163 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Program mode selector switch
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
S Sport For standard driving
C Comfort For comfort driving
Press the program mode selector
switch 1 repeatedly until the letter of
the desired shift program appears in
the multifunction display (
page 129).
SelectCfor comfort driving:
The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.
Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.
Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
The power transmission ratio for
gear selector lever positionR
changes depending on the program
mode selected (SorC).
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.
!Never change the program mode when
the gear selector lever is out of
positionP. This could result in a
change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.
164 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionManual shift program CLK 55 AMG
In the manual shift program mode you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 161) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 158).
Allow engine to warm up under low load
use. Do not place full load on the engine
until the operating temperature has been
reached. Shift into reverse gear only when
the vehicle is stopped.Program mode selector switch
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
S Sport For standard driving
C Comfort For comfort driving
M Manual For manual gear shifting
The selected shift program (
C/S/M) is
indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 129).Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for
manual shift program appears in the
multifunction display.
The program mode switches to manual
program modeM. Automatic shifting is
switched off. The gear range is not
limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected shift program (
C/S/M) is
indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 129).
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drive train which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
192 Controls in detailAudio systemWeather band
Press the
WB key.
The weather band station last selected
is tuned in.
Select the desired weather band
station with buttons4 to7.
If a station cannot be tuned in, a scan
is automatically started.
Pressf ore button. The next
receivable weather band station is
tuned in.
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only)Sirius Satellite Radio provides 100 chan-
nels of digital-quality radio, among others
music, sports, news, and entertainment,
free of commercials. Sirius Satellite Radio
uses a fleet of high-power satellites to
broadcast 24 hours per day
coast-to-coast.
This diverse, satellite-delivered program-
ming is available for a monthly subscrip-
tion fee.
For more information, call the Sirius ser-
vice or contact www.siriusradio.com
Program categories
The channels are categorized. The catego-
ries allow you to tune to stations broad-
casting a certain type of program
(PTY mode) (
page 195).
iAdditional optional satellite radio
equipment and a subscription to satel-
lite radio service provider is required
for the satellite radio operation de-
scribed here. Feature description is
based on preliminary information avail-
able at time of printing.
At time of printing, no date for availabil-
ity of optional equipment required for
satellite radio operation had been set.
Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for details and
availability for your vehicle.
Satellite radio service may be unavail-
able or interrupted from time to time
for a variety of reasons, such as envi-
ronmental or topographic conditions
and other things we can't control. Ser-
vice might also not be available in cer-
tain places (e.g., in tunnels, parking
garages, or within or next to buildings)
or near other technologies.
405 Index
Automatic antiglare
for rear view mirror 167
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 149
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 105Automatic transmission 157
Accelerator position 163
Comfort (C) program mode 163, 164
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 165
Fluid level 286
Gear ranges 159
Gear selector lever position 157, 160
Gear shifting malfunctions 165
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 286
Auxiliary fuse box 374B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 70, 397
Compatible child seats 70, 397
Self-test 71
Backrest
Folding forward 241
Folding rearward 242
Backup lamps 351, 356
Bulbs 351
BAS 77, 397
Messages in display 316
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 345
Check lamp 87, 92
Checking 88, 93
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 346
Check lamp 87, 92
Checking 88, 93
Battery discharged
Jump starting 366
427 Index
SmartKey
Battery check lamp 87, 92
Changing the batteries 345
Checking the batteries 88, 93
Factory setting 87
Global locking 87
Global unlocking 87
Locking and unlocking 86
Loss of 89
Message in display 328
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof* with 216
Opening and closing
windows with 212
Positions in starter switch 31
Remote controls 86, 90
Restoring to factory setting 87, 92
Selective setting 87, 92
Starting the engine 44
Turning off the engine 53
Unlocking with 30SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking the batteries 88, 93
Global locking and unlocking 92
Locking the vehicle 93
Loss of 95
Message in display 328
Messages in display 328
Remote controls 89
Restoring to factory setting 87, 92
Turning off the engine 54
Unlocking with 32
SmartKeys 86
Snow chains 295
Soft keys
Audio system 186
Spare fuses 374
Spare parts service 376
Speed
Setting current 219
Setting to last stored speed
("Resume" function)
in Distronic* 227Speed settings
Cruise control 220
Distronic* 226, 227
To last stored speed
("Resume" function)
in Cruise control 220
Speed shift 401
Speedometer 23
Displaying gear range 159
Distronic* displays 223
Settings units 142
Speedometer display mode
Selecting 142
Speedshift (CLK 55 AMG) 161
Split rear bench seat 240
SRS 66, 401
Indicator lamp 312
Standard driving
Transmission program
mode S (Sport) 163, 164
Standing lamps 119
Replacing bulbs 351, 353, 355
Standing water
Driving instructions 274
430 IndexTele Aid 251
Emergency calls 252
Information 256
Initiating an
emergency call manually 254
Messages in display 334
Remote door unlock 258
Roadside Assistance 254
Stolen vehicle tracking services 259
System self-check 252
Tele Aid System 251
Upgrade signals 257
Tele Aid System 402
Telematics* 402
Telephone* 24, 250
Answering a call 155
Dialing a number
from the phone book 155
Emergency call 208
Ending a call 155
Hands-free microphone 27
Loading phone book* 155
Messages in display 336
Operating 154
Operation 203
Redialing 156Temperature
Display mode 142
Grades of tires 396
Setting interior temperature 175
Setting units in display 142
Tires 292
Tie-down rings (Trunk) 243
Tightening torque 402
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 362
Time
Setting hours 144
Setting minutes 145
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 280, 292
Tire speed rating 272, 402
Tire traction 271Tires 381
Consumer information 395
Direction of rotation 291
Driving instructions 270
Retreads 290
Rims and tires 381
Service life 291
Temperature 292
Temperature grades 396
Tires and wheels 290
Tread depth 294
Wear pattern 293
Winter 294
Tools 337
Tow-away alarm 25, 83
Arming 83
Disarming 83
Disarming for transport 83
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
CLK 320/CLK 500 370
CLK 55 AMG 371
Installing 370
Installing (CLK 55 AMG) 371
Towing the vehicle 368