Page 311 of 521

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.
Page 491 of 521

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).
Page 499 of 521

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
Page 504 of 521

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