2004 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG CABRIOLET manual transmission

Contents
Control system .................................. 129
Multifunction display .................... 129
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 130
Menus .......................................... 132
Standard display menu ................ 134
AUDIO menu ................................ 134
NAV menu .................................... 137
Distronic* menu........................... 137
Malfunction memory menu .......... 138
Settings menu .............................. 139
Trip computer menu..................... 152
TEL menu* ................................... 154
Automatic transmission ..................... 157
One-touch gearshifting................. 158
Gear ranges ................................. 159
Gear selector lever position ......... 160
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) CLK 55 AMG ............ 161
Program mode selector switch..... 163
Accelerator position ..................... 163
Manual shift program
CLK 55 AMG ................................ 164
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 166Good visibility ..................................... 167
Windshield wipers ......................... 167
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 167
Rear view mirror ........................... 168
Sun visors ..................................... 170
Rear window defroster .................. 171
Automatic climate control .................. 172
Setting the temperature................ 175
Adjusting air distribution............... 176
Adjusting air volume ..................... 177
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 177
Defrosting ..................................... 177
Air recirculation mode .................. 178
Charcoal filter ............................... 179
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 180
Air conditioning............................. 181
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 181
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 182Audio system...................................... 183
Audio and telephone, operation .... 183
Operating safety ........................... 183
Sound system ............................... 183
Operating and display elements ... 184
Button and soft key operation ...... 186
Operation...................................... 186
Radio operation ............................ 189
Satellite radio (SAT)* (USA only)... 192
Cassette operation ....................... 196
CD changer* operation ................. 199
Telephone* operation ................... 203
Power windows .................................. 210
Opening and
closing the windows ..................... 210
Synchronizing power windows ...... 214
Soft top .............................................. 215
Opening and closing the soft top .. 215
Driving systems .................................. 226
Cruise control ............................... 226
Distronic* ..................................... 229
Parktronic (Parking assist)* .......... 241

157 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
Information on driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the “Getting
started” section (
page 44).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its gear shift program.The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:


the gear selector lever positionD with
gear ranges4, 3, 2, 1 (
page 159)


the selected shift program
(C/S)(
page 163)
or
(C/S/M) (CLK 55 AMG only)
(
page 163)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 163)


the vehicle speed
The current gear selector lever position
and shift program (
C/S) or (
C/S/M) appear
in the multifunction display (
page 129).
An additional indication of the current gear
selector lever position can be found on the
cover of the shifting-gate. The indicators
come on when you activate a switch (e.g.
unlocking the vehicle or opening a door)
and go out after approximately
15 minutes.When the gear selector lever is in
positionD, you can influence transmission
shifting by


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out of P or N if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or 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.

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.

161 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Steering wheel gearshift control (Speedshift) CLK 55 AMG
In the manual shift program mode you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel 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.
!Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any
other reason with gear selector lever
inN can result in transmission damage
that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear
selector lever not fully engaged in positionP
is dangerous. Also, positionP alone is not
intended to or capable of preventing your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 46).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as gras, hay, or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could move the
gear selector lever from positionP, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
!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.

162 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionThe steering wheel gearshift buttons are
located to the left and right of the steering
wheel.
1Shift button
2Left button: downshift
3Right button: upshiftDownshifting

Press button2 on the left side of the
steering wheel.
When driving in the manual program mode
(
page 164), the transmission will shift
from the current gear to the next lower
gear (
page 165).Upshifting

Press button3 on the right side of the
steering wheel.
When driving in the manual program mode
(
page 164), the transmission will shift
from the current gear to the next higher
gear (
page 165).
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.iYou cannot shift with the steering
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.
iYou cannot shift with the steering
wheel gearshift buttons when the gear
selector lever is in positionP,N orR.

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.

165 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction
(page 158).
or

Press button2 on the left side of the
steering wheel (
page 161).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction
(page 158).
or

Press button3 on the right side of the
steering wheel (
page 161).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.Deactivating manual shift program

Press the program mode selector
switch repeatedly until
S or
C appears
in the right multifunction display field.
or

Restart the engine.
The transmission will go into the last
shift program mode selected (SorC).
Program modeM is not stored.
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.
iThe last selected automatic program
mode (S orC) is switched on when the
engine is restarted in the automatic
program mode.

423 Technical terms
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
g ine s pe ed r ang e, a s it ma y r es ult i n se -
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case


drive shaft


differential


axle shafts/axlesProgram mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between regular operationS and
comfort operationC.
CLK 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program:
In addition toS andC (for regularS or
comfortC operation, see above) you
can use theM for manual shift
program.