brakes MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 COUPE 2003 C209 User Guide

242 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-
jected 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 at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by an autho-
rized 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 76).

243 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 one 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 selector lever to positionP.
In addition, 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.

245 Operation
Driving instructions
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 for the winter season for all
four wheels to insure normal balanced
handling characteristics. On packed snow,
they can reduce your stopping distance
compared to summer tires. Stopping dis-
tance, however, is still considerably
greater than when the road is not covered
with snow or ice. Exercise appropriate cau-
tion.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire rating, local speed
limits should be obeyed. Use prudent driv-
ing speeds appropriate to prevailing condi-
tions.
CLK 320
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“H”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 130 mph (210 km/h).
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.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.

260 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter for information on tested and recom-
mended rims and tires for summer and
winter operation. They can also offer ad-
vice concerning tire service and purchase.Retread 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.

277 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
l
The red DTR indicator lamp lights
up 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 DTR 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.

309 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 345).Minispare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims
!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 physically
damage the vehicle's brakes.
Warning!
G
Be sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel af-
ter it has been repaired.

326 Practical hintsFlat tire
Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while vehi-
cle is raised.Removing the wheel
4Alignment bolt

Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and re-
move.

Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt4 supplied in the tool kit.

Remove the remaining bolts.

Remove the wheel.Mounting the new wheel
5Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
6Wheel bolt for Minispare wheel or other
steel rims

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the vehi-
cle briefly for wheel changes. It is not suited
for performing maintenance work under the
vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolt
and wheel hub threads.
!Wheel bolts6 must be used when
mounting the Minispare wheel. The use
of any wheel bolts other than wheel
bolts 6 for the Minispare will physically
damage the vehicle's brakes.

334 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 key 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 81) and the automatic central
locking (
page 133).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately 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 key 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).

369 Index
Automatic lighting control
Activating 109
Deactivating 109
Automatic locking when driving 95
Automatic transmission 141
Accelerator position 146
Activating steering wheel gearshift
control 147
Deactivating steering wheel gearshift
control 148
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 146
Fluid level 256
Gear ranges 143
Gear selector lever position 144
Gear shifting malfunctions 146
Kickdown 146
Manual shift program, CLK 55 AMG
146
One-touch gearshifting 142
Program mode selector switch 145
Selector lever position 141
Speedshift, CLK 55 AMG 146
Starting the engine 43
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift), CLK 55 AMG 146Transmission fluid 256
Winter program mode 145, 147
Auxiliary fuse box 338
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 68
Compatible child seats 68, 361
Self-test 68
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system
361
Backrest
Folding forward 216
Folding rearward 217
Backup lamps 317, 322
Bulbs 317
BAS 76, 361
Messages in display 285
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 312
Check lamp 85
Checking 86
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 312
Checking 86
Battery discharged
Jump starting 332Battery, vehicle 258, 329
Charging 330
Disconnecting 330
Messages in display 303
Reconnecting 331
Reinstalling 330
Removing 330
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 361
Block heater* 265
Blocking
Rear window operation 72
Bolts
For Minispare wheel 309
Brake assist system (BAS) 361
Brake fluid 353
Brake lamp bulbs 317
Brake lamp, high mounted 317
Brake pads
Message in display 286
Brakes 242
Warning lamp 279
Break-in period 240

379 Index
L
Labels, identification 342
Lamp bulbs, exterior 316
Lamps, exterior
Front 317
Light sensor 296
Messages in display 296–299
Rear 317
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 277
Airbag Off 61
Battery (SmartKey) 85
Brakes 279
CHECK ENGINE 280
Coolant 281, 289
DTR* 198
Engine diagnostics 280
ESP 276
Fuel reserve 280
Instrument cluster 276–281
Seat belts 280
Service indicator 266
SRS 57
Turn signals 23Language
Multifunction display 127
Setting 127
LATCH child seat mounts 71
Folding back 71
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 343
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 273
Lever
For cruise control 200
License plate lamps
Messages in display 298
Replacing bulbs 317, 322
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 272
Technical data 345
Light sensor 296
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 224Lighting 105
Automatic headlamp mode 106
Combination switch 108
Daytime running lamp mode 106
Door entry lamps 110
Exterior lamp switch 105
Front fog lamps 107
High beam flasher 108
High beams 108
Instrument cluster illumination 111
Interior 109
Locator lighting 107
Low beam 105
Manual headlamp mode 106
Night security illumination 107
Parking lamps 105
Rear fog lamp 107
Settings (control system) 129
Limiting the gear range 143
Limp Home Mode 146
Line of fall 363