2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 CABRIOLET headlamp

304 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant level
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 310) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 453).Brake fluid
Removing fuse box cover (
page 437).
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer
system and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 312).Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 306).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 414).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 50).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Recommended
tire inflation pressure” (
page 322).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 305).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see also “Practi-
cal hints” (
page 355).

306 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnos-
tic socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.


312 OperationEngine compartmentWindshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Washer fluid reservoir cap
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system* is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approx. 6.4 US qt (6 l).During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Premix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water (or
commercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent / antifreeze, de-
pending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below the
freezing point. Failure to do so could
result in damage to the washer
system/reservoir.For more information, see “Windshield
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 460).
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer
fluid can damage the plastic lenses of
the headlamps.
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer
solvent/antifreeze on hot engine parts,
because it may ignite and burn. You could be
seriously burned.

340 OperationWinter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 460).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started
even at low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6 in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS and the ESP in
winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

348 OperationVehicle careDry cleaning:
Brush the dry top with a soft-bristled
brush.
Brush top always from front to rear.
Wet cleaning:

Brush the top with a soft-bristled
brush.
Wash with clear water or with a mild
detergent and an ample supply of luke-
warm water by wiping with a soft-bris-
tled brush or sponge from front to
rear.Then rinse thoroughly with clear
water.Wash the top only when heavily soiled.
If only parts of the top have been washed,
wet the entire top and allow it to air-dry be-
fore lowering it into the storage compart-
ment.
For cleaning soft top or wind screen never
use:


gasoline


thinner


tar and stain removers


glass cleaner


similar organic solvents
They will cause damage which is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome
cleaner.
Headlamps, tail lamps, side markers,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not
attempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry
cloth or sponge.
iWhen you run the vehicle through an
automatic car wash, never use
hot-wax.
Depending on the operation mode of
the car wash, there is the possibility of
water drops entering the vehicle’s inte-
rior. This is not an indication of a defect
or malfunction in the soft top.
iIn general, regular spraying or cleaning
with clear water is sufficient to keep
the soft top clean.

364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 365)


Symbol messages (
page 374)
iSwitching on the ignition causes all
instrument cluster lamps (except low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless
activated) as well as the multifunction
display to come on. Make sure the
lamps and the multifunction display are
in working order before starting your
journey.

384 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
High beam, left
The left high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam, right
The right high beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Lamp sensor
Drive to workshop
The lamp sensor is malfunctioning. The
headlamps switch on automatically.

In the control system, set lamp opera-
tion to manual (
page 152).

Switch on headlamps using the exteri-
or lamp switch.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
left
The left license plate lamp is malfunction-
ing.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate lamp,
right

The right license plate lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Low beam, left
The left low beam lamp is malfunctioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

385 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Low beam, right
The right low beam lamp is malfunction-
ing.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
front left

The left front parking lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Parking lamp
front right

The right front parking lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Rear foglamp
back-up lamp on

The foglamp is malfunctioning. A back-up
bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Reverse lamp, left
The left backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Reverse lamp, right
The right backup lamp is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Side marker lamp
front left
The front left side marker lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Side marker lamp
front right
The front right side marker lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Tail lamp left
back-up lamp on

The left tail lamp is malfunctioning. A
back-up bulb is being used.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.