2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550 brake fluid

Contents
Resetting activated head restraints ... 440
Resetting
activated head restraints.............. 440
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 441
SmartKey / SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* ....................... 442
Replacing bulbs ................................. 443
Bulbs ............................................ 444
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 446
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 448
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 450
Removing and installing
wiper blades ................................. 450
Flat tire .............................................. 452
Preparing the vehicle.................... 452
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
(CLK 63 AMG only) ....................... 452
Mounting the Minispare wheel ..... 458
MOExtended system*................... 463
Battery ............................................... 464
Disconnecting the battery ............ 465
Removing the battery ................... 465
Charging and
reinstalling the battery ................. 466
Reconnecting the battery ............. 466
Jump starting ..................................... 467Towing the vehicle ............................. 469
Towing the vehicle ....................... 469
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 470
Fuses ................................................. 472
Fuse box
in passenger compartment .......... 472
Fuse box
in engine compartment ................ 473
Fuse box
in trunk ........................................ 474
Technical data................................. 475
Parts service ...................................... 476
Warranty coverage............................. 477
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 477
Identification labels ........................... 478
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 480
CLK 350 / CLK 550 ..................... 480
CLK 63 AMG ................................ 480
Engine................................................ 481
Rims and tires.................................... 482
Same size tires ............................. 483
Mixed size tires ............................ 484
Minispare wheel ........................... 486Electrical system ............................... 487
Main dimensions and weights ........... 488
Main dimensions .......................... 488
Weights ........................................ 488
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 489
Capacities .................................... 489
Engine oils ................................... 491
Engine oil additives ...................... 491
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 491
Brake fluid.................................... 491
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 492
Fuel requirements ........................ 492
Gasoline additives ........................ 493
Coolants ...................................... 494
Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system* .. 496
Index................................................. 497

310 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistance
Brakes
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.If your brake system is normally only sub-
ject to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 92).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid level in
the reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the
parking brake is released (
page 380).
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 ve-
hicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position0 or1 or KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button* in position0 or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer

the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may oth-
erwise seriously damage the brake system.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

311 Operation
Driving instructions
Observe additional messages in the multi-
function display that may appear
(
page 404).
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream can cool down
the brakes faster.High-performance brake system
(CLK 63 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is
designed to operate under the extremely
high operating demands required to
accommodate the performance capabili-
ties of the vehicle. The brakes may
produce a squeaking-type noise depending
on the

vehicle speed

brake force applied

ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or discs strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.

322 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
Engine compartment (CLK 550, example)
1Coolant level
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 328) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 489).
Brake fluid
Removing fuse box cover,
see (
page 473).Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer
system and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 330).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 325).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 443).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 55).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Checking tire
inflation pressure” (
page 341).
iOpening the hood, see (page 323).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see also “Practi-
cal hints” (
page 380).

367 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of vehicle
Regular and proper care will help to
maintain the value of your vehicle. The
best way to protect your vehicle from
harmful environmental influences is to
wash it and use protective treatments
regularly.While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the vehicle
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:

Air pollution

Road salt

Tar

Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:

Grease and oil

Fuel

Coolant

Brake fluid

Bird droppings

Insects

Tree resins, etc.Frequent washing reduces and / or
eliminates the aggressiveness and
potency of the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:

near the ocean

in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)

during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a
thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough
inspection. Damaged areas need to be
re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the
factory with a wax-base rustproofing in the
body cavities which will last for the lifetime
of the vehicle. Post-production treatment Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle’s doors or windows when cleaning
the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

380 Practical hints
What to do if …?
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
;
3 (USA only)
(Canada only)The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.You are driving with the parking
brake set.Release the parking brake
(
page 53).
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving.There is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
could be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.

404 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
2Brake WearThe brake pads have reached their
wear limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
;(USA only)
!(Canada only)
Release
Parking BrakeYou are driving with the parking brake
set.Release the parking brake (page 53).
;(USA only)
3 (Canada only)
Check
Brake Fluid
LevelThere is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a safe
location or as soon as it is safe to do so
and notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This will
not solve the problem.
Warning!G
Driving with the message Check Brake
Fluid Level
displayed can result in an ac-
cident. Have your brake system checked im-
mediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system. Overfilling the
brake fluid reservoir can result in spilling
brake fluid on hot engine parts and the
brake fluid catching fire. You could be seri-
ously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

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).