2005 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE towing

391 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
1Vehicle jack
2Collapsible wheel chock and spare
wheel bolts
3Towing eye bolt
4Alignment bolt
5Wheel wrench
6Spare fuses and valve extractor
7Electric air pumpVehicle jackThe vehicle jack is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its
compartment.

Push crank handle up.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.

425 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Towing 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 158).
!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.

426 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
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 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 158).
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.

427 Practical hints
Towing 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.

L i f t c o v e r o f f t o r e v e a l t h r e a d e d h o l e f o r
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 420)
and “Jump starting” (page 423).


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

428 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleTowing eye bolt CLK 55 AMG
Towing eye bolt in front bumper
The cover for the towing eye bolt 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 427)
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.

472 IndexH
Hands-free microphone 29
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 351
Hazard warning flasher 131
Switching off 131
Switching on 131
Head restraints 113
Head unit
Time synchronization* with 151
Headlamp cleaning system* 315
Headlamps
Automatic control 125
Bi-Xenon 455
Cleaning 349
Cleaning system* 178, 315
Refilling washer fluid 315
Switching off 56
Switching on 50
Washer fluid 454
Washer system* 454
Headliner
Cleaning 352
Height adjustment
Head restraints 38High beam flasher 129
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 404
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 404
High beam headlamps
Messages in display 383
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 404
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 404, 406
Replacing bulbs for
high beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 408
Switching on 129
High mounted brake lamp 405
Hood 308
Closing 309
Message in display 381
Opening 308
Hydroplaning 299I
Identification labels 436
Ignition 34, 36
Switching on 47
Immobilizer 89
Activating 89
Deactivating 89
Infant and child restraint systems 70
Installing 79
LATCH child seat anchors 80
Information
About service and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 284
Installing
Floormats* 278
Infant and child restraint systems 79
Towing eye bolt 427
Towing eye bolt (CLK 55 AMG) 428
Wiper blades 411

479 Index
Parts service 434
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 302
Fuse box in 430
Interior lighting 132
Interior rear view mirror 41
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell 274
Rear armrest 274
Storage bags, rear side
of the front seats 274
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 295
Phone book*
Loading 163
Quick search 164
Phone number*
Dialing 163
Redialing 164
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 352
Playing
CDs 228Poly-V-belt drive 458
Layout 437
Positions (Memory function)
Recalling from memory 122
Storing into memory 122
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 327
Power assistance 295
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 tilt/sliding sunroof* 251
Closing 251, 401
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 250, 253
Closing with SmartKey 253
Opening 251, 401
Opening with SmartKey 253
Stopping 252
Synchronizing 254Power train 458
Power washer 348
Power windows 247
Blocking of rear window operation 82
Side windows 247
Synchronizing 250
Practical hints
Collapsible tire
(CLK 55 AMG only) 394
Collapsible wheel chock 392
First aid kit 389
Fuses 429
Lamp in center console 360
Lamps in instrument cluster 354
Messages in the display 362
Minispare wheel
(except CLK 55 AMG) 393
Spare wheel bolts 396
Towing the vehicle 425
Unlocking/locking
in an emergency 397
Vehicle jack 389, 391
Vehicle tool kit 389

487 Index
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
CLK 320/CLK 500 427
CLK 55 AMG 428
Installing 427
Installing (CLK 55 AMG) 428
Towing the vehicle 425
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 286
Traction 171, 340, 460
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 302
Tread 340
Tread depth 318
Tread depth (tires) 342
Treadwear indicators 340
Trip computer 160
Trip odometer
Resetting 135Trunk
Auxiliary fuse box 432
Closing 107
Lock button, KEYLESS-GO* 103
Message in display 388
Opening 106
Opening from inside vehicle 107
Tie-down rings 271
Trunk lid 106
Trunk lock 398
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* 104
Unlocking with SmartKey 98
Trunk lid emergency release 109
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 405
Turn signals 51
Additional in mirrors 404
Cleaning lenses 349
Front bulbs 404
Front bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 409
Front bulbs (Halogen) 407
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 405, 410
Replacing bulbs 404
Turning off
Engine 56U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards 340
Units
Setting speedometer units 149
Setting temperature units 149
Unlocking 32, 94
Driver’s door in an emergency 397
Fuel filler flap 305
Gear selector lever manually 400
Global 96
Global with KEYLESS-GO* 101
In an emergency 397
Selective setting 96, 102
Trunk lid with KEYLESS-GO* 104
Trunk lid with SmartKey 98
Vehicle in an emergency 286
With KEYLESS-GO* 33
With the SmartKey 32