Page 205 of 498

203 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control (CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)
Activating
Press buttone (
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.Deactivating
Press buttone (
page 195).
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
iIf you keep buttone pressed, the 
side windows and tilt/sliding sunroof* 
will close.iThe activated charcoal filter should be 
switched off when windows fog up on 
the inside, or if the passenger compart-
ment needs to be quickly heated or 
cooled down.
Warning
G
Never operate the side windows and the 
tilt/sliding sunroof* if there is the possibility 
of anyone being harmed by the closing 
procedure.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the side win-
dows can be immediately halted by 
releasing thee button or by pressing or 
pulling the respective window switch. The 
closing of the tilt/sliding sunroof* can be 
immediately halted by releasing thee 
button or by moving the tilt/sliding sunroof* 
switch in the overhead control panel in any 
direction.
iIf you keep buttone pressed, the 
side windows an tilt/sliding sunroof* 
will return to their previous position. 
     
        
        Page 206 of 498

204 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control (CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while 
the engine is running and cools the interior 
air to the temperature set by the operator.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic 
climate control system. The air in the 
vehicle will then no longer be cooled or 
dehumidified.
Automatic climate control panel 
design A
Press button° (
page 195). 
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.
The cooling function switches off after 
a short delay.
Automatic climate control panel 
design B
Press button2(
page 195). 
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
The cooling function switches off after 
a short delay.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can 
dehumidify the air with the air condi-
tioning.
Automatic climate control panel 
design A
Press button°(
page 195) again. 
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
The cooling function is switched on.
Automatic climate control panel 
design B
Press button2(
page 195) 
again. 
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.
The cooling function is switched on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant 
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs 
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and 
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the 
vehicle will not be cooled when weather 
conditions are warm. The windows can fog 
up more quickly. Window fogging may 
impair visibility and endanger you and 
others. 
     
        
        Page 207 of 498

205 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control (CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)
Residual heat and ventilation* 
(available on Automatic climate control panel design A only)
With the engine switched off, it is possible 
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior 
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes 
use of the residual heat produced by the 
engine.
Activating
Switch off ignition (
page 36).
Press button°(
page 195). 
The indicator lamp on the button 
comes on.Deactivating
Press button°(
page 195). 
The indicator lamp on the button goes 
out.
The residual heat is automatically turned 
off:
when the ignition is switched on
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
!If the air conditioning cannot be turned 
on again, this indicates that the air 
conditioning is losing refrigerant. The 
compressor has turned itself off.
Have the air conditioning checked at 
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.
iHow long the system will provide 
heating depends on
the coolant temperature
the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting 1 
regardless of the air distribution 
control setting. 
     
        
        Page 208 of 498
206 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control (CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)Rear passenger compartment adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger 
compartment is controlled via the auto-
matic climate control panel (
page 195).The air vents for the rear passenger 
compartment are located in the rear 
center console.
1Thumbwheel for air volume control for 
center air vents
2Left center air vent
3Right center air ventAdjusting air distribution
Push the slide for the left center 
vent2 or right center vent3 to the 
left, right, up or down.
The air flow is directed in the corre-
sponding direction.
Adjusting air volume
Turn thumbwheel1 t o  t he  l e f t  o r  r i g h t .
The air volume is increased or de-
creased.
iThe temperature at the center air vents 
for the rear passenger 
compartment2 and3 i s  t h e  s a m e  a s  
at the dashboard center air vents.
iFor draft-free ventilation, push 
slides2 and3 upward. 
     
        
        Page 250 of 498

248 Controls in detailPower windows
Switch on ignition (
page 36).Opening the windows
Press switch1 to4 to the resistance 
point.
The corresponding window will move 
downwards until you release the 
switch.
Closing the windows
Pull on switch1 to4 to the 
resistance point.
The corresponding window will move 
upwards until you release the switch.Fully opening the door windows 
(Express-open)
Press switch1 or2 past the 
resistance point and release.
The corresponding window opens 
completely.
Fully closing the door windows 
(Express-close)
Pull switch1 or2 past the 
resistance point and release.
The corresponding window closes 
completely.
iYou can also open or close the win-
dows using the:
SmartKey (summer opening/con-
venience feature) (
page 249)
button, in the control panel of 
the climate control (
page 185) or 
automatic climate control 
(
page 195).
buttone in the control panel of 
the automatic climate control 
(page 195).
Warning!
G
If you pull and hold the switch up when 
closing the window, and upward movement 
of the window is blocked by some obstruc-
tion including but not limited to arms, hands, 
fingers, etc., the automatic reversal will not 
operate. 
     
        
        Page 254 of 498

252 Controls in detailPower tilt/sliding sunroof*
Switch on ignition (
page 36).
Opening and closing the power 
tilt/sliding sunroof
To open, close, raise, or lower the 
tilt/sliding sunroof, move the sunroof 
switch to resistance point in the 
required direction of arrows1 to4.
Release the sunroof switch when the 
tilt/sliding sunroof has reached the 
desired position.Fully opening (Express-open) and 
closing (Express-close) the power 
tilt/sliding sunroof
To open or close the tilt/sliding 
sunroof, move the sunroof switch past 
the resistance point in the required 
direction of arrow3 or4 and 
release.
The tilt/sliding sunroof opens or closes 
completely.
Stopping the power tilt/sliding sunroof 
during Express-operation
Move the sunroof switch in any 
direction.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the 
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 
from the starter switch, take it with you, and 
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children 
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to 
an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of 
vehicle equipment can cause an accident 
and/or serious personal injury.!To avoid damaging the seals, do not 
transport any objects with sharp edges 
which can stick out of the tilt/sliding 
sunroof.
Do not open the tilt/sliding sunroof if 
there is snow or ice on the roof, as this 
could result in malfunctions.
The tilt/sliding sunroof can be opened 
or closed manually should an electrical 
malfunction occur (
page 401).
iYou can also open or close the tilt/slid-
ing sunroof using the:
SmartKey (summer opening/con-
venience feature) (
page 249)
button, in the control panel of 
the climate control (
page 185) or 
automatic climate control 
(
page 195)
buttone in the control panel of 
the automatic climate control 
(page 195)
iIf the movement of the tilt/sliding 
sunroof is blocked during the closing 
procedure, the tilt/sliding sunroof will 
stop and re-open slightly.
 
     
        
        Page 338 of 498

336 OperationTires and wheelsUniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (U.S. vehicles)
Tire manufacturers are required to grade 
tires based on three performance 
factors: treadwear, traction and 
temperature resistance.
1Treadwear
2Traction
3Temperature resistanceQuality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread 
shoulder and maximum section width. For 
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to 
federal safety requirements in addition to 
these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when 
tested under controlled conditions on a 
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one 
and one-half (1 
1/2) times as well on the 
government course as a tire graded 100. 
The relative performance of tires depends 
upon the actual conditions of their use, 
however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving 
habits, service practices and differences in 
road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet 
pavement as measured under controlled 
conditions on specified government test 
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire 
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual 
data on tires is specific to each vehicle 
and may vary from data shown in above 
illustration.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is 
based on straight-ahead braking traction 
tests, and does not include acceleration, 
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction 
characteristics. 
     
        
        Page 463 of 498

461 Index
A
ABS 25, 84, 455
Malfunction indicator lamp 354
Messages in display 365
Accelerator position, 
automatic transmission 171
Accessory weight 338
Accident
In case of 54
Activating
Air conditioning (cooling) 192, 204
Air recirculation mode 190, 201
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Automatic climate control 195
Central locking (control system) 158
Charcoal filter 203
Climate control 185
Climate control system 187
Defrosting 189
Automatic climate control 200
Easy-entry/exit feature 159
Electric air pump 417
ESP 88Exterior headlamps 50
Exterior lamps 125
Exterior rear view 
mirror parking position 180
Front and rear fog lamp 128
Hazard warning flasher 131
Headlamps 50
High beams 129
Ignition 34
Ignition with KEYLESS-GO* 36
Immobilizer 56, 89
Rear window defroster 183
Residual heat 205
Seat heating* 119
Seat ventilation* 120
Tow-away alarm 91, 92
Windshield wipers 52
Adding
Coolant 313
Engine oil 312
Additional turn signals 404
Adjustable air vents, rear 
passenger compartment 193, 206Adjusting 37
Air distribution 188, 198
Air volume 199
Backrest tilt 38
Exterior rear view mirror 41
Head restraint height 38
Head restraint tilt 39
Instrument cluster illumination 134
Interior rear view mirror 41
Mirrors 41
Multicontour seat* 118
Seat cushion depth 118
Seat cushion tilt 38
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Seat height 38
Seats 37
Steering column in/out 41
Steering column up/down 41
Steering wheel 40
Aids for changing fuses 430