2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550 power steering

417 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
\Please Engage
Roll-over BarThe roll bars are malfunctioning.Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
[Please Release
Roll-over BarThe roll bars are malfunctioning.Operate the roll bars manually
(
page 430).
Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
_ Steering oil
Service RequiredThe steering gear oil level is too low. There
is a danger of steering gear damage.Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

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).

480 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
CLK 350 / CLK 550
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)CLK 63 AMG
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Idler pulley
4Automatic belt tensioner
5Power steering pump
6Air conditioning compressor
7Crankshaft
8Coolant pump
9Generator (alternator)

490 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Power steeringCLK 350
CLK 550
CLK 63 AMGapprox. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
approx. 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubsCLK 350
CLK 550
CLK 63 AMGapprox. 3.0 oz (85 g) each
approx. 3.0 oz (85 g) each
approx. 2.5 oz (70 g) eachHigh temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system0.64 US qt (0.6 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling systemCLK 350
CLK 550
CLK 63 AMGapprox. 7.8 US qt (7.4 l)
approx. 9.7 US qt (9.2 l)
approx. 11.5 US qt (10.9 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Agent
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
CLK 350
CLK 550
CLK 63 AMG
16.35 US gal (62.0 l)
2.11 US gal (8.0 l)
2.11 US gal (8.0 l)
3.17 US gal (12.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON / 86 MON)
Air conditioning systemR-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer system
Heated windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*3.2 US qt (3.0 l)
6.4 US qt (6.0 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 496).

498 Index
Automatic lighting control,
Interior lighting 136
Automatic locking when driving 118
Automatic shift program 178
Automatic transmission
Accelerator position 176
Automatic shift program 178
Emergency operation
(limp-home mode) 184
Gear ranges 177
Gear selector lever 51, 172
Gear selector lever control
one-touch gearshifting 179
Gear selector lever positions 174
Gear shifting malfunctions 184
Kickdown 176
Kickdown, manual shift program 184
Manual shift program
CLK 63 AMG 182
Program mode selector switch 178
Shifting procedure 173
Starting engine 51
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* 180
Transmission fluid level 327
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATFB
Backrest 281
Seat, Multicontour* 124
Seat, Power 42
Backup lamps
Messages in display 414
Replacing bulbs 443, 444
Bar 358
BAS 92
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 442
Checking battery condition 108
Battery, Vehicle 329, 464
Charging 466
Connecting 466
Disconnecting 465
Installing 466
Jump starting 467
Messages in display 403
Removing 465
Bead 358
Beverage holder see Cup holder
Block heater (Canada only) 363
Bolts, Spare wheel 426Brake fluid 491
Checking 322
Message in display 404
Brake lamp
Cleaning lenses 372
High mounted 444
Replacing bulbs 444, 448
Brake pads
Message in display 404
Brakes 310
High-performance brake system
(CLK 63 AMG only) 311
Warning lamp 380
Break-in period 308
Bulbs, replacing see Replacing bulbs

503 Index
F
Filler cap, Engine oil 327
Filler neck, Engine oil 327
First aid kit 421
Flat tire 452
Jacking up the vehicle 459
Lowering the vehicle 462
Minispare wheel 425
Mounting the spare wheel 458
Preparing the vehicle 452
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only) 422
TIREFIT kit* 452
Floormats* 291
Fluids
Brake fluid 322, 491
Engine coolant 322, 494
Engine oil 322, 491
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* system 322, 496
Fog lamps 132, 444
Messages in display 412
Replacing bulbs 444, 445, 448
Front air bags 70
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front air bag 65, 70
Messages in display 396–399Front passenger front air bag
off indicator lamp 31, 76, 390
Front seat head restraints
see Head restraints
Fuel 321, 489
Additives 493
Automatic transmission fluid 489
Brake fluid 490
Capacities 489
Capacities, Fuel tank 490
Engine coolant 490
Engine oil 489
Filling the tank 320
Fuel display 29
Fuel filler flap and cap 320
Fuel filler flap and cap, Multifunction
display messages 408
Fuel reserve warning lamp 385
Power steering fluid 490
Premium
unleaded gasoline 321, 490, 492
Requirements, Octane rating 492
Technical data 489
Fuel cap
Message in display 382Fuel consumption statistics
After start 167
Resetting 168
Since last reset 168
Fuel filler flap 320
Locking/unlocking 320
Opening 320
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29
Fuel tank
Capacity 490
Filler flap 320
Fuel, Premium
unleaded gasoline 321, 492
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 489
Fuses 472
Fuse box (main)
in passenger compartment 472
Fuse box
in engine compartment 473
Fuse box
in trunk 474
Replacing 472

506 Index
K
Key, Mechanical 427
Key, SmartKey 100
Batteries 108
Battery check lamp 102, 107
Changing batteries 442
Factory setting 102, 103
Ignition 38
Locking/unlocking 36, 62, 100
Locking/unlocking,
Global setting 102
Locking/unlocking,
Selective setting 102
Loss of 109
Message in display 411
Opening and closing the
power tilt/sliding sunroof* 257
Opening and closing the
power windows 253
Opening and closing the soft top 263
Positions in starter switch 38
Remote control 100
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 103
Starting the engine 52
Steering wheel lock 38
Turning off the engine 60Unlocking/opening trunk lid 103
KEYLESS-GO* 103
Battery check lamp, SmartKey 107
Factory setting 106, 108
Ignition 40
Important notes 105
Lock button 62
Locking/unlocking 37, 62, 103
Locking/unlocking,
Global setting 106
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 107
Loss of key 109
Messages in display 410
Remote control 103
Start / stop button 39
Starting the engine 52
Turning off the engine 60
Unlocking/opening trunk lid 108
Kickdown 176
Kilopascal 359L
Labels 478
Certification 478
Emission control information 479
Lamp sensor see Light sensor
Lamps, exterior 444
Light sensor 411
Messages in display 411–415
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 378
Battery (SmartKey) 102, 107
Brakes 29, 380
Center console 390–391
CHECK ENGINE 381
Coolant 382
Coolant temperature 29, 139
Distance warning 29
Engine diagnostics 381
Engine malfunction 29, 381
ESP
®384
Fog lamps 132
Front passenger front air bag off 70
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp 390
Fuel reserve 29, 385
High beam headlamp 29

513 Index
Ski bag* (Canada only) 276
Loading 278
Luggage cover 276
Removing 280
Ski bag roller blind 276, 280
Unfolding (Cabriolet) 276
Unfolding (Coupe) 277
Unloading and folding 279
Ski bag* roller blind 276
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
see KEYLESS-GO*
Snow chains 363
Snow tires 362
Soft top 259
Cleaning 370
Emergency operations 432–439
Locking after raising/lowering 262
Luggage cover 264
Messages in display 420
Opening/closing 259
Opening/closing, SmartKey 263
Opening/closing,
Soft top switch 260, 261
Wind screen 265
Soft top switch 255, 260Sound system* 213, 217
Spare parts service see Parts service
Spare wheel 425
Bolts 422, 426
Mounting 458
Sizes 486
Speedometer 29, 158
SRS 64, 78
Indicator lamp 29, 65, 387
Message in display 416
Standard display, Selecting display 159
Standing lamps 447, 448
Replacing bulbs 444
Standing water, Driving through 317
Starter switch 27, 38
Positions 38
Starting difficulties, Engine 53
Starting, Engine 51
Status line, Selecting display 159
Steering column 44, 45
Steering gear oil
Message in display 417
Steering wheel 44, 45
Buttons 30
Cleaning 375
Lock 53Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting*
Automatic transmission 180
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 301
Storage box 285
Storage compartments 285
Armrest, Front 287
Armrest, Rear 287
Cup holder 288
Glove box 285
Parcel net 286
Storage bags 286
Storage box 285
Storing
Tires 333
Sun visors 187
Sunroof* see Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Sunshade* (Canada only) 188
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Symbols used
in this operator’s manual 15