brakes MERCEDES-BENZ CLK-CLASS 2004 User Guide

274 OperationDriving instructionsBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
ject to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, the brake fluid level in the res-
ervoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 78).
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275 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream can cool
down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine gradually. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow a drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period. Doing so may cause serious
damage to the drive train which is not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited War-
ranty.
Parking
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake wear and drivetrain
wear.
!Set the parking brake whenever park-
ing or leaving the vehicle. In addition,
move gear selector lever to positionP.
When parking on hills, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
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277 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.
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296 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for information on tested and rec-
ommended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase.Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged.


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and tires is no longer guaran-
teed.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.
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316 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
l
The red Distronic indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.

Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
l
The red Distronic indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
comes on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions.

Switch the ESP back on (
page 81).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on,
have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
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347 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 403).
Minispare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in trunk with spare
wheel)
!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.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel. The use
of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts2 for the Minispare will physical-
ly damage the vehicle's brakes.Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel af-
ter it has been repaired.
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383 Practical hints
Flat tire
Mounting the new wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims (located in trunk with spare
wheel)
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel. The use
of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts 2 for the Minispare will physical-
ly damage the vehicle's brakes.
!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while in-
stalling first wheel bolt.Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are dam-
aged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be re-
paired immediately. Do not continue to drive
under these circumstances! Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident.
Make sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
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390 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleTowing 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.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment 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 tow-away alarm
(page 84) and the automatic central
locking (
page 149).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the 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 dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50
km/h).
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430 IndexBi-Xenon headlamps* 419
Block heater* 301
Blocking
Rear window operation 74
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 347
Brake assist system (BAS) 419
Brake fluid 412
Message in display 327
Brake lamp bulbs 373
Brake lamp, high mounted 373
Brake pads
Message in display 327
Brakes 274
Warning lamp 313
Break-in period 272Bulbs, replacing 372
Additional turn signals 373
Backup lamps 373
Brake lamps 373
Fog lamps 373
Front lamps 373
High beam (Bi-Xenon*) 373
High beam (Halogen) 373
High beam flasher (Bi-Xenon*) 373
High beam flasher (Halogen) 373
High mounted brake lamp 373
License plate lamps 373, 378
Low beam (Bi-Xenon*) 373
Low beam (Halogen) 373
Parking lamps 373, 375, 377
Rear fog lamp 373, 378
Side marker lamps 373, 377
Standing lamps 373, 375, 377
Tail lamp assemblies 373, 378
Turn signal lamps 373
Button
Audio system 186C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 420
Calling up
Distronic* settings 137
Range (distance to empty) 153
Service indicator 303
CAN system 420
Canceling
Cruise control 227
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 410
Cassette operation
Playing cassettes 196
Cassette player
Operating 136
Catalytic converter 281
CD changer* 199
CD operation 199
CD player
Operating 136
Center console 25
Lower part 26
PASS. AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp 319
Upper part 25
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439 Index
Instrument cluster 22, 126, 421
Cleaning 309
Coolant temperature indicator 127
Illumination 126
Lamps in 312–318
Multifunction display 129
Outside temperature indicator 128
Selecting language 143
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 124
Activating automatic control 124
Deactivating automatic control 125
Delayed switch-off 148
Manual operation 125
Interior rear view mirror
Adjusting 38
Interior storage spaces 250
Armrest 251
Glove box 250
Parcel net 253
Storage bags 252
J
Jack 343, 345
Jump starting 388K
Key, mechanical 348
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing the batteries 351
Key-dependency memory
Settings 151
KEYLESS-GO* 421
Activating ignition with 33
Closing side windows 96
Closing soft top 96
Closing windows with 214
Factory setting 94
Global locking 94
Global unlocking 94
Important notes 92
Locking the vehicle 95
Messages in display 334
Remote controls 91
Starting the engine 44
Turning off the engine 55
Unlocking with 32
Unlocking, trunk lid 96
Kickdown 163, 421
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 142
Km/h or mph in speedometer 142L
Labels, identification 400
Lamp bulbs, exterior 372
Lamp sensor
Messages in display 336
Lamps, exterior
Front 373
Light sensor 336
Messages in display 335–338
Rear 373
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 312
Battery (SmartKey) 89, 94
Brakes 313
Center console 319
CHECK ENGINE 314
Coolant 315, 328
Distance warning 316
Distronic* 231, 237
Engine diagnostics 314
ESP 316, 317
Fuel reserve 317
Instrument cluster 312–318
PASS. AIRBAG OFF 63, 319
Roll bar 317
Seat belts 318
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