towing MERCEDES-BENZ CLK CABRIOLET 2001 A208 Owner's Manual

4 Contents
Malfunction and indicator
lamps in the
center console ...........................233
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................233
Roll bar warning lamp ...............233
Malfunction and
warning messages in the
multifunction display ...............234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ..................235
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ........................235
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........236
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................237
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................237
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............238
BRAKE FLUID .............................238PARKING BRAKE ....................... 239
ENGINE FAN ............................... 239
COOLANT
(coolant level) ............................. 240
COOLANT TEMP.
(coolant temperature) ............... 241
LIGHTING SYSTEM ................... 242
LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 243
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. .......... 243
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 244
ELEC. STABIL. PROG.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 245
REMOVE KEY ............................. 245
WASHER FLUID ......................... 246
TELE AID ..................................... 247
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Shelf below rear window ..............250
Stowing things in
the vehicle ..................................250
Luggage cover .................................250
Fuses ................................................252
Hood .................................................254
Checking engine oil level .............256
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................257
Coolant level ...................................257
Adding coolant ...........................258
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system ........................259
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .........259

5 ContentsSpare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................260
Vehicle jack ..................................... 261
Wheels .............................................262
Tire replacement ........................262
Rotating wheels ..........................263
Spare wheel ....................................264
Changing wheels ...........................266
Tire inflation pressure .................. 271
Battery .............................................272
Jump starting .................................. 274
Towing the vehicle ......................... 276
Exterior lamps ................................280
Headlamp assembly ................... 281
Taillamp assemblies ..................283
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............285
Changing batteries in
the electronic main key ...........288
Synchronizing
remote control ...........................290Raising soft top manually ............ 291
Antenna .......................................... 298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap ............................ 298
Trunk lamp ..................................... 299
Replacing wiper
blade insert ............................... 299
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 302
Power washer ............................. 303
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 303
Engine cleaning ......................... 304
Tar stains .................................... 304
Vehicle washing ......................... 304
Ornamental moldings ............... 304
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 305Window cleaning .......................305
Plastic and rubber parts ............305
Wiper blade .................................305
Light alloy wheels ......................305
Instrument cluster .....................306
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................306
Cup holder ...................................306
Seat belts .....................................306
Headliner .....................................306
Upholstery ...................................307
Hard plastic trim items .............307
Plastic and rubber parts ............307
Wind screen ...............................307
Rubber weatherstrip .................307
Soft top .........................................308

37 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
Wit h th e automa tic central locking system activated, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler f lap remains
unlocked.
To a ctiva te:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold
upper portion of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To dea cti vate :
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold
lower portion of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central
locking activated, the door will again be automatically
locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after a
strong deceleration is detected, such as in a collision
(this is intended to aid rescue and exit).
Driv ing on rou gh road s m ay cau se t he vehicle to u nl ock.
If necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the
central locking switch, see page 36.

44 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tow - aw ay al a rm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
vehicle is immediately lowered. The tow-away alarm
system is switched off automatically if the vehicle is
unlocked with the electronic main key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 182.
To p r eve nt t ri gge ri n g t h e tow -away a la rm fe a t u r e , s w i tch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from steering
lock. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the remote control.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicl e is locked again w it h th e remote control , a t w hich
time it is automatically reactivated.

151 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Interior
Storage compartments, armrest and cup holderGlove box
1Unlocking: Turn mechanical key to vertical position
and remove.
2Locking: Turn mechanical key to the right and
remove.
3Opening: Pull on handle.
The glove box can be locked and unlocked with the
mechanical key. See page 25 for instructions on how to
remove the mechanical key from the electronic main
key (e.g. for valet parking service).
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident
and sudden maneuvers.
P68.00-2067-26
3
1
2

220 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Electronic stability program (ESP)
The ESP enhances directional control and reduces
driving wheel spin of the vehicle under various driving
conditions.
Over/understeering of the vehicle is counteracted by
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel to create a
countervailing vehicle movement. Engine torque is also
limited. The ESP warning lamp, located in the
speedometer dial, starts to flash when ESP is in
operation.Important!
If the ESP warning lampv flashes:
•During take-off apply as little throttle as possible.
•While driving ease up on the accelerator.
•Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
•Do not switch off the ESP.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised (see
towing the vehicle on page 276), the engine must be
shut off (electronic key in steering lock position 0 or 1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged and
will apply the rear wheel brakes.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded. The ESP cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, or aquaplaning. Only a safe,
at tentive, and ski llful driver can prevent ac cidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety or
the safety of others.

249 Contents – Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit .....................................250
Shelf below rear window ..............250
Stowing things in
the vehicle ..................................250
Luggage cover .................................250
Fuses ................................................252
Hood .................................................254
Checking engine oil level .............256
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................257
Coolant level ...................................257
Adding coolant ...........................258
Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system .........................259Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........ 259
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ............... 260
Vehicle jack .................................... 261
Wheels ............................................ 262
Tire replacement ....................... 262
Rotating wheels ......................... 263
Spare wheel .................................... 264
Changing wheels ........................... 266
Tire inflation pressure ..................271
Battery ............................................. 272
Jump starting ..................................274
Towing the vehicle .........................276
Exterior lamps ............................... 280
Headlamp assembly .................. 281
Taillamp assemblies .................. 283Adjusting headlamp aim ...............285
Changing batteries in
the electronic main key ...........288
Synchronizing
remote control ...........................290
Raising soft top manually ............. 291
Antenna ...........................................298
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................298
Trunk lamp .....................................299
Replacing wiper
blade insert ................................299

250 First aid kit
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
First aid kit
The first aid kit is stored in the left trunk well.
Shelf below rear window
Stowing things in the vehicleLu ggage cover
1Handle
2Holder
To close compartment:
Pull out on handle (1) to the stop and guide luggage
cover into left and right holders (2).
Wa r n i n g !
The shelf below the rear window should not be
used to carry objects. This will avoid such objects
from being thrown about and injuring vehicle
occupants during an accident or sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.

276 Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Towing the vehicleImportant!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle
doors lock if t he l ef t front w he el a s well as t he rig ht rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking, see page 37.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, make certain that the electronic key is in
steering lock position 2.If the electronic key is left in the steering lock
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the lock. In this case, the
steering i s locked. To unlock, rem ove elec tronic key
from steering lock and reinsert.

277 Towing
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the
passenger side behind a cover in the bumper panel.
CLK 320:
Cover removal:
Insert finger in recess of cover and pull cover out.
Cover installation:
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.CLK 430:
Cover removal:
Hold left and right end of grille and pull out.
Cover installation:
Engage left and right end of grille and press in securely.
P88.20-2026-26
P88.20-2027-26