checking oil MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE 2003 C209 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 239
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 240
Driving instructions ............................ 241
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 241
Drinking and driving ..................... 241
Pedals .......................................... 241
Power assistance ......................... 241
Brakes .......................................... 242
Driving off..................................... 243
Parking ......................................... 243
Tires ............................................. 244
Hydroplaning ................................ 245
Tire traction .................................. 245
Tire speed rating .......................... 245
Winter driving instructions ........... 246
Standing water ............................. 247
Passenger compartment .............. 247
Driving abroad .............................. 247
Control and operation of
radio transmitters......................... 248
Catalytic converter ....................... 248
Emission control........................... 249
Coolant temperature .................... 250At the gas station .............................. 251
Check regularly and
before a long trip.......................... 252
Engine compartment ......................... 253
Hood ............................................ 253
Engine oil ..................................... 254
Transmission fluid level ................ 256
Coolant ........................................ 256
Battery ......................................... 258
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 259
Tires and wheels ................................ 260
Important guidelines .................... 261
Life of tires ................................... 261
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 262
Rotating wheels ........................... 263
Winter driving .................................... 264
Winter tires .................................. 264
Block heater* ............................... 265
Snow chains ................................. 265Maintenance...................................... 266
Clearing the service indicator ...... 266
Service term exceeded ................ 266
Calling up the service indicator .... 267
Resetting the service indicator .... 267
Vehicle care....................................... 268
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 268

254 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from the vehicle and do not open the
hood until the engine has cooled. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.

256 OperationEngine compartment
Screw the cap back on the filler neck.
Other display messages
If there is excessive engine oil with the en-
gine at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
Engine oil level Reduce oil level!
Have excess oil siphoned.
If the key is not turned to position 2 in the
starter switch:
Turn on ignition to see engine oil
level!
Switch on the ignition.If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
Wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level Not when engine on! 
Turn off the engine. If engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature, wait five
minutes before checking oil. If the en-
gine is not yet at normal operating tem-
perature, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
See “Practical hints” (
page 294) if the
engine oil level indicator lights up in the
display while the engine is running.More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data”
(
page 353).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
!Excessive oil must be siphoned or
drained off. It could cause damage to
the engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press the
k
or
j
but-
ton on the multifunction steering
wheel.

300 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
<
Front passenger
seat belt
Please fasten belt!
The display reminds you and your passen-
gers to fasten seat belts.

Fasten the seat belts.
Driver’s seat belt
Fasten seat belt!
The display reminds you and your passen-
gers to fasten seat belts.

Fasten the seat belts.
_
Steering oil
Visit workshop!
The steering gear oil level is too low.
There is a danger of steering gear dam-
age.

Have the system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the level of steering gear oil in reservoir is
too low, the steering power assistance could
fail. Much greater effort will then be needed
to turn the steering wheel.
Do not add steering oil without checking the
steering system.
Do not drive the vehicle. Have the system
checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

370 IndexBulbs, replacing 316
Additional turn signals 317
Backup lamps 317
Brake lamps 317
Fog lamps 317
Front lamps 317
High beam 317
High mounted brake lamp 317
License plate lamps 317, 322
Low beam 317
Parking lamps 317, 319, 321
Rear fog lamp 317
Rear fog lamps 322
Side marker lamps 317, 321
Standing lamps 317, 319, 321
Tail lamp assemblies 317, 322
Turn signal lamps 317
Button
Audio system 168C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 362
Calling up
Distronic* settings 121
Range (distance to empty) 137
Service indicator 267
CAN system 362
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 351
Cargo tie-down rings 218
Casette mode
Playing cassettes 174
Cassette player
Operating 121
Catalytic converter 248
CD changer* 178
CD mode 178
CD player
Operating 120
Center console 25
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 282
Lower part 26
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 126Central locking
Automatic 95
From inside 95
Switch 95
Switching on/off (control system) 133
Unlocking from inside 95
Central locking switch 95
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with KEY-
LESS-GO*) 312
Batteries (SmartKey) 312
Key setting 133
Changing CDs 178
Charcoal filter 161
Activating 161
Deactivating 161
Charging
Vehicle battery 330
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 280
Checking
Coolant level 256
Oil level 252, 254
Tire inflate pressure 252
Vehicle lighting 252

375 Index
Emergency tensioning device see ETD 65,
363
Emission control 249
Emission control label 342
Ending
A call (telephone) 139
Engine
Compartment 253
Message in display 280
Starting 43
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 44
Starting with the key 44
Technical data 344
Turning off with the key 51
Engine cleaning 270
Engine compartment 253
Fuse box in 337
Hood 253
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 23, 280
Engine number 363Engine oil 254, 353
Adding 255
Additives 353
Checking level 254
Consumption 254
Display messages 294
Filler neck 255
Messages in display 256
Viscosity 363
Engine oil level see Oil level 252
ESP 23, 76, 363
Messages in display 293
Switching off 78
Switching on 78
Warning lamp 276
ETD 363
Safety guidelines 60
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 65
Exterior lamp switch 105
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 38
Parking position for 135, 150F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 126
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 195
Distronic* 202
First aid kit 305
Flat tire 324
Lowering the vehicle 328
Minispare wheel 307
Mounting the Minispare wheel 324
Preparing the vehicle 324
Flexible Service System (FSS) 266, 363
Floormats* 225
Fog lamp, rear 107, 317
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 317
Fog lamps, front
Messages in display 298
Replacing bulbs 318
Switching on 107
Front airbags 61

381 Index
Mirrors
Adjusting 38
Automatic antiglare for rear view mirror
149
Exterior rear view mirror 38
Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tion 150
Exterior rear view mirror parking posi-
tions 135
Inside rear view mirror 38
Storing exterior mirror parking position
103
MON 251
MON (Motor Octane Number) 364
Mph or km/h in speedometer 126
Multicontour seat* 100
Multifunction display 114, 364
Selecting language 127
Standard display 118
Multifunction display messages
ABS 284
BAS 285
Battery 303
Brake fluid 287
Brake pads 286
Check engine 280Coolant 290
Coolant level 289
Display 304
Distronic* 292
Doors 292
Engine 280
ESP 293
Fuel reserve tank 296
Hood 296
Key 296
Lamps 296–299
Parking brake 299
Selector lever 292
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 288
Steering gear oil level 300
Tele Aid 301
Telephone* 301
Trunk 301
Washer fluid 301
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 115, 364
Buttons 115N
Navigation system
Operating 121
See separate COMAND* operating in-
structions
Night security illumination 107
O
Occupant safety 56
Airbags 57
Children and airbags 58
Children in the vehicle 66
Fastening the seat belt 40
Infant and child restraint systems 66
LATCH child seat mounts 71
Seat belts 40, 60
Odometer, main 23
Oil
Adding 255
Checking level 254
Consumption 254
Filler neck 255
Viscosity 363
Oil level
Checking 252