2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 ESP

469 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the automatic central locking
(
page 166).
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the brake
system

there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in
position N and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle may
be towed only for distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

481 Technical data
Engine
Engine
Model Coupe
CabrioletCLK 350 (209.356)1
CLK 350 (209.456)1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
CLK 550 (209.372)1
CLK 550 (209.472)1CLK 63 AMG (209.477)1
Engine272273156
Mode of operation4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection
No. of cylinders688
Bore3.66 in (92.90 mm)3.85 in (98.00 mm)4.02 in (102.20 mm)
Stroke3.39 in (86.00 mm)3.56 in (90.50 mm)3.72 in (94.60 mm)
Total piston displacement213.5 cu in (3 498 cm3)333.25 cu in (5 461 cm3)378.8 cu in (6 208 cm3)
Compression ratio10.5:110.5:111.3:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349268 hp / 6 000 rpm2
(200 kW / 6 000 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
382 hp / 6 000 rpm2
(285 kW / 6 000 rpm)
475 hp / 6 800 rpm2
(354 kW / 6 800 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J
1349258 lb-ft/ 2 400 - 5 000 rpm
(350 Nm / 2 400 - 5 000 rpm)391 lb-ft / 2 800 - 4 800 rpm
(530 Nm /2 800 - 4 800 rpm)465 lb-ft / 5 000 rpm
(630 Nm / 5 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed6300 rpm6500 rpm7200 rpm
Firing order1-4-3-6-2-51-5-4-2-6-3-7-81-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt2404 mm2404 mm (CLK coupe)
2 380 mm (CLK cabriolet)2360 mm

482 Technical data
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
Tires approved by Mercedes-Benz are developed
to provide best possible performance in conjunc-
tion with the driving safety systems on your vehi-
cle such as ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially
developed for your vehicle and tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz can be identified by
finding the following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and ap-
proved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system*” (
page 348).
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. A placard with the recommended tire infla-
tion pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 340) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 339).If such information is provided, it can be found
on the placard located on the inside of the fuel
filler flap. The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be adjusted
on cold tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Appearance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for more information.

489 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with
respect to handling, storing, and disposing
of service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct
contact with your skin and clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterCLK 350
CLK 550
CLK 63 AMG8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.3 US qt (8.8 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmissionCLK 350
CLK 550
CLK 63 AMG9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.5 US qt (9.0 l)
9.2 US qt (8.7 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axleCLK 350
CLK 550
CLK 63 AMG1.16 US qt (1.1 l)
1.27 US qt (1.2 l)
1.27 US qt (1.2 l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Fuchs Titan EG 5010D

493 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon
deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:

Warm-up hesitation

Unstable idle

Knocking/pinging

Misfire

Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Refer to Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only), or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow
directions on product label.
!Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending additional fuel additives
other than those tested and approved by us for
use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

501 Index
Overall analysis 150
RACETIMER 149
Symbol messages 403–420
Text messages 394–401
Vehicle status message memory 154
Vehicle status messages
see Multifunction display messages
Vehicle supply voltage 148
Distance to empty (Range),
Trip computer 168
Door
Entry lamps 137
Handle (inside) 34
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 37, 106
Locking/unlocking,
SmartKey 36, 102
Opening from inside/outside 109
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 300
Unlocking, Mechanical key 427
Door control panel 34
Door handle 109
DOT 358
Drinking and driving 309Driving
Abroad 317
Hydroplaning 314
In winter 316
Instructions 48, 309
Problems 58
Safety systems 90
Systems 267
Through standing water 317
Driving off 312
Driving safety systems
ABS 90
BAS 92
Electronic traction system 94
ESP
®92
Driving systems
Cruise control 267
Parktronic system*
(CLK 63 AMG (USA),
Canada all models) 271
Driving tips 176
Accelerator position 176
Kickdown 176E
Easy-entry/exit feature 45, 166
Electrical fuses see Fuses
Electrical outlet 291
Electrical system, Technical data 487
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call system* 295
Emergency calls
911 calls 248
Tele Aid calls 296, 297
Emergency, In case of
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 378–388
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 184
Emergency operations
Active head restraints, Resetting 440
Center console,
Indicator lamps 390–391
Gear selector lever, Unlocking 429
Instrument cluster,
Indicator lamps 378–387
Remote door unlock 300

502 Index
Roll bars, Lowering 431
Roll bars, Releasing 430
Soft top, Closing 432–439
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 117
Trunk lid, Unlocking 428
Unlocking/locking
the vehicle 427, 428
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 467
First aid kit 421
Flat tire, Changing 452
Fuses 472
Hazard warning flasher 135
Roadside Assistance 12, 298
Towing the vehicle 469
Emission control 318
Emission control information label 479
Emission system warranties 10Engine
Belt layout 480
Block heater (Canada only) 363
Break-in recommendations 308
Cleaning 369
Compartment 323
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 381
Maximum engine speed 481
Message in display 405
Number 479
Starting 51
Starting difficulties 53
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 52
Starting with SmartKey 52
Technical data 481
Turning off 60
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 60
Turning off with SmartKey 60
Engine coolant see CoolantEngine oil 325, 491
Adding 327, 491
Additives 491
Changing 327, 491
Checking level 322, 325
Consumption 325
Filler cap 327
Filler neck 327
Engine oil level 322
ESP
®92
Messages in display 394–395
Warning lamp 384
ETD 80
Safety guidelines 68
Exterior rear view mirrors 47, 186
Exterior view 22, 24

506 Index
K
Key, Mechanical 427
Key, SmartKey 100
Batteries 108
Battery check lamp 102, 107
Changing batteries 442
Factory setting 102, 103
Ignition 38
Locking/unlocking 36, 62, 100
Locking/unlocking,
Global setting 102
Locking/unlocking,
Selective setting 102
Loss of 109
Message in display 411
Opening and closing the
power tilt/sliding sunroof* 257
Opening and closing the
power windows 253
Opening and closing the soft top 263
Positions in starter switch 38
Remote control 100
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 103
Starting the engine 52
Steering wheel lock 38
Turning off the engine 60Unlocking/opening trunk lid 103
KEYLESS-GO* 103
Battery check lamp, SmartKey 107
Factory setting 106, 108
Ignition 40
Important notes 105
Lock button 62
Locking/unlocking 37, 62, 103
Locking/unlocking,
Global setting 106
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 107
Loss of key 109
Messages in display 410
Remote control 103
Start / stop button 39
Starting the engine 52
Turning off the engine 60
Unlocking/opening trunk lid 108
Kickdown 176
Kilopascal 359L
Labels 478
Certification 478
Emission control information 479
Lamp sensor see Light sensor
Lamps, exterior 444
Light sensor 411
Messages in display 411–415
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 378
Battery (SmartKey) 102, 107
Brakes 29, 380
Center console 390–391
CHECK ENGINE 381
Coolant 382
Coolant temperature 29, 139
Distance warning 29
Engine diagnostics 381
Engine malfunction 29, 381
ESP
®384
Fog lamps 132
Front passenger front air bag off 70
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 390
Fuel reserve 29, 385
High beam headlamp 29