MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 CABRIOLET 2003 C208 Owner's Manual

258 Tires, Wheels
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Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.
Tire replacement
Front tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires
must be of the correct size and type. For dimensions,
see “Technical Data” (page 312).
We recommend that you break in new tires for approx.
60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, refer to “Technical Data”
( p a g e 312 ) .
Wa r n i n 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, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.

259 Tires, Wheels
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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.

260 Tires, Wheels
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Spare wheel
Spare wheel bolts (CLK 320 only)
1Wheel bolt for light alloy wheel rim
2Wheel bolt for steel spare wheel rim
Note:
Wheel bolts (2) must be used when mounting steel
spare wheel rim. The wheel bolts for the steel spare
wheel rim are located near the vehicle tool kit, see
page 256.The use of any wheel bolts other than wheel bolts (2) for
the steel spare wheel rim can cause physical damage to
the vehicle.
CLK 320 (except Sport Package)
(Steel spare wheel rim)
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.
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).
For rim and tire specifications, see page 312.
12
Wa r n i n g !
Be sure to use the original length wheel bolts when
remounting the original light alloy wheel after it
has been repaired.

261 Tires, Wheels
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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).

262 Tires, Wheels
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CLK 430
Important!
The spare wheel rim size is 7
1/2J x 17 H 2.
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. However,
that spare wheel rim is weight optimized and has a
limited service life of 12 000 miles (20 000 km) use
before a standard wheel rim must replace it.
If the arrow on tire side wall does not point in direction
of vehicle forward movement when using the spare
wheel, observe the following restriction:
•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”
( p a g e 312 ) .
Wa r n i n g !
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure
leading to an accident and possible injuries.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.
Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).

263 Tires, Wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine.
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axle. On a level road, place one chock in front of and
one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to
the wheel being changed.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from the area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle is
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.
Wa r n i n g !
Before working on the vehicle, e.g. when changing
wheels, the roll bar should be raised with the
switch, and the electronic key be removed from the
steering lock, to prevent possible injury.

264 Tires, Wheels
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4. Using the wrench, loosen but do not yet remove the
wheel bolts.5. Remove the protective cover from the jack support
tube opening by inserting the screwdriver (supplied
in the tool kit) in the opening and prying it out.
The tube openings are located directly behind the
front wheel housings and in front of the rear wheel
housings.
P40.10-2479-26

265 Tires, Wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 6. Insert jack arm fully into the tube hole up to the
stop. Place jack on firm ground. Position the jack so
that it is always vertical (plumb-line) as seen from
the side (see arrow), even if the vehicle is parked on
an incline.
7. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the
ground. Never start engine while vehicle is raised.8. Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and install
alignment bolt (1) supplied in the tool kit. Remove
the remaining bolts. Keep bolt threads protected
from dirt and sand.
9. Remove wheel. Grip wheel from the sides. Keep
hands from beneath the wheels.
P40.10-2481-26
P40.10-2482-26
1

266 Tires, Wheels
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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

267 Tires, Wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Lower vehicle. Remove jack and insert jack tube cover.
11. Using the wrench, tighten the five bolts evenly,
following the sequence illustrated, until all bolts are
tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm).
12. Ensure proper tire pressure.
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2
5
P40.10-2484-26
Wa r n i n g !
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.Damaged wheel hub threads should be repaired
immediately.Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Be sure to use the
correct mounting bolts.CLK 430:
The spare wheel rim is for temporary use only. Use
for over a total of 12 000 miles (20 000 km)
(aggregate of all uses) may cause wheel rim failure
leading to an accident and possible injuries.