MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE 2004 C209 Owner's Manual

231 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located behind
the hood grille), especially at times of snow
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case,
Distronic will switch off, and the message Distronic
Currently unavailable!
see oper. manual appears in the multifunction display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system
sensor cover” (
page 301).Turns and bends
In turns or bends, Distronic may not detect
a moving vehicle in front, or it may detect
one too soon. This may cause your vehicle
to brake late or unexpectedly.
iIf the messageDistronic
Currently unavailable!
see oper. manualdisappears during driving and the last
speed stored flashes for approximately
five seconds, the dirt (e.g. slush) has
dissolved; Distronic works again.

232 Controls in detailDriving systemsOffset driving
A vehicle traveling in your lane but offset
from your direct line of travel may not be
detected by Distronic. There will be insuffi-
cient distance to the vehicle ahead.Lane changing
Distronic has not yet detected the vehicle
changing lanes. There will be insufficient
distance to the lane changing vehicle.Narrow vehicles
Because of its narrow profile, the vehicle
traveling near the edge of the roadway has
not yet been detected by Distronic. There
will be insufficient distance to the vehicle
ahead.

233 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition
and release the parking brake. The
Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
over approximately 11 mph (18 km/h). At
lower speeds the Parktronic system turns
on again.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice, see
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 301).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers or the air
brakes of trucks) can cause the system to
send erratic indications, and should be tak-
en into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. You
could otherwise injure them.

234 Controls in detailDriving systemsRange of the sensors
To function properly, the sensors must be
free of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean the
sensors regularly, being careful not to
scratch or damage the sensors.Front sensors
Rear sensors
Minimum distance
If the system encounters an obstacle in
this range, all the warning lamps come on
and you hear a warning signal. If the obsta-
cle is closer than the minimum distance,
the actual distance may no longer be indi-
cated by the system.
Center
approx. 39 in (100 cm)
Corners
approx. 23,5 in (60 cm)
Center
approx. 47 in (120 cm)
Corners
approx. 32 in (80 cm)
!During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or
below the height of the sensors (e.g.
planters or trailer hitches). The Parktro-
nic system will not detect such objects
at close range and damage to your ve-
hicle or the object may result.
Ultrasonic signals from outside sourc-
es (e.g. truck air brakes or jackham-
mers) may impair the operation of the
Parktronic system.
Center
approx. 8 in (20 cm)
Corners
approx. 6 in (15 cm)

235 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Warning indicators
Visual signals indicate to the driver the rel-
ative distance between the sensors and an
obstacle. The warning indicator for the
front area is located above the center air
vents in the dashboard. The warning indi-
cator for the rear area is integrated in the
rear dome lighting.Front area warning indicator1Left side of the vehicle
2Right side of the vehicleEach warning indicator is divided into six
yellow and two red segments for either
side of the vehicle. The Parktronic system
is ready when the border around the indi-
cator is illuminated.
The position of the gear selector lever de-
termines which warning indicators will be
activated.As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more segments will come on, depending
on the distance. When the eighth segment
comes on, you have reached the minimum
distance.


Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red seg-
ment comes on and a constant acous-
tic warning lasting a maximum of three
seconds will sound for the second red
segment. The signal is canceled when
the gear selector lever is placed in
positionP.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red seg-
ment comes on and a constant acous-
tic warning lasting a maximum of three
seconds will sound for the second red
segment. The signal is canceled when
the gear selector lever is placed in po-
sition D orP.
Gear selector le-
ver position
Warning indicator
D
Front area activated
R or N
Front and rear area
activated
P
Neither activated

236 Controls in detailDriving systemsSwitching the Parktronic system
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the cen-
ter console.
1Parktronic off
2Indicator lamp
3Parktronic onSwitching off the Parktronic system

Press upper half 1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp 2 comes on.
Switching on the Parktronic system

Press lower half 3 of the switch.
Indicator lamp 2 goes out.

237 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack
1TrimPreparing roof rack installation

Open trim1 at the trim strips in the
roof.

Secure the roof rack according to man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation.
Ski sack*
1Handle
2Cover
3Armrest
Unfolding and loading
Fold armrest3 down (arrow).

Pull handle1 and swing cover2
down.
Warning!
G
Only use roof racks approved by Merce-
des-Benz for your vehicle model to avoid
damage to the vehicle. Follow manufactur-
er’s installation instructions.
!Load the roof rack in such a way that
the vehicle cannot be damaged while
driving.
Make sure

you can fully raise the
sliding/pop-up roof*


you can fully open the trunk


238 Controls in detailLoading4Velcro strap
Unfasten velcro strap4.

Pull ski sack into passenger compart-
ment and unfold.5Button

Open trunk lid.

Press button5.
The flap opens downward.

From trunk, slide skis into ski sack.Warning!
G
The ski sack is designed for up to four pairs
of skis. Do not load the ski sack with other
objects.
Always fasten the ski sack securely. In an
accident, an unfastened ski sack can cause
injury to vehicle occupants.


239 Controls in detail
Loading
6Strap
Tighten strap6 by pulling at the loose
end (arrow) until the skis in the ski sack
are tightly secured.7Hook
8Eye

Connect hook7 to eye8 located on
center tunnel in front of rear seat
bench.

Tighten strap by pulling at the loose
end (arrow).Unloading and folding

Loosen both straps.

Disconnect hook7 from eye8.

Unload skis.

Close flap in trunk.

Fold and flatten ski sack lengthwise.

Place folded ski sack inside recess of
backrest.

Fasten velcro strap

Close ski sack compartment cover.

240 Controls in detailLoadingRemoval of ski sack
You can remove the ski sack for cleaning
or drying.
1Button
2Ski sack frame
3Flap
Open trunk lid.

Press button1.
The flap3 opens downward.

Press button1 firmly until ski sack
frame2 is released.

Pull ski sack frame2 with ski sack
out.Installing the ski sack
Install the ski sack in the reverse order.

Push ski sack frame2 with ski sack
inward until the ski sack frame snaps
into place.

Close flap3.

Close trunk lid.
Split rear bench seat
To expand the cargo area, you can fold
down the left and right rear seat backrests.
The two sections can be folded down sep-
arately.
Warning!
G
Never drive vehicle with trunk open while
the ski sack is removed. Deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior, resulting in unconsciousness and
death.iTo prevent unauthorized persons from
access to the trunk, always close the
flap.
Warning!
G
When expanding the luggage compartment,
always fold the seat cushions fully forward.
Unless you are transporting cargo, the back-
rests must remain properly locked in the up-
right position.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
Always use the cargo tie down rings
(page 243).