2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 stop start

32 At a glance
Center console
Lower part
CLK cabriolet
ItemPage
1Ashtray
Cigarette lighter289
290
2KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button39
3Cup holder287
4Storage compartment
with cup holder
and
telephone* compartment
in center armrest.287
288
287
5Soft top switch
(CLK cabriolet)260
6Program mode selector
switch for automatic trans-
mission

Automatic shift program

Manual shift program
(CLK 63 AMG cabriolet)
178
182
7Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission172

39 Getting started
Unlocking
For more information, see “SmartKey”
(
page 100).
For information on starting the engine us-
ing the SmartKey, see “Starting with the
SmartKey” (
page 52).SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton on the gear selector lever corresponds
to turning the SmartKey to the various
starter positions.
If you firmly depress the brake pedal dur-
ing pressing the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button, the engine starts automatically.
You can also use the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO like a normal SmartKey.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
1USA only
2Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the battery may not be sufficient-
ly charged.

Check the battery and charge it if necessary
(
page 464).

Get a jump start (page 467).
To prevent accelerated battery discharge or a
completely discharged battery, always remove
the SmartKey from the starter switch when the
engine is not in operation.
iThe function of the SmartKey overrules the
KEYLESS-GO function.

40 Getting started
Unlocking
Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status0 (as with
SmartKey removed).
Position 1
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.Ignition (or position 2)
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers. All the lamps (except low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high
beam headlamp indicator lamp, and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come
on. If a lamp in the instrument cluster
fails to come on when the ignition is
switched on, have it checked and re-
placed if necessary. If a lamp in the in-
strument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument
cluster” (
page 378).For more information, see “SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 103).
For information on starting the engine
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(
page 52).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button

once again, the ignition (position2) is
switched on.

twice, the power supply is again switched
off.
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once, the power supply is
again switched off.
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the indica-
tor and warning lamps (except low beam head-
lamp indicator lamp, high beam headlamp
indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) in the instrument cluster come
on. The indicator and warning lamps (except low
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high beam head-
lamp indicator lamp, and turn signal indicator
lamps if activated) will go out when the engine is
running. This indicates that the respective sys-
tems are operational.

45 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheel adjustment
The stalk for steering wheel adjustment is
located on the lower left of steering
column.
1Adjusting steering column, in or out
2Adjusting steering column, up or down
Switch on the ignition (page 38).
or
Open the driver’s door.Adjusting steering column in or out
Move stalk forward or back in direction
of arrow 1 until a comfortable steer-
ing wheel position is reached with your
arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Adjusting steering column up or down
Move stalk up or down in direction of
arrow 2.
Make sure your legs can move freely
and all the displays (including malfunc-
tion and indicator lamps) on the
instrument cluster are clearly visible.Easy-entry/exit feature
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle. When entering and
exiting the vehicle, the steering wheel is in
its uppermost position.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be
activated or deactivated in the Convenience submenu of the control
system (
page 166).
iThe memory function (page 127) lets you
store settings for the steering wheel together
with the settings for the exterior rear view mir-
rors and the seat position.
Warning!G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry / exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement, do one of
the following:

Move steering wheel adjustment stalk
(
page 45).

Press the memory position switch
(
page 128).

46 Getting started
Adjusting
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to its last set
position when you:

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on,
or

insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 39) once
with the driver’s door closed.With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you:

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch,
or

open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1 or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 39) in position1.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iThe last set steering wheel position is stored
when

the ignition is switched off.

the position is stored in memory
(
page 128).
iIf the current position for the steering wheel
is in the uppermost tilt position, the steering
wheel will no longer be able to move upward
when the easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly interrupted
when the engine is started.
Warning!G
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in
motion. All steering wheel adjustment must
be completed before setting the vehicle in
motion. Driving off with the steering wheel
still adjusting could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.


52 Getting started
Driving
Starting with the SmartKey
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 (
page 38) and release it
again immediately (“touch-start”).
The engine then starts automatically.
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see (
page 60).Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the
gear selector lever.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress accelerator.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
1USA only
2Canada only
Press KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.
For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off the en-
gine with KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 60).
Warning!G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise acci-
dentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle.

54 Getting started
Driving
Release the parking brake by pulling on
release handle1.
The indicator lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the clock
goes out.
Driving
Depress the brake pedal.
Move gear selector lever to
positionDorR.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
iWait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.
!If you hear a warning signal and the mes-
sage
Release Parking Brake appears in the
multifunction display when driving off, you have
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 53).
iAt vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h), the automatic central locking system
engages and the locking knobs drop down.
The automatic door lock feature can be deacti-
vated (
page 166).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
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 loss of control.
!Place the gear selector lever in
positionRorP only when the vehicle is stopped
in order to avoid damaging the transmission.
!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high engine
speeds may shorten the service life of the en-
gine.
CLK 63 AMG:
At low engine temperatures below +68°F
(+20°C), the engine’s maximum speed is
restricted in order to protect it from damage.
Avoid driving your vehicle at full speed when the
engine is cold to prevent premature engine wear
and/or diminished comfort.


58 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.

The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.

Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The coolant temperature is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as
soon as possible and turn off the
engine. Allow engine and coolant to
cool off.
Check the coolant level and add
coolant if necessary (
page 328).
In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police
authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage can be determined on the

major assemblies

fuel system

engine mount:
Start the engine in the usual manner.
!If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.

For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and,

remove SmartKey from starter switch
or

turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in position 0,
same as with SmartKey removed from
starter switch)
before attempting to remove any blockage.

Remove blockage.

Turn the windshield wipers on again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function at all with
the combination switch in positionI,

set the combination switch to the next high-
er wiper speed

have the windshield wipers checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.