2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE ABS

285 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ABS
Anti-lock
braking system
not working!
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
BAS
not available
See operator’s manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the BAS has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the BAS available.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center if you see
the warning message for a longer peri-
od of time.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.

294 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ESP
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ESP is deactivated because of a mal-
function or interrupted power supply. The
ABS may still be operational.

With the vehicle stationary and the en-
gine running, turn the steering wheel
completely to the left and then to the
right to synchronize the ESP.
If the ESP message does not go out:

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
:
Engine oil level
Stop, engine off!
There is no oil in the engine. There is a
danger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as
soon as possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil.

314 Practical hintsOpening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergencySliding/pop-up roof
The sliding/pop-up roof drive is located
behind the lens of the interior overhead
light.
You can open or close the sliding/pop-up
roof manually should an electrical malfunc-
tion occur.

Pry off lens1 using a flat blade screw-
driver.

Slide both locking tabs2 in direction of
arrow.

Lower rear of cover and remove.

Remove cover.iDo not disconnect electrical connec-
tors.

322 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
1Brake lamp
2Turn signal lamp
3Backup lamp
4Standing and side marker lamp
5Rear fog lamp (driver’s side)/tail
Switch off the lights.

Open trunk.

Swing the trim panel covering the cor-
responding rear lights to the side.

Squeeze tabs together and remove the
bulb holder with the bulb.

Twist bulb counterclockwise and pull
out of bulb holder.

Insert new bulb into the holder and turn
it clockwise.

Reinstall bulb holder. The tabs must au-
dibly click.

Close trim panel.

Place the housing cover back on so
that its tabs click in place. License plate lamp
1Screws

Switch off the lights.

Loosen both screws1 and remove
lamp.

Replace the tubular lamp and reinstall
lamp.

Retighten the screws.

353 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, only
use engine oils recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on recom-
mended brands is available in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow FSS recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so
could result in engine damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may be harmful to the engine opera-
tion.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil, otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.

361 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp
7
in the center console lights
up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.
BabySmartTM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger side airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.

367 Index
A
ABS 23, 74, 361
ABS control 75
Malfunction indicator lamp 277
Messages in display 284
Warning lamp 277
Accelerator position, automatic transmis-
sion 146
Accident
In case of 49
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 163
Air recirculation mode 160
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control 155
Central locking (control system) 133
Charcoal filter 161
Distance warning function* 205
Distronic* 201
Easy-entry/exit feature 133
ESP 78
Exterior headlamps 46
Exterior lamps 106
Front and rear fog lamp 106
Hazard warning flasher 108
Headlamps 46High beams 108
Ignition 31
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button 33
Immobilizer 51, 79
Rear window defroster 162
Residual heat 163
Seat heater* 101
Tow-away alarm 81
Windshield wipers 48
Activating steering wheel gearshift control
147
Downshifting 148
Upshifting 147
Adding
Coolant 257
Engine oil 255
Additional turn signals 317
Adjustable air vents, rear passenger com-
partment 164Adjusting 34
Air distribution 158
Air volume 159
Backrest tilt 36
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Inside rear view mirror 38
Instrument cluster illumination 111
Mirrors 38
Multicontour seat* 100
Seat cushion depth 100
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat fore and aft adjustment 35
Seat height 35
Seats 34
Steering column height 38
Steering column length 38
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 163
Turning on 163
Air conditioning refrigerant 353
Air distribution
Adjusting 158

368 IndexAir pressure see Tire inflation pressure 262
Air recirculation mode 160
Activating 160
Deactivating 160
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 164
Air volume
Adjusting 159
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 282
Airbags 57
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem 361
BabySmartTM deactivation system 68
Children 58
Front 61
Passenger 61
Safety guidelines 60
Side impact 61
Window curtain 61
Alarm
Audible 73, 80
Canceling 80
Visual 80
Alarm system
Anti-theft 80Alignment bolt 326
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 361
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 356
Antiglare
Automatic 149
Antilock brake system (ABS) 361
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 80
Canceling alarm 80
Disarming 80
Anti-theft systems 79
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Immobilizer 79
Tow-away alarm 81
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 245
Armrest
Storage spaces 221
Ashtray 223
At the gas station 251
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 256
AUDIO menu 119
Selecting radio station 120Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation 165
Button and soft key operation 168
Cassette mode 174
CD mode 178
Operating and display elements 166
Operating safety 165
Operation 168
Radio mode 171
Switching off 168
Switching on 168
Telephone operation 182
Audio systems 165
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
149
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control sys-
tem) 133
Automatic climate control 154
Adjusting air distribution 158
Air recirculation mode 160
Defrosting 159
Rear window defroster 162
Setting the temperature 157
Automatic headlamp mode 106