Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle
outside the USA or Canada ............ 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats .............................................. 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts ................. 40
Starting the engine ......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 47
Turn signals and high beam ............ 48
Windshield wipers ........................... 48
Problems while driving.................... 50
Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake ................................. 52
Switching off headlamps................. 53
Turning off the engine ..................... 53
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) ...................... 165Good visibility ..................................... 166
Windshield wipers ......................... 166
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 166
Rear view mirror ........................... 167
Sun visors ..................................... 169
Rear window sunshade* ............... 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
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 ...... 213
Sliding/pop-up roof*.......................... 214
Opening and closing
the sliding/pop-up roof ................ 214
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 217
Driving systems .................................. 218
Cruise control ............................... 218
Distronic* ..................................... 221
Parktronic (Parking assist)* .......... 233
ContentsLoading .............................................. 237
Roof rack ...................................... 237
Ski sack* ...................................... 237
Split rear bench seat .................... 240
Loading instructions ..................... 242
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 243
Useful features .................................. 244
Interior storage spaces ................ 244
Ashtrays ....................................... 247
Cigarette lighter ........................... 248
Floormats* ................................... 249
Telephone*................................... 250
Tele Aid ........................................ 251
Garage door opener ..................... 259
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 266
Driving instructions............................ 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 267
Brakes .......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 269
Parking ......................................... 269
Tires ............................................. 270
Hydroplaning ................................ 271
Tire traction.................................. 271
Tire speed rating .......................... 272
Winter driving instructions ........... 273
Standing water ............................. 274
Passenger compartment .............. 274
Driving abroad.............................. 274
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 275
Catalytic converter ....................... 275
Emission control .......................... 276
Coolant temperature .................... 277At the gas station .............................. 278
Refueling ...................................... 278
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................... 280
Engine compartment ......................... 281
Hood ............................................ 281
Engine oil ..................................... 283
Transmission fluid level ................ 286
Coolant ........................................ 286
Battery ......................................... 288
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 289
Tires and wheels................................ 290
Important guidelines .................... 291
Life of tires................................... 291
Direction of rotation..................... 291
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 292
Rotating wheels ........................... 293
Winter driving .................................... 294
Winter tires .................................. 294
Block heater*............................... 295
Snow chains................................. 295
25 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
Seat ventilation*, driver’s
side
114
2
Parking assist* (Parktronic
system*) deactivation
switch
236
3
Rear window sunshade*
170
4
ESP control switch
78
5
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
123
6
Central locking switch
106
7
Rear head restraints, fold-
ing down switch
110
Item
Page
8
Tow-away alarm switch
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
83
84
9
Seat heater*, passenger
side
Seat ventilation*,
passenger side
114
a
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp
70,
313
b
Audio system or
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
134
c
Automatic climate control
Rear window defroster
172,
171
d
Ashtray
247
51 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows:Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of inadvertent vehicle movement, be-
fore turning off the engine and leaving the
vehicle always:
Keep right foot on brake pedal.
Firmly depress parking brake pedal.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.
Slowly release brake pedal.
When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.
Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press
start / stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).
Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.
218 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:
Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed
Parktronic*, which serves as a parking
assistant.
For information on the BAS, ABS, and ESP
driving systems, see “Driving safety sys-
tems” (
page 76).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 20).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must remain at all
times responsible for the vehicle speed and
for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.
The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.
Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.
233 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and release the parking brake. The
Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
over approximately 11 mph (18 km/h). At
lower speeds the Parktronic system turns
on again.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 301).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.
268 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
ject to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 77).