347 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
352 Operation
Winter driving
Block heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block
heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not higher
than 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.
Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:
Using snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations
(
page 466).
Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.
Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.
Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
Do not use snow chains on the spare
wheel (
page 469).
Warning!G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.!Some tire sizes do not leave adequate clear-
ance for snow chains. To help avoid serious dam-
age to your vehicle or tires, make sure that the
use of snow chains is permissible as specified in
the "Technical data" section of this Operator’s
Manual, see “Rims and tires” (
page 466).
!If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body or axle
components. The tires or the vehicle could be
damaged as a result.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you may
wish to deactivate the ESP® (page 92) before
setting the vehicle in motion. This will improve
the vehicle‘s traction.
CLK 63 AMG:
Do not switch off the ESP
® when driving in snow
or with snow chains mounted.
404 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the trunk on
the right side secured by a hook and loop
fastener.
1First aid kit
2Hook and loop fastener
Loosen hook and loop fastener2.
Remove first aid kit1.
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only)
The TIREFIT kit is located under the trunk
floor.
Lift the trunk floor and engage the han-
dle in the upper edge of trunk.
1Straps for soft top emergency opera-
tion, a pair of gloves
2Electric air pump
3Towing eye bolt
4Vehicle jack
5TIREFIT kit
6Fuse extractor
7Wheel wrench
8Collapsible wheel chock
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor.
The following is included:
Towing eye bolt
Wheel wrench
Alignment bolt
Vehicle jack
Collapsible wheel chock
Spare fuses
Fuse extractor
Straps for soft top emergency opera-
tion
A pair of gloves
The spare wheel bolts are fixed at the
Minispare wheel.
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and replace
missing/expired items.
409 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
In case of a flat tire, you may temporarily
use the Minispare wheel 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 Minispare wheel mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and tires”
(
page 466).
Spare wheel bolts
The spare wheel bolts are fixed at the
Minispare wheel.
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel
(located in trunk with spare wheel)!Wheel bolts2 must be used when mount-
ing the Minispare wheel. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the Minispare
wheel 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.
441 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the Minispare wheel Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described on
(
page 436).
Take the wheel wrench, alignment bolt,
collapsible wheel chock, and the jack
out of the trunk (
page 407).
Take the Minispare wheel and wheel
bolts out of the trunk (
page 407).Lifting the vehicle
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
or other sizeable objects.
One wheel chock is included with the
vehicle tool kit (
page 404).
When changing wheel on a level surface:
Place the wheel chock in front of and
another sizeable object behind the
wheel that is diagonally opposite to the
wheel being changed.
Always try lifting the vehicle using the jack
on a level surface. However, should cir-
cumstances require you to do so on a hill,
place the wheel chock and the other size-
able object as follows:
Place the wheel chock and another
sizeable object on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the axle not
being worked on.
Warning!G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style
accordingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire inflation pressure and do
not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a Minis-
pare wheel is mounted.
444 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the spare wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel
(located in trunk with Minispare wheel)Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
1Alignment bolt
Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.
Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.!Wheel bolts2 must be used when mount-
ing the Minispare wheel. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the Minispare
wheel will physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while installing first
wheel bolt.
Warning!G
Always replace wheel bolts that are dam-
aged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be re-
paired immediately. Do not continue to drive
under these circumstances! Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
469 Technical data
Rims and tires
Minispare wheel
ModelAll Models (except CLK 63 AMG)
Rim3.5 B x 17 H2
Wheel offset0.67 in (17 mm)
Tire1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
T 125/80 R 17 99M
!Please compare the recommended tire in-
flation pressure for your vehicle with the tire in-
flation pressure on the yellow label located on
the spare wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the spare
wheel tire to the recommended tire inflation
pressure given on the yellow label on the spare
wheel rim.
iPlease note that the tire inflation pressure of
the Minispare tire differs from the tire inflation
pressure of the road tires.
Make sure the Minispare tire is inflated to
approximately 61 psi (4.2 bar).
iThe CLK 63 AMG does not have a spare
wheel. The CLK 63 AMG is equipped with
TIREFIT, see “Sealing tires with TIREFIT
(CLK 63 AMG only)” (
page 436).
486 Index
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery,Jump starting 290, 450
First aid kit 404
Flat tire, Changing 436
Fuses 456
Hazard warning flasher 133
Roadside Assistance 12
Towing the vehicle 452
Emission control 310
Emission control information label 463
Emission control vacuum line
routing diagram label 463
Emission system warranties 10
Engine
Belt layout 464
Block heater (Canada only) 352
Break-in recommendations 300
Cleaning 358
Compartment 315
Malfunction
indicator lamp 27, 369, 370
Maximum engine speed 465
Messages in display 390
Number 463Starting 50
Starting difficulties 52
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 51
Starting with SmartKey 51
Technical data 465
Turning off 60
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 60
Turning off with SmartKey 60
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 317, 474
Adding 319, 474
Additives 474
Changing 319, 474
Checking level (Dipstick) 317
Consumption 317
Filler cap 319
Filler neck 319
Engine oil level 314
ESP
®27, 90
Messages in display 380–381
Warning lamp 372
ETD 79
Safety guidelines 67
Exterior rear view mirrors 45, 184
Exterior view 22F
Filler cap, Engine oil 319
Filler neck, Engine oil 319
First aid kit 404
Flat tire 436
Jacking up the vehicle 441
Lowering the vehicle 445
Minispare wheel 407
Mounting the spare wheel 441
Preparing the vehicle 436
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only) 404
TIREFIT kit* 436
Flexible Service System see
FSS (Canada vehicles)
Floormats* 283
Fluids
Brake fluid 314, 475
Engine coolant 320, 477
Engine oil 317, 474
Transmission fluid 319
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 322, 479
Fog lamps 130, 428
Messages in display 397
Replacing bulbs 428
Front air bags 69