Contents
Maintenance...................................... 302
Clearing the service indicator ...... 302
Service term exceeded ................ 302
Calling up the service indicator .... 303
Resetting the service indicator..... 303
Vehicle care ....................................... 304
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 304
Practical hints.................................. 311
What to do if …? ................................. 312
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 312
Lamp in center console................. 319
Messages in the display ................ 320
Where will I find...? ............................. 343
First aid kit.................................... 343
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 343
Minispare wheel............................ 346
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 348
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 348
Locking the vehicle ....................... 349
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey/ SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* ....................... 350
Fuel filler flap ................................ 352
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 352
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 353
Operating roll bars manually ......... 353
Soft top emergency operation ...... 355Replacing bulbs .................................. 372
Bulbs............................................. 372
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 374
Side marker lamp bulb.................. 377
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 378
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 379
Removing wiper blades ................. 379
Installing wiper blades .................. 379
Flat tire............................................... 380
Preparing the vehicle .................... 380
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 380
Battery ............................................... 385
Disconnecting the battery ............ 386
Removing the battery ................... 386
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 386
Reconnecting the battery ............. 387
Jump starting...................................... 388
Towing the vehicle.............................. 390
Towing the vehicle ........................ 390
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 392
Fuses.................................................. 394
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 394
Fuse box in engine compartment . 395
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk ............ 396
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312 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
What to do if …?Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
come on during the bulb self-check when turning the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2, have it checked and replaced
if necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.
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 an accident.
Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 320).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator (al-
ternator) and battery checked.
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321 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Text messagesDisplay
Display message
Possible cause
Possible 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 an accident.
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The ESP and the BAS are
also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without the ABS available.
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 an accident.
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323 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
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 as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
Cruise Con-
trol
Visit workshop!
Cruise control or Distronic* is malfunc-
tioning.
Have cruise control or Distronic*
checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Distronic
External interference
Reactivate!
Distronic* is switched off and is tempo-
rarily unavailable.
Try activating Distronic* again later.
Currently unavailable!
see oper. manual
Distronic* is switched off because the
Distronic* cover in the radiator grille is
dirty.
Clean the Distronic* cover in the radi-
ator grille (
page 308).
Restart the vehicle.
Visit workshop!
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the display
is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
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324 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction or interrupted power supply.
The ABS might not be operational.
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 an accident.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The ESP or the ESP display is malfunction-
ing.
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 an accident.
not available!
See operator’s manual
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ESP has switched off.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ESP is operational again.
If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
The self-diagnosis has not been complet-
ed.
The display will clear after driving a short
distance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
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326 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Undervoltage
Charge battery
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Start the engine (
page 43).
Undervoltage
Switch off
consumers
The battery has insufficient voltage.
Turn off unnecessary electrical con-
sumers.
VISIT WORKSHOP!
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.
Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Drive immediately to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Ad-
just driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.
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386 Practical hintsBatteryDisconnecting the battery
1Negative terminal
2Positive terminal cover
Depress parking brake firmly or move
gear selector lever to positionP.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the start / stop button until
the engine shuts off.
Open the driver’s door.
Open the hood (
page 287).
Remove the filter box.
Disconnect the battery negative lead.
Remove cover2 from the positive ter-
minal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw securing the bat-
tery.
Remove the battery support and brack-
et.
Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in position
P
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
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429 Index
Automatic climate control 172
Adjusting air distribution 176
Air recirculation mode 178
Defrosting 177
Rear window defroster 171
Setting the temperature 175
Automatic headlamp mode 120
Automatic lighting control
Activating 124
Deactivating 125
Automatic locking when driving 107Automatic transmission 157
Accelerator position 163
Comfort (C) program mode 163, 164
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 166
Fluid level 291
Gear ranges 159
Gear selector lever position 157, 160
Gear shifting malfunctions 166
Kickdown 163
Manual (M) program mode 164
Manual shift program
mode (CLK 55 AMG) 164
One-touch gearshifting 158
Program mode selector switch 163
Program mode selector
switch CLK 55 AMG 164
Speedshift (CLK 55 AMG) 161
Sport (S) program mode 163, 164
Starting the engine 44
Steering wheel gearshift
control (CLK 55 AMG) 161
Transmission fluid 291
Auxiliary fuse box 396B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 71, 419
Compatible child seats 71, 419
Self-test 72
Backup lamps 373, 378
Bulbs 373
BAS 78, 419
Messages in display 322, 323
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 350
Check lamp 89, 94
Checking 90, 95
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 351
Check lamp 89, 94
Checking 90, 95
Battery discharged
Jump starting 388
Battery, vehicle 294, 385
Charging 386
Disconnecting 386
Messages in display 326
Reconnecting 387
Reinstalling 386
Removing 386
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