2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 CABRIOLET towing

432 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleTowing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 91) and the automatic central
locking (
page 155).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the SmartKey
must be in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.

433 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position
2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch posi-
tion
0 for an extended period of time, it can
no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:


the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
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. Adapt your driving accordingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on the ignition and activate the
combination switch for the left or right
turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 91).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 155).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.

434 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Towing eye bolt CLK 320/CLK 500
1Cover on right side of front bumper2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch. For more informa-
tion, see “Battery” (
page 427)
and “Jump starting” (page 430).


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP. For informa-
tion on manually unlocking the
transmission gear selector lever,
see (
page 400).

435 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing eye bolt CLK 55 AMG
Towing eye bolt in front bumper
The cover for the threaded bore in the front
bumper is identical to the cover on the
models CLK320/CLK500.
To remove and to reinstall cover, see “Tow-
ing eye bolt CLK 320/CLK 500”
(page 434).
Towing eye bolt in rear bumper
1Cover on right side of rear bumper
2Recess in the coverTo remove cover:

Insert flat, blunt object as a lever in re-
cess 2 on the edge of cover 1.

Loosen cover 1 from the bumper us-
ing lever, to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.To reinstall cover:

Hook right-hand side of the cover into
opening.

Slide cover as far as it will go in the di-
rection of the arrow3.

Gently press left-hand side of cover in
direction of the arrow4.
The hooks on the left-hand side en-
gage.iWhen closing the cover, make sure the
cover’s check strap does not get
caught.

478 IndexH
Hands-free microphone 29
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 351
Hazard warning flasher 127
Switching off 128
Switching on 128
Head restraints 113
Headlamp cleaning system* 312
Headlamps
Automatic control 123
Bi-Xenon 461
Cleaning 348
Cleaning system* 176, 312
Refilling washer fluid 312
Switching off 56
Switching on 50
Washer fluid 460
Washer system* 460
Headliner
Cleaning 351
Head-thorax air bag 66, 463Height adjustment
Head restraints 38
High beam flasher 126
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 414
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 414
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 384
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 414
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 414, 416
Replacing bulbs for
high beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 418
Switching on 126
High mounted brake lamp 415
Hood 305
Closing 306
Message in display 382
Opening 305
Hydroplaning 295I
Identification labels 442
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 47
Immobilizer 89
Activating 89
Deactivating 89
Infant and child restraint systems 72
LATCH child seat anchors 80
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 281
Inside rear view mirror
Auto-dimming 176
Installing
Floormates* 275
Towing eye bolt 434
Towing eye bolt (CLK 55 AMG) 435
Wind screen 253
Wiper blades 421

485 Index
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 120
Storing into memory 120
Potential problems associated
with underinflated
and overinflated tires 325
Power assistance 291
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 38
Adjusting head restraint height 38
Adjusting head restraint tilt 39
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 38
Adjusting seat height 38
Front seat head restraints 114
Seat fore and aft adjustment 38
Power train 464
Power washer 346
Power windows 239
Blocking of rear window operation 82
Side windows 239
Synchronizing 243Practical hints
Collapsible wheel chock 394
First aid kit 391
Fuses 436
Lamp in center console 361
Lamps in instrument cluster 354
Messages in the display 363
Minispare wheel 394
Minispare wheel bolts 396
Towing the vehicle 432
Unlocking/locking
in an emergency 397
Vehicle jack 393
Vehicle tool kit 391
Premium unleaded gasoline 456
Problems
While driving 54
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 337
Program mode selector switch 464
Automatic transmission 169
PSI 337Q
Quick search
Phone book* 162
R
Radio
Selecting stations 139
Radio operation 209
Radio see Radio operation
Radio transmitters,
control and operation 299
Radio*
Selecting stations (satellite) 140
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 159
Reading lamp 29
Rear fog lamp 415
Bulb 415
Switching on 125
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 420
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 200
Rear passenger compartment
Adjustable air vents 189

492 IndexTele Aid 277
Emergency calls 278
Information 281
Initiating an
emergency call manually 279
Messages in display 388
Remote door unlock 283
Roadside Assistance 280
Stolen vehicle tracking services 283
System self-check 277
Tele Aid System 277
Upgrade signals 282
Tele Aid System 466
Telematics* 466
Telephone* 26, 276
Answering a call 161
Dialing a number
from the phone book 161
Ending a call 161
Hands-free microphone 29
Loading phone book* 161
Messages in display 390
Operating 160
Operation 224
Redialing 162Temperature
Display mode 145
Setting interior temperature 183
Setting units in display 145
Tires 323
Tightening torque 466
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 426
Time
Setting hours 147
Setting minutes 148
TIN 338
Tire
Vehicle maximum load on 338
Tire and Loading Information 317
Tire and loading terminology 335
Tire care and maintenance 314
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Checking 304, 322, 324
Tire inspection 314
Tire load rating 338
Tire ply composition
and material used 338
Tire speed rating 296, 328, 338
Tire terminology 335
Tire traction 296Tires 313, 445
Direction of rotation 316
Driving instructions 295
Retreads 313
Rims and tires 445
Rotating 339
Service life 314
Temperature 323, 334
Tread depth 315, 340
Wear pattern 339
Winter 340
Tools 391
Tow-away alarm 27, 91
Disarming 92
Disarming for transport 91
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
CLK 320/CLK 500 434
CLK 55 AMG 435
Installing 434
Installing (CLK 55 AMG) 435
Towing the vehicle 432
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 283
Traction 169, 338
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 299

494 IndexUpgrade signals
Tele Aid 282
Uphill driving
Cruise control 257
Upholstery
Cleaning 352
Upshifting 165
Useful features 269
Ashtray (Center console) 273
Ashtray (Rear seat) 273
Cigarette lighter 274
Electrical outlet 275
Floormats* 275
Storage compartments 269
Tele Aid 277
Telephone* 276V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 442
Vehicle
Individual settings 142, 144
Locking 27
Locking in an emergency 398
Lowering 426
Service battery 427
Towing 432
Unlocking 27
Unlocking in an emergency 397
Vehicle battery 311, 427
Messages in display 374
Vehicle capacity weight 338
Vehicle care 345
Cup holder 351
Engine cleaning 347
Gear selector lever 351
Hard plastic trim items 351
Headlamps 348
Instrument cluster 351
Leather upholstery 352
Light alloy wheels 350
Nubuck leather upholstery
(CLK 55 AMG) 352
Ornamental moldings 348Paintwork 346
Parktronic system* sensor 349
Plastic and rubber parts 352
Power washer 346
Seat belts 351
Soft top 347
Steering wheel 351
Tail lamps 348
Tar stains 346
Upholstery 352
Vehicle washing 347
Window cleaning 350
Wiper blades 349
Wood trims 352
Vehicle identification number (VIN) 442
Vehicle jack 393
Vehicle lighting
Checking 304
Vehicle loading terminology 335
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 338
Vehicle status message memory 141
Calling up 141
Displaying 141
Vehicle status messages 363
Vehicle tool kit 391
Alignment bolt 391