2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550 sport mode

178 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
Program mode selector switch
(CLK 63 AMG only)
M Manual For manual gear shifting
(
page 182)
C Comfort For standard driving
S Sport For sporty drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1Selected program mode (comfort,
sport, or manual (CLK 63 AMG only))
!Never change the program mode when the
gear selector lever is out of park positionP. This
could result in a change of driving characteristics
for which you may not be prepared.
iThe last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.

179 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
SelectCfor comfort driving
(CLK 63 AMG: for standard driving):

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.

Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.

Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
SelectSfor standard driving
(CLK 63 AMG: for sporty driving):

The vehicle starts out in first gear.

Upshifts occur later.Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting
With the gear selector lever in drive posi-
tion D 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 gear
selector lever to manually shift the gears.
The following instructions describe opera-
tion of the gear selector lever when driving
in the automatic program modeC orS.Limiting gear range
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
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).
iFor information on using the gear selector
lever in program modeM, see “Manual shift pro-
gram 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.
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.

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.

225 Controls in detail
Audio system
Satellite radio*
SIRIUS satellite radio provides over 100
channels of digital-quality radio. That in-
cludes music, sports, news, and entertain-
ment, free of commercials. SIRIUS satellite
radio uses three high-orbit satellites to
broadcast 24 hours per day, coast to
coast.
This diverse, satellite-delivered program-
ming is available for a monthly subscrip-
tion fee.
For more information and service
availability, call the SIRIUS Service Center
(1-888-539-7474), or contact
www.siriusradio.com for USA or
www.siriuscanada.ca for Canada.Program categories
The channels are categorized. Categories
allow you to tune to stations broadcasting
a certain type of program (category mode)
(
page 227).
Calling up the SAT main menu
Press SAT soft key.
SAT is displayed in the upper left-hand
corner of the display.
Prior to activation of the satellite radio
service (
page 226).
After activation of satellite radio ser-
vice (
page 226).
iAdditional satellite radio equipment and a
subscription to a satellite radio service provider
are required for the satellite radio operation de-
scribed here.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for details and availability for your vehicle.
Note that categories and channels shown in illus-
trations are dependent on programming content
delivered by the service provider. Programming
content is subject to change. Therefore, chan-
nels and categories shown in illustrations and
descriptions contained in this manual may differ
from the channels and categories delivered by
the service provider.
iSatellite radio service may be unavailable or
interrupted from time to time for a variety of rea-
sons, such as environmental or topographic con-
ditions and other things beyond the service
provider’s or our control. Service might also not
be available in certain places (e.g., in tunnels,
parking garages, or within or next to buildings) or
near other technologies.

482 Technical data
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
Tires approved by Mercedes-Benz are developed
to provide best possible performance in conjunc-
tion with the driving safety systems on your vehi-
cle such as ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially
developed for your vehicle and tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz can be identified by
finding the following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and ap-
proved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system*” (
page 348).
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the
result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter. A placard with the recommended tire infla-
tion pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 340) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 339).If such information is provided, it can be found
on the placard located on the inside of the fuel
filler flap. The tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be adjusted
on cold tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Appearance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for more information.

500 Index
Control system menus 144, 145
AMG 148
AUDIO 151
NAV* 153
Settings 155
Settings, Submenus 156
Standard display 147
Submenus 143
TEL* 169
Trip computer 167
Vehicle status message memory 154
Control system submenus 143, 145, 157
Convenience 166
Instrument cluster 158
Lighting 162
Time/Date 160
Vehicle 165Coolant 328, 494
Adding 328
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
mixing ratio and quantity 494
Capacities 489
Checking coolant level 328
Messages in display 405–407
Temperature 319
Temperature indicator 139
Warning lamp 382
Coolants 494
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 133
Replacing bulbs 444
Cruise control 267
Canceling 269
Cruise control lever 267
Current speed 268
Fine adjustment 270
Higher speed 269
Last stored speed ("Resume"
function) 270
Slower speed 270
Cup holder 288
Curb weight 358D
Date 160
Date, Setting 161, 162
Daytime running lamp mode 131
Setting 162
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging
Windshield 196, 206
Defrosting, Front 195, 206
Defrosting, Rear 189
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 164
Interior lighting 165
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
With starting 53
Digital speedometer 147
Dimensions, Vehicle 488
Direction of rotation (tires) 334
Displays
Digital speedometer 147
Lap analysis 151
Maintenance service indicator 364
Messages in display 392
Multifunction display 141
Outside temperature 140