length MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 CABRIOLET 2003 C208 Owner's Manual

73 Adjusting telescoping steering column
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Adjusting telescoping steering columnUnlocking:
Pull handle (1) out to its stop. The indicator lamp,
located in the instrument cluster, comes on.
Adjusting:
To lengthen or shorten the steering column, pull out or
push in steering wheel.
Locking:
Push handle (1) in until it engages. The indicator lamp,
located in the instrument cluster, goes out.
Important!
With the electronic key in steering lock position 2, the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster comes on.
It should go out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly locked
the steering column.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
The telescoping adjustment must be locked while
driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while
driving, or driving without the telescoping
adjustment locked could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
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P46.10-2020-26

197 Automatic transmission
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Gear ranges:
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.Upshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme operating
conditions. This gear selection will allow use of
the engine’s braking power when descending
steep grades.
Use this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 40 mph (60 km/h).

207 Driving instructions
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, refer to page 218.
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire sizes
225 / 45 R17 and 245 / 40 R17.Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N”. Try to keep the vehicle
under control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which tires are
rated can lead to sudden tire failure causing loss of
vehicle control and resulting in personal injury
and possible death.

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.
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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.

270 Battery
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
electronic key is in steering lock position 0. The battery
and its filler caps must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation. During removal and
installation always protect the disconnected battery
positive (+) terminal with the cover attached to the
battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components would be
damaged.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water and seek medical help if necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc..

272 Jump starting
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Important!
A discharged battery can freeze at approx. +14
°F
(–10
°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or approx.
2AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the trunk under the trunk floor.Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories,
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to
position “P”.
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery and
the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged
battery and the final connection to the negative (–)
terminal (2) of the discharged battery.

306 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints IndexTe ch n i c a l
data Car care
Soft top
Clean soft top with soft top raised and locked. Lower the
soft top into the storage compartment only if the soft top
is completely dry. If the soft top is kept in the storage
compartment for a lengthy period, raise it and air out
with the windows open about every 4 months.
Dry cleaning:
Brush top (always from front to rear) with a soft-bristled
brush.
We t c l e a n i n g :
Brush the dry top. Wash with a mild detergent and an
ample supply of lukewarm water by wiping with a soft-
bristled brush or sponge from front to rear. Then rinse
thoroughly with clear water.
If only parts of the top have been washed, wet the entire
top and allow it to air-dry before lowering it into the
storage compartment.
Do not use sharp-edged instruments for the removal of
ice and snow. Notes:
When you run the vehicle through an automatic car
wash, never use hot-wax for conservation.
Depending on the operation mode of the car wash, there
is the possibility of water drops entering the vehicle’s
interior.
Never use a power washer to clean the soft top, as you
may damage the soft top material.
Remove bird droppings immediately. The organic acid
damages the material and causes the soft top to leak.
In general, regular spraying or cleansing with clear
water is sufficient to keep the top clean.
Wash the top only when heavily soiled.
Light colored soft tops should be cleaned frequently to
prevent spots and dirt from setting in, which could stain
and discolor the soft top material permanently.
Caution!
Never use any gasoline, thinner, tar and stain removers,
glass cleaner, or similar organic solvents to clean the
soft top or wind screen. They will cause damage which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

315 Technical data
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index We i g h t s (see certification tag)
Main dimensions Trunk load max. 220 lb (100 kg)
Model CLK 320 CLK 430
Overall vehicle length 179.8 in (4567 mm) 179.8 in (4567 mm)
Overall vehicle width 67.8 in (1722 mm) 67.8 in (1722 mm)
Overall height 54.3 in (1380 mm) 54.3 in (1380 mm)
Wheel base 105.9 in (2690 mm) 105.9 in (2690 mm)
Track, front 59.3 in (1505 mm) 59.3 in (1505 mm)
Track, rear 58.0 in (1474 mm) 58.6 in (1488 mm)