2003 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE ESP

354 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the
pu mp ) m us t b e 91 mi n. It is an a ve ra ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation


Unstable idle


Knocking/pinging


Misfire


Power loss
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to the engine op-
eration.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.


Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.


Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.


Do not exceed
2⁄3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.

359 Technical data
Consumer information
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. Grade C corresponds to a level
of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law.
Warning!
G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.

363 Technical terms
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Line of fall
The direct line that an object moves
downhill when influenced by the force
of gravity alone.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.

366 Technical termsTele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Telematics*
A combination of the terms “telecom-
munications” and “informatics”.Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).

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

372 IndexCombination switch 107
High beam flasher 47, 108
Turn signals 47
Windshield wipers 47
Consumer information 358
Control and operation of radio transmitters
248
Control system 114, 362
AUDIO menu 119
Convenience submenu 133
Display digital speedometer 119
Distronic* menu 121
Functions 115, 118
Instrument cluster submenu 126, 128
Lighting submenu 129
Malfunction memory menu 122
Menus 117, 118, 364
Multifunction display 114
Multifunction steering wheel 115
NAVI menu 121
Selecting radio system 120
Settings menu 123
Standard display menu 119
Submenus 116, 118
TEL* menu 138
Trip computer menu 136Vehicle submenu 132
Convenience submenu 133
Activating easy-entry/exit feature 133
Setting key dependency 135
Setting parking position for exterior
rear view mirror 135
Coolant 256, 355
Adding 257
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity 355
Capacities 351
Checking level 256
Messages in display 289, 290
Temperature 250
Temperature display 112
Warning lamp 281, 290
Coolant level
Checking 256
Cruise control 193, 362
Canceling 194
Driving downhill 194
Driving uphill 194
Fine adjustment 195
Lever 200
Saving current speed 194
Setting speeds 195
Cruise control lever 193Cup holder
Cleaning 273
Closing 220, 221
In rear seat armrest 220
In the dashboard 220
Opening 220, 221
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) 362
D
Daytime running lamp mode 106
Setting 129, 130
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 163
Air recirculation mode 160
Alarm 80
Anti-theft alarm system 80
Automatic climate control 155
Central locking (control system) 133
Cruise control 194
Defrost 159
Distance warning function* 205
Distronic* 203
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 52
Engine with the key 51
ESP 78
Exterior lamps 106
Hazard warning flasher 108

374 Index
Resetting stored speed 202
Sensor cover 271
Setting a higher speed 201
Setting a slower speed 202
Setting following distance 203
Setting the current speed 201
Warning and indicator lamps 198
Door control panel 28
Door entry lamps 110
Door handle 28
Door unlock
With Tele Aid* 234
Doors
Message in display 292
Opening from inside vehicle 92
Opening from outside 85, 89
Downhill driving
Cruise control 194
Downshifting 142
Steering wheel gearshift control 148
Drinking and driving 241Driving
General instructions 40, 241
Hydroplaning 245
In winter 246
Problems 49
Safety systems 74
Through standing water 247
Traveling abroad 247
With Distronic* 205
Driving instructions 241
Driving off 243
Driving safety systems
ABS 74
BAS 76
ESP 76
Driving systems 193
Cruise control 193
Distronic* 196
Driving safety systems 74
DTR see Distronic* 362E
Easy-entry/exit feature 97
Activating 133
Interrupting movement 134
Electrical fuses 337
Electrical system
Technical data 348
Electronic Stability Program see ESP 23,
76
Electronic stability program see ESP 363
Emergency call
Telephone 185
Emergency call system* 227
Emergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 230
With Tele Aid* 228
Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode)
146
Emergency operations
Closing sliding/pop-up roof 314
Locking the vehicle 311
Opening sliding/pop-up roof 314
Remote door unlock 234
Unlocking the trunk lid 311
Unlocking the vehicle 310

375 Index
Emergency tensioning device see ETD 65,
363
Emission control 249
Emission control label 342
Ending
A call (telephone) 139
Engine
Compartment 253
Message in display 280
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 44
Starting with the key 44
Technical data 344
Turning off with the key 51
Engine cleaning 270
Engine compartment 253
Fuse box in 337
Hood 253
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23, 280
Engine number 363Engine oil 254, 353
Adding 255
Additives 353
Checking level 254
Consumption 254
Display messages 294
Filler neck 255
Messages in display 256
Viscosity 363
Engine oil level see Oil level 252
ESP 23, 76, 363
Messages in display 293
Switching off 78
Switching on 78
Warning lamp 276
ETD 363
Safety guidelines 60
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 65
Exterior lamp switch 105
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Parking position for 135, 150F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 126
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 195
Distronic* 202
First aid kit 305
Flat tire 324
Lowering the vehicle 328
Minispare wheel 307
Mounting the Minispare wheel 324
Preparing the vehicle 324
Flexible Service System (FSS) 266, 363
Floormats* 225
Fog lamp, rear 107, 317
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 317
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 298
Replacing bulbs 318
Switching on 107
Front airbags 61