2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 tow bar

25 At a glance
Exterior view (Cabriolet)
ItemPage
1Trunk
Unlocking
Opening and closing
TIREFIT Kit (CLK 63 AMG)
Minispare wheel
Vehicle tool kit
103
110, 112
422
425
422
2Rear lamps448
3Rear window, defrosting189
4Fuel filler flap
Refueling
Gasoline320
320
492
5Doors
Locking and unlocking
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency
36, 62,
100
427
ItemPage
6Exterior rear view mirror
Adjusting
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors
47
186
7Tires and wheels
Checking tire inflation
pressure
Run Flat Indicator
(Canada only)
Tire Pressure Monitoring
(USA only)
General information
TIREFIT Kit (CLK 63 AMG)
Vehicle tool kit
Minispare wheel
Flat tire331
341
342
344
331
452
422
458
452
8Towing
Installing towing eye bolt469
470
9Front lamps446
ItemPage
aHood, opening
Engine oil
Coolant
Battery323
325
328
329
bWindshield wipers
Wiper blades, replacing
Wiper blades, cleaning56
450
373
cWindshield
Front window, defrosting
Cleaning with wiper fluid
Cleaning
191, 201
57
373
dSoft top
Opening and closing
Opening and closing in
an emergency
Roll bars
Cleaning
260
420
82
370

283 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle oc-
cupants and luggage/cargo should not ex-
ceed the load limit indicated on the
corresponding Tire and Loading Informa-
tion placard located on the driver’s door
B-pillar (
page 334).
The handling characteristics of a fully load-
ed vehicle depend greatly on the load dis-
tribution. It is therefore recommended to
load the vehicle according to the illustra-
tions shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.Always place items being carried against
front or rear seat backrests, and fasten
them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should al-
ways be kept as low as possible since it in-
fluences the handling characteristics of
the vehicle.
Warning!G
If a red indicator is visible with the backrest
up, then the backrest is not properly locked
into position.
Always lock backrest in its upright position
when rear seat bench is occupied, or the ex-
tended trunk compartment is not in use.
Check for secure locking by pushing and
pulling on the backrest.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when transporting cargo.
iTo prevent unauthorized persons from ac-
cess to the trunk, always lock backrest in its up-
right position.
!CLK cabriolet:
To prevent damage to the soft top or lug-
gage/cargo when lowering the roof:

load trunk only to the height of the luggage
cover

do not permit luggage/cargo to push up the
closed luggage cover

do not place anything on the shelf behind the
roll bar

do not place anything on the soft top com-
partment cover

422 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only)
The TIREFIT kit is located under the trunk
floor.
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage the
handle in the upper edge of trunk
(
page 421).
1Straps for soft top emergency opera-
tion, a pair of gloves
2Electric air pump
3Towing eye bolt
4Vehicle jack
5TIREFIT kit
6Wheel wrench
7Collapsible wheel chock
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
The following is included:

Towing eye bolt

Wheel wrench

Alignment bolt

Vehicle jack

Collapsible wheel chock

A pair of gloves

Straps for soft top emergency opera-
tion (CLK cabriolet only)
The spare wheel bolts are fixed at the
Minispare wheel.Removing the vehicle tool kit
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage the
handle in upper edge of trunk
(
page 421).
Example CLK coupe
1Retaining screw
2Storage well casing
Loosen retaining screw1 in the mid-
dle of storage well casing2 by turning
it counterclockwise.
Remove storage well casing2.
i(CLK cabriolet) Hex wrench:
You will find the hex wrench for manually operat-
ing the roll bars (
page 430) or the soft top
(
page 432) at the lower edge of the storage
well casing.

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).

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