2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE towing

335 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in starter switch position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from starter switch and reinsert.
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 a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the braking and steer-
ing systems. In this case, it is important to
keep in mind that a considerably higher de-
gree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accord-
ingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

336 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
1Cover on right side of front bumper2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

L i f t c o v e r o f f t o r e v e a l t h r e a d e d h o l e f o r
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (if so equipped) in position2,
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.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 81).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 133).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 329) or on jump
starting (
page 332).

377 Index
GPS 363
GPS see COMAND* 233
H
Hand-held transmitter
Programming integrated remote con-
trol 236
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 273
Hazard warning flasher 108
Switching off 108
Switching on 108
Head restraints 97
Headlamp cleaning system* 259
Headlamps
Automatic control 106
Bi-Xenon 361
Cleaning 271
Cleaning system* 151, 259
Refilling washer fluid 259
Switching off 51
Switching on 46
Washer fluid 357
Washer system* 357
Headliner
Cleaning 273Heated seats* 101
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36
Steering wheel 37
High beam flasher 47, 108
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 298
Replacing bulbs 317, 319
Switching on 108
High mounted brake lamp 317
Hood 253
Closing 254
Message in display 296
Opening 253
Hydroplaning 245
I
Identification labels 342
Ignition 31, 33
Switching on 44
Immobilizer 79
Activating 79
Deactivating 79
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warningInfant and child restraint systems 66
Installing 70
LATCH child seat mounts 71
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid* 232
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Antiglare 149
Installing
Infant and child restraint systems 70
Towing eye bolt 336
Wiper blades 323
Instrument cluster 22, 111, 363
Cleaning 273
Coolant temperature display 112
Illumination 111
Lamps in 276–280
Multifunction display 114
Outside temperature indicator 113
Selecting language 127
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 20

383 Index
Passenger compartment 247
Fuse box in 337
Inside rear view mirror 38
Interior lighting 109
Parcel net in front passenger footwell
222
Storage bags, rear side of the front
seats 222
Passenger safety see Occupant safety 56
Pedals 241
Phone book*
Loading 139
Quick search 139
Phone number*
Dialing 139
Redialing 140
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 273
Playing
CDs 179
Poly-V-belt drive 364
Layout 343
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 103
Storing into memory 103
Power assistance 241Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 36
Adjusting head restraint height 36
Adjusting head restraint tilt 36
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 36
Adjusting seat height 35
Front seat head restraints 98
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Power train 364
Power washer 269
Power windows 187
Blocking of rear window operation 72
Side windows 187
Synchronizing 189
Practical hints
First aid kit 305
Fuses 337
Lamp in center console 282
Lamps in instrument cluster 276
Messages in the display 283
Minispare wheel 307
Spare wheel bolts 309
Towing the vehicle 334
Vehicle jack 306
Vehicle tool kit 305
Premium unleaded gasoline 354Problems
While driving 49
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Program mode selector switch 364
Automatic transmission 145
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 139
R
Radio
Selecting stations 120
Station search 120
Station selection setting 132
Radio mode 171
Radio see Radio mode
Radio transmitters, control and operation
248
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 137
Rapid seat heating*
Switching on 101
Reading lamp 27
Rear bench seat
Foldable 215

390 IndexTelephone* 24, 226
Answering a call 139
Dialing a number from the phone book
139
Ending a call 139
Hands-free microphone 27
Loading phone book* 139
Messages in display 301
Operating 138
Operation 182
Redialing 140
Temperature
Display mode 126
Grades of tires 359
Setting interior temperature 157
Setting units in display 126
Tires 262
Tie-down rings (Trunk) 218
Tightening torque 366
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 328
Time
Setting hours 128
Setting minutes 129
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 252, 262
Tire speed rating 245, 366Tire traction 245
Tires 260, 345
Consumer information 358
Direction of rotation 261
Driving instructions 244
Retreads 260
Rims and tires 345
Service life 261
Temperature 262
Temperature grades 359
Tread depth 264
Wear pattern 263
Winter 264
Tools 305
Tow-away alarm 25, 81
Arming 81
Disarming 81
Disarming for transport 81
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 336
Towing the vehicle 334
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 235
Traction 145, 358, 366
Transmission see Automatic transmission
256Transmission selector lever 313
Unlocking manually 313
Traveling abroad 247
Tread depth (tires) 264
Tread wear 358
Trip computer 136
Trip odometer
Resetting 112
Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 338
Closing 94
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 91
Locking separately 94
Message in display 301
Opening 87
Opening from inside vehicle 92
Tie-down rings 218
Trunk lid 87
Trunk lock 311
Unlocking in an emergency 311
Unlocking separately 95
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 90
Unlocking with SmartKey 86
Trunk lid emergency release 93
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 317

391 Index
Turn signals 47
Additional in mirrors 317
Cleaning lenses 271
Front bulbs 317, 319, 321
Indicator lamps 23
Rear bulbs 317, 322
Turning off
Engine 51
U
Units
Setting speedometer units 126
Setting temperature units 126
Unlocking 30, 84
Driver’s door in an emergency 310
Fuel filler flap 251
Global 85
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 89
In an emergency 310
Selective settings 85
Transmission selector lever manually
313
Trunk in an emergency 311
Trunk lid with KEYLESS-GO* 90
Trunk lid with SmartKey 86
Trunk lid, separately 95
Vehicle in an emergency 234With KEYLESS-GO* 32
With the SmartKey 30
Upgrade signals
Tele Aid* 233
Uphill driving
Cruise control 194
Upshifting
One-touch gearshifting 142
Steering wheel gearshift control 147
Useful features 219
Ashtrays 223
Cigarette lighter 224
Floormats* 225
Garage door opener 235
Interior storage spaces 219
Tele Aid* 227
Telephone* 226
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 123, 125
Locking 25
Locking in an emergency 311
Lowering 328
Proper use of 16
Service battery 329
Towing 334Unlocking 25
Unlocking in an emergency 310
Vehicle battery 329
Vehicle care 268
Cup holder 273
Distronic* system sensor cover 271
Engine cleaning 270
Gear selector lever 273
Hard plastic trim items 273
Headlamps 271
Instrument cluster 273
Leather upholstery 273
Light alloy wheels 272
Ornamental moldings 271
Paintwork 270
Parktronic* system sensor 272
Plastic and rubber parts 273
Power washer 269
Seat belts 273
Steering wheel 273
Tail lamps 271
Tar stains 269
Turn signals 271
Vehicle washing 270
Window cleaning 272
Wiper blades 272

392 IndexVehicle jack 306
Vehicle lighting
Checking 252
Vehicle tool kit 305
Alignment bolt 305
Spare fuses 305
Special fuse puller 305
Towing eye bolt 305
Vehicle jack 305
Wheel bolts 305
Wheel wrench 305
Vehicle washing 270
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) 366
Voice control system* 366
Voice control system*
Hands-free microphone 27
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 204
Distronic* 198
Drivers seat belts 62
Parking brake 45
Warranty coverage 341
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluidWashing the vehicle 268
Wear pattern (tires) 263
Weights 350
Wheel change
Tightening torque 328
Wheels
Rotating 263
Tires and wheels 260
Window curtain airbags 61
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Defogging 158
Refilling washer fluid 259
Replacing wiper blades 323
Washer fluid 259, 357
Washer system 357
Windshield washer fluid 357
Message in display 301
Mixing ratio 357
Refilling 259
Wiping with 48
Windshield washer system 357
Windshield wipers 47, 151
Fast wiper speed 48
Intermittent wiping 48
Replacing wiper blades 323Single wipe 48
Switching on 47
Wiping with windshield washer fluid 48
Winter driving 264
Block heater* 265
Snow chains 265
Tires 264
Transmission program mode 145, 147
Winter driving instructions 246
Winter tires 264
Wiper blades
Cleaning 272
Installing 323
Removing 323
Replacing 323
Wiping
And washing simultaneously 48
Interval 48
With windshield washer fluid 48
X
Xenon headlamps
Bi-Xenon 361