2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 COUPE brake fluid

ContentsLoading .............................................. 237
Roof rack ...................................... 237
Ski sack* ...................................... 237
Split rear bench seat .................... 240
Loading instructions ..................... 242
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 243
Useful features .................................. 244
Interior storage spaces ................ 244
Ashtrays ....................................... 247
Cigarette lighter ........................... 248
Floormats* ................................... 249
Telephone*................................... 250
Tele Aid ........................................ 251
Garage door opener ..................... 259
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 266
Driving instructions............................ 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 267
Brakes .......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 269
Parking ......................................... 269
Tires ............................................. 270
Hydroplaning ................................ 271
Tire traction.................................. 271
Tire speed rating .......................... 272
Winter driving instructions ........... 273
Standing water ............................. 274
Passenger compartment .............. 274
Driving abroad.............................. 274
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 275
Catalytic converter ....................... 275
Emission control .......................... 276
Coolant temperature .................... 277At the gas station .............................. 278
Refueling ...................................... 278
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................... 280
Engine compartment ......................... 281
Hood ............................................ 281
Engine oil ..................................... 283
Transmission fluid level ................ 286
Coolant ........................................ 286
Battery ......................................... 288
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 289
Tires and wheels................................ 290
Important guidelines .................... 291
Life of tires................................... 291
Direction of rotation..................... 291
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 292
Rotating wheels ........................... 293
Winter driving .................................... 294
Winter tires .................................. 294
Block heater*............................... 295
Snow chains................................. 295

ContentsTechnical data.................................. 375
Spare parts service ............................ 376
Warranty coverage ............................. 377
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 377
Identification labels............................ 378
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 379
CLK 320/CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG . 379
Engine ................................................ 380
Rims and tires .................................... 381
Same size tires ............................. 382
Mixed size tires ............................ 383
Minispare wheel ........................... 384
Electrical system................................ 385
Main dimensions................................ 386
Weights .............................................. 387Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 388
Capacities .................................... 388
Engine oils.................................... 390
Engine oil additives ...................... 390
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 390
Brake fluid .................................... 390
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 391
Fuel requirements ........................ 391
Gasoline additives ........................ 391
Coolants....................................... 392
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 394
Consumer information ....................... 395
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 395
Technical terms............................... 397Index................................................. 403

268 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
ject to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 77).

269 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream can cool
down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine gradually. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period. Doing so may cause serious
damage to the drive train which is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.
Parking
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake wear and drivetrain
wear.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to positionP.
When parking on hills, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.

280 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant level
More information on coolant can be
found in the “Operation” section on
(
page 286).
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
Removing fuse box cover (
page 373)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
More information on refilling the reser-
voir can be found in the “Operation”
section on (
page 289).Engine oil level
More information on engine oil
(
page 283).
Opening hood (
page 281).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness.For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (page 350).
Exterior lamp switch (page 47)
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflate pressure
(
page 292).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see also “Practical
hints” (
page 307).

298 OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
A n y d a m a g e s h o u l d b e r e p a i r e d a s s o o n a s
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.

307 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 46).
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

321 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Parking brake
release brake!
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 46).
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake flu-
id before checking the brake system. Over-
filling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service Book-
let.