transmission MERCEDES-BENZ CLK320 COUPE 2003 C209 Owner's Manual

Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 141
One-touch gearshifting................. 142
Gear ranges ................................. 143
Gear selector lever position ......... 144
Program mode selector switch..... 145
Accelerator position ..................... 146
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 146
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) and manual
shift program CLK 55 AMG .......... 146
Good visibility .................................... 149
Rear view mirror........................... 149
Parking position ........................... 150
Windshield wipers ........................ 151
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 151
Sun visors .................................... 152
Rear window sunshade* .............. 153
Automatic climate control ................. 154
Setting the temperature ............... 157
Adjusting air distribution .............. 158
Adjusting air volume .................... 159
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 159
Defrosting .................................... 159
Air recirculation mode.................. 160
Charcoal filter .............................. 161Rear window defroster .................. 162
Air conditioning............................. 163
Residual heat and ventilation* ...... 163
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 164
Audio system ...................................... 165
Audio and telephone, operation .... 165
Operating safety ........................... 165
Operating and display elements.... 166
Button and soft key operation....... 168
Operation ...................................... 168
Radio mode................................... 171
Cassette mode.............................. 174
CD changer* operating mode ....... 178
Telephone* operation ................... 182
Power windows .................................. 187
Opening and closing the windows. 187
Synchronizing power windows ...... 189
Sliding/pop-up roof* .......................... 190
Opening and closing the
sliding/pop-up roof....................... 190
Synchronizing the
sliding / pop-up roof ...................... 192
Driving systems .................................. 193
Cruise control ............................... 193
Distronic* ..................................... 196PARKTRONIC system* .................. 208
Loading .............................................. 212
Roof rack ...................................... 212
Ski sack* ...................................... 212
Split rear bench seat .................... 215
Loading instructions ..................... 217
Cargo tie-down rings..................... 218
Useful features ................................... 219
Interior storage spaces ................. 219
Ashtrays........................................ 223
Cigarette lighter ............................ 224
Floormats* ................................... 225
Telephone* ................................... 226
Tele Aid ......................................... 227
Garage door opener ...................... 235

ContentsOperation......................................... 239
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 240
Driving instructions ............................ 241
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 241
Drinking and driving ..................... 241
Pedals .......................................... 241
Power assistance ......................... 241
Brakes .......................................... 242
Driving off..................................... 243
Parking ......................................... 243
Tires ............................................. 244
Hydroplaning ................................ 245
Tire traction .................................. 245
Tire speed rating .......................... 245
Winter driving instructions ........... 246
Standing water ............................. 247
Passenger compartment .............. 247
Driving abroad .............................. 247
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 248
Catalytic converter ....................... 248
Emission control........................... 249
Coolant temperature .................... 250At the gas station .............................. 251
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 252
Engine compartment ......................... 253
Hood ............................................ 253
Engine oil ..................................... 254
Transmission fluid level ................ 256
Coolant ........................................ 256
Battery ......................................... 258
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 259
Tires and wheels ................................ 260
Important guidelines .................... 261
Life of tires ................................... 261
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 262
Rotating wheels ........................... 263
Winter driving .................................... 264
Winter tires .................................. 264
Block heater* ............................... 265
Snow chains ................................. 265Maintenance...................................... 266
Clearing the service indicator ...... 266
Service term exceeded ................ 266
Calling up the service indicator .... 267
Resetting the service indicator .... 267
Vehicle care....................................... 268
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 268

Contents
Practical hints................................. 275
What to do if …?................................. 276
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 276
Lamp in center console................ 282
Messages in the display ............... 283
Where will I find...? ............................ 305
First aid kit ................................... 305
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 305
Minispare wheel ........................... 307
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 310
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 310
Locking the vehicle ...................... 311
Changing batteries ....................... 312
Fuel filler flap ............................... 313
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 313
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 314
Sliding/pop-up roof ..................... 314
Replacing bulbs ................................. 316
Bulbs ............................................ 316
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 318
Side marker lamp bulb ................. 321
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 322Replacing wiper blades....................... 323
Removing ...................................... 323
Installing ....................................... 323
Flat tire ............................................... 324
Preparing the vehicle .................... 324
Mounting the Minispare wheel ...... 324
Battery................................................ 329
Disconnecting the battery............. 330
Removing the batteries ................. 330
Charging and
reinstalling batteries ..................... 330
Reconnecting the batteries ........... 331
Jump starting ...................................... 332
Towing the vehicle .............................. 334
Towing the vehicle ........................ 334
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 336
Fuses .................................................. 337
Fuse box in
passenger compartment ............... 337
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 337
Auxiliary fuse box in trunk............. 338
Technical data.................................. 339
Spare parts service ............................ 340
Warranty coverage ............................. 341
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 341
Identification labels ............................ 342
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 343
CLK320 / CLK500 /
CLK 55 AMG ................................. 343
Engine ................................................ 344
Rims and tires .................................... 345
Same size tires ............................. 345
Mixed size tires ............................. 346
Minispare wheel............................ 347
Electrical system ................................ 348
Main dimensions ................................ 349
Weights .............................................. 350

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
33
2
Storage compartment
221
3
Thumbwheel for setting
distance in Distronic*
203
4
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off switch
204
Item
Page
5
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
145,
147
6
Selector lever for
automatic transmission
141

43 Getting started
Driving
Starting the engine Automatic transmission
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
Make sure that the gear selector lever
is set toP.
Warning!
G
Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the belts.
Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive with at least one window
fully open.

83 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Automatic climate control
Audio system
Power windows
Sliding/pop-up roof*
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

114 Controls in detailControl system
Control systemThe control system is activated as soon as
the key in the starter switch is turned to
position1. The control system enables you
to

call up information about your vehicle


change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Outside temperature
2Trip odometer
3Automatic transmission program mode
4Main odometer
5Current gear selector lever position
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, CD player, cassette player) will ap-
pear in English, regardless of the
language selected.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
must always be his /her primary focus when
driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 13.5 m) every second.

141 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
Information for driving with an automatic
transmission is found in the “Getting start-
ed” section (
page 43).
Your transmission adapts its gear shifting
process to your individual driving style by
continually adjusting the shift points up or
down. These shift point adjustments are
performed based on current operating and
driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change the au-
tomatic transmission reacts by adjusting
its gear shift program.The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on


the selector lever positionD with gear
ranges4, 3, 2, 1 (
page 143)


the selected shift program (W/S)
(page 145) or
(M/C/S)(CLK55AMG)(
page 147)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 146)


the vehicle speed
The current selector lever position and
shift program (W/S) or
(M/C/S) (CLK 55 AMG) appear in the
speedometer display (
page 114).When the selector lever is in positionD,
you can influence transmission shifting by


limiting the gear range


changing gears yourself
iDuring the brief warm-up the transmis-
sion upshifting is delayed. This allows
the catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperatures.
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the selector lever out
of P or N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the en-
gine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

142 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionOne-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears yourself when the
selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the selector lever to the
left in the D–direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear. This action si-
multaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 143).Upshifting

Briefly press the selector lever to the
right in the D+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simulta-
neously extends the gear range of the
transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the selector lever in the
D+direction until D reappears in the
tachometer display field.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in the D–direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal accelera-
tion and deceleration. This will involve
shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the selector lever is moved in the
D–direction, the transmission will not
shift to a lower gear if the engine's
max. speed would be exceeded.

143 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear ranges
With the selector lever in positionD, you
can limit the transmission’s gear range by
pressing the lever to the left (D-), and re-
verse the gear range limit by pressing the
lever to the right (D+).
The selected gear range will appear in the
tachometer display field. If you press on
the accelerator when the engine has
reached its rpm limit, the transmission will
upshift beyond any gear range limit
selected.
Gear
range
Effect
é
The transmission shifts
through fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts
through third gear only.
With this selection you can
use the braking effect of the
engine.
Gear
range
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts
through second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving

on steep downgrades


in mountainous regions


under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates
only in first gear.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep
or lengthy downgrades.