2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG CABRIOLET Owner's Manual

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.

436 Practical hintsFusesThe electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
stop the supply of electricity to a device
that is malfunctioning. This helps to
prevent damage to the other vehicle
electronics.
The following aids are available to help you
change fuses (
page 436):


Fuse chart


Spare fuses


Fuse extractor
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:


Main fuse box in passenger
compartment (
page 437)


Fuse box in engine compartment
(page 437)


Fuse box in trunk (
page 438)
Aids for changing fuses
Fuse chart
The fuse chart is found in the main fuse
box in the passenger compartment
(page 437). The amperages of the fuses
are also given there.
Spare fuses
Spare fuses are found in the vehicle tool kit
in the spare wheel well (
page 391).
Fuse extractor
The fuse extractor is located in the trunk
underneath the trunk floor cover in the
storage well casing (
page 391).
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved for Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question. Otherwise, a short circuit could
result and cause a fire.
!Only install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage
rating.
Otherwise, electrical parts or systems
could be damaged.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

437 Practical hintsFuses
Mainfuse box in passenger compartment
The main fuse box is located in the passen-
ger compartment on the driver’s side of
the cockpit.
1Main fuse box coverOpening

Open the driver’s door.

Insert flat, blunt object as a lever into
the edge of the fuse box cover1 at
the position indicated by the arrow.

Loosen fuse box cover1 from cockpit
using lever.

Using your hands, remove fuse box
cover1 rearward.
Closing

Attach fuse box cover1 in the front.

Fold fuse box cover1 in until it
engages.
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine com-
partment on the driver’s side.
1Cover
2Screw
3Retainer
Removing cover
Twist screws2 90° counterclock-
wise.

Lift the rear of cover1.

Slide out retainer3 and remove
cover1 by pulling towards front.
!Do not use sharp objects such as a
screw driver to open the fuse box
cover1 in the cockpit, as this could
damage it.

438 Practical hintsFusesOpening fuse box
4Fuse box cover
5Clamps
With a dry cloth, remove any moisture
from the fuse box.

Release clamps5.

Remove cover4.Closing fuse box

Make sure that the sealing rubber is
properly positioned.

Press fuse box cover4 down and
secure with clamps5.
Installing cover

Insert cover1 sideways into
retainer3.

Twist screws2 90° clockwise.
Fuse box in trunk
The fuse box is located in the trunk behind
the left-hand trim panel.
1Trim cover
Opening fuse box
To open, pull trim cover1 in the direc-
tion of the rear light and outward.
Closing fuse box

Press trim cover1 back into place.

439 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.