2006 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK COUPE winter tires

ContentsDriving systems ................................. 254
Cruise control............................... 254
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)*, Canada only ..... 258
Loading .............................................. 262
Roof rack ...................................... 262
Ski sack* (Canada only) ............... 263
Split rear bench seat .................... 265
Loading instructions ..................... 267
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 268
Useful features .................................. 269
Storage compartments................. 269
Center armrest ............................. 271
Armrest in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 272
Cup holders .................................. 273
Ashtrays ....................................... 274
Cigarette lighter ........................... 276
Power outlet in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 277
Floormats* ................................... 277
Telephone*................................... 278
Tele Aid ........................................ 279
Garage door opener* ................... 287
Operation......................................... 293
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 294
Driving instructions............................ 295
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 295
Drinking and driving ..................... 295
Pedals .......................................... 295
Power assistance ......................... 295
Brakes .......................................... 296
Driving off .................................... 297
Parking ......................................... 297
Tires ............................................. 298
Hydroplaning ................................ 299
Tire traction.................................. 299
Tire speed rating .......................... 300
Winter driving instructions ........... 300
Standing water ............................. 301
Passenger compartment .............. 302
Driving abroad.............................. 302
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 302
Catalytic converter ....................... 303
Emission control .......................... 303
Coolant temperature .................... 304At the gas station .............................. 305
Refueling ...................................... 305
Check regularly
and before a long trip................... 307
Engine compartment ......................... 308
Hood ............................................ 308
Engine oil ..................................... 309
Transmission fluid level................ 313
Coolant ........................................ 314
Battery ......................................... 315
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 316
Tires and wheels................................ 317
Important guidelines .................... 317
Tire care and maintenance........... 318
Direction of rotation..................... 320
Loading the vehicle ...................... 320
Recommended
tire inflation pressure ................... 326
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 328
MOExtended system* .................. 332
Tire labeling ................................. 332
Load identification ....................... 336
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 337
Maximum tire load ....................... 338

Contents
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 339
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 340
Tire ply material ........................... 341
Tire and loading terminology ........ 342
Rotating tires ............................... 345
Winter driving .................................... 346
Winter tires .................................. 346
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 347
Snow chains................................. 347
Maintenance ...................................... 348
Maintenance
service indicator message............ 348
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 349
Maintenance
service term exceeded ................. 349
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 349
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 350
Vehicle care ....................................... 351
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 351
Practical hints.................................. 359
What to do if …? ................................. 360
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 360
Lamp in center console................. 368
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 370
Where will I find...? ............................. 398
First aid kit .................................... 398
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 398
Minispare wheel............................ 401
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 403
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 404
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 404
Locking the vehicle ....................... 405
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 406
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 407
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* ........... 407
Resetting activated head restraints .... 408
Resetting
activated head restraints .............. 408Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 409
SmartKey ...................................... 410
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 411
Replacing bulbs .................................. 412
Bulbs............................................. 412
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 414
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 417
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 418
Removing and installing
wiper blades ................................. 418
Flat tire............................................... 420
Preparing the vehicle .................... 420
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 421
MOExtended system* ................... 425
Battery ............................................... 426
Disconnecting the battery ............ 427
Removing the battery ................... 428
Charging and
reinstalling the battery.................. 428
Reconnecting the battery ............. 429
Jump starting...................................... 430

87 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, and ESP
® cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, and
the ESP
® is only achieved with winter
tires (
page 346) or snow chains as
required.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

293 Operation
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

299 Operation
Driving instructions
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(
page 346) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise
appropriate caution.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This
may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

300 OperationDriving instructionsTire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km/h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
130 mph (210 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to position N. Try
to keep the vehicle under control by cor-
rective steering action.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
iFor information on tire speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter tires”
(page 346).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 335).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 347).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

317 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
See 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.
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.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.

319 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tread depth
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).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of approx-
imately
1/16
in (1.6 mm), at which point
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:


Summer tires
1/8in (3 mm)


Winter tires
1/6in (4 mm)
1TWI (T
readW
ear I
ndicator)
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.Storing tires
Cleaning tires
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor safety
laws consider a tire to be worn when the
treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible at
approximately
1/16in (1.6 mm), we recom-
mend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply re-
duced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.!Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water can
result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.