13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:
service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,
gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5
279 Operation
At the gas station
Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.
Close the fuel filler flap.Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the ? lamp to
illuminate.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 308).
389 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling system
CLK 320
CLK 500
CLK 55 AMG
approx. 10.7 US qt (10.0 l)
approx. 12.8 US qt (12.0 l)
approx. 12.8 US qt (12.0 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Agent
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
16.35 US gal (62.0 l)
2.11 US gal (8.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91 (Avg. of 96
RON / 86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system*
6.4 US qt (6.0 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 394).
391 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the
p um p) m us t be 91 mi n. It i s an a vera ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to en-
gine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power loss
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to the engine
operation.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
l i n e m u s t b e u s e d . I f p r e m i u m u n l e a d e d
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:
Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
Do not exceed an engine speed
of 3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.
Do not exceed
2⁄3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.
400 Technical termsMemory function*
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey or, if so equipped,
KEYLESS-GO* feature.
Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands
Select
radio station
or Operate CD player
.
Using commands, you can directly
change the settings for your vehicle.
MON
(M
otor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized meth-
od. It is an indication of a gasoline's
ability to resist undesired detonation
(knocking). The average of both the
MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
Display field in the speedometer used
to present information provided by the
control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in 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/axles
Program 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.
401 Technical terms
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Restraint systems
Seat belts, belt tensioners, airbags and
child restraint systems. As indepen-
dent systems, their protective func-
tions complement one another.RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of
positionP without SmartKey turned
and brake pedal depressed.
Speedshift (CLK 55 AMG)
Steering wheel gearshift control. You
can change the gears yourself with the
steering wheel gearshift buttons.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
419 Index
Menus 130
AUDIO 134
Control system 400
Distronic* 137, 224
In control system 132, 133
Malfunction memory 138
NAV 137
Settings menu 139
Standard display 134
Submenus 131
TEL* 154
Trip computer 152
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer
Setting 142
Minispare wheel 340
Mounting 358
Removing 340
Storing 340
Technical data 384
Wheel bolts 342Mirrors
Activating exterior rear
view mirror parking position 168
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare
for rear view mirror 167
Exterior rear view mirror 39
Exterior rear view
mirror parking positions 151
Interior rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position 118
MON 279
MON (Motor Octane Number) 400
Mph or km/h in speedometer 142
Multicontour seat* 112
Multifunction display 129, 400
Selecting language 143
Standard display 133Multifunction display messages
ABS 315
BAS 316
Battery 320
Brake fluid 321
Brake pads 321
Check engine 308
Coolant 323
Coolant level 322
Cruise control 317
Display 325
Distronic* 317
Doors 325
Engine 308
Engine oil 326
ESP 318
Fog lamps, front 329
Fuel reserve tank 328
Gear selector lever 319
High beam headlamps 330
Hood 328
Key 328
Lamp sensor 330
Lamps 330
424 IndexReplacing
Backup lamp bulbs 356
Brake lamp bulbs 356
Bulbs 350
Front lamp bulbs 352
Front turn signal bulbs 355
Front turn signal bulbs (Halogen) 353
Fuses 374
High beam bulb for
high beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 354
High beam bulbs (Halogen) 353
License plate lamp bulbs 356
Low beam bulbs (Halogen) 353
Parking lamp bulbs 353, 355
Rear fog lamp bulbs 356
Rear lamp bulbs 351, 356
Rear turn signal bulbs 356
Side marker lamp bulbs 355
Standing lamp bulbs 353, 355
Wiper blades 357
Reporting
Safety defects 18
Reset button in the instrument
cluster 139Resetting
All functions (control system) 139
All functions of a submenu 140
Fuel consumption 153
Service indicator (FSS) 297
Trip odometer 127
Residual heat utilization 181, 401
Residual ventilation 181
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization) 401
Restraint system see
Infant and child restraint systems 72
Restraint systems 401
Rims 381
Roadside Assistance
Tele Aid 254
Roadside assistance 12
RON 279
RON (Research Octane Number) 401
Roof rack 237
Rotating wheels 293
Rubber parts
Cleaning 304S
Safety
Occupant 58
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 76
Searching
Radio station 135
Seat belt force limiter 67
Seat belts 64
Cleaning 303
Fastening 40
Proper use of 42, 66
Safety guidelines 62
Warning lamp 311
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 112