2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG CABRIOLET roof

216 Controls in detailSoft topLuggage cover
The luggage cover is located in the trunk.
1Luggage coverLatch luggage cover

Pull luggage cover1 out in direction
of arrow until it engages in place.
Folding back luggage cover

Press luggage cover in direction of rear
seat.!To prevent damage to the soft top or
luggage/cargo when lowering the roof:

load trunk only to the height of the
luggage cover


do not permit luggage/cargo to
push up the closed luggage cover


do not place anything on the shelf
behind the roll bar


do not place anything on the soft
top compartment cover
!Never place anything behind the side
nets when the luggage cover has been
folded back or the ski sack roller blind
is open. You could forget objects
placed there, which could result in
damage when operating the soft top.

221 Controls in detail
Soft top
Unlocked status noticed when stopped
Switch on the ignition.

To lock the soft top in its fully closed
position, press soft top switch.
The message
Top closed
will be shown
in the multifunction display.
or:

To lock the soft top in its fully opened
position, pull up on the soft top switch.
The message
Top open
will be shown in
the multifunction display.Unlocked status noticed while driving

Stop the vehicle.

Leave the ignition switched on.

To lock the soft top in its fully closed
position, press soft top switch.
The message
Top closed
will be shown
in the multifunction display.
or:

To lock the soft top in its fully opened
position, pull up on the soft top switch.
The message
Top open
will be shown in
the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
Stop the vehicle and lock the soft top before
continuing to drive. You could otherwise en-
danger yourself and others.
Warning!
G
If the soft top does not completely open or
close, the roof hydraulics will lose pressure
and the soft top is lowered

after approximately seven minutes
when the ignition is switched on


after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off
Shortly before the soft top is lowered, a
warning will sound and the soft top switch
lamp will flash. In the multifunction display
you will see K, and the message
Top
being lowered!
appears


Properly lock the soft top (
page 220)
before continuing to drive

223 Controls in detail
Soft top
Closing (Convenience feature)
Aim the transmitter eye at the door
handle.

Press and hold button ‹ until the
soft top is completely closed.
The windows and soft top begin to
close after approximately one second.
During the closing procedure the multi-
function display shows the message Top in operation
.
If the soft top is closed and locked, the
multifunction display will briefly show
the message
Top closed
.

Release transmit button ‹ to inter-
rupt procedure.
Ensure that all side windows and the
soft top are properly closed before leaving
the vehicle.Wind screen
The wind screen deflects drafts away from
the driver and passenger when the soft top
is lowered. It is stored in a separate stor-
age bag in the trunk.
Warning!
G
If the soft top does not completely open or
close a warning sounds and the soft top
switch flashes. In the multifunction display
you will see K, and the message
Top
being lowered!
appears. After about
15 seconds the roof hydraulics lose pres-
sure.
Properly lock the soft top (
page 220) be-
fore continuing to drive.
Warning!
G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s vi-
sion to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent a
possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.

249 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the vehicle capacity weight indicated
on the certification tag which can be found
on the left door pillar.
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the heaviest items being placed to-
wards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against
r e a r s e a t b a c k r e s t s , a n d f a s t e n t he m a s s e -
curely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
!To prevent damage to the soft top or
luggage/cargo when lowering the roof:

load trunk only to the height of the
luggage cover


do not permit luggage/cargo to
push up the closed luggage cover


do not place anything on the shelf
behind the roll bar


do not place anything on the soft
top compartment cover
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle and can cause in-
jury to vehicle occupants unless the items
are securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo. Put luggage or car-
go in the trunk if possible. Do not pile lug-
gage or cargo higher than the seat backs.
Do not place anything on the shelf below the
rear windows.
Never drive vehicle with trunk open. Deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) gases may enter ve-
hicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.

304 OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subject to varying external influ-
ences 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.

360 Practical hintsOpening/closing in an emergency6Soft top compartment cover
One person should stand on the left
side of the vehicle and the other on the
right side.

Pulling the cover back in one smooth
motion, lift soft top compartment
cover6 into a vertical position until it
stops.7Edge of soft top

From left and right sides, reach into
soft top compartment underneath
edge of soft top7.
Warning!
G
In the next step, you and your assistant
should each take hold of the soft top com-
partment cover as shown in the illustration.
Both of you should use your free hand to
support yourselves on the edge of the trunk
lid as shown in the illustration.
If either you or your helper assume a differ-
ent position, one or both of you could be
trapped or injured. !Make sure the soft top storage com-
partment hinges do not fold down dur-
ing this procedure. Otherwise your
vehicle could be damaged.
Warning!
G
Do not place your hands near the upper
windshield area, trunk lid, or between soft
top roof panels and hinges while the soft top
is being raised and locked. Serious personal
injury may occur.


368 Practical hintsOpening/closing in an emergency9Soft top compartment cover
One person should stand on the left
side of the vehicle and the other on the
right side.

Pulling the cover back in one smooth
motion, lift soft top compartment
cover9 into a vertical position until it
stops.aEdge of soft top

From left and right sides, reach into
soft top compartment underneath
edge of soft topa.
Warning!
G
In the next step, you and your assistant
should each take hold of the soft top com-
partment cover as shown in the illustration.
Both of you should use your free hand to
support yourselves on the edge of the trunk
lid as shown in the illustration.
If either you or your helper assume a differ-
ent position, one or both of you could be
trapped or injured. !Make sure the soft top storage com-
partment hinges do not fold down dur-
ing this procedure. Otherwise your
vehicle could be damaged.
Warning!
G
Do not place your hands near the upper
windshield area, trunk lid, or between soft
top roof panels and hinges while the soft top
is being raised and locked. Serious personal
injury may occur.


385 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located on the right side of
the engine compartment.
Removal of filter box:
Release the three clamps1.

Remove filter box.
Installation of filter box:

Insert filter box properly.

Secure it with the three clamps1.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(For more information, see “Battery”
(page 294)
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.