brake fluid MERCEDES-BENZ CLK500 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

ContentsTowing the vehicle ............................. 458
Towing the vehicle........................ 458
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 460
Fuses ................................................. 462
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 462
Mainfuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 463
Fuse box in engine compartment . 463
Fuse box in trunk.......................... 464
Technical data................................. 465
Parts service ...................................... 466
Warranty coverage............................. 467
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 467
Identification labels ........................... 468
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 469
CLK 350 ....................................... 469
CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG................. 469
Engine................................................ 470
Rims and tires.................................... 471
Same size tires ............................. 473
Mixed size tires ............................ 475
Minispare wheel ........................... 476
Electrical system ............................... 477
Main dimensions and weights............ 478
Main dimensions .......................... 478
Weights ........................................ 478Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 479
Capacities .................................... 479
Engine oils ................................... 481
Engine oil additives ...................... 481
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 481
Brake fluid.................................... 481
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 482
Fuel requirements ........................ 482
Gasoline additives ........................ 483
Coolants ...................................... 484
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 486
Technical terms............................... 487Index................................................. 493

308 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-
ject 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.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 88).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 immedi-
ately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
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.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

309 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
park, so that the air stream can cool down
the brakes faster.High-performance brake system
(CLK 55 AMG only)
The high-performance brake system is de-
signed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to accommo-
date the performance capabilities of the
vehicle. The brakes may produce a squeak-
ing-type noise depending on the


vehicle speed


brake force applied


ambient conditions, e.g. temperature
and humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of indi-
vidual brake system components such as
brake pads or discs strongly depends on
your driving style and the conditions under
which you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driv-
ing style calling for high demand braking
will cause your vehicle’s brakes to wear
more quickly.
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.
Warning!
G
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and re-
placement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until
that time, you may need to use increased
brake pedal pressure while braking. Please
be aware of this and adjust your driving and
braking accordingly during this break-in
period.
Excessive high demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition mes-
sages in the multifunction display. Especial-
ly for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain the brake system and
have it checked regularly.

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).

364 OperationVehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subject to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others
applied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

375 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
;
3
(USA only)
(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 50).
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving.
There is insufficient brake fluid
in the reservoir.

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!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.

396 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their wear
limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
;
(USA only)
!
(Canada only)
Release parking
brake
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 50).
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle in a
safe location as soon as possible and
notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Do not add brake fluid! This
will not solve the problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message “
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
” displayed can result in
an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake flu-
id before checking the brake system. Over-
filling the brake fluid reservoir can result in
spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and
the brake fluid catching fire. You can be se-
riously burned.
!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.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

479 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
CLK 350
CLK 500
CLK 55 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
CLK 350
CLK 500
CLK 55 AMG
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
9.3 US qt (8.7 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
CLK 350
CLK 500
CLK 55 AMG
1.16 US qt (1.1 l)
1.69 US qt (1.6 l)
1.50 US qt (1.4 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin
CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.0 oz (85 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.64 US qt (0.6 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)

481 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air
conditioning system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. An
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles), or changing of oil and oil filter at
change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) will result in engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) recommendations for scheduled
oil changes. Failure to do so will result
in engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle's Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.