2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 CABRIOLET belt

78 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety

If you must install a rear-facing child
restraint on the front passenger seat
because circumstances require you to
do so, make sure that the 56 in-
dicator lamp is illuminated, indicating
that the front passenger front air bag is
deactivated. Should the 56 indi-
cator lamp not illuminate or go out while
the restraint is installed, please check
installation. Periodically check the
56 indicator lamp while driving
to make sure the 56 indicator
lamp is illuminated. If the 56 in-
dicator lamp goes out or remains out, do
not transport a child on the front pas-
senger seat until the system has been
repaired. A child in a rear-facing child re-
straint on the front passenger seat will
be seriously injured or even killed if the
front passenger front air bag inflates.


If you have to place a child in a
forward-facing child restraint on the
front passenger seat, move the seat as
far back as possible, use the proper
child restraint recommended for the
age, size and weight of the child, and se-
cure child restraint with the vehicle's
seat belt according to the child seat
manufacturer's instructions. For
children larger than the typical
12-month-old child, the front passenger
front air bag may or may not be
activated (
page 76).
iDeployment of the driver front air bag
does not mean that the front passenger
front air bag also should have de-
ployed.
The Occupant Classification System
(page 75) may have determined:


that the seat was empty or occu-
p i e d b y t h e w e i g h t u p t o o r l e s s t h a n
that of a typical 12-month-old child
seated in a standard child restraint
- both instances where the system
suppresses deployment of the front
passenger front air bag even
though the impact met the criteria
and was of sufficient severity to de-
ploy the driver front air bag.


that the seat was occupied by a
small individual (such as a young
teenager or a small adult) or a child
weighing more than the weight of a
typical 12-month-old child in a stan-
dard child restraint - instances
where the system may suppress
deployment of the front passenger
front air bag even though the
impact met the criteria and was of
sufficient severity to deploy the
driver front air bag.


79 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
The 56indicator lamp is located in
the center console.
1Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp
The 56indicator lamp1 will be
illuminated, except with the SmartKey
removed or in starter switch position0.
Warning!
G
If the 1indicator lamp and the
56indicator lamp are lit at the same
time, there is a malfunction in the Occupant
Classification System. The front passenger
front air bag will be deactivated in this case.
In order to ensure proper operation of the
air bag system and OCS:

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by qualified technicians. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Sit properly belted in a nearly upright
position with your back against the seat
backrest.


Do not lean on the armrests or lift your-
self from the seat by using the handle
over the door as this may cause the OCS
to be unable to correctly approximate
the occupant weight category.


Only have the seat repaired or replaced
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.

80 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetySelf-test Occupant Classification
System
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or
twice, the 56 indicator lamp1 lo-
cated in the center console illuminates. If
an adult occupant is properly sitting on the
front passenger seat and the system sens-
es the occupant as being an adult, the
56 indicator lamp will illuminate
and go out after approximately six
seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
senses the front passenger seat as being
empty, the 56 indicator lamp will
illuminate and not go out. More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 361).Child seat anchors – LATCH type
This vehicle is equipped with two LATCH
(L
ower A
nchors and T
ethers for CH
ildren)
type anchors (at each of the rear seats) for
the installation of a LATCH child seat with
matching mounting fittings.
If child seats are not installed, the LATCH
anchors can be folded back between the
seat cushion and the seat backrest.
Warning!
G
If the 56 indicator lamp should not
illuminate, the system is not functioning.
You must see an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center before seating any child on the front
passenger seat.Warning!
G
Never place anything between seat cushion
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces
the effectiveness of the Occupant Classifi-
cation System. The bottom of the child seat
must make full contact with the passenger
seat cushion. An incorrectly mounted child
seat could cause injuries to the child in case
of an accident, instead of increasing protec-
tion for the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for
installation of child seats.
iYour cabriolet does not have and is not
required to have anchorage rings for a
child seat’s top tether strap in the rear
seating positions. Child seats can be
used with the seat belt, or lower anchor
system and seat belt, fully in accor-
dance with the child seat manufactur-
er’s instructions.

81 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
To fold anchors out
1Indicates the position of the anchors
2Anchors
3Release button
Grip inner side of anchors2 and fold
forward until they audibly lock in place.

Install child seat according to the
manufacturer’s instructions.To fold anchors back

Press down button3 on each
anchor2 and return the anchor2 to
its catch.
iThe child seat must be firmly attached
in the right and left side anchors2.
iNon-LATCH type child seats may also
be used and can be installed using the
vehicle’s seat belt system. Install child
seat according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.Warning!
G
Children too big for a toddler restraint must
ride in seats using regular seat belts. Posi-
tion shoulder belt across chest and shoul-
der, not face or neck.
A booster seat may be necessary to achieve
proper belt positioning for children from
41 lbs until they reach a height where a
lap/shoulder belt fits properly without a
booster.
Before installing the child seat, make sure
anchors2 are folded out and locked in
place.
Install child seat according to manufactur-
er’s instructions.
T h e c h i l d s e a t m u s t b e f i r m l y a t t a c h e d i n t h e
right and left side anchor2.
An incorrectly mounted child seat may come
loose during an accident which could result
in serious injury or death to the child.
Damaged or impact damaged child seats or
child seat anchor fittings must be replaced.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system.

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.

254 Controls in detailSoft top6Retaining lugs
7Mounting fixture on right side
8Catch
Fold retaining lugs6 out.

Slide pre-assembled wind screen into
mounting fixture on right side7 using
retaining pin on right side. Simulta-
neously, retaining lugs6 should slide
into seat belt passage in rear bench
seat.

Pull catch8 back and guide left re-
taining pin into mounting fixture on left
side.

Fold upper section of wind screen up
toward head restraints until it stops.Removing

Fold upper section of wind screen back
down.

Pull catch8 back and pull wind
screen out toward front of vehicle. Be
careful not to damage interior trim with
guide tabs.

Fold retaining lugs6 back.
9Catch

Press catch 9 and fold upper and low-
er sections back.

Place the wind screen back into the
bag.
Warning!
G
Check for secure locking by pulling up on
the wind screen.
To prevent personal injury, remove wind
screen if rear seats are to be occupied by
passengers.


327 Operation
Tires and wheels
General:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only. Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 326) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (page 326) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width. Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 326) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag-
onal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 328).
Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 326) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).

347 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz
approved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently. Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in
exterior rear view mirrors prior to running
the vehicle through an automatic car wash
to prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Soft top
Clean soft top with soft top raised and
locked. Lower the soft top into the storage
compartment only if the soft top is com-
pletely dry. If the soft top is kept in the
storage compartment for a lengthy period,
raise it and air out with the windows open
about every 4 months.
Light colored soft tops should be cleaned
frequently to prevent spots and dirt from
setting in, which could stain and discolor
the soft top material permanently.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approximately 3 ft
(approximately 1 m), the vehicle could
be inadvertently locked or unlocked.
!Remove bird droppings immediately.
The organic acid damages the material
and causes the soft top to leak
Never use a power washer to clean the
soft top, as you may damage the soft
top material.
Do not use sharp-edged instruments
for the removal of ice and snow.