winter tires MERCEDES-BENZ CLK550 2008 C209 Owner's Manual

Contents
Power windows .................................. 250
Opening and closing the windows 250
Synchronizing power windows ..... 252
Summer opening feature .............. 253
Convenience closing feature ........ 254
Opening and closing all side
windows with the soft top switch
(CLK cabriolet) ............................. 255
Power tilt/sliding sunroof* (Coupe)... 256
Opening and closing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 256
Synchronizing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 258
Soft top (Cabriolet) ............................ 259
Opening and closing the soft top . 259
Opening and closing the soft top
with the SmartKey ........................ 263
Luggage cover .............................. 264
Wind screen ................................. 265
Driving systems ................................. 267
Cruise control............................... 267
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)*,
CLK 63 AMG (USA),
Canada all models ........................ 271Loading .............................................. 275
Roof rack (CLK coupe only) .......... 275
Ski bag* (Canada only) ................ 276
Split rear bench seat
(CLK coupe only) .......................... 281
Loading instructions..................... 283
Cargo tie-down rings
(CLK coupe only) .......................... 284
Useful features .................................. 285
Storage compartments ................ 285
Center armrest ............................. 287
Armrest in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 287
Cup holders.................................. 288
Ashtrays ....................................... 289
Cigarette lighter ........................... 290
Power outlet in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 291
Floormats* ................................... 291
Telephone* .................................. 292
Tele Aid ........................................ 295
Garage door opener* ................... 301
Operation......................................... 307
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 308
Driving instructions ........................... 309
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 309
Drinking and driving ..................... 309
Pedals .......................................... 309
Power assistance ......................... 310
Brakes.......................................... 310
Driving off .................................... 312
Parking......................................... 312
Tires ............................................. 313
Hydroplaning................................ 314
Tire traction ................................. 314
Tire speed rating .......................... 315
Winter driving instructions ........... 316
Standing water............................. 317
Passenger compartment .............. 317
Driving abroad ............................. 317
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 317
Catalytic converter....................... 318
Emission control .......................... 318
Coolant temperature.................... 319

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 320
Refueling ...................................... 320
Check regularly
and before a long trip................... 322
Engine compartment ......................... 323
Hood ............................................ 323
Engine oil ..................................... 325
Transmission fluid level ................ 327
Coolant ........................................ 328
Battery ......................................... 329
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 330
Tires and wheels ................................ 331
Important guidelines .................... 331
Tire care and maintenance........... 332
Direction of rotation ..................... 334
Loading the vehicle ...................... 334
Recommended
tire inflation pressure ................... 339
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 341
MOExtended system* .................. 348
Tire labeling.................................. 348
Load identification ....................... 352
DOT,
Tire Identification Number (TIN) ... 353
Maximum tire load ....................... 354Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 355
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 356
Tire ply material ............................ 357
Tire and loading terminology......... 358
Rotating tires ................................ 361
Winter driving ..................................... 362
Winter tires ................................... 362
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 363
Snow chains.................................. 363
Maintenance....................................... 364
Maintenance service
indicator message......................... 364
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message ............ 365
Maintenance
service term exceeded.................. 365
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 366
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 366
Vehicle care........................................ 367
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 367
Practical hints.................................. 377
What to do if …? ................................. 378
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 378
Lamp in center console ................ 390
Vehicle status messages
in the multifunction display .......... 392
Where will I find...? ............................. 421
First aid kit.................................... 421
Storage compartment
underneath the trunk floor............ 421
TIREFIT (CLK 63 AMG only)........... 422
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 422
Minispare wheel............................ 425
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 426
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 427
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 427
Locking the vehicle ....................... 428
Manually unlocking
the gear selector lever .................. 429
Opening/closing
in an emergency (Cabriolet) ............... 430
Operating roll bars manually ......... 430
Soft top emergency operation ...... 432

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

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
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
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent 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 28) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
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.
iIn winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the ABS, the BAS, and the ESP® is only
achieved with winter tires (
page 362) or snow
chains as required.
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.

307 Operation
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

314 Operation
Driving instructions
For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (
page 331).
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.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(
page 362) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise
appropriate caution.
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.
Warning!G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

315 Operation
Driving instructions
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of

CLK 350, CLK 550:
130 mph (210 km/h)

CLK 63 AMG:
155 mph (250 km/h)

CLK 63 AMG with increased top
speed*:
174 mph (280 km/h)
The factory equipped tires on your vehicle
may have a tire speed rating above the
maximum speed permitted by the
electronic speed limiter.
Make sure your tires have the required tire
speed rating as specified for your vehicle in
the “Technical data” section (
page 482),
for example when purchasing new tires.For Information on how to identify the tire
speed rating on a tire’s sidewall, see “Tire
size designation, load and speed rating”
(
page 349).
If you are uncertain about the correct read-
ing of the information given on a tire’s side-
wall, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to assist you.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.iFor information on tire speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter tires” (
page 362).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating”
(
page 351).

331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tires and wheels
Contact 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.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 of less than
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.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on re-
treads. The operating safety of the vehicle
cannot be assured when such tires are used.

333 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tread depth
Do not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths of less
than
1/8in (3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of approx-
imately
1/16in (1.6 mm), at which point the
tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:

Summer tires 1/8in (3 mm)

Winter tires 1/6in (4 mm)
1TWI (T
read Wear Indicator)
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.Storing tires
Cleaning tiresWarning!G
Although the applicable federal motor safety
laws consider a tire to be worn when the
treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible at
approximately
1/16in (1.6 mm), we recom-
mend that you do not allow 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.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry place
with as little exposure to light as possible. Pro-
tect tires from contact with oil, grease and
gasoline.
!Never use a round nozzle to power wash
tires. The intense jet of water can result in
damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.

352 Operation
Tires and wheels
If a service description5 and6
(
page 349) is given, the speed capa-
bility is limited by the speed symbol in
the service description.
Example: 245/40 ZR18 97Y.
In this example, “97Y” is the service
description. The letter “Y” designates
the speed rating and the speed capabil-
ity of the tire is limited to 186 mph
(300 km/h).

Any tire with a speed capability above
186 mph (300 km/h) must include a
“ZR” in the size designation AND the
service description must be placed in
parenthesis. Example: 275/40 ZR 18
(99Y). The “(Y)” speed rating in paren-
thesis designates the maximum speed
capability of the tire as being above
186 mph (300 km/h). Consult the tire
manufacturer for the actual maximum
permissible speed of the tire.All-season and winter tires
Load identification
1Load identification
IndexSpeed rating
QM+S1
1or M+S.for winter tires.
up to 100 mph (160 km/h)
TM+S1up to 118 mph (190 km/h)
HM+S1up to 130 mph (210 km/h)
VM+S1up to 149 mph (240 km/h)
iNot all M+S rated tires provide special win-
ter performance. Make sure the tires you use
show M+S and the mountain/snow-
flake.marking on the tire sidewall. These
tires meet specific snow traction performance
requirements of the Rubber Manufacturers As-
sociation (RMA) and the Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed specifi-
cally for use in snow conditions.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.

362 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 496).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure the engine can be started even at
low ambient temperatures.

Tire change.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and The Rubber Association of
Canada (RAC) and have been designed
specifically for use in snow conditions. Use
of winter tires is the only way to achieve
the maximum effectiveness of the ABS and
the ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.