towing MERCEDES-BENZ CLK350 2007 A209 Owner's Manual

Contents
Replacing SmartKey batteries............ 425
SmartKey / SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*............................... 426
Replacing bulbs ................................. 427
Bulbs ............................................ 428
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 430
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 432
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 434
Removing and
installing wiper blades .................. 434
Flat tire .............................................. 436
Preparing the vehicle.................... 436
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
(CLK 63 AMG only) ....................... 436
Mounting the Minispare wheel ..... 441
MOExtended system*................... 446
Battery ............................................... 447
Disconnecting the battery ............ 448
Removing the battery ................... 448
Charging and
reinstalling the battery ................. 449
Reconnecting the battery ............. 449
Jump starting ..................................... 450
Towing the vehicle ............................. 452
Towing the vehicle........................ 452
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 454Fuses ................................................. 456
Mainfuse box
in passenger compartment .......... 457
Fuse box
in engine compartment ................ 457
Fuse box
in trunk ........................................ 458
Technical data................................. 459
Parts service ...................................... 460
Warranty coverage............................. 461
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 461
Identification labels ........................... 462
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 464
CLK 350 / CLK 550 ..................... 464
CLK 63 AMG ................................ 464
Engine................................................ 465
Rims and tires.................................... 466
Same size tires ............................. 467
Mixed size tires ............................ 468
Minispare wheel ........................... 469
Electrical system ............................... 470Main dimensions and weights ........... 471
Main dimensions .......................... 471
Weights ........................................ 471
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 472
Capacities .................................... 472
Engine oils ................................... 474
Engine oil additives ...................... 474
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 474
Brake fluid.................................... 475
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 475
Fuel requirements ........................ 476
Gasoline additives ........................ 476
Coolants ...................................... 477
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 479
Index................................................. 481

23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk
Unlocking
Opening and closing
Minispare wheel
Vehicle tool kit
34
109,
110
407
404
2Rear lamps432
3Rear window, defrosting187
4Fuel filler flap
Refueling
Gasoline312
312
475
5Doors
Locking and unlocking
Closing
Unlocking/locking in an
emergency
34, 62,
98
108
410
ItemPage
6Exterior rear view mirror
Adjusting
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors
45
185
7Tires and wheels
Checking tire inflation pres-
sure
Run Flat Indicator*
General information
TIREFIT Kit (CLK 63 AMG)
Vehicle tool kit
Minispare wheel
Flat tire323
333
334
323
404
404
407
436
8Towing
Installing towing eye bolt452
454
9Front lamps430
ItemPage
aHood, opening
Engine oil
Coolant
Battery315
317
320
321
bWindshield wipers
Wiper blades, replacing
Wiper blades, cleaning55
434
362
cWindshield
Front window, defrosting
Cleaning with wiper fluid
Cleaning
189,
199
56
362
dSoft top
Opening and closing
Opening and closing in an
emergency
Roll bars
Cleaning
255
415
81
359

290 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roadside Assistance button•
The Roadside Assistance button• is
located below the center armrest cover.
Press and hold the •button (for
longer than two seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The •button will flash while the call
is in progress. The message
Connecting call will appear in the
multifunction display and the audio
system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may
apply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance
manual for more information.
The following is only available in the USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
iThe indicator lamp on the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illuminated in
red for approximately ten seconds during the
system self-check after switching on the ignition
(together with the SOS button and the Informa-
tion button¡).See system self-check (
page 287) when the
indicator lamp does not come on in red or stays
on longer than approximately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp on the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available). The
message
Call failed appears in the multi-
function display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing the tbutton on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel or the respective button for ending a
telephone call on the audio system or the
COMAND* headunit.

328 Operation
Tires and wheels
Steps for determining correct load limit
The following steps have been developed
as required of all manufacturers under Title
49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part
575 pursuant to the “National Traffic and
Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Step 1
Locate the statement “The combined
weight of occupants and cargo should
never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on
your vehicle’s placard.
Step 2
Determine the combined weight of the
driver and passengers that will be
riding in your vehicle.Step 3
Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kilo-
grams or XXX lbs.
Step 4
The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs and there will
be five 150 lbs passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1400-750 (5 x150) = 650 lbs)
Step 5
Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in step 4.Step 6 (if applicable)
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle (
page 330).
The following table shows examples on
how to calculate total and cargo load
capacities with varying seating configura-
tions and number and size of occupants.
The following examples use a load limit
of 1500 lbs. This is for illustration
purposes only. Make sure you are using
the actual load limit for your vehicle stated
on the vehicle’s placard (
page 327).

330 Operation
Tires and wheels
Certification label
Even after careful determination of the
combined weight of all occupants, cargo
and the trailer tongue load (if applicable)
(
page 330) as to not exceed the permis-
sible load limit, you must make sure that
your vehicle never exceeds the Gross Vehi-
cle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the
front or rear axle. You can obtain the
GVWR and GAWR from the certification la-
bel. The certification label can be found on
the driver’s door B-pillar, see “Technical
data” (
page 462).Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The
total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all cargo, and the trailer tongue load
(
page 330) must never exceed the
GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The to-
tal allowable weight that can be carried by
a single axle (front or rear).
To assure that your vehicle does not ex-
ceed the maximum permissible weight
limits (GVWR and GAWR for front and rear
axle), have the loaded vehicle (including
driver, passengers and all cargo and, if ap-
plicable, trailer fully loaded) weighed on a
suitable commercial scale.Trailer tongue load
The tongue load of any trailer is an impor-
tant weight to measure because it affects
the load you can carry in your vehicle. If a
trailer is towed, the tongue load must be
added to the weight of all occupants riding
and any cargo you are carrying in the
vehicle. The tongue load typically is ten
percent of the trailer weight and every-
thing loaded in it.
Your Mercedes-Benz has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and their
cargo. Mercedes-Benz does not recom-
mend trailer towing with your vehicle.

365 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Where will I find...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Resetting activated head restraints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

404 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the trunk on
the right side secured by a hook and loop
fastener.
1First aid kit
2Hook and loop fastener
Loosen hook and loop fastener2.
Remove first aid kit1.
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only)
The TIREFIT kit is located under the trunk
floor.
Lift the trunk floor and engage the han-
dle in the upper edge of trunk.
1Straps for soft top emergency opera-
tion, a pair of gloves
2Electric air pump
3Towing eye bolt
4Vehicle jack
5TIREFIT kit
6Fuse extractor
7Wheel wrench
8Collapsible wheel chock
Vehicle tool kit
The vehicle tool kit is stored in the com-
partment underneath the trunk floor.
The following is included:

Towing eye bolt

Wheel wrench

Alignment bolt

Vehicle jack

Collapsible wheel chock

Spare fuses

Fuse extractor

Straps for soft top emergency opera-
tion

A pair of gloves
The spare wheel bolts are fixed at the
Minispare wheel.
iCheck expiration dates and contents for
completeness at least once a year and replace
missing/expired items.

452 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing 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.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey 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 automatic central locking
(
page 164).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in posi-
tion N and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1). Oth-
erwise, the ESP
® will immediately be engaged
and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the SmartKey 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 distances up to 30 miles
(50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.

453 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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. Adapt your driving accordingly.
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, switch on the igni-
tion and activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as
well as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 164).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never at-
tach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to the vehi-
cle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch. For more information, see “Battery”
(
page 447) and “Jump starting”
(
page 450).

the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP. For information on manually un-
locking the transmission gear selector lever,
see (
page 412).

454 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Towing eye bolt CLK 350
1Cover on right side of front bumper2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 or 2.
Lift cover off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the compartment under-
neath the trunk floor).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover 1 or 2 and snap into place.