2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK63AMG towing

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).

470 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Towing eye bolt CLK 350
1Cover on right side of front bumper2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 or 2.
Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with wheel wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover 1 or 2 and snap into place.
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as
well as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 166).
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, switch on the
ignition and activate the combination switch for
the left or right turn signal in the usual manner –
only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch. For more information, see “Battery”
(
page 464) and “Jump starting”
(
page 467).

the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP. For information on manually un-
locking the transmission gear selector lever,
see (
page 429).

471 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing eye bolt CLK 550/CLK 63 AMG
Towing eye bolt in front bumper
The cover for the towing eye bolt in the
front bumper is identical to the cover on
the CLK 350.
To remove and to reinstall cover, see “Tow-
ing eye bolt CLK 350” (
page 470).
Towing eye bolt in rear bumper
1Cover on right side of rear bumper
2Recess in the coverTo remove cover 1:
Insert flat, blunt object as a lever in
recess 2 on the edge of cover 1.
Loosen cover 1 from the bumper us-
ing lever, to reveal the threaded hole
for towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with wheel wrench.To reinstall cover 1:Hook right-hand side of the cover1
into opening.
Slide cover1 as far as it will go in the
direction of the arrow3.
Gently press left-hand side of cover1
in direction of the arrow4.
The hooks on the left-hand side
engage.
iWhen closing the cover1, make sure the
cover’s check strap does not get caught.

502 Index
Roll bars, Lowering 431
Roll bars, Releasing 430
Soft top, Closing 432–439
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 117
Trunk lid, Unlocking 428
Unlocking/locking
the vehicle 427, 428
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
Battery, Jump starting 467
First aid kit 421
Flat tire, Changing 452
Fuses 472
Hazard warning flasher 135
Roadside Assistance 12, 298
Towing the vehicle 469
Emission control 318
Emission control information label 479
Emission system warranties 10Engine
Belt layout 480
Block heater (Canada only) 363
Break-in recommendations 308
Cleaning 369
Compartment 323
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 381
Maximum engine speed 481
Message in display 405
Number 479
Starting 51
Starting difficulties 53
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 52
Starting with SmartKey 52
Technical data 481
Turning off 60
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 60
Turning off with SmartKey 60
Engine coolant see CoolantEngine oil 325, 491
Adding 327, 491
Additives 491
Changing 327, 491
Checking level 322, 325
Consumption 325
Filler cap 327
Filler neck 327
Engine oil level 322
ESP
®92
Messages in display 394–395
Warning lamp 384
ETD 80
Safety guidelines 68
Exterior rear view mirrors 47, 186
Exterior view 22, 24

515 Index
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only) 422
TIREFIT*
Instructions for use 452
Tires 331, 482
Air pressure 358
Care and maintenance 332
Chains 363
Cleaning 333
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA only 29
Direction of rotation, Spinning 334
Driving instructions 313
Important notes,
Tire inflation pressure 340
Inflation pressure 322, 339, 341
Inflation pressure,
Information placard 339
Inspection 332
Load rating 360
Low tire pressure telltale 388
MOExtended system* 463
MOExtended*348, 482
Ply composition
and material used 360
Problems under-/overinflated 347
Retreads 331Rims and tires 482
Rotation 361
Run Flat Indicator 342
Service life 332
Sizes 483
Snow 362
Spare wheel 425, 458, 486
Speed rating 315, 351, 360
Storing 333
Temperature 340, 357
Terminology 358
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)*, (USA only) 344
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only) 422
Total load limit 360
TPMS malfunction telltale 388
Traction 314, 360
Tread 360
Tread depth 333, 362
Treadwear indicators 360
Wear pattern 361
Winter 362
Tools 422Top tether
Children in the vehicle 86
Tether attachment points 86
Total load limit 360
Towing eye bolt 422, 470, 471
Towing the vehicle 469
Tow-start 467, 469
TPMS (USA only) 344
Traction 94, 314, 360
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Traveling abroad 317
Tread 360
Tread depth 333, 362
Treadwear indicators 360
Trip computer 167
Trip odometer 139
Trunk
Closing from inside 112
Fuse box 474
Lamp 137
Lid 110
Luggage cover 264
Opening 110
Opening, from inside 111
Tie-down rings 284

516 Index
Trunk lid 112
Trunk lid emergency release 117
Unlocking in an emergency 428
Unlocking/opening,
KEYLESS-GO* 108
Unlocking/opening, SmartKey 103
Valet locking 118
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 372
Messages in display 412
Replacing bulbs (Bi-Xenon*) 448
Replacing bulbs (Halogen) 447
Replacing bulbs (rear) 448
Turn signals 56
Additional in mirrors 444
Bulbs 444
Bulbs (Bi-Xenon)) 448
Cleaning lenses 372
Indicator lamps 29
Turning off engine 60U
Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards 360
Units, Settings
Speedometer 158
Unleaded gasoline, Premium 492
Upholstery, Cleaning 376
Useful features 285
V
Vehicle
Battery 329, 464
Break-in period 308
Care 367
Control system, Settings menu 155
Dimensions 488
Jump starting 467
Locking/Unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 37, 62, 103
Locking/Unlocking,
SmartKey 36, 62, 100
Lowering 462
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety 16
Towing 469Unlocking/locking
in an emergency 427, 428
Washing 369
Weights 488
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle jack 422, 423, 459
Vehicle lighting 322
Vehicle loading
Cargo tie-down rings 284
Instructions 283, 334
Load limit 334
Roof rack* 275
Split rear bench seat 281
Terminology 358
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 360
Vehicle recovery services,
Stolen (Tele Aid) 301
Vehicle status message memory 154
Vehicle status messages 392
Vehicle system settings,
Control system 141
Vehicle tool kit 422
Vehicle washing 367
VIN 478