flat tire MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 CABRIOLET 2003 C208 Owner's Manual

4 ContentsTELE AID .....................................243
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................246
Shelf below rear window ..............246
Stowing things in the vehicle ......246
Luggage cover .................................246
Fuses ................................................248
Hood .................................................250
Checking engine oil level .............252
Automatic transmission fluid
level .............................................253
Coolant level ...................................253
Adding coolant ...........................254
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system .........................255
Windshield and headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio .......................255
Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment .............................256
Vehicle jack .....................................257
Wheels .............................................258
Tire replacement ........................258
Rotating wheels ..........................259Spare wheel .................................... 260
Spare wheel bolts .......................... 260
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 260
Spare wheel .................................... 260
Changing wheels ........................... 263
Tire inflation pressure ................. 268
Battery ............................................. 270
Jump starting ..................................271
Towing the vehicle ........................ 273
Exterior lamps ............................... 277
Headlamp assembly .................. 278
Taillamp assemblies .................. 280
Adjusting headlamp aim .............. 282
Changing batteries in the electronic
key .............................................. 285
Synchronizing remote
control ........................................ 287
Raising soft top manually ............ 288
Antenna .......................................... 295
Manual release for fuel filler
flap .............................................. 296
Replacing wiper blade insert ...... 296
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the
vehicle ........................................300
Power washer .............................. 301
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................. 301
Engine cleaning ..........................302
Tar stains .....................................302
Vehicle washing .........................302
Ornamental moldings ................302
Headlamps, taillamps, turn signal
lenses ...........................................303
Window cleaning .......................303
Plastic and rubber parts ............303
Wiper blade .................................303
Light alloy wheels ......................303
Instrument cluster .....................304
Steering wheel and gear selector
lever ..............................................304
Cup holder ...................................304
Seat belts .....................................304
Headliner .....................................304
Upholstery ...................................305

182 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button •
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button•. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds) will initiate a call to a
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
message “ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE – CONNECTING
CALL” will appear in the multifunction display. When
the connection is established, the message “ROADSIDE
ASSISTANCE – CALL CONNECTED” appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).
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” appears in the
multifunction display. The nature of the need for
assistance can then be described. The Mercedes-Benz
Roadside assistance dispatcher will either dispatch a
qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow
your vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as labor and/or towing charges may apply.
Refer to the Roadside Assistance manual 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 function permits
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle
data.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• remains illuminated in red for approx.
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning
electronic key in starter switch to position 2 (together
with the SOS button and the Information button¡).
See system self-check on page 179 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.

201 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, depends on driving
habits and operating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
•keep tires at the recommended inflation pressures,
•remove unnecessary loads,
•allow engine to warm up under low load use,
•avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration,
•have all maintenance work performed at regular
intervals by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driving in cold
weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on short trips and in hilly
country.Drinking and driving
Ped al s
Wa r n i n g !
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving can be a very dangerous combination. Even
a small amount of alcohol or drugs can affect your
reflexes, perceptions and judgement.The possibility of a serious or even fatal accident is
sharply increased when you drink or take drugs
and drive.Please don’t drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive after drinking or taking drugs.Wa r n i n g !
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Objects
stored in this area may impair pedal movement.

205 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexSpecified tire pressures must be maintained. This
applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high
loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road,
aquaplaning 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.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. As
tread depth approaches
1/16in (1.5 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are sharply
reduced.
Depending upon the weather and / or road surface
(conditions), the tire traction varies widely.
Wa r n i n 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.

245
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................246
Shelf below rear window ..............246
Stowing things in the vehicle ......246
Luggage cover .................................246
Fuses ................................................248
Hood .................................................250
Checking engine oil level .............252
Automatic transmission fluid
level .............................................253
Coolant level ...................................253
Adding coolant ...........................254
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system .........................255
Windshield and headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio .......................255Spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment ............................. 256
Vehicle jack .................................... 257
Wheels ............................................ 258
Tire replacement ....................... 258
Rotating wheels ......................... 259
Spare wheel .................................... 260
Spare wheel bolts .......................... 260
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 260
Spare wheel .................................... 260
Changing wheels ........................... 263
Tire inflation pressure ................. 268
Battery ............................................. 270
Jump starting ..................................271
Towing the vehicle ........................ 273
Exterior lamps ............................... 277
Headlamp assembly .................. 278
Taillamp assemblies .................. 280Adjusting headlamp aim ...............282
Changing batteries in the electronic
key ...............................................285
Synchronizing remote
control .........................................287
Raising soft top manually .............288
Antenna ...........................................295
Manual release for fuel filler
flap ..............................................296
Replacing wiper blade insert .......296

259 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Rotating wheels
CLK 430
Wheel rotation applies only when winter tires are
mounted on all four wheels.
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims for
damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see
inside of fuel filler flap and also page 268.

261 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index CLK 320 (with Sport Package)
(Steel spare wheel rim)
Important!
The spare wheel rim size is 7 J x 16 H 2.
The dimensions of the spare wheels are different from
those of the road wheels. The spare wheel should only
be used temporarily and replaced with a regular road
wheel as quickly as possible.
The spare wheel rim is mounted with a tire of size
205/55 R 16 91 H.
In the case of a flat tire, you may temporarily use the
spare wheel only when observing the following
restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
•Do not operate vehicle with more than one spare
wheel mounted.If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restrictions:
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility as soon as
possible.
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”.
Wa r n i n g !
CLK 320 (with Sport Package):
The dimensions of the spare wheel are different
from those of the road wheels. As a result, the
vehicle handling characteristics change when
driving with a spare wheel mounted.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily,
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as
possible.
Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

266 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
10. Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel hub.
Install wheel on wheel hub. Insert wheel bolts and
tighten them slightly.Important!
CLK 320 only:
When installing steel spare wheel rim, make certain to
use the correct wheel bolts, supplied in the vehicle tool
kit, page 256 and see page 260.
To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat against hub and
hold it there while installing first wheel bolt.
Unscrew the alignment bolt (1) to install the last wheel
bolt.
P40.10-2483-26

268 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Notes:
Before storing the jack, the jack arm must be lowered
almost to the base of the jack.
For proper storage of vehicle jack see page 257.Tire inflation pressure
A table (see fuel filler flap) lists the tire inflation
pressures specified for Mercedes-Benz recommended
tires as well as for the varying operating conditions.
Important!
Tire pressure changes by approx. 1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per
18
°F (10
°C) of air temperature change. Keep this in
mind when checking tire pressure inside a garage –
especially in the winter.
Example:
If garage temperature = approx. +68
°F (+20
°C) and
ambient temperature = approx. +32
°F (0
°C) then the
adjusted air pressure = specified air pressure +3 psi
(+0.2 bar).
Wa r n i n g !
CLK 320 with Sport Package:
The dimensions of the spare wheel are different
from those of the road wheels. As a result, the
vehicle handling characteristics change when
driving with a spare wheel mounted.
CLK 430:
The dimensions of the spare wheel are different
from those of the road wheels for the rear axle. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics change
when driving with a spare wheel mounted on the
rear axle.The spare wheel should only be used temporarily,
and replaced with a regular road wheel as quick as
possible.When using the spare wheel, do not exceed vehicle
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

269 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The 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.
Tire temperature and pressure increase with the vehicle
speed. Tire pressure should therefore only be checked
and corrected on cold tires. Correct tire pressure in
warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the
pressure listed in the table and the respective operating
conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinflated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread
separation, bulging etc.. Regular tire pressure checks
(including the spare tire) at intervals of no more than
14 days are therefore essential.If a tire constantly loses air, it should be inspected for
damage.
The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.
Wa r n i n g !Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured 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.