tire pressure MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 2006 C209 Owner's Manual

Contents
Luggage cover .............................. 262
Wind screen ................................. 263
Driving systems ................................. 265
Cruise control............................... 265
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)*, Canada only ..... 269
Loading .............................................. 273
Ski sack* (Canada only) ............... 273
Loading instructions ..................... 277
Useful features .................................. 278
Storage compartments................. 278
Center armrest ............................. 281
Armrest in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 283
Cup holders .................................. 283
Ashtrays ....................................... 284
Cigarette lighter ........................... 286
Power outlet in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 287
Floormats* ................................... 287
Telephone*................................... 288
Tele Aid ........................................ 289
Garage door opener* ................... 296
Operation......................................... 305
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 306
Driving instructions............................ 307
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 307
Drinking and driving ..................... 307
Pedals .......................................... 307
Power assistance ......................... 307
Brakes .......................................... 308
Driving off .................................... 310
Parking ......................................... 310
Tires ............................................. 311
Hydroplaning ................................ 311
Tire traction.................................. 312
Tire speed rating .......................... 312
Winter driving instructions ........... 313
Standing water ............................. 314
Passenger compartment .............. 314
Driving abroad.............................. 315
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 315
Catalytic converter ....................... 316
Emission control .......................... 316
Coolant temperature .................... 317At the gas station .............................. 318
Refueling ...................................... 318
Check regularly
and before a long trip................... 320
Engine compartment ......................... 321
Hood ............................................ 321
Engine oil ..................................... 322
Transmission fluid level................ 326
Coolant ........................................ 327
Battery ......................................... 328
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 329
Tires and wheels................................ 330
Important guidelines .................... 330
Tire care and maintenance........... 331
Direction of rotation..................... 333
Loading the vehicle ...................... 333
Recommended
tire inflation pressure ................... 339
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 341
MOExtended system* .................. 345
Tire labeling ................................. 345
Load identification ....................... 349
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 350
Maximum tire load ....................... 351

Contents
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 352
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 353
Tire ply material ........................... 354
Tire and loading terminology ........ 355
Rotating tires ............................... 358
Winter driving .................................... 359
Winter tires .................................. 359
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 360
Snow chains................................. 360
Maintenance ...................................... 361
Maintenance
service indicator message............ 361
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 362
Maintenance
service term exceeded ................. 362
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 362
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 363
Vehicle care ....................................... 364
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 364
Practical hints.................................. 373
What to do if …? ................................. 374
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 374
Lamp in center console................. 381
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 383
Where will I find...? ............................. 413
First aid kit .................................... 413
Vehicle tool kit .............................. 413
Minispare wheel............................ 416
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 418
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 419
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 419
Locking the vehicle ....................... 420
Fuel filler flap ................................ 421
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 422
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 423
Operating roll bars manually ......... 423
Soft top emergency operation ...... 425
Resetting activated head restraints .... 434
Resetting
activated head restraints .............. 434Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 435
SmartKey ...................................... 436
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ....... 437
Replacing bulbs .................................. 438
Bulbs............................................. 438
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 440
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 443
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 444
Removing and installing
wiper blades ................................. 444
Flat tire............................................... 446
Preparing the vehicle .................... 446
Mounting the Minispare wheel...... 447
MOExtended system* ................... 452
Battery ............................................... 453
Disconnecting the battery ............ 454
Removing the battery ................... 454
Charging and
reinstalling the battery.................. 455
Reconnecting the battery ............. 455
Jump starting...................................... 456

87 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP
® (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, and
the ESP
® is only achieved with winter
tires (
page 359) or snow chains as
required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns


Wet and slippery road surfaces


Following another vehicle too closely
The ABS, BAS, and ESP
® cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

88 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsBraking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the
pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions
and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 373).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance. Apply
continuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.

307 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended tire
inflation pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required
by the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS (Canada vehicles). Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go
traffic, on short trips and in hilly area.
Drinking and driving
PedalsPower assistance
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.

311 Operation
Driving instructions
Tires
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
mately
1/16 in (1.6 mm), at which point the
tire is considered worn and should be re-
placed.The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subject to extreme operating con-
ditions (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high
ambient temperatures).
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.
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not al-
low your tires to wear down to that level. As
tread depth approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the
adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
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.

320 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long tripEngine compartment (CLK 500, example)1Coolant level
2Brake fluid (fuse box cover removed)
3Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 327) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 479).
Brake fluid
Removing fuse box cover (
page 463).Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer
system and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 329).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Engine oil” (
page 322).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 438).
For more information, see “Exterior lamp
switch” (
page 52).
Tire inflation pressure
For more information, see “Recommended
tire inflation pressure” (
page 339).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 321).
!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 immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see also “Practi-
cal hints” (
page 375).

330 OperationTires and wheelsSee an 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.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. The operating safety of the
vehicle cannot be assured when such tires
are used.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire inflation pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
inflation pressure and correct as
required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged.


The operating clearance of the wheels
and the tires may no longer be correct.
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
result in the bolts loosening and possibly an
accident.

331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire care and maintenance
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month. For more informa-
tion on checking tire inflation pressure see
“Recommended tire inflation pressure”
(page 339).Tire inspection
Every time you check your tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your
tires for the following:


excessive treadwear (
page 332)


cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber


bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in
the tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions.
Make sure you also inspect the spare tire
periodically for condition and inflation.
Spare tires will age and become worn over
time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:


Driving style


Tire inflation pressure


Distance driven
Warning!
G
Regularly check the tires for damage. Dam-
aged tires can cause tire inflation pressure
loss. As a result, you could lose control of
your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.

333 Operation
Tires and wheels
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advan-
tages, such as better hydroplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
make sure the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of rotation (spinning) of
the tire.
Loading the vehicle
Two labels on your vehicle show how much
weight it may properly carry.

The Tire and Loading Information
placard (Example A) or the Vehicle Tire
Information placard (Example B) can be
found on the driver’s door B-pillar. This
placard tells you important information
about the number of people that can be
in the vehicle and the total weight that
can be carried in the vehicle. It also
contains information on the proper size
and recommended tire inflation
pressures for the original equipment
tires on your vehicle.


The Certification label, also found on
the driver’s door B-pillar tells you about
the gross weight capacity of your vehi-
cle, called the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR). The GVWR includes the
weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
fuel and cargo. The Certification label
also tells you about the front and rear axle weight capacity,
called the Gross Axle Weight Rating
(GAWR). The GAWR is the total allow-
able weight that can be carried by a sin-
gle axle (front or rear). Never exceed
the GVWR or GAWR for either the front
axle or rear axle.
1Driver’s door B-pillar
Following is a discussion on how to work
with the information contained on the two
placards with regards to loading your vehi-
cle.
iSpare wheels may be mounted against
the direction of rotation (spinning) even
with a unidirectional tire for temporary
use only until the regular drive wheel
has been repaired or replaced. Always
observe and follow applicable tempo-
rary use restrictions and speed limita-
tions indicated on the spare wheel.