2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550 height

121 Controls in detail
Seats
Raising
Manually adjust the height of the head
restraint by pulling it upward.
If the head restraint is fully retracted,
push release button1 and pull the
head restraint up.
Lowering
To lower the head restraint, push
release button1 and push down on
the head restraint.Folding head restraints back with re-
lease button
1Release button
Push release button1.
The head restraints will fold backward.Folding head restraints back with
switch in the center console
1Rear head restraints folding switchStart the engine (page 51).
Press switch1 to release the head re-
straints.
The head restraints will fold backward.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are
intended to help reduce injuries during an
accident.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible.
iYou can also fold the head restraints back
using the switch in the center console.

124 Controls in detail
Seats
Multicontour seat*
The multicontour seat has a movable seat
cushion and inflatable air cushions built
into the backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement, backrest
cushion height and curvature can be
continuously varied with switches on the
side of the seat after the ignition is
switched on (
page 40).1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Side bolster adjustment
Switch on ignition (page 40).Seat cushion depth
Adjust the seat cushion depth to the
length of your upper leg using
switch1.
Backrest contour
Adjust the contour of the backrest to
the desired position using switches2
and3.
Backrest side bolsters
Adjust the backrest side bolsters so
that they provide good lateral support
using switch4.
iIf, after a period of time, the seat no longer
provides the desired contour, then repeat the ad-
justment procedure.

127 Controls in detail
Memory function
Memory function
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver
should check and adjust the seat height,
seat position fore and aft, and seat back-
rest angle if necessary, to ensure adequate
control, reach and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for
proper height. See also the section on
air bags (
page 65) for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, operation
and comfort. Both the interior and exterior
rear view mirrors should be adjusted for
adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small chil-
dren should be seated in a properly se-
cured restraint system that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2.With the memory function you can store up
to three different configuration.
Each stored position on the driver’s side
includes the following settings:

Seat position

Steering wheel position

Exterior rear view mirror position

Multicontour seat*: previously saved
settingEach stored position on the passenger side
includes the following setting:

Seat position
Warning!G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

259 Controls in detail
Soft top (Cabriolet)
Soft top (Cabriolet)
Opening and closing the soft top
For safety reasons, the soft top can only be
opened and closed when the vehicle is
standing still.
Warning!G
Before operating the switch for the soft top,
make sure no persons can be injured by the
moving parts (roll bars, soft top frame, and
soft top compartment cover).
Hands must never be placed near the roll
bar, soft top frame, upper windshield area,
shelf behind roll bar, or soft top storage
compartment while the soft top is being
raised or lowered. Serious personal injury
may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the soft
top switch. This immediately interrupts the
raising or lowering procedure. You then can
operate the soft top switch to raise or lower
the soft top away from the danger zone.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised ac-
cess to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
!Never sit or place heavy objects on the rear
shelf. Doing so could cause damage to the soft
top and the rear shelf.
!Please keep in mind that weather conditions
can sometimes change rapidly. Make sure to
close the soft top when leaving the vehicle. If wa-
ter enters the vehicle interior, vehicle electron-
ics could be damaged which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!When opening and closing the soft top,
make sure:

there is sufficient clearance for the soft top
to move up

the luggage cover is engaged in place
(
page 264)

the trunk is only loaded to the height of the
luggage cover

the luggage/cargo does not push the closed
luggage cover up

the trunk lid is closed

nothing is placed on the soft top compart-
ment cover

the outside temperature is above +5°F
(-15°C)
Otherwise the soft top and other parts of the ve-
hicle could be damaged.

264 Controls in detail
Soft top (Cabriolet)
Make sure all side windows and the
soft top are properly closed before leaving
the vehicle.Luggage cover
The luggage cover is located in the trunk.
1Luggage cover
Open the trunk
Latch luggage cover
Pull luggage cover1 out in direction
of arrow until it engages in place.Folding back luggage cover
Press luggage cover1 in direction of
rear seat.
Warning!G
If the soft top does not completely open or
close, a warning sounds and the soft top
switch flashes. In the multifunction display
you will see K, and the message
Open/Close Top Completely appears.
After about 15 seconds the roof hydraulics
lose pressure.
Properly lock the soft top (
page 262) be-
fore continuing to drive.
!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 bars

do not place anything on the soft top com-
partment cover
!Never place anything behind the side nets
when the luggage cover has been folded back.
You could forget about objects placed there,
which could result in damage when operating the
soft top.

272 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Range of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic system* sensors
(CLK 63 AMG (USA), Canada all vehicles)”
(
page 372).
Front sensors
Rear sensorsMinimum distance
If the system detects an obstacle in this
range, all the distance warning segments
illuminate and you hear a warning signal. If
the obstacle is closer than the minimum
distance, the actual distance may no long-
er be indicated by the system.
Centerapprox. 40 in (100 cm)
Cornersapprox. 24 in (60 cm)
Centerapprox. 48 in (120 cm)
Cornersapprox. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special at-
tention to objects located above or below the
height of the sensors (e.g. planters or trailer
hitches). The Parktronic system will not detect
such objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sources (e.g.
truck air brakes, car wash, or jackhammers) may
impair the operation of the Parktronic system.
Centerapprox. 8 in (20 cm)
Cornersapprox. 6 in (15 cm)

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

288 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holders
Cup holder in the center armrest
1Cup holder in compartment
(
page 287)
2Cup holderCup holder in rear seat armrest
(CLK coupe only)
Opening cup holder
Briefly press the front of cup holder.
The cup holder slides out slightly.
Pull out the cup holder until it stops.
Closing cup holder
Slide cup holder back in the direction
of arrow1 until it engages.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occu-
pants may cause serious personal injury.
Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you and others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident.
Keep in mind that objects placed in cup
holder may come loose during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior.
Objects thrown around in the vehicle
interior may cause an accident and/or
serious personal injury.