tow MERCEDES-BENZ CLK430 2001 C208 Owner's Manual

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Center console .............................. 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 27
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 27
Central locking system ................... 28
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 28
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof from
outside ........................................... 32Panic button ................................. 33
Mechanical keys .......................... 33
Doors ................................................. 34
Central locking switch .................... 36
Automatic central locking .......... 37
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident .......................... 37
Trunk ................................................. 38
Trunk lid release switch ................ 40
Trunk lid emergency
release ...........................................41
Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm ............................... 44
Power seats, front ............................ 45
Front head restraints ...................51
Rear head restraints .................... 52
Backrest ............................................ 54
Multicontour seat ............................ 55
Heated seats ..................................... 56
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 58
Seat belts .......................................... 58
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 59BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 65
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 65
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 66
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 66
Airbags .............................................. 67
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 73
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 75
Adjusting telescoping
steering column .......................... 78
Inside rear view mirror .................. 79
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 80
Instrument cluster ........................... 84
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ...................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 90

4 Contents
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the center console ................232
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................232
Malfunction and warning
messages in the
multifunction display ...............233
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(engine control unit) ..................234
DISPLAY DEFECTIVE
(several systems) ........................234
BATTERY/ALTERNATOR ...........235
ABS-SYSTEM ...............................236
BRAKE ASSIST ...........................236
BRAKE LINING WEAR ..............237
BRAKE FLUID .............................237
PARKING BRAKE .......................238
ENGINE FAN ...............................238
COOLANT
(coolant level) .............................239
COOLANT TEMP.
(coolant temperature) ................240
LIGHTING SYSTEM .................... 241LIGHT SENSOR .......................... 242
STEER. WHEEL ADJUST. .......... 242
ENGINE OIL LEVEL ................... 243
ELEC. STABIL. PROGRAM.
(Electronic stability
program) ..................................... 244
REMOVE KEY ............................. 244
WASHER FLUID ......................... 245
TELE AID ..................................... 246
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 248
Shelf below rear window .............. 248
Stowing things in
the vehicle ................................. 248
Fuses ............................................... 249
Hood ................................................ 251
Checking engine oil level ............. 253
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 254
Coolant level ................................... 254
Adding coolant ........................... 255Windshield washer / headlamp
cleaning system ........................256
Windshield and
headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio .......................256
Spare wheel, vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................257
Vehicle jack .....................................258
Wheels .............................................259
Tire replacement ........................259
Rotating wheels ..........................260
Spare wheel .................................... 261
Changing wheels ...........................262
Tire inflation pressure ..................267
Battery .............................................268
Jump starting ..................................270
Towing the vehicle .........................272
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ................... 274
Exterior lamps ................................275
Headlamp assembly ................... 276
Taillamp assemblies ..................278
Adjusting headlamp aim ...............280

19 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For more detailed descriptions see index on page 313.
For adjustment of air outlets, refer to automatic climate
control, see page 122.
1Side air outlet, adjustable
2Air volume control for side air outlet
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 116
4Parking brake release, see page 202
5Parking brake pedal, see page 202
6Hood lock release, see page 251
7Combination switch, see page 119
8Cruise control switch, see page 212
9Multifunction steering wheel, see page 90
Horn (with electronic key in steering lock
position 1 or 2)
10Instrument cluster, see page 84
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
12Steering lock with ignition/starter
switch, see page 19013Center air outlets, adjustable
14Air volume control for center air outlets
15Left front seat heater switch, see page 56
16Headlamp washer switch, see page 118
17Switch for rear seat head restraints, see page 52
18Hazard warning flasher switch, see page 121
19Central locking switch, see page 36
20Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 44
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system, see
page 42
21Right front seat heater switch, see page 56
22Automatic climate control, see page 122
Rear window defroster switch, see page 126
23Glove box (illuminated with electronic key in
steering lock position 1 or 2), see page 154
24Audio system, see page 129
25Storage compartment
26Ashtray with lighter, see page 157

22 Contents – Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 24
Start lock-out .................................... 27
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 27
Central locking system ................... 28
Radio frequency and infrared
remote control .............................. 28
Opening and closing windows
and sliding/pop-up roof from
outside ........................................... 32
Panic button .................................. 33
Mechanical keys ........................... 33
Doors .................................................. 34
Central locking switch .................... 36
Automatic central locking .......... 37
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident ........................... 37
Trunk ................................................. 38
Trunk lid release switch ................. 40
Trunk lid emergency
release .......................................... 41
Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm ................................ 44Power seats, front ............................ 45
Front head restraints ...................51
Rear head restraints .................... 52
Backrest ............................................ 54
Multicontour seat ............................ 55
Heated seats ..................................... 56
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 58
Seat belts .......................................... 58
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 59
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 65
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ......... 65
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 66
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 66
Airbags .............................................. 67
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 73Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 75
Adjusting telescoping
steering column .......................... 78
Inside rear view mirror .................. 79
Exterior rear view mirrors ............. 80
Instrument cluster ........................... 84
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ...................... 86
Multifunction steering wheel,
multifunction display ................. 90
Trip and main odometer,
vehicle speed, FSS and
engine oil level indicator ........... 94
Audio systems .................................. 95
Radio .............................................. 95
CD player ....................................... 96
Cassette player ............................. 97
Telephone .......................................... 98
Telephone book ............................ 98
Redialing ..................................... 100
Incoming call .............................. 102
Navigation system .......................... 103
Trip computer ................................. 104

37 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
Wit h th e automa tic central locking system activated, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler f lap remains
unlocked.
To a ctiva te:
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold
upper portion of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To dea cti vate :
With electronic key in steering lock position 2 hold
lower portion of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central
locking activated, the door will again be automatically
locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
electronic key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle
doors will lock if the left front wheel as well as the right
rear wheel spin 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.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after a
strong deceleration is detected, such as in a collision
(this is intended to aid rescue and exit).
Driv ing on rou gh road s m ay cau se t he vehicle to u nl ock.
If necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the
central locking switch, see page 36.

44 Tow-away alarm
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Tow - aw ay al a rm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in form of
flashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm will
sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if the
vehicle is immediately lowered. The tow-away alarm
system is switched off automatically if the vehicle is
unlocked with the electronic main key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 180.
To p r eve nt t ri gge ri n g t h e tow- away a la rm fe a t u r e , s wi tch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 1 or 0, or remove electronic key from steering
lock. Press tow-away alarm switch (1). The indicator
lamp (2) illuminates briefly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with the remote control.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with mechanical key or remote
control, at which time it is automatically reactivated.

153 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Illuminated vanity mirrors
With the visor engaged in its inner mounting, the lamp
is switched on by opening the cover.
The lamp goes out automatically after approximately
5minutes.Interior
Storage compartments, armrest and cup holder
Wa r n i n g !
Do not use the vanity mirror while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.Wa r n i n g !
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help to
prevent stored objects from being thrown about
and injuring vehicle occupants during an accident
and sudden maneuvers.

157 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Ashtrays
Center console, front
By touching the bottom of the cover lightly, the ashtray
opens automatically.Prior to removing the ashtray insert, move the gear
selector lever to position “N”.
To remove ashtray:
Push sliding knob (1) toward the right to eject the
insert.
To install ashtray:
Install insert into ashtray frame and push down to
engage.
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”,
turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
Otherwise the vehicle might move as a result of
unintended contact with the gear selector lever.

162 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Loading instructions
The total load weight including vehicle occupants and
luggage/cargo should not exceed the vehicle capacity
weight indicated on the certification label which can be
found on the left door pillar.The handling characteristics of a fully loaded vehicle
depend greatly on the load distribution. It is therefore
recommended to load the vehicle according to the
illustrations shown, with the heaviest items being
placed towards the front of the vehicle.
Always place items being carried against front or rear
seat backrests, and fasten them as securely as possible.
The heaviest portion of the cargo should always be kept
as low as possible since it influences the handling
characteristics of the vehicle.
Notes:
The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.
The enlarged cargo area should only be used for items
which do not fit in the trunk alone.
P82.55-2002-26

163 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexCargo tie down rings
1Ring
Carefully secure cargo by applying even load on all four
rings with rope of sufficient strength to hold down the
cargo.
Wa r n i n g !
In an accident, during hard braking or sudden
maneuvers, loose items will be thrown around
inside the vehicle, and can cause injury to vehicle
occupants unless the items are securely fastened in
the vehicle.To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher than
the seat backs. Do not place anything on the shelf
below the rear window.Never drive vehicle with trunk lid open while pass-
through is not closed and seat backrest sections not
locked in their upright positions. Deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.