369 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical
components and connectors from contact
with water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be
lubricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do
not forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Hand-wash
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.
Only use a mild car wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.
Direct only a very weak spray towards
the ventilation intake.
Use plenty of water and rinse the
sponge and chamois frequently.
Rinse with clean water and thoroughly
dry with a chamois.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on
the finish.Automatic car wash
You can have your car washed in an
automatic car wash from the start.
Automatic car washes without brushes are
preferable.
To protect the filter system, switch the
climate control or automatic climate
control to air recirculation mode, see
“Air recirculation” (
page 191) for
climate control or (
page 201) for
automatic climate control.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it
before running it through the automatic
car wash.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of water, and
a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is in close
proximity, i.e. within approximately 3 ft
(approximately 1 m), the vehicle could be
inadvertently locked or unlocked.
!Do not use scouring agents on these parts.
Never apply strong force and only use a soft,
non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle.
Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry
cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you nay scratch or damage the paint.
!Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic spray.
Otherwise the caustic spray will damage the
paint, ornamental moldings, or soft top
(CLK cabriolet).
464 Practical hints
Battery
The battery is located in the engine
compartment on the right hand side.
1Clamps
Removing filter box:
Release clamps1.
Remove filter box.
Installing filter box:
Insert filter box properly.
Secure it with clamps1.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and
precautions when handling automotive
batteries (
page 329).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
465 Practical hints
Battery
2Negative terminal
3Positive terminal cover
Disconnecting the battery
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Make sure gear selector lever is set to
positionP (
page 174).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Press the start / stop button until
the engine shuts off.
Open the driver’s door.
Open the hood (page 323).
Remove the filter box (page 464).
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 464).
Disconnect the battery negative lead
from negative terminal2.
Remove cover3 from the positive
terminal.
Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw securing the
battery.
Remove the battery support and
bracket.
Pull out the ventilation hose from the
battery (depending on battery arrange-
ment in your vehicle model, the ventila-
tion hose is located either on the left or
right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Warning!G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
!Always disconnect the battery in the order
described below. Otherwise the vehicle’s elec-
tronics can be damaged.
466 Practical hints
Battery
Charging and reinstalling the battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in
reverse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
Open the driver’s door.
Connect the battery positive lead and
fasten its cover3 (
page 465).
Connect the battery negative lead 2
(
page 465).
Reinstall the filter box (page 464).Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability. Charge battery
in accordance with the separate instruc-
tions for the accessory battery charger.
!The battery, its filler caps and the ventilation
hose must always be securely installed when the
vehicle is in operation.
!Always connect the battery in the order
described below. Otherwise the vehicle’s
electronics can be damaged.
!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to reconnecting):
Set the clock (page 160). Vehicles with
COMAND*: see COMAND operator’s manu-
al.
Synchronize the side windows
(
page 252).
Synchronize the tilt/sliding sunroof* (CLK
coupe) (
page 258).
468 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located on the right side of
the engine compartment. For jump start-
ing, use the terminals in front of the
battery.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to positionP (
page 174).
Open the hood (page 323).
Flip up cover from positive under hood
terminal2 in front of the filter box
(
page 465).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
discharged battery
3Negative under hood terminal in front
of discharged battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect the positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with the positive under
hood terminal 2 in front of the filter
box with the jumper cable. Clamp cable
to charged battery1 first.
Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect the negative terminal4 of
the charged battery with the negative
under hood terminal 3 in front of the
filter box with the second jumper cable.
Clamp the cable to the negative
terminal4 of the charged battery
first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not switch on the headlamps
under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals3 and4 and
then from the positive terminals2
and1.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Never invert the terminal connections.
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
491 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil
filters, refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Engine oil additives
Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air
conditioning system.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System, or changing of oil and oil
filter at change intervals longer than those called
for by the Maintenance System will result in
engine or emission control system damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
recommendations for scheduled oil changes.
Failure to do so will result in engine or emission
control system damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending
oil additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the system
will occur.
Warning!G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere.
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus
reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle's Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.
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