2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK-CLASS snow chains

ContentsLoading .............................................. 245
Ski sack* ...................................... 245
Loading instructions ..................... 249
Useful features .................................. 250
Interior storage spaces ................ 250
Ashtrays ....................................... 253
Cigarette lighter ........................... 254
Floormats* ................................... 255
Telephone*................................... 256
Tele Aid* ...................................... 257
Garage door opener ..................... 265
Operation......................................... 271
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 272
Driving instructions............................ 273
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 273
Drinking and driving ..................... 273
Pedals .......................................... 273
Power assistance ......................... 273
Brakes .......................................... 274
Driving off .................................... 275
Parking ......................................... 275
Tires ............................................. 276
Hydroplaning ................................ 277
Tire traction.................................. 277
Tire speed rating .......................... 278
Winter driving instructions ........... 279
Standing water ............................. 280
Passenger compartment .............. 280
Driving abroad.............................. 280
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 281
Catalytic converter ....................... 281
Emission control .......................... 282
Coolant temperature .................... 283At the gas station .............................. 284
Refueling ...................................... 284
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................... 286
Engine compartment ......................... 287
Hood ............................................ 287
Engine oil ..................................... 288
Transmission fluid level ................ 291
Coolant ........................................ 292
Battery ......................................... 294
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 295
Tires and wheels................................ 296
Important guidelines .................... 297
Life of tires................................... 297
Direction of rotation..................... 297
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 298
Rotating wheels ........................... 299
Winter driving .................................... 300
Winter tires .................................. 300
Block heater*............................... 301
Snow chains................................. 301
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76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
Driving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, and
the ESP is only achieved with winter
tires (M + S tires) or snow chains as re-
quired.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, and ESP cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
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80 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsFor more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 311).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


sand or gravel
The switch is located on the center con-
sole.1ESP off
2ESP on

Press upper half1 of the ESP switch
until the ESP warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP is deactivated.
If one or more drive wheels are spinning,
the ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes, regardless of the
speed.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1 or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton in position0 or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
Warning!
G
The ESP should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
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279 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to position N. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 300).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 301).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior re-
sulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
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301 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater*
(Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:

Using snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer's mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 80) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle‘s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:

225/50 R16 92H


245/40 R17 91W


245/40 R17 91Y


T 125/80 R17 99M


T 125/90 R 16 98M
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404 Technical dataRims and tiresSame size tires
16" tires
17" tires
CLK 320
CLK 500
CLK 320 (Appearance Package*)
CLK 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
7J x 16 H2
-
-
Wheel offset
1.45 in (37 mm)
-
-
Winter tires (radial-ply
tires)
205/55 R16 91H M+S
-
-
CLK 320
CLK 320 (Appearance Package*)
CLK 500
CLK 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
71/2 J x 17 H2
71/2 J x 17 H2
71/2 Jx17H2
Wheel offset
1.42 in (36 mm)
1.45 in (37 mm)
1.45 in (37 mm)
Winter tires (radial-ply
tires)
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
1
225/45 R 17 91 H M+S
1
225 / 45 R17 91 H M+S
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
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405 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
CLK 320
CLK 320*
CLK 320 (Appearance Package*)
CLK 500
CLK 55 AMG
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
7 J x 16 H2
71/2 J x 17 H2
71/2 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset
1.45 in (37 mm)
1.42 in (36 mm)
1.45 in (37 mm)
Summer tires
(radial-ply tires)
-
225/45 R17 91W
225/45 R17 91Y
All-season tires
(radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91H M+S
-
-
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
8 J x 16 H2
81/2 J x17 H2
81/2 J x17 H2
Wheel offset
1.26 in (32 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply
tires)
-
245/40 R17 91W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
245/40 R17 91Y
1
All-season tires
(radial-ply tires)
225/50 R16 92H M+S
1
-
-
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406 Technical dataRims and tiresMinispare wheel
CLK 320
CLK 320 (Appearance Package*)
CLK 500
CLK 55 AMG
Rim
3.5 B x 16 H2
3.5 B x 17 H2
3.5 B x 17 H2
Wheel offset
0.67 in (17 mm)
0.67 in (17 mm)
0.67 in (17 mm)
Tire
T 125/90 R 16 98M
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
T 125/80 R 17 99M
1
T 125/80 R 17 99M
1
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