Contents
At the gas station .............................. 320
Refueling ...................................... 320
Check regularly
and before a long trip................... 322
Engine compartment ......................... 323
Hood ............................................ 323
Engine oil ..................................... 325
Transmission fluid level ................ 327
Coolant ........................................ 328
Battery ......................................... 329
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 330
Tires and wheels ................................ 331
Important guidelines .................... 331
Tire care and maintenance........... 332
Direction of rotation ..................... 334
Loading the vehicle ...................... 334
Recommended
tire inflation pressure ................... 339
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 341
MOExtended system* .................. 348
Tire labeling.................................. 348
Load identification ....................... 352
DOT,
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ... 353
Maximum tire load ....................... 354Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 355
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 356
Tire ply material ............................ 357
Tire and loading terminology......... 358
Rotating tires ................................ 361
Winter driving ..................................... 362
Winter tires ................................... 362
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 363
Snow chains.................................. 363
Maintenance....................................... 364
Maintenance service
indicator message......................... 364
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message ............ 365
Maintenance
service term exceeded.................. 365
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 366
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 366
Vehicle care........................................ 367
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 367
Practical hints.................................. 377
What to do if …? ................................. 378
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 378
Lamp in center console ................ 390
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display .......... 392
Where will I find...? ............................. 421
First aid kit.................................... 421
Storage compartment
underneath the trunk floor............ 421
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only)........... 422
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 422
Minispare wheel............................ 425
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 426
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 427
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 427
Locking the vehicle ....................... 428
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 429
Opening/closing
in an emergency (Cabriolet) ............... 430
Operating roll bars manually ......... 430
Soft top emergency operation ...... 432
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.
361 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotating tires
Tire rotation can be performed on vehicles
with tires of the same dimension all
around. If your vehicle is equipped with
tires of the same dimension all around,
tires can be rotated, observing a
front-to-rear rotation pattern that will
maintain the intended rotation (spinning)
direction of the tire (
page 334).
In some cases, such as when your vehicle
is equipped with mixed-size tires (different
tire dimension front vs. rear), tire rotation
is not possible.If applicable to your vehicle’s tire configu-
ration, tires can be rotated according to
the tire manufacturer’s recommended in-
tervals in the tire manufacturer’s warranty
pamphlet located in your vehicle literature
portfolio. If none is available, tires should
be rotated every 3 000 to 6 000 miles
(5 000 to 10 000 km), or sooner if neces-
sary, according to the degree of tire wear.
The same rotation (spinning) direction
must be maintained (
page 334).
Rotate tires before the characteristic tire
wear pattern becomes visible (shoulder
wear on front tires and tread center wear
on rear tires).
Thoroughly clean the mounting face of
wheels and brake disks, i.e. the inner side
of the wheels/tires, during each rotation.
Check for and ensure proper tire inflation
pressure.For information on wheel change, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 422) and
(
page 452).
Warning!G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if the tires
are of the same dimension.
If your vehicle is equipped with mixed-size
tires (different tire dimensions front vs.
rear), tire rotation is not possible.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Only use Genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle’s rims.
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.
425 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
Tilt both plates upward1.
Fold the lower plate outward2.
Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.
For information on where to place wheel
chocks when changing a wheel, see “Lift-
ing the vehicle” (
page 459).
Minispare wheel
The Minispare wheel is located in the
storage compartment underneath the
trunk floor.
Removing the Minispare wheel
Lift up trunk floor cover and engage
trunk floor handle in upper edge of
trunk.
Loosen the retaining screw in the mid-
dle of storage well casing by turning it
counterclockwise (
page 422).
Remove the storage well casing
(
page 422).
Example CLK coupe
1Vehicle tool kit
Wheel wrench
Jack
2Arrow
3Minispare wheel, Wheel bolts for
Minispare wheel
4Vehicle tool kit storage well casing
Remove vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4.
Remove Minispare wheel3.Storing the Minispare wheel
Place Minispare wheel3 in wheel
well.
Place vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 over the Minispare wheel.
Make sure arrow2 on vehicle tool kit
storage well casing4 points in the
direction of travel.
Place storage well casing (page 422)
over vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 and turn the retaining screw
(
page 422) clockwise as far it will go
to secure the Minispare wheel.
Disengage trunk floor handle in upper
edge of trunk and lower trunk floor cov-
er.
iArrow2 on vehicle tool kit storage well
casing4 must point in the direction of travel.
Otherwise you cannot place the storage well cas-
ing (
page 422) on top and secure the Minis-
pare wheel with the retaining screw
(
page 422).
426 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 482).
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)
!To prevent damage, always disengage trunk
floor handle from upper edge of trunk and lower
trunk floor before closing the trunk.
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.
The Minispare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and should be replaced with a
regular road wheel as quickly as possible.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a Minis-
pare wheel is mounted.
!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.
458 Practical hints
Flat tire
Drive to the nearest qualified work-
shop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, to have the
damaged tire replaced.
Recommended duration of use:
A maximum of 300 miles (500 km) at
50 mph (80 km/h) or below with the
recommended tire inflation pressure.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a
new TIREFIT kit.
Bring used TIREFIT materials to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
proper disposal.
Replace your TIREFIT container every
4 years. Replacement containers are
available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Mounting the Minispare wheel Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described
(
page 452).
Take the wheel wrench, alignment bolt,
collapsible wheel chock, and the jack
out of the trunk (
page 422).
Take the Minispare wheel and wheel
bolts out of the trunk (
page 425).
Warning!G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel is
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 Minispare wheel is for temporary use
only. When driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted, ensure proper tire 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 Minispare
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
Minispare wheel is mounted.
459 Practical hints
Flat tire
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 422).
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
circumstances require you to do so on a
hill, place the wheel chock and the other
sizeable 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.1Wheel wrench
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts
(approximately one full turn with
wrench 1).
The jack take-up brackets are located
directly behind the front wheel housings
and in front of the rear wheel housings.
Warning!G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket.
Always lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.