Page 294 of 506

293 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream can cool
down the brakes faster.High-performance brake system
(CLK 55 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the
vehicle speed
brake force applied
ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or discs strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and re-
placement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain the brake system and
have it checked regularly.
Page 358 of 506

357 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
•
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
Add coolant to prevent engine from
overheating (
page 310).
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.
If the coolant temperature is below
257 °F (125 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
•
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257 °F (125 °C).
Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
Page 477 of 506

476 IndexF
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 145
Fastening the seat belts 43
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 259
First aid kit 391
Flat tire 422
Lowering the vehicle 426
Minispare wheel 394
Mounting the Minispare wheel 423
Preparing the vehicle 422
Flexible Service System (Canada vehicles)
see Maintenance service system
Floormates*
Installing 275
Removing 275
Floormats* 275
Fog lamp, rear 125, 415
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 414
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 383
Replacing bulbs 415
Switching on 125
Front air bags 65Front lamps
Messages in display 383–385
Replacing bulbs 414, 416
Switching on 122
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 79, 361
Front seat head restraints
Installing 114
Power seat 114
Removing 114
Front seats
Seat heating* 117
Ventilation* 118
FSS (Canada vehicles) see
Maintenance service system
Fuel 303
Additives 457
Fuel reserve warning lamp 359
Gasoline additives 457
Premium
unleaded gasoline 303, 454, 456
Requirements 457
Reserve warning 25
Technical data 453
Fuel additives 457Fuel cap
Message in display 356
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 158
Since last reset 159
Fuel filler flap 302
Locking 302
Opening 399
Unlocking 302
Fuel requirements 457
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 382
Fuel tank
Capacity 454
Filler flap 302
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 453
Functions (control system) 134, 137
Resetting 143
Fuse box 437
Fuse chart 436
Fuse extractor 436
Page 488 of 506

487 Index
Resetting
All functions (control system) 142
All functions of a submenu 143
Fuel consumption 159
Maintenance service indicator 344
Trip odometer 131
Residual heat utilization 199, 464
Residual ventilation 199
REST
(Residual engine heat utilization) 464
Restraint system see
Infant and child restraint systems
Restraint systems 465
Rim 337
Rims 445
Roadside Assistance 12
Tele Aid 280
Roll bar 71, 465
Lowering manually 402
Messages in display 387
Operating manually 401
Warning lamp 359
RON 303
RON (Research Octane Number) 465
Rubber parts
Cleaning 352S
Safety
Occupant 60
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects
Reporting 18
Safety systems
Driving 84
Satellite radio
additional text information 217
general information 213
manual channel input 215
storing of station 217
Seat belt force limiter 70
Seat belts 67
Cleaning 351
Fastening 43
Proper use of 45, 69
Safety guidelines 64
Warning lamp 359
Seat cushion depth
Adjusting 116
Seat heating* 117
Switching on/off 117
Seat ventilation* 118
Switching on/off 118Seating capacity 318
Seats 112
Adjusting 37
Easy entry/exit feature 112
Multicontour seat* 116
Seat heating* 117
Seat ventilation* 118
Selecting
Display 146
station (satellite radio) 215
Selecting display 147
Selecting radio mode 209
Selector lever
Lock 47
Message in display 373
Self-test
OCS 80
Tele Aid 277
Service
Parts service 440
Service (maintenance) 342