2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK COUPE open hood

312 OperationEngine compartment1Oil dipstick
2Upper (max) mark
3Lower (min) mark
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 308).

Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain ac-
curate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween the lower (min) mark3 and
upper (max) mark2 of oil dipstick1.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding en-
gine oil” (
page 312).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 452).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 388).Adding engine oiliThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
!Only use approved engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles). For a listing of
approved engine oils and oil filters,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those
expressly required for the Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) will result in engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

314 OperationEngine compartmentCoolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment.
1Coolant expansion tank
2Cap

Using a rag, turn cap 2 slowly
approximately one half turn counter-
clockwise to release any excess pres-
sure.

Continue turning the cap 2 counter-
clockwise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level


for cold coolant: reaches the marking
(plastic bridge) inside the reservoir


for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap 2.
More information on coolant can be found
in the “Technical data” section
(
page 457).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature indicator
indicates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if the coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow the coolant
to cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.

364 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
•
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.

Add coolant to prevent engine from
overheating (
page 314).
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.

Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.

If the coolant temperature is below
257 °F (125 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
•
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257 °F (125 °C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by open-
ing the hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.

385 Practical hints
What to do if …?
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location or
as soon as it is safe to do so and turn
off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the
message disappears. You could other-
wise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by open-
ing the hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

390 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below the re-
serve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 305).
Y
Hood open
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 309).
I
Remove key
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the start-
er switch.
Replace key
No additional code available for SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Key
Check battery
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* batter-
ies are discharged.

Change the batteries (
page 409).
Key
not recognized
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is not
recognized while the engine is running be-
cause

the SmartKey is not in the vehicle


there is strong radio-frequency inter-
ference

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to
do so.

Search for the SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started
again after the engine has been stopped.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is mo-
mentarily not recognized.

Change the position of the SmartKey
in the vehicle.

Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey
in the starter switch if necessary.
Keyless Go
Check system
The KEYLESS-GO* system is malfunction-
ing.

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

414 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 131).

Open the hood (
page 308).
Front lamps halogen-type
1Housing cover for low beam headlamp
2Housing cover for high beam head-
lamp, parking and standing lamp3Bulb socket for turn signal lamp bulb
4Bulb holder of low beam bulb
5Bulb holder of high beam bulb
6Bulb socket for parking and standing
lamp bulb
Low beam bulb

Turn housing cover1 counterclock-
wise and remove it.

Turn bulb holder4 with the bulb coun-
terclockwise and remove it.

Pull the bulb at its socket out of bulb
holder4.

Insert the new bulb so that its socket
locates in the recess of bulb holder4
and is level to it.

Reinsert bulb holder4 with the bulb in
the lamp and turn clockwise.

Align housing cover1 and turn it
clockwise.
High beam bulb

Turn housing cover2 counterclock-
wise and remove it.

Turn bulb holder5 with the bulb coun-
terclockwise and remove it.

Pull the bulb at its socket out of bulb
holder5.

Insert the new bulb so that its socket
locates in the recess of bulb holder5
and is level to it.

Reinsert bulb holder5 with the bulb in
the lamp and turn clockwise.

Align housing cover2 and turn it
clockwise.

418 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesRemoving and installing wiper blades

Remove SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: make
sure the vehicle's on board electronics
have status 0).
Removing wiper blades
1Unlocking
2Tab

Pull the tab2 in the direction of
arrow1.
The wiper blade is unlocked.

Lift up the wiper arm as far as you need
to remove the wiper blade.

Carefully fold the wiper arm back to
rest on the windshield.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
(vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status
0) before replacing a wiper blade.
Otherwise, the wiper motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arms are folded forward.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Hold on to the wiper arm when folding
the wiper arm back. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.

427 Practical hints
Battery
2Negative terminal
3Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery

Depress the parking brake pedal.

Make sure gear selector lever is set to
positionP.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the start / stop button until
the engine shuts off.

Open the driver’s door.

Open the hood (
page 308).

Remove the filter box (
page 426).

Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 426).

Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal2.

Remove cover3 from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP!Always disconnect the battery in the
order described below. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.