2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 tire type

331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
Contact 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 of less than
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.

350 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 349) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (
page 349) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 349) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag-
onal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 351).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 349) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (
page 349) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 354) where the maximum load
associated with the load index is indicated
in kilograms and lbs.
Warning!G
The tire load rating must always be at least
half of the GAWR (
page 358) of your
vehicle. Otherwise, tire failure may be the
result which may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury to you or others.
Always replace rims and tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as
shown on the original part.
Warning!G
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard located on
the driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.

353 Operation
Tires and wheels
In addition to tire load rating, special load
identification1 may be molded into the
tire sidewall following the letter designat-
ing the tire speed rating (
page 349).
No specification given: absence of any text
(like in above example) indicates a
standard load (SL) tire.
XL or Extra Load: designates an extra load
(or reinforced) tire.
Light Load: designates a light load tire.
C, D, E: designates load range associated
with the maximum load a tire can carry at
a specified pressure.
DOT, Tire Identification Number (TIN)
U.S. tire regulations require each new tire
manufacturer or tire retreader to mold a
TIN into or onto a sidewall of each tire
produced.
The TIN is a unique identifier which facili-
tates efforts by tire manufactures to notify
purchasers in recall situations or other
safety matters concerning tires and gives
purchasers the means to easily identify
such tires.
The TIN is comprised of “Manufacturer’s
identification mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type
code” and “Date of manufacture”.1DOT
2Manufacturer’s identification mark
3Tire size
4Tire type code (at the option of the tire
manufacturer)
5Date of manufacture
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

354 Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol1 (
page 353)
which denotes the tire meets require-
ments of the U.S. Department of Transpor-
tation.
Manufacturer’s identification mark
The manufacturer’s identification mark2
(
page 353) denotes the tire
manufacturer.
New tires have a mark with two symbols.
Retreaded tires have a mark with four sym-
bols. For more information on retreaded
tires, see (
page 331).
Tire size
The code3 (
page 353) indicates the
tire size.Tire type code
The code4 (
page 353) may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be used as a
descriptive code for identifying significant
characteristics of the tire.
Date of manufacture
The date of manufacture5 (
page 353)
identifies the week and year of manufac-
ture.
The first two figures identify the week,
starting with “01” to represent the first full
week of the calendar year. The second two
figures represent the year.
For example, “3202” represents the 32nd
week of 2002.
Maximum tire load
1Maximum tire load rating
The maximum tire load is the maximum
weight the tires are designed to support.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

357 Operation
Tires and wheels
Temperature
The temperature grades are A (the high-
est), B, and C, representing the tire’s resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tem-
perature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and ex-
cessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a
level of performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Warning!G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

360 Operation
Tires and wheels
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
Unique identifier which facilitates efforts
by tire manufacturers to notify purchasers
in recall situations or other safety matters
concerning tires and gives purchases the
means to easily identify such tires. The TIN
is comprised of “Manufacturer’s identifica-
tion mark”, “Tire size”, “Tire type code”
and “Date of manufacture”.
Tire load rating
Numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
Tire ply composition and material used
This indicates the number of plies or the
number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in
the tire tread and sidewall. Tire manufac-
turers also must indicate the ply materials
in the tire and sidewall, which include
steel, nylon, polyester, and others.Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is approved.
Total load limit
Rated cargo and luggage load plus
68 kilograms (150 lbs) times the vehicle’s
designated seating capacity.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the road
via the tires. The amount of grip provided.
Tread
The portion of a tire that comes into
contact with the road.
Treadwear indicators
Narrow bands, sometimes called
“wear bars” that show across the tread of
a tire when only
1/16in (1.6 mm) of tread
remains.Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
A tire information system that provides
consumers with ratings for a tire's traction,
temperature and treadwear. Ratings are
determined by tire manufacturers using
government testing procedures. The
ratings are molded into the sidewall of the
tire.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing it by two.

499 Index
C
California retail buyers and
lessees, Important notice for 11
Call priority (Tele Aid) 300
Can holder see Cup holder
Capacities and
recommended fuels/lubricants 489
Cargo area see Trunk
Cargo tie-down rings 284
Carpets, cleaning 375
Catalytic converter 318
CD changer* 229
MP3 230
CD player 229
Control system 152
Center console 31
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central locking
Automatic 118, 166
Locking/unlocking from inside 119
Central locking switch 119
Certification label 478
Certification label, examples 478
Charcoal filter 209Checking tire pressure electronically
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 344
Children in the vehicle 83
Air bags 83
Blocking
rear side window operation 88
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 76
Infant and
child restraint systems 77, 83, 86
LATCH-type child seat anchors 87
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 72
Cigarette lighter 290
Climate control
see Climate control system
Climate control system
Air conditioning refrigerant 491
Air conditioning, Cooling 198, 210
Air distribution 194, 205
Air recirculation mode 196, 207
Air vents 199, 212
Air volume 194, 195, 206
Charcoal filter 209Control panel,
Automatic climate control 201
Deactivating/Reactivating 193, 203
Defogging 206
Defrosting 206
Defrosting, rear window 189
Front defroster 195
MAXCOOL 207
Residual engine heat
and ventilation* (REST*) 211
Temperature 194, 204
Clock 29, 140, 160
Setting time 160
Cockpit 26
Cold tire inflation pressure 358
Collapsible wheel chock 422, 424
COMAND* see separate
COMAND operating instructions
Combination switch 55, 133
Control system 141
Functions 143, 145
Multifunction display 141
Multifunction steering wheel 142
Resetting to factory default 155

507 Index
Instrument cluster 378–387, 388
Low beam headlamp 29
Parktronic system* warning
indicators (Canada only) 273
Roll bar 385
Seat belt telltale 29
SRS 29, 65, 387
Turn signals 29
Language, Setting 158
LATCH-type child seat anchors see
Children in the vehicle
License plate lamps
Messages in display 413
Replacing bulbs 444, 449
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 374
Light sensor
Messages in display 411
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting, Exterior and interior 129
Limp-home mode 184
Load limit 360
Loading
Ski bag* (Canada only) 278
Loading see Vehicle loading
Loading the vehicle 334
Locator lighting 132, 163Lock buttons
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 62, 107
Loss of keys 109
Loss of Service and
Warranty Information Booklet 477
Low beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in display 413
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 444
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 444, 446
Switching on 55
Lubricants 489
Luggage cover 264
Folding back 276M
Maintenance 12, 364
Calling up service indicator 366
Clearing service indicator 365
Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) 364
Resetting service indicator 366
Service indicator 364
Service term exceeded 365
Manual headlamp mode see Headlamps
Manual shift program
Deactivating 184
Manual shift program CLK 63 AMG 182
MAXCOOL maximum cooling 207
Maximum load rating, Tires 359
Maximum loaded vehicle weight,
Tire inflation pressure 359
Maximum tire inflation pressure 359
Mechanical key 427
Memory function see Seats, Power
Menus see Control system menus
Microphone, Hands-free 33
Minispare wheel see Spare wheel