flat tire MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 COUPE 2004 C209 Owner's Manual

ContentsLoading .............................................. 237
Roof rack ...................................... 237
Ski sack* ...................................... 237
Split rear bench seat .................... 240
Loading instructions ..................... 242
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 243
Useful features .................................. 244
Interior storage spaces ................ 244
Ashtrays ....................................... 247
Cigarette lighter ........................... 248
Floormats* ................................... 249
Telephone*................................... 250
Tele Aid ........................................ 251
Garage door opener ..................... 259
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 266
Driving instructions............................ 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 267
Brakes .......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 269
Parking ......................................... 269
Tires ............................................. 270
Hydroplaning ................................ 271
Tire traction.................................. 271
Tire speed rating .......................... 272
Winter driving instructions ........... 273
Standing water ............................. 274
Passenger compartment .............. 274
Driving abroad.............................. 274
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 275
Catalytic converter ....................... 275
Emission control .......................... 276
Coolant temperature .................... 277At the gas station .............................. 278
Refueling ...................................... 278
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................... 280
Engine compartment ......................... 281
Hood ............................................ 281
Engine oil ..................................... 283
Transmission fluid level ................ 286
Coolant ........................................ 286
Battery ......................................... 288
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 289
Tires and wheels................................ 290
Important guidelines .................... 291
Life of tires................................... 291
Direction of rotation..................... 291
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 292
Rotating wheels ........................... 293
Winter driving .................................... 294
Winter tires .................................. 294
Block heater*............................... 295
Snow chains................................. 295

Contents
Maintenance...................................... 296
Clearing the service indicator ...... 296
Service term exceeded ................ 296
Calling up the service indicator .... 297
Resetting the service indicator..... 297
Vehicle care ....................................... 298
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 298
Practical hints.................................. 305
What to do if …? ................................. 306
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 306
Lamp in center console................. 313
Messages in the display ................ 314
Where will I find...? ............................. 337
First aid kit.................................... 337
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 337
Minispare wheel............................ 340
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 343
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 343
Locking the vehicle ....................... 344
Changing batteries in
the SmartKey/ SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* ....................... 345
Fuel filler flap ................................ 347
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 347
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 348
Sliding/pop-up roof* .................... 348Replacing bulbs .................................. 350
Bulbs............................................. 350
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 352
Side marker lamp bulb.................. 355
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 356
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 357
Removing wiper blades ................. 357
Installing wiper blades .................. 357
Flat tire............................................... 358
Preparing the vehicle .................... 358
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 358
Battery ............................................... 363
Disconnecting the battery ............ 364
Removing the battery ................... 364
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 364
Reconnecting the battery ............. 365
Jump starting...................................... 366
Towing the vehicle.............................. 368
Towing the vehicle ........................ 368
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 370
Fuses.................................................. 372
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 372
Fuse box in engine compartment . 373
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk ............ 374

255 Controls in detail
Useful features
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established. When a
voice connection is established, the audio
system mutes and the message
Tele Aid
– Roadside Assistance call active
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.

Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance man-
ual for more information.These programs are only available in the
USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.


Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This func-
tion permits the Mercedes-Benz Road-
side Assistance dispatcher to
download malfunction codes and actu-
al vehicle data.iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside As-
sistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately ten
seconds during the system self-check
after turning the ignition (position2) on
(together with the SOS button and the
Information button¡).
See system self-check (
page 252)
when the indicator lamp does not come
on in red or stays on longer than ap-
proximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• is illuminated
continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center es-
tablished, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message
Roadside Assistance –
Call failed
appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be ter-
minated using the ìbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel.

271 Operation
Driving instructions
Specified tire pressures must be main-
tained. This applies particularly if the tires
are subject to extreme operating condi-
tions (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high
ambient temperatures).Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires with a minimum tread depth
of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise ap-
propriate caution.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.

280 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant level
More information on coolant can be
found in the “Operation” section on
(
page 286).
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
Removing fuse box cover (
page 373)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
More information on refilling the reser-
voir can be found in the “Operation”
section on (
page 289).Engine oil level
More information on engine oil
(
page 283).
Opening hood (
page 281).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness.For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (page 350).
Exterior lamp switch (page 47)
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflate pressure
(
page 292).
!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. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see also “Practical
hints” (
page 307).

292 OperationTires and wheelsChecking tire inflation pressure
Correct the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
If the tires are warm you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.Tire pressure changes by approximately
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air
temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure where the
temperature is different from the outside
temperature.
Tire temperature and tire pressure are also
increased while driving, depending on the
driving speed and the tire load.Check the spare tire periodically for condi-
tion and inflation. Spare tires will age and
b e c o m e w o r n o v e r t i m e e v e n i f n e v e r u s e d ,
and thus should be inspected and replaced
when necessary.Warning!
G
If the tire pressure drops repeatedly:

Check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed in the fuel filler flap.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.

293 Operation
Tires and wheels
Rotating wheels
On vehicles with the same wheel size all
around, wheels can be rotated every 3 000
to 6 000 miles (5 000 to 10 000 km), or
sooner if necessary, according to the de-
gree of tire wear. The same direction of tire
rotation must be retained.
Rotate the wheels before the characteris-
tic tire wear pattern becomes visible
(shoulder wear on front wheels and tread
center wear on rear wheels).
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the
wheels after each rotation. Check and en-
sure proper tire inflation pressure.Warning!
G
Rotate front and rear wheels only if they are
of the same size.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. Wheels could become
loose if not tightened with a torque of
80 lb-ft (110 Nm).
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts specified for your vehicle's rims.

305 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Where will I find...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

341 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
In the case of a flat tire, you may tempo-
rarily use the Minispare wheel when ob-
serving the following restrictions:

Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or re-
placed as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one Minispare wheel mounted.
More information can be found in the
“Technical data” section (
page 381).
iThe arrow 2 on vehicle tool kit storage
well casing 4 must point in the direc-
tion of travel, otherwise you cannot
place the storage well casing
(page 337) on top and secure the
Minispare wheel with the retaining
screw (
page 337).
!To prevent damage, always disengage
trunk floor handle from upper edge of
trunk and lower trunk floor before clos-
ing the trunk lid.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The Minispare wheel should only be used
temporarily, and should be replaced with a
regular road wheel as quickly as possible.

358 Practical hintsFlat tire
Flat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever toP.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the Minispare wheelIn case of a flat tire, you may temporarily
use the spare wheel when observing the
following restrictions:


Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or re-
placed as appropriate.


Do not operate the vehicle with more
than one spare wheel mounted.
Prepare the vehicle as described on
(
page 358).

Take the wheel wrench and the jack
out of the trunk (
page 337).

Take the Minispare wheel and wheel
bolts out of the trunk (
page 337).
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the Minispare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As
a result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a Minispare wheel
mounted.
The spare wheel should only be used tempo-
rarily, and should be replaced with a regular
road wheel as quickly as possible.