45 Getting started
Driving
Driving
Fastening the seat beltsWarning!
G
Do not lay any objects in the driver’s foot-
well. Be careful that floor mats or carpets in
the driver’s footwell have sufficient clear-
ance for the pedals.
During sudden driving or braking maneu-
vers, the objects could get caught between
the pedals. You could then no longer brake
or accelerate.Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure your passengers are
properly restrained, even those sitting in the
rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are wearing your
seat belt. The air bags can only provide the
protection they where designed to afford if
the occupants are using their seat belts
(page 62).
Warning!
G
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seat-
ing position. Thus, we strongly recommend
that children be placed in the rear seats.
Regardless of seating position, children
12 years old and under must be seated and
properly secured in an appropriate infant or
toddler restraint, or booster seat recom-
mended for the size and weight of the child.
For additional information, see “Children in
the vehicle” (
page 75).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.
69 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Seat belts
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in all
50 states, the District of Columbia, the
U.S. territories and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts
fastened whenever the vehicle is in
motion.
For more information, see “Fastening the
seat belts” (
page 45).
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and
restraint systems for infants and
children, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 75).
Warning!
G
Always fasten your seat belt before driving
off. Always make sure all of your passengers
are properly restrained, even those sitting in
the rear and pregnant women.
Failure to wear and properly fasten and po-
sition your seat belt greatly increases your
risk of injuries and their likely severity in an
accident. You and your passengers should
always wear seat belts.
If you are ever in an accident, your injuries
can be considerably more severe without
your seat belt properly buckled. Without
your seat belt buckled, you are much more
likely to hit the interior of the vehicle or be
ejected from it. You can be seriously injured
or killed.
In the same crash, the possibility of injury or
death is lessened if you are properly wearing
your seat belt. Air bags can only protect as
they are designed if the occupants are prop-
erly wearing their seat belts.
Warning!
G
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
backrest in an excessively reclined position
as this can be dangerous. You could slide
under the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or even fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belt provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a nearly upright position and the
belt is properly positioned on the body.Warning!
G
Never let more people ride in the vehicle
than there are seat belts available. Make
sure everyone riding in the vehicle is
correctly restrained with a separate seat
belt. Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time.
195 Controls in detail
Climate control (CLK 350)
Rear passenger compartment adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger
compartment is controlled via the climate
control panel (
page 187).The air vents for the rear passenger
compartment are located in the rear
center console.
1Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
2Left center air vent
3Right center air ventAdjusting air distribution
Push the slide for the left center
vent2 or right center vent3 to the
left, right, up or down.
The air flow is directed in the corre-
sponding direction.
Adjusting air volume
Turn thumbwheel1 to the left or right.
The air volume is increased or
decreased.
iThe temperature at the center air vents
for the rear passenger
compartment2 and3 (
page 195)
is the same as at the dashboard center
air vents.
iFor draft-free ventilation, push
slides2 and3 upward.
208 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control (CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)Rear passenger compartment adjustable air vents
The air conditioning for the rear passenger
compartment is controlled via the auto-
matic climate control panel (
page 197).The air vents for the rear passenger
compartment are located in the rear
center console.
1Thumbwheel for air volume control for
center air vents
2Left center air vent
3Right center air ventAdjusting air distribution
Push the slide for the left center
vent2 or right center vent3 to the
left, right, up or down.
The air flow is directed in the corre-
sponding direction.
Adjusting air volume
Turn thumbwheel1 to the left or right.
The air volume is increased or de-
creased.
iThe temperature at the center air vents
for the rear passenger
compartment2 and3 (
page 208)
is the same as at the dashboard center
air vents.
iFor draft-free ventilation, push
slides2 and3 upward.
318 OperationAt the gas stationRefueling
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* automatically locks/un-
locks the fuel filler flap.1To open the fuel filler flap
2To insert the fuel filler cap
Turn the engine off
by turning the SmartKey to
position0. Remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
by pressing the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button. Open the driv-
er’s door (with driver’s door open,
starter switch is now in position0,
same as with SmartKey removed
from starter switch).
Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow1.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel cap counterclockwise and
hold on to it until possible pressure is
released.
Take off cap and set it in direction of
arrow2 in the recess on the fuel filler
flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or
overfill.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious inju-
ry. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish
all smoking materials. Never allow sparks,
flame or smoking materials near gasoline!
Failure to remove the fuel cap slowly could
result in personal injury.
358 OperationTires and wheelsRotating 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 333).
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 333).
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 413) and
(
page 446).
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.
439 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Rear lamps Notes on bulb replacement
Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.
Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.
If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Additional turn signal lamps in the exte-
rior rear view mirrors
High mounted brake lamp
Bi-Xenon* lamps
Front fog lamps
Front side marker lamps
Lamp
Type
7
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
8
Brake lamp
P 21 W
9
Turn signal lamp
P 21 W
a
Tail, parking and stand-
ing lamp, side marker
P 21/4 W
W 5 W
b
Backup lamp
P 21 W
c
License plate lamps
C 5 W
d
Rear fog lamp, driver’s
side
P 21/4 W
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:
touch or move it when hot
drop the bulb
scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.
508 IndexStanding lamps 127
Replacing bulbs 438, 439, 441, 442
Standing water, Driving through 314
Starter switch 23, 34
Positions 34
Starting difficulties, Engine 50
Starting, Engine 48
Status line, Selecting display 152
Steering column 41
Steering gear oil
Message in display 410
Steering wheel 41
Buttons 26
Cleaning 371
Gearshift buttons 175, 176
Gearshift control 175, 176
One-touch gearshifting 174
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 296
Storage compartments 278
Armrest, Front 281, 282
Armrest, Rear 283
Cup holder 283
Glove box 278
Parcel net 280
Storage bags 280
Storage box 279Storing
Tires 332
Submenus see
Control system submenus 141
Sun visors 184
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Switching off
Parktronic system* 272
Switching on
Parktronic system* 272
Symbols used in
this operator’s manual 15
T
Tachometer 25, 138
Overspeed range 138
Tail lamps
Cleaning lenses 369
Messages in display 407
Replacing bulbs 439, 443
Tar stains 365
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 481
Brake fluid 481
Capacities fuels,
coolants, lubricants etc. 479, 480
Coolant 480, 484Electrical system 477
Engine 470
Engine oil 481
Engine oil additives 481
Fuel capacity 480
Fuel requirements 482
Gasoline additives 483
Lubricants 479
Premium unleaded gasoline 482
Rims and tires 471
Tires, Mixed size 475
Tires, Same size 473
Tires, Spare wheel sizes 476
Vehicle dimensions 478
Weights 478
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 480, 486
Tele Aid 29, 289, 492
Call priority 294
Emergency calls 290
Hands-free microphone 29
Information 293
Initiating an
emergency call manually 291
Messages in display 409
Remote door unlock 295