2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 CABRIOLET steering wheel

85 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the
pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions
and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 353).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.

112 Controls in detailSeatsFor information on seat adjustment, see
“Adjusting” (
page 37).
Easy-entry/exit feature
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be
activated or deactivated in the Convenience
submenu of the control
system (
page 156).When exiting the vehicle, with the
easy-entry/exit feature activated and
depending on your selection, the steering
wheel tilts upwards and/or the driver’s
seat moves a few inches to the rear when
you:


remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch,
or


open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1 or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 35) in position1.
Warning!
G
You must make sure that no one can be-
come trapped or injured by the moving
steering wheel and driver’s seat when the
easy-entry / exit feature is activated.
To cancel seat /steering wheel movement,
do one of the following:

Press the seat adjustment switch
(page 38).


Move the steering column stalk
(page 40).


Press the memory position switch
(page 120).
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver's door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iIf the current position for the steering
wheel is in the uppermost tilt position,
the steering wheel will no longer be
able to move upward when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.

113 Controls in detailSeats
When entering the vehicle, with the
easy-entry/exit feature activated, the
steering wheel or, depending on your
selection, the steering wheel and driver’s
seat will return to their last set position or
a factory-set maximum forward position
when you:

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on.
or


insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 35) once
with the driver’s door closed.Removing and installing front seat
head restraints
For information on head restraint adjust-
ment, see “Seats” (
page 37). If the current seat position falls into a
factory-set position range and the
system recognizes the current seat
position to be rearward enough for
easy entry and exit, the driver’s seat
will not move to the rear when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
iFor safety reasons, the driver’s seat will
not return to its last set position with
the easy-entry/exit feature activated if
the system recognizes the last set posi-
tion as an extreme forward position.
Instead, the driver’s seat will remain at
or move to a factory-set maximum
forward position. To again fully return
the driver’s seat to your last set posi-
tion or to memory position, adjust the
seat to the desired position or press
and hold the respective memory
position switch (
page 120).
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way
that it is as close to the head as
possible.Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the center of
the head restraint supports the back of the
head at eye level. This will reduce the poten-
tial for injury to the head and neck in the
event of an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an
accident.

119 Controls in detail
Memory function
Memory function
You can store up to three different settings
per SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
The following settings are stored when
using the buttons on the driver’s door:

Driver’s seat, backrest and head
restraint position


Steering wheel position


Exterior rear view mirror position
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired. For informa-
tion on key-dependent memory settings,
see “Setting key-dependency”
(
page 157).The following settings are not
key-dependent. They are stored when
using the buttons on the passenger door:


Front passenger seat, backrest and
head restraint position
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the
driver should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to
ensure adequate control, reach and
comfort. The head restraint should also
be adjusted for proper height. See also
the section on air bags (
page 61) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

120 Controls in detailMemory functionThe memory button and memory position
switch are located on the door.
1Memory button
2Memory position switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 34).
or

Open the respective door and insert
the SmartKey in the starter switch.
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seats, steering wheel and
exterior rear view mirrors to the
desired position (
page 37).

Turn memory position switch2 to the
desired memory position.

Press memory button1.

Release memory button1 and press
memory position switch2 within
three seconds.
All settings are stored to the selected
position.
Recalling positions from memory
Turn memory position switch2 to the
desired memory position.

Press and hold memory position
switch2 until the seat, steering wheel
and exterior rear view mirrors have
completely moved to the stored
positions.!Do not operate the seats using the
memory button if the seat backrest is
in an excessively reclined position.
Doing so could cause damage to front
or rear seats.
First move the seat backrest to an
upright position.iReleasing the memory position switch
stops movement to the stored
positions immediately.

122 Controls in detailLightingFor information on how to switch on the
headlamps and use the turn signals, see
“Switching on headlamps” (
page 50)
and “Turn signals” (
page 51).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch
MOff
Daytime running lamp mode
(
page 152)
UAutomatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
(page 152)
CParking lamps (also tail lamps,
license plate lamps, side marker
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
BLow beam headlamps (or high
beam headlamps when the combi-
nation switch is pushed forward)
and parking lamps
ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
‡Indicator lamp for front fog lamps
†Indicator lamp for rear fog lamp
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than
the country in which the vehicle is reg-
istered, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

127 Controls in detail
Lighting
Driving forward
Switching on cornering fog lamps
Depending on whether you are turning
left or right, switch on the left or right
turn signal (
page 51).
The respective front fog lamp comes on
and illuminates the road into which you
are turning.
Switching off cornering fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off thecornering fog lamps if they where
activated by switching on the left or right
turn signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and cornering
fog lamps can be switched off by returning
the combination switch to its original
position.
Driving rearward
Switching on cornering fog lamps

Place the gear selector lever in
positionR.
The inverse front fog lamp comes on
automatically depending on the steer-
ing direction and steering angle.
Switching on cornering fog lamps

Place the gear selector lever out of
positionR.
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KELESS-GO* removed from the starter
switch or with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher switches on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switch
iThe cornering fog lamps will come on
automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not
switch on either turn signal.
If the cornering fog lamps came on
automatically, they will also go out au-
tomatically depending on the steering
angle.

131 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature indicator
The coolant temperature indicator is on
the right side in the instrument cluster
(page 24).
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 120°C.
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 120°C.
Doing so may cause serious engine
damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the stan-
dard display in the multifunction dis-
play (
page 138).

If it is not displayed, press buttonè
orÿ on the multifunction steering
wheel repeatedly until the standard dis-
play appears (
page 134).

Press and hold the reset button on the
instrument cluster (
page 130) until
the trip odometer is reset.
Warning!
G


Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment to catch fire. You could be se-
riously 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 com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
iExcessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning in the multifunction display
(page 377) and the red coolant warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 357).