2008 MERCEDES-BENZ CLK63AMG tow

467 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the
battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.

Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.

Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a higher voltage battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.

Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans or other
parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuc-
cessful starting attempts, have it checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the catalyt-
ic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.
Warning!G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 329).

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.

473 Practical hints
Fuses
Opening fuse box
Open the driver’s door.
Insert flat, blunt object as a lever into
the edge of the fuse box cover1 at
the position indicated by the arrow.
Loosen fuse box cover1 from cockpit
using lever.
Using your hands, remove fuse box
cover1 rearward.
Closing fuse box
Attach fuse box cover1 in the front.
Fold fuse box cover1 in until it
engages.
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine com-
partment on the driver’s side.
1Cover
2Screw
3Retainer
Removing cover
Twist screws2 90° counterclock-
wise.
Lift the rear of cover1.
Slide out retainer3 and remove
cover1 by pulling towards front.Opening fuse box
4Fuse box cover
5Clamps
With a dry cloth, remove any moisture
from the fuse box.
Release clamps5.
Remove fuse box cover4.

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

510 Index
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
Passenger compartment 317
Electrical outlet 291
Interior lighting 136
Interior rear view mirror 47
Main fuse box 472
Parcel net in
front passenger footwell 286
Storage bags, rear side
of the front seats 286
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 309
Phone see Telephone
Plastic parts, cleaning 374
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 480
Positions (Memory function)
see Seats, Power
Power assistance 310
Power seat see Seats, Power
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* 256
Express opening/closing 257
Opening/closing 256
Stopping 258Synchronizing 258
Power washer 368
Power windows 250
Cleaning 373
Convenience closing feature 254
Express opening/closing 251
Opening with soft top switch 255
Operating 250
Rear side windows,
Blocking operation 88
Summer opening feature 253
Synchronizing 252
Practical hints 378
Premium unleaded gasoline 492
Problems
While driving 58
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 359
Program mode see Automatic
transmission, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 178
PSI 359
Push-start see Tow-startR
RACETIMER (CLK 63 AMG only) 149
Radio
Operation 221
Search function 165
Selecting stations 151
Selecting stations (satellite*) 152
Radio transmitters 317
Range (distance to empty) 168
Reading lamp 33, 137
Rear bench seat, foldable 281
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear seat ashtray see Ashtray
Rear seat head restraints see
Head restraints
Rear side windows
Blocking operation 88
Rear side-impact air bags* 72
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 189
Rear window sunshade*
(Canada only) 188
Recommended engine oils
and oil filter 491

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