347 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
351 Operation
Vehicle care
Window cleaning
Fold wiper arm forward until it snaps
into place.
Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow instructions on container.Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Hard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto soft lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status
0) before cleaning the windshield.
Otherwise, the wiper motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.iOnly use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.
352 OperationVehicle careHeadliner and rear window shelf
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive
dirt.
Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Only use clear,
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the
webbing at temperatures above 176°F
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.
Nubuck leather upholstery
(CLK 55 AMG)
The nubuck leather upholstery is treated
with a protective coating. Wipe nubuck
leather upholstery with damp microfiber
cloth to remove dust and other light stains. Carefully dab nubuck leather upholstery
with a dry microfiber cloth to remove oil
stains.
Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Wood trims
Dampen cloth using water and use damp
cloth to clean wood trims in your vehicle.
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive.Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
!Do not use Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care or any solvents to clean
nubuck leather upholstery.
Avoid hard scrubbing on nubuck
leather upholstery.
422 Practical hintsBatteryCharging and reinstalling battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the start / stop button until
the engine shuts off.
Open the driver’s door.
Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover 2.
Connect the battery negative lead.
Reinstall the filter box (
page 420).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
!NEVER invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnect-
ing):
Set the clock (
page 151) (vehi-
cles with COMAND*: see COMAND
operator’s manual).
Resynchronize the side windows
(page 250).
Resynchronize the tilt/sliding
sunroof* (
page 254).
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
462 IndexAir bags 61
Children 62
Front 65
Passenger 65
Safety guidelines 64
Side impact 66
Window curtain 66
Air conditioning (cooling) 191
Turning off 192, 204
Turning on 192, 204
Air conditioning refrigerant 450
Air distribution
Adjusting 188, 198
Air pressure 338
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric
Turning on 417
Air recirculation mode 190, 201
Activating 190, 201
Deactivating 191, 202
Air vents, rear passenger compartment
Adjustable 193, 206
Air volume
Adjusting 199Alarm
Audible 83, 91, 92
Canceling 91, 92
Visual 90
Alarm system
Anti-theft 90
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 415, 455
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 453
Antiglare
Auto-dimming 178
Antilock brake system (ABS) 455
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 90
Canceling alarm 91, 92
Disarming 91
Anti-theft systems 89
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Immobilizer 89
Tow-away alarm 91
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Front 273
Rear 274
Storage compartments 273Ashtray (Center console) 276
Opening 276
Reinstalling 276
Removing 276
Ashtray (Rear seat) 276
Opening 277
Reinstalling 277
Removing 277
Aspect ratio 338
At the gas station 305
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 312
AUDIO menu 143
Operate CD player 144
Selecting radio station 143
Selecting satellite radio* station 143
Audio system 207
Audio and telephone, operation 207
Button and soft key operation 210
CD operation 225
Operating and display elements 208
Operating safety 207
Operation 210
Radio operation 215
Switching off 211
Switching on 210
Telephone* operation 232
463 Index
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors 178
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating
(control system) 158
Automatic climate control 194
Activating 195
Adjusting air distribution 198
Air recirculation mode 201
Deactivating 195
Defrosting 200
Rear window defroster 183
Setting the temperature 197
Automatic headlamp mode 125
Automatic lighting control
Activating 132
Deactivating 132
Automatic locking when driving 110
Automatic shift program 170
Automatic time change
(Daylight Saving Time
(DST) summer/winter) 153Automatic transmission 165
Accelerator position 171
Comfort program mode 170
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 177
Fluid level 312
Gear ranges 168
Gear selector lever 165
Gear selector lever position 165, 169
Gear shifting malfunctions 177
Kickdown 171
Manual shifting 167
One-touch gearshifting 167
Program mode selector switch 170
Starting the engine 47
Transmission fluid 312
Auxiliary fuse box 432B
Backrest
Folding forward 268
Folding rearward 269
Backup lamp 405, 410
Bulbs 405
Back-up lamps
Bulbs 404
Bar 338
BAS 85, 455
Messages in display 366
Batteries, SmartKey
Check lamp 97, 102
Checking 97, 103
Replacing 402
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Check lamp 97, 102
Checking 97, 103
Replacing 403
Battery discharged
Jump starting 423
464 IndexBattery, vehicle 314, 420
Charging 422
Disconnecting 421
Messages in display 373
Reconnecting 422
Reinstalling 422
Removing 421
Bead 338
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 455
Block heater (Canada only) 343
Blocking
Rear window operation 82
Bolts
For spare wheel 396
Brake assist system (BAS) 455
Brake fluid 450
Message in display 374
Brake lamp bulbs 405
Brake lamp, high mounted 405
Brake pads
Message in display 374
Brakes 296
Warning lamp 355
Break-in period 294Bulbs, replacing 404
Additional turn signals 404
Backup lamps 405
Brake lamps 405
Fog lamps 404
Front lamps 404
High beam (Bi-Xenon*) 404
High beam (Halogen) 404
High beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 404
High beam flasher (Halogen) 404
High mounted brake lamp 405
License plate lamps 405, 410
Low beam (Bi-Xenon*) 404
Low beam (Halogen) 404
Parking lamps 404, 405, 407, 409
Rear fog lamp 405, 410
Side marker lamps 404, 409
Standing lamps 404, 405, 407, 409
Tail lamp assemblies 405, 410
Turn signal lamps 404, 405
Button
Audio system 210C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 455
Calling up
Maintenance service indicator 345
Range (distance to empty) 162
CAN system 455
Canceling
Cruise control 257
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 447
Cargo tie-down rings 271
Catalytic converter 303
CD changer* 225
CD operation 225
CD player
Operating 144
Center console 27
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 360
Lower part 28
Upper part 27
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 149