2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550 steering

177 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in drive
positionD and driving in program modeC
orS (
page 178), you can select a gear
range for the automatic transmission to
operate within.
Gear selector lever (
page 179):
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the gear selector lever to the left (D-), and
reverse the gear range limit by pressing
the gear selector lever to the right (D+).
Steering wheel gearshift control*
(
page 180):
You can limit the gear range by pulling the
left gearshift paddle on the steering wheel
gearshift control, and reverse the gear
range limit by pulling the right gearshift
paddle on the steering wheel gearshift
control.The selected gear range appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current gear rangeEffect
ïThe transmission shifts through
sixth gear only.
îThe transmission shifts through
fifth gear only.
éThe transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
Effect
èThe transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
çThe transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving

on steep downgrades

in mountainous regions

under extreme operating
conditions
æThe transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

180 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Extending gear range
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the transmis-
sion.
Canceling gear range limit
Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD+direction until
D reappears in
the multifunction display (
page 174).
The transmission will shift from the
current gear range directly to gear
rangeD.Shifting into optimal gear range
Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD-direction.
The transmission will automatically
select the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears.Steering wheel gearshift control one-touch gearshifting*
With the gear selector lever in drive
positionD and driving in program modeC
orS, you can limit or extend the gear
range.
If your vehicle is equipped with manual
shift programM, you can use the steering
wheel gearshift control to manually shift
the gears.
iIf you press on the accelerator when the en-
gine has reached its rpm limit, the transmission
will upshift beyond any gear range limit selected.
iFor information on using the steering wheel
gearshift control in program modeM, see “Man-
ual shift program CLK 63 AMG” (
page 182).
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel when driving off
on slippery road surfaces. This may cause seri-
ous damage to the drivetrain which is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

181 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gearshift paddles
(example illustration CLK 550)
1Left shift paddle: limiting gear range or
downshift (in program modeM)
2Right shift paddle: extending gear
range or upshift (in program modeM)
The following instructions describe opera-
tion of the steering wheel gearshift control
when driving in the automatic program
modeC orS.Limiting gear range
Briefly pull left shift paddle1.
The transmission will shift to the next
lower gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
limits the gear range of the transmis-
sion (
page 177).Extending gear range
Briefly pull right shift paddle2.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the
transmission.
Canceling gear range limit
Pull and hold right shift paddle2
until
D reappears in the multifunction
display (
page 174).
The transmission will shift from the
current gear range directly to gear
rangeD.
iYou cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift paddles when the gear selector lever is
in positionP,N orR.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when down-
shifting, the transmission will not shift to a lower
gear if the engine’s max. speed would be
exceeded.
iIf you press on the accelerator when the en-
gine has reached its rpm limit, the transmission
will upshift beyond any gear range limit selected.

182 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Shifting into optimal gear range
Pull and hold left shift paddle1.
The transmission will automatically
select the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears.
Manual shift program CLK 63 AMG
In addition to the automatic shift
programC orS, your vehicle is equipped
with the manual shift programM.
In the manual program modeM,
system-controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off and you need to change the
gears by manually upshifting or downshift-
ing using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles (
page 181) or the gear selector
lever.The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty driving
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel when driving off
on slippery road surfaces. This may cause seri-
ous damage to the drivetrain which is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

183 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
The selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display (
page 178).
Activating manual shift program
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the
M for manual pro-
gram modeM appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in drive
positionD. You can upshift or downshift
through the gears in succession.Upshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
or
Briefly pull right shift paddle2
(
page 181).
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.If, instead of the manual program mode
symbol
M, thep symbol appears in the
multifunction display (
page 178), shift to
the next higher gear. The fuel supply will
otherwise be interrupted to prevent the
engine from overrevving.
If you are driving in the manual program
modeM, upshift indicator2 in the multi-
function display advises you to upshift be-
fore the engine reaches the overspeed
range. Thus you can drive at the maximum
engine speed for each gear without over-
revving the engine.
1Gear indicator
2Upshift indicatoriFor information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift program”
(
page 178), “Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting” (
page 179), and “Steering wheel
gearshift control one-touch gearshifting*”
(
page 180).
iThe manual program modeM will not be
stored. When the engine is turned off with the
manual program modeM selected, the transmis-
sion will go to the automatic program mode
(CorS) when the engine is restarted.
!In the manual program modeM, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has
reached its overrevving range. Shift up to the
next gear before the engine has reached its over-
revving range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red marking on
the tachometer (
page 28). Otherwise the
engine could be damaged which is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


236 Controls in detail
Audio system
GSM network phonesUsing your Mercedes-Benz specified mo-
bile phone*, a number of functions and op-
erating steps can be performed and
displayed in the audio system display.
Further operating instructions not covered
here can be found in the operating instruc-
tions for the multifunction steering wheel
and the cellular telephone*.
I f y o u r a u d i o s y s t e m i s s e t u p f o r t e l e p h o n e
operation, the tsymbol will appear in
the display.
When you insert your Mercedes-Benz
specified mobile phone* into the tele-
phone cradle, you will be prompted to en-
ter your PIN for 30 seconds (
page 237).
This display disappears when you press
any button.
When your mobile phone is inserted into
the telephone cradle, you will see the re-
ception strength in the upper right-hand
corner of the display.Switching on the telephone
Switching on the telephone
Pressh button.
If the telephone was previously
switched off,
PROCESSING appears in
the display and you will then be
prompted to enter your PIN.
Switching off the telephone
Pressh button for approximately
three seconds.
PROCESSING appears in the display until
the telephone is off. Afterward,
PHONE OFF appears in the display.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 13.5 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.

242 Controls in detail
Audio system
TDMA or CDMA network phonesUsing your Mercedes-Benz specified mo-
bile phone*, a number of functions and op-
erating steps can be performed and
displayed in the audio system display.
Further operating instructions not covered
here can be found in the operating instruc-
tions for the multifunction steering wheel
and the mobile phone*.
I f y o u r a u d i o s y s t e m i s s e t u p f o r t e l e p h o n e
operation, the t symbol will appear in
the display.
When you insert your Mercedes-Benz
specified mobile phone* into the tele-
phone cradle, you will be prompted to en-
ter your PIN for 30 seconds (
page 237).
This display disappears when you press
any button.
When your mobile phone is inserted into
the telephone cradle, you will see the re-
ception strength in the upper right-hand
corner of the display.Switching on the telephone
Switching on the telephone
Press h button.
If you have programmed an unlock
code for the telephone, you must now
enter the code.
Enter code using buttons 1
toR.
If necessary, correct number entered
with the
CLR soft key. Press soft key
briefly to delete the last digit entered;
press soft key and hold to delete the
complete number.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
cellular telephone while driving a vehicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 13.5 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.

267 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.

Parktronic* (CLK 63 AMG (USA),
Canada all vehicles), which serves as a
parking assistant.
For information on the BAS, ABS, and
ESP
®, see “Driving safety systems”
(
page 90).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
You can set or resume cruise control at any
speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 26).
Warning!G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.