Contents
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 336
Tire ply material ........................... 337
Tire and loading terminology ........ 338
Rotating tires ............................... 341
Winter driving .................................... 342
Winter tires .................................. 342
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 343
Snow chains................................. 343
Maintenance...................................... 344
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator........................... 345
Maintenance
service term exceeded ................. 345
Calling up the
maintenance service indicator ..... 345
Resetting the
maintenance service indicator ..... 346
Vehicle care ....................................... 347
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 347
Practical hints.................................. 353
What to do if …? ................................. 354
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 354
Lamp in center console................. 360
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display........... 362
Where will I find...? ............................. 389
First aid kit.................................... 389
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 389
Minispare wheel
(except CLK 55 AMG) ................... 393
Collapsible tire
(CLK 55 AMG only) ....................... 394
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 396
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 397
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 397
Locking the vehicle ....................... 398
Fuel filler flap ................................ 399
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 400Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 401
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 401
Replacing batteries in the SmartKey/
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*............. 402
SmartKey ...................................... 402
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 403
Replacing bulbs .................................. 404
Bulbs............................................. 404
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 406
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 410
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 411
Removing wiper blades ................. 411
Installing wiper blades .................. 411
Flat tire............................................... 412
Preparing the vehicle .................... 412
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 413
316 OperationTires and wheelsSee an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and
purchase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and
recommended rims and tires for summer
and winter operation.
Important guidelines
Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.
Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.
Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.
Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.
If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.
Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).
When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:
The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.
The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
341 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotating tires
Tire rotation can be performed on vehicles
with tires of the same dimension all
around. If your vehicle is equipped with
tires of the same dimension all around,
tires can be rotated, observing a a
front-to-rear rotation pattern that will
maintain the intended rotation (spinning)
direction of the tire (
page 319).
In some cases, such as when your vehicle
is equipped with mixed-size tires (different
tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation
is not possible.If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained (
page 319).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 389) and
(
page 412).
Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire dimensions front vs.
rear), tire rotation is not possible.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.
389 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
Where will I find...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the trunk on
the left side secured by a hook and loop
fastener.
Loosen hook and loop fastener.
Remove first aid kit.
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
The following is included:
Towing eye bolt
Wheel wrench
Alignment bolt
Vehicle jack
Spare wheel bolts
Spare fuses
Valve extractor (CLK 55 AMG only)
Protective wrap (CLK 55 AMG only)
Collapsible wheel chock
A pair of gloves Removing the vehicle tool kit (except
CLK 55 AMG)
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing
Loosen retaining screw1 in the mid-
dle of storage well casing by turning it
counterclockwise.
Remove storage well casing2.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.
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.
396 Practical hintsWhere will I find...?In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the collapsible tire when
observing the following restrictions:
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.
Do not operate vehicle with more than
one collapsible tire mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and tires”
(
page 439).
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel,
collapsible tire, or other steel rims
(located in trunk with spare wheel)
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel,
collapsible tire, or other steel rims. The
use of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts2 for the Minispare wheel,
collapsible tire, or other steel rims will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.
413 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(page 412).
Vehicles with Minispare wheel:
Take the wheel wrench, the wheel
bolts, and the jack out of the trunk
(page 389).
Take the Minispare wheel out of the
trunk (
page 393).
Vehicles with collapsible tire
(CLK 55 AMG only):
Take the collapsible tire, wheel wrench,
wheel bolts, jack, and electric air pump
out of the trunk (
page 390).Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizable objects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 389).
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place the wheel chock in front of and
another sizable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:
Place the wheel chock and another
sizable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.
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. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient ca-
pacity jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
414 Practical hintsFlat tire1Wheel wrench
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with
wrench 1).
The jack take-up brackets are located
directly behind the front wheel housings
and in front of the rear wheel housings.2Jack
3Take-up bracket
Place jack2 on firm ground.
Position jack2 under take-up
bracket3 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while
vehicle is raised.Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.
Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.
Never lie down under the raised vehicle.