transmission MERCEDES-BENZ CLK55AMG COUPE 2005 C209 Owner's Manual

Contents
Control system .................................. 137
Multifunction display .................... 137
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 138
Menus .......................................... 140
Standard display menu ................ 142
AUDIO menu ................................ 143
NAV* menu .................................. 144
Vehicle status
message memory menu ............... 145
Settings menu .............................. 146
Trip computer menu..................... 160
TEL menu* ................................... 162
Automatic transmission ..................... 165
One-touch gearshifting................. 167
Gear ranges ................................. 168
Gear selector lever position ......... 169
Automatic shift program .............. 170
Driving tips ................................... 171
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift)
- CLK 500 and CLK 55 AMG ......... 172
Manual shift program
CLK 55 AMG ................................ 175
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 177Good visibility ..................................... 178
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 178
Rear view mirrors.......................... 178
Sun visors ..................................... 181
Rear window sunshade* ............... 182
Rear window defroster .................. 183
Climate control (CLK 320) .................. 184
Deactivating the
climate control system ................. 187
Setting the temperature................ 187
Adjusting air distribution
and volume ................................... 188
Defrosting ..................................... 189
Air recirculation mode .................. 190
Air conditioning............................. 191
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents....................... 193
Automatic climate control
(CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)..................... 194
Deactivating the
automatic climate control system. 197
Setting the temperature................ 197
Adjusting air distribution............... 198
Adjusting air volume ..................... 199
Defrosting ..................................... 200
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 200Air recirculation mode .................. 201
Charcoal filter ............................... 202
Air conditioning ............................ 204
Residual heat and ventilation*
(available on Automatic climate
control panel design A only) ......... 205
Rear passenger compartment
adjustable air vents ...................... 206
Audio system...................................... 207
Audio and telephone, operation .... 207
Operating safety ........................... 207
Operating and display elements ... 208
Button and soft key operation ...... 210
Operation...................................... 210
Radio operation ............................ 215
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 220
CD mode....................................... 225
GSM network phones ................... 232
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 238
Emergency calls “911” ................. 245
Power windows .................................. 247
Opening and
closing the windows ..................... 247
Synchronizing power windows ...... 250

ContentsPower tilt/sliding sunroof* ................ 251
Opening and closing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 251
Synchronizing
the power tilt/sliding sunroof ...... 254
Driving systems ................................. 255
Cruise control............................... 255
Parktronic system
(Parking assist)* ........................... 260
Loading .............................................. 264
Roof rack ...................................... 264
Ski sack* ...................................... 264
Split rear bench seat .................... 267
Loading instructions ..................... 269
Cargo tie-down rings .................... 271
Useful features .................................. 272
Storage compartments................. 272
Cup holders .................................. 275
Ashtrays ....................................... 276
Cigarette lighter ........................... 277
Electrical outlet in the
rear passenger compartment ....... 278
Floormats* ................................... 278
Telephone*................................... 279
Tele Aid ........................................ 280
Garage door opener ..................... 287
Operation......................................... 293
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 294
Driving instructions............................ 295
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 295
Drinking and driving ..................... 295
Pedals .......................................... 295
Power assistance ......................... 295
Brakes .......................................... 296
Driving off .................................... 297
Parking ......................................... 297
Tires ............................................. 298
Hydroplaning ................................ 299
Tire traction.................................. 299
Tire speed rating .......................... 300
Winter driving instructions ........... 301
Standing water ............................. 302
Passenger compartment .............. 302
Driving abroad.............................. 302
Control and operation
of radio transmitters .................... 302
Catalytic converter ....................... 303
Emission control .......................... 304
Coolant temperature .................... 304At the gas station .............................. 305
Refueling ...................................... 305
Check regularly and
before a long trip ......................... 307
Engine compartment ......................... 308
Hood ............................................ 308
Engine oil ..................................... 309
Transmission fluid level ................ 312
Coolant ........................................ 313
Battery ......................................... 314
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 315
Tires and wheels................................ 316
Important guidelines .................... 316
Tire care and maintenance........... 317
Direction of rotation..................... 319
Loading the vehicle ...................... 319
Recommended
tire inflation pressure ................... 325
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 327
Tire labeling ................................. 328
Load identification ....................... 332
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 333
Maximum tire load ....................... 334
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 335

28 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Ashtray
Cigarette lighter
276
277
2
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
35
3
Storage compartment
273
4
Program mode selector
switch for automatic trans-
mission

Automatic shift
program


Manual shift program
(CLK 55 AMG)
170
176
5
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
166

47 Getting started
Driving
Automatic transmissionGearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 165).Starting with the SmartKey

Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.

Do not depress accelerator

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 (
page 34) and release it
again immediately (“touch-start”).
The engine then starts automatically.

Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine
with the SmartKey, see (
page 56).Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the
gear selector lever.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button1KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
(U.S. vehicles)
2KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
(Canada vehicles)


50 Getting startedDriving
For more information on driving, see “Driv-
ing instructions” (
page 295).
Switching on headlamps
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 124).
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.
Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
iWait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofPorN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.!Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the
brake reduces engine performance and
causes premature brake and drivetrain
wear.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!Place the gear selector lever in
positionRorP only when the vehicle is
stopped in order to avoid damaging the
transmission.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service
life of the engine.

93 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Climate control (CLK 320)
Automatic climate control (CLK 500/CLK 55 AMG)
Audio system
Power windows
Power tilt/sliding sunroof*
Driving systems
Loading
Useful features

137 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1 or as soon as the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button is in
position1. The control system enables you
to

call up information about your vehicle


change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Outside temperature
2Trip odometer
3Automatic transmission program mode
4Main odometer
5Current gear selector lever position
For more information on menus displayed
in the multifunction display, see “Menus”
(page 140).
iThe displays for the audio systems (ra-
dio, CD player) will appear in English,
regardless of the language selected.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his /her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others,
selecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approxi-
mately 14 m) every second.

165 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
For more information on driving with an
automatic transmission see “Automatic
transmission” (page 47).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its shift program.
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

the gear selector lever
positionD(
page 169) with
gear ranges (page 168)


the selected program mode:
(C/S) (
page 170)
or
(M/C/S) (CLK 55 AMG only)
(
page 175)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 171)


the vehicle speed
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.

166 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission1Current gear range/gear selector lever
position
2Current program mode
The current gear range/gear selector lever
position and program mode (
C/S) or
(
M/C/S) appear in the multifunction
display.An additional indication of the current gear
selector lever position can be found on the
cover of the shifting-gate.
The indicators come on when you activate
a switch (e.g. unlocking the vehicle or
opening a door) and go out after approxi-
mately 15 minutes.
When the gear selector lever is in
positionD, you can influence transmission
shifting by:


limiting the gear range


changing gears manually
Warning!
G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector
lever out ofP orN if the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not
firmly on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking po-
sition P only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

167 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
One-touch gearshifting
Even with an automatic transmission you
can change the gears manually when the
gear selector lever is in positionD.
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next lower gear as permitted by
the shift program. This action
simultaneously limits the gear range of the
transmission (
page 168).Upshifting

Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear to the next higher gear as permitted
by the shift program. This action simul-
taneously extends the gear range of the
transmission.Canceling gear range limit

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD+direction until
D reappears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission will shift from the current
gear range directly to gear rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range

Press and hold the gear selector lever
in theD-direction.
The transmission will automatically select
the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more gears.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
the gear selector lever is moved to
theD-direction, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.