the vehicle can
be moved freely (pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the transmission,
never engageN while driving.
If the ESP is deactivated or malfunc-
tioning:
Only move selector lever toN if the
vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g.
on icy roads).
D
Drive
The transmission shifts automatical-
ly. All five forward gears are avail-
able.
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with selector lever inN
can result in transmission damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, positionP alone is not intend-
ed to or capable of preventing your vehicle
from moving, possibly hitting people or ob-
jects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 45).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.