2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 COUPE ABS

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Airbags ........................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 64
Children in the vehicle .................... 68
Blocking of rear side
window operation ........................... 74
Panic alarm .......................................... 75
Activating ....................................... 75
Deactivating ................................... 75
Driving safety systems ......................... 76
ABS ................................................ 76
BAS ................................................ 77
ESP ................................................. 78
Anti-theft systems................................ 81
Immobilizer..................................... 81
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 82
Tow-away alarm ............................. 83
Controls in detail............................... 85
Locking and unlocking ......................... 86
SmartKeys...................................... 86
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 89
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................... 95
Opening the trunk .......................... 96
Closing the trunk............................ 97
Trunk lid
opening/closing system* .............. 98
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 103
Separately locking the trunk ........ 104
Separately unlocking the trunk .... 105
Automatic central locking ............ 105
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 106
Seats ................................................. 107
Easy-entry/exit feature ................ 107
Removing and installing
front seat head restraints............. 108
Rear seats head restraints ........... 109
Multicontour seat* ....................... 112
Seat ventilation* .......................... 113
Seat heating* ............................... 114Memory function ............................... 116
Storing positions into memory ..... 117
Recalling positions from memory . 117
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position ................ 118
Lighting ............................................. 119
Exterior lamp switch .................... 119
Combination switch ..................... 123
Hazard warning flasher ................ 123
Interior lighting ............................ 124
Door entry lamps ......................... 125
Instrument cluster ............................. 126
Instrument cluster illumination .... 126
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 127
Trip odometer .............................. 127
Tachometer .................................. 128
Outside temperature indicator ..... 128

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
L
Left turn signal indi-
cator lamp
48
2
v
ESP warning lamp
310
3
Speedometer
4
Multifunction display
with:
129
Basic display with outside
temperature display
134,
144
Status indicator with mal-
function warning message
134,
138
Trip odometer
127
5
l
Distance warning
lamp
Vehicles without Distronic*:
Warning lamp without func-
tion. It illuminates with the
ignition on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
310
Item
Page
6
K
Right turn signal indi-
cator lamp
48
7
Coolant temperature indi-
cator with:
127
Ï
Coolant temperature
warning lamp
309,
323
8
Tachometer with:
128
1
Supplemental
restraint system
indicator lamp
312,
334
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) warning
lamp
306
<
Seat belt non-usage
warning lamp
311,
333
A
High beam headlamp
indicator
123
9
Main odometer with:

Gear selector lever posi-
tion
160


Program mode
163
Item
Page
a
Clock with:
144
;
Brake warning lamp,
except Canada
307
3
Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
308
b
Fuel display with:W
Fuel reserve warning
lamp
311
c
Reset button for:

Resetting trip odometer
127


Adjusting instrument
cluster illumination
126


Confirming new time set-
tings
144

47 Getting started
Driving
Switching on headlampsExterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the switch toB.
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 119).
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out ofPorN if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
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 loss of control.!Place the gear selector lever in
positionR only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.

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)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
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.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

77 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 22) comes on when you
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 305).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 305).
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction. The
ABS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.

86 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
In the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are giv-
en at the beginning of each segment.
Locking and unlocking
SmartKeys
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key. The locking
tabs for the mechanical key portion of the
two SmartKeys are a different color to help
distinguish each SmartKey unit.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap
SmartKey with remote controls1‹ Lock button
2Š Opening button for trunk lid
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ΠUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button (
page 75)
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey to high levels of
electromagnetic radiation.
iYou can also open and close the power
windows (
page 212) and slid-
ing/pop-up roof* (
page 216) using
the SmartKey.

89 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
The trunk can also be opened from its in-
side in an emergency, see “Trunk lid emer-
gency release” (
page 103).Loss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:

Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key immediately to your
car insurance company.

If necessary, have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Specially equipped vehicles come with two
SmartKeys with KEYLESS-GO, each with
remote control and a removable mechani-
cal key. The locking tabs for the mechani-
cal key portion of the two SmartKeys are a
different color to help distinguish each
SmartKey unit.
The KEYLESS-GO function is integrated
into the SmartKey. On these vehicles, the
validity of the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is checked every time you pull a door
handle.
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is valid,
your vehicle unlocks

the doors


the trunk lid
iIf the trunk lid does not open, it is still
locked separately (if applicable)
(page 104).
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk lid will lock automati-
cally when closed (
page 97). The
turn signals will flash three times to
confirm locking.
!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO to high levels of electro-
magnetic radiation.

158 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionOne-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in the D–direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear. This action
simultaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 159).Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in the D+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D+direction until D reappears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D–direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
theD–direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine's
max. speed would be exceeded.