MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 CABRIOLET 2003 C208 Owner's Manual

218 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ESP control switch
ESP control switch located on center console.
To switch ESP off, press upper half of the switch.
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer dial,
comes on.
To switch ESP on again, press lower half of the switch.
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer dial,
goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv, located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km/h), and switches off
at 50 mph (80 km/h).
P54.25-2037-26
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.

219 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Note:
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may cause serious
damage to the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The ESP warning lamp, located in the speedometer dial,
starts to flash at any vehicle speed as soon as the tires
lose traction and the wheels begin to spin.
To return to the enhanced vehicle stability offered by
ESP: press lower half of the switch (the ESP warning
lamp in the speedometer dial goes out).Important!
If the ESP warning lamp flashes:
•during take-off, apply as little throttle as possible,
•while driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Wa r n i n g !
ESP should not be switched off during normal
driving other than in circumstances described
above. Disabling of the system will reduce vehicle
stability in standard driving maneuvers.

220 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
What you should know at the gas station
Fuel supplyOpen flap by pushing near front (arrow). Turn fuel cap
to the left and hold on to it until possible pressure in
tank has been released, then remove cap. Failure to
remove slowly could result in personal injury.
Manual release of fuel filler flap, see page 296.
Fuel
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping into open air, fully
insert filler nozzle unit. Only fill fuel tank until the filler
nozzle unit cuts out – do not top up or overfill.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate.
Fuel tank capacity approx. 16.4 US gal (62.0 l).
This includes approx. 2.1 US gal (8.0 l) reserve. Use
premium unleaded gasoline: Posted Octane Index 91
(Average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Wa r n i n g !
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. It
burns violently and can cause serious injury.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid inhaling
fumes and skin contact, extinguish all smoking
materials. Never allow sparks, flame or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Wa r n i n g !
Overfilling of fuel tank may result in creating
pressure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge such as the gas spraying back out upon
removing the filler nozzle which could cause
personal injury.

221 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 108 and page 252.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service
Products sheet.
• Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 316.
• Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 314.
• Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside
the fuel filler flap. See page 268 for further details.• Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see
page 316.
•Bulbs
High and low beams: H7 (55 W),
low beam: Xenon (optional)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal lamps,
front 1156 NA (26.9/5 W/32/4 cp),
parking and standing lamps, front: H 6W (6 W),
side marker lamps, front: 5 W/4 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: 21 W/24 cp,
stop, tail, parking and side marker lamps: 21/4 W,
tail and parking lamp: 5 W/4 cp,
rear fog lamp, driver’s side: 21 W/32 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5 W/4 cp.

222 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Engine oil level
See “Engine oil level, checking” on page 108 and
page 252.
2Coolant level
See “Coolant level” on page 253.
3Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 318.
4Windshield washer system
Headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 255.
Opening hood, see page 250.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 277.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 110.

223
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator lamps in
the instrument cluster .............224
On-board diagnostic system Check
engine malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................224
Brake warning lamp ..................225
Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................226
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................226
Electronic stability program (ESP)
— warning lamp ..........................227
BAS/ESP malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................227
ABS malfunction indicator
lamp ..............................................227
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................228
Seat belt warning lamp .............228Malfunction and indicator lamps in
the center console .................... 228
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .... 228
Roll bar warning lamp .............. 229
Malfunction and warning messages
in the multifunction display ... 230
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (engine
control unit) ................................ 231
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE (several
systems) ...................................... 231
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR .......... 232
ABS-SYSTEM .............................. 233
BRAKE ASSIST ........................... 233
BRAKE LINING WEAR .............. 234
BRAKE FLUID ............................ 234
PARKING BRAKE ....................... 235
ENGINE FAN ............................... 235
COOLANT (coolant level) ......... 236
COOLANT TEMP. (coolant
temperature) ............................... 237LIGHTING SYSTEM ....................238
LIGHT SENSOR ...........................239
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. ...........239
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ...................240
ELEC. STABIL. PROG. (Electronic
stability program) ...................... 241
REMOVE KEY ............................. 241
WASHER FLUID .........................242
TELE AID .....................................243

224 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up
during the bulb self-check when turning the electronic
key in steering lock to position 2, have it checked and
replaced if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management
system, emission control system, systems which impact
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally (e.g.
malfunction of the fuel management system or running out of fuel), serious damage can occur to the emission
system. Please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 226 for
fuel cap placement warning.
An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near to the parking brake
pedal, allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
CHECK
ENGINE

225 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
When the brake warning lamp and message appear
while the engine is running, this means:
•there is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir
(engine running and parking brake released), or
•the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
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.
BRAKE
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.

226 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the electronic key in steering lock to position 1
or 2. If no malfunction is detected, the lamp will go out
after approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out,
the system continues to monitor the components and
circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again.
See page 61 for notes on airbags, see page 60 for belt
tensioners and page 69 for infant and child seat
restraint.Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning
When the warning lamp (1) comes on after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 2.1 gal (8 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected.
Retighten cap and see if lamp goes out after restart and
next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
also cause the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp to illuminate, see
page 224.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfunction of the “SRS” is indicated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.SRS
1
P54.30-4557-21

227 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp
The yellow ESP warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2.
It should go out with engine running.
See page 216 if the warning lamp lights up or flashes
when the vehicle is moving.
BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP
is combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2. It should go
out with the engine running.
If the BAS/ESP malfunction indicator lamp remains
illuminated with the engine running, see page 212 for
notes on the brake assist (BAS) and page 216 for notes
on the electronic stability program (ESP).ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the
electronic key in steering lock position 2 and
should go out with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp and the
malfunction message in the instrument cluster remains
illuminated while the engine is running, it indicates
that the ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. In this case, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps and the
ABS malfunction message in the multifunction display
come on with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 214 for notes on the antilock brake system
(ABS).
BAS
ESP
ABS