tow MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG 2006 C209 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 61
Occupant safety................................... 62
Air bags .......................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 69
Active head restraints .................... 73
Roll bars ......................................... 74
Children in the vehicle .................... 75
Blocking of rear side
window operation ........................... 85
Panic alarm .......................................... 86
Activating ....................................... 86
Deactivating ................................... 86
Driving safety systems ......................... 87
ABS ................................................ 87
BAS ................................................ 88
ESP
®.............................................. 89
Anti-theft systems................................ 92
Immobilizer..................................... 92
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 92
Tow-away alarm ............................. 94
Controls in detail............................... 95
Locking and unlocking ......................... 96
SmartKey ....................................... 96
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 100
Opening the doors
from the inside ............................. 107
Opening the trunk ........................ 108
Closing the trunk.......................... 110
Trunk emergency release ............. 115
Valet locking ................................ 116
Automatic central locking ............ 117
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................. 118
Seats ................................................. 119
Front seat active head restraints . 119
Rear seat head restraints ............. 119
Multicontour seat* ....................... 121
Seat heating* ............................... 122
Seat ventilation* .......................... 123
Memory function ............................... 124
Storing positions into memory ..... 125
Recalling positions from memory . 125
Storing exterior rear view
mirror parking position................. 126Lighting ............................................. 127
Exterior lamp switch .................... 127
Combination switch ..................... 131
Corner-illuminating front
fog lamps* (CLK with
Bi-Xenon* headlamps)................. 132
Hazard warning flasher ................ 133
Interior lighting ............................ 134
Door entry lamps ......................... 135
Trunk lamp ................................... 135
Instrument cluster ............................. 136
Instrument cluster illumination .... 136
Coolant temperature indicator ..... 137
Trip odometer .............................. 137
Tachometer.................................. 138
Outside temperature indicator ..... 138
Control system .................................. 139
Multifunction display.................... 140
Multifunction steering wheel........ 140
Menus .......................................... 142
Standard display menu ................ 144
AUDIO menu ................................ 145
NAV* menu .................................. 146
Vehicle status
message memory menu ............... 146
Settings menu.............................. 148

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

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety
standards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made
may produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore
never turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage to and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the
vehicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair
facility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself.
Removal of any of these labels may cause
you and others to be unaware of certain
risks which may result in an accident and/or
personal injury.

27 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Seat heater*, driver’s side
Seat ventilation*, driver’s
side
122
123
2
Parktronic system* deacti-
vation switch (Canada only)
272
3
ESP
® control switch
89
4
Hazard warning flasher
switch - switching on/off
133
5
Central unlocking switch
Central locking switch
118
118
6
Switch for lowering rear
seat head restraints
120
7
Tow-away alarm switch
Anti-theft alarm system
indicator lamp
94
94
Item
Page
8
Seat heater*,
passenger side
Seat ventilation*,
passenger side
122
123
9
Front passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
81,
381
a
Audio system,
or
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
145
b
Climate control (CLK 350)
Automatic climate control
(CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)
Rear window defroster
186
196,
185

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows:
Parking brake
1Release handle
2Parking brake pedal
Step firmly on parking brake pedal2.
When the engine is running, the
warning lamp;(USA only)
or3(Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster will be illuminated.
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
vehicle.Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Warning!
G
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of inadvertent vehicle movement, be-
fore turning off the engine and leaving the
vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheel towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press
start / stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).


Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.

58 Getting startedParking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(page 52).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 127).
Turning off the engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Turning off the engine with the
SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
(page 34) to position0 and remove
it.
The immobilizer is activated.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Children could release the
parking brake and/or move the gear selec-
tor lever from positionP, either of which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever not fully engaged in positionP is
dangerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (
page 168).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheels
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the curb.iThe SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.

90 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(page 373).Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP
® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:


when driving with snow chains


in deep snow


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or dan-
gerous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP
®’s automatic
operation, the engine must be shut off
when


the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
®
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
iThe ESP
® will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a Minis-
pare or collapsible tire is mounted.

93 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Arming the alarm system
The indicator lamp is in the switch for the
tow-away alarm in the center console.
1Indicator lamp
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the alarm system is
activated. Indicator lamp1 begins to
flash after approximately 30 seconds
after arming the alarm system.Disarming the alarm system

Unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash once to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed.Canceling the alarm
With the SmartKey

Press the Œ or ‹button on the
SmartKey.
or

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Pull an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash
three times, one of the following
elements may not be properly closed:

a door


the trunk
Close the respective element and lock
the vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally after approximately 40 seconds if
neither a door nor the trunk lid was
opened.

94 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsTow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 in switch1 comes
on briefly.

Exit and lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) the lock button on each
outside door handle or trunk.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock the vehicle again.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is
triggered, for example, if the vehicle is
lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response
Center is initiated automatically by the
Tele Aid system (
page 289) provided
Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary
cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
iWhen you unlock the vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically. The tow-away alarm
remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is switched on.

117 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking

Close the trunk (
page 110).

Pull the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 419).

Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position2 and remove the mechani-
cal key in that position to lock the
trunk.
The trunk remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked.

Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to neutral position1 and remove
the mechanical key in that position to
unlock the trunk.
You can now open the trunk
(page 108).
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk automatically lock
when the ignition is switched on and the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
You can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic locking
mode using the control system, see “Set-
ting automatic locking” (
page 159).
iYou can only cancel the separate trunk
locking mode by means of the
mechanical key.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact
exceeds a preset threshold.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking when the vehicle

is pushed or towed


is on a test stand