2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG CABRIOLET stop start

79 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
ESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.
The ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster flashes when the ESP is en-
gaged.
The warning lamp v in the instrument
cluster 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.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lamp v flashing in the in-
strument cluster. In this case, proceed as
follows:

While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving, ease upon the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP 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.iDistronic* is switched off when ESP is
activated.

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.

82 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems
Anti-theft systemsImmobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating

With the SmartKey: Removing the
SmartKey from the starter switch acti-
vates the immobilizer.


With KEYLESS-GO*: Turning off the en-
gine by means of the start/stop button
on the gear selector lever activates the
immobilizer.Deactivating


With the SmartKey: Inserting the
SmartKey in the starter switch deacti-
vates the immobilizer.


With KEYLESS-GO*: Starting the en-
gine by means of the start/stop button
on the gear selector lever deactivates
the immobilizer.
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

84 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsDisarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps flash
once to indicate that the alarm system is
deactivatedCanceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally again after approximately 40 sec-
onds if no door was opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem (
page 257) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.

86 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsCanceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.

93 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Doing so could impair the function of
the KEYLESS-GO system.


To lock or unlock the vehicle, the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-Go must be lo-
cated outside the vehicle within ap-
proximately 3 ft (1 m) of a door or the
trunk.


In order to start the engine with the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO:

the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
must be located in the vehicle


all the doors must be closed


the brake pedal must be depressed


If you have started the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button, you
can only turn it off again with this but-
ton, even if you have put the SmartKey
in the starter switch in the meantime.


This does not apply if, after starting, the
gear selector lever is still in positionP.
and the SmartKey is then inserted in
the starter switch. The SmartKey will
then have priority over the
KEYLESS-GO function and the vehicle’s
electrical system will operate accord-
ing to the position of the SmartKey in
the starter switch, even stopping the
engine.


If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is
positioned farther away from the vehi-
cle the system may no longer recognize
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO. The
vehicle cannot be locked or the engine
started via the KEYLESS-GO system.


If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is re-
moved from the vehicle while the igni-
tion is switched on (e.g. if passenger
exits the vehicle with the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO), the message
Key
not recognized!
will appear in the
multifunction display.
Find the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO or
change its present location immediate-
ly (e.g. place it on the front passenger
seat or insert it in shirt pocket).


Remember that the engine can be
started by anyone with a SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO that is left inside the
vehicle. If you leave the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO behind when exiting and
locking the vehicle, the message
Key
recognized in vehicle!
will appear in
the multifunction display.

97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Loss of the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
If you lose your SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO, you should do the following:
Have the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
deactivated by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss immediately to your car
insurance company.

Have the mechanical lock replaced if
necessary.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a
replacement.
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open doors only when conditions are
safe to do so.
1Locking knob
2Inside door handle
Pull on door handle2.
If door was locked, locking knob1 will
move up.
iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked from the outside with the
SmartKey, opening a door from the in-
side will trigger the anti-theft alarm sys-
tem.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.


Press button‹ orŒ on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*


Grasp the outside door handle.


Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button.

101 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
The trunk lid opens. The indicator lamp
in the switch comes on and remains lit
until the trunk is closed.The trunk can also be opened using the
SmartKey (
page 90) or from its inside in
an emergency, see “Trunk lid emergency
release” (
page 105).
Closing the trunk from the inside

Press the remote trunk lid closing
switch2 (
page 100) until the indi-
cator lamp in the switch goes out and
the trunk lid is closed.
To interrupt the closing procedure:

Release remote trunk lid closing
switch2.
If the trunk lid comes into contact with an
object while closing (e.g. luggage that has
been piled too high), the closing procedure
is stopped and the trunk reopens slightly.
!The trunk lid swings open upwards au-
tomatically. Always make sure there is
sufficient overhead clearance. To stop
the opening procedure, press the re-
mote trunk lid opening or closing
switch.iIf the trunk lid does not open, it is still
locked separately (if applicable)
(page 106).
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk lid will lock automati-
cally when closed (
page 100). The
turn signals will flash three times to
confirm locking.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed. Among oth-
er dangers, such as your view being blocked,
exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle
interior.
Warning!
G
Maintain sight of trunk area while operating
the door mounted switch. Monitor the clos-
ing procedure carefully to ensure that no
one is in danger of being injured.
To interrupt the closing procedure, release
the door mounted remote trunk lid closing
switch.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
SmartKey with you and lock your vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.