MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG 2001 C208 Owner's Manual

CLK Coupé
Operator’s Manual

CLK 430
CLK 55 AMG

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our prod uct is a de monstration of you r tru st in our company na me. Fu rt her, it exemplif ies you r desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

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

2 Contents
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
Malfunction message
memory ...................................... 106
Individual settings ......................... 108
Setting the audio volume ...............110
Flexible service system
(FSS) .............................................111
Engine oil level indicator ...............114
Engine oil consumption .................115Exterior lamp switch ...................... 116
Night security illumination .......... 117
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 118
Combination switch ....................... 119
Hazard warning flasher
switch ..........................................121
Automatic climate control ............ 122
Display and controls ................. 124
Basic setting -
automatic mode ......................... 124
Economy ...................................... 125
Special settings .......................... 125
Rear window defroster .............. 126
Air recirculation ........................ 127
Residual engine heat
utilization .................................... 127
Dust filter .................................... 128
Audio and telephone,
operation .................................... 129
Power windows .............................. 147
Sliding/pop-up roof ....................... 149Interior lighting ............................. 151
Rear window sunshade ................. 152
Sun visors ....................................... 152
Illuminated vanity mirrors ........... 153
Interior ............................................ 153
Storage compartments,
armrest and cup holder ........... 153
Glove box ..................................... 154
Ashtrays .......................................... 157
Lighter ............................................. 159
Enlarged cargo area –
split folding rear
seat backrest .............................. 160
Loading instructions ..................... 162
Cargo tie down rings ..................... 163
Parcel net in front
passenger footwell .................... 164
Telephone, general ........................ 164
Cellular telephone ......................... 165
Garage door opener ....................... 166
Ski sack ........................................... 170

3 Contents
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 176
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 177
Maintenance ................................... 177
Catalytic converter ........................ 178
Emission control ............................ 179
Tele Aid ........................................... 180
Steering lock ................................... 190
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 192
Automatic transmission ............... 193
Parking brake .................................202
Driving instructions ......................203
Drive sensibly – save fuel .........203
Drinking and driving .................203
Pedals ...........................................203
Power assistance ........................204
Brakes ..........................................204Driving off ................................... 205
Parking ........................................ 205
Tires ............................................. 206
Snow chains ............................... 209
Winter driving
instructions ................................ 209
Deep water ...................................210
Passenger compartment ............ 211
Traveling abroad ......................... 211
Cruise control .................................212
Brake assist system
(BAS) ...........................................215
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ...........................................217
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ............................................ 219
What you should know
at the gas station ...................... 223
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 225
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................228
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................228
Brake warning lamp ..................229
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp .............................230
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................230
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 231
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 231
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 231
Telescoping steering column –
indicator lamp .............................232
Seat belt warning lamp .............232

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

5 ContentsChanging batteries in the
electronic main key ..................283
Synchronizing
remote control ............................285
Emergency operation of
sliding/pop-up roof ...................286
Manual release for
fuel filler flap .............................287
Replacing wiper blade
insert ...........................................287
Trunk lamp .....................................289
Roof rack .........................................289
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 292
Power washer ............................. 293
Tar stains .................................... 293
Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 293
Engine cleaning ......................... 294
Vehicle washing ......................... 294
Ornamental moldings ............... 294
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 294Window cleaning .......................295
Wiper blade .................................295
Light alloy wheels ......................295
Instrument cluster .....................295
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................295
Cup holder ...................................296
Seat belts .....................................296
Hard plastic trim items .............296
Headliner and shelf below
rear window ................................296
Upholstery ...................................296
Plastic and rubber parts ............296

6 Contents
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................298
Warranty coverage .........................298
Identification labels .......................299
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............300
Technical data ................................301
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. –
capacities ...................................305
Engine oils ......................................307Engine oil additives ...................... 307
Air conditioner
refrigerant ................................. 307
Brake fluid ...................................... 307
Premium unleaded
gasoline ...................................... 308
Fuel requirements ........................ 308
Gasoline additives ......................... 309
Coolants .......................................... 309
Consumer information .................. 311
IndexIndex ................................................ 313

7 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible
for them, even if in individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance
or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.