🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Mercedes-Benz

Model:

CLK-Class

Model Variant:

CLK430 Cabriolet

Year:

2003

Generation Code:

A208

Chassis Code:

A208.370

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Luxury Grand Tourer / Personal Luxury Coupe/Convertible

Target Audience:

Affluent individuals seeking a stylish, comfortable, and high-performance convertible with the prestige of the Mercedes-Benz brand.

Key Competitors:

BMW 3 Series Convertible, Audi A4 Cabriolet, Lexus SC Series Convertible, Porsche Boxster (though more sport-focused).

Styling:

Elegant and timeless design, classic Mercedes-Benz proportions, power-retractable soft top.

Performance:

Strong V8 engine providing ample power and torque for comfortable cruising and spirited driving.

Comfort:

Luxurious interior appointments, comfortable seating, and advanced climate control systems.

📋 Manual Details

Primary Coverage:

Owner's Operation, Maintenance, and Basic Troubleshooting

Secondary Coverage:

Vehicle Systems, Controls, Features, and Specifications

Estimated Page Count:

Approximately 300-400 pages (typical for this model)

Type:

Owner's Manual

Language:

English

Format:

Digital PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Instrument Cluster:

Detailed explanation of all gauges, warning lights, and indicators.

Entertainment Systems:

Operation of Audio system (COMAND or Audio 10/20 depending on original equipment), CD player, antenna, and speaker system.

Climate Controls:

Operation of automatic climate control (THERMATIC or THERMOTRONIC), air conditioning, heating, ventilation, and recirculate functions.

Lighting:

Exterior and interior lighting controls, including headlights (automatic on/off, leveling), fog lights, interior dome lights, and ambient lighting.

Driver Controls:

Steering wheel controls, cruise control, windshield wipers and washers (including rain sensor if equipped), power windows, mirrors, and seat adjustments.

Locks And Security:

Central locking system, remote key fob operation, keyless entry, immobilizer, and anti-theft alarm system.

Seating And Safety Restraints:

Seat adjustment (manual/power), headrest adjustment, seatbelt operation and adjustment, front and side airbags, and child seat installation (ISOFIX where applicable).

Driving:

Starting and stopping the engine, gear selection (automatic transmission), parking brake, fuel economy advice, and driving in various conditions.

Customer Assistance:

Contact information for roadside assistance, dealership services, and warranty inquiries.

Reporting Safety Defects:

Information on reporting safety-related defects in the United States.

Cleaning:

Exterior and interior cleaning recommendations, including soft top care for the Cabriolet.

Maintenance And Specifications:

Overview of scheduled maintenance and general vehicle specifications.

Engine Compartment:

Identification of key components under the hood (e.g., coolant reservoir, brake fluid reservoir, power steering fluid reservoir, oil fill cap).

Engine Oil:

Oil level check procedure, recommended oil types and viscosity grades.

Battery:

Battery location, jump starting procedures, and maintenance recommendations.

Fuel Information:

Recommended fuel octane rating, refueling procedures, and fuel filler flap operation.

Air Filter:

Location and general information about the engine air filter(s).

Part Numbers:

Likely limited to basic user-replaceable parts like bulbs or wiper blades, not comprehensive service part numbers.

Refill Capacities:

Capacities for engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid, and potentially convertible top hydraulic fluid.

Lubricant Specifications:

Recommendations for various fluids and lubricants used in the vehicle (e.g., engine oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, differential fluid).

Accessories:

Information on factory-installed or optional accessories and their operation (e.g., tow hitch, ski rack provisions).

Service Information And Specifications:

General guidance on service, recommended checks, and key technical specifications relevant to the owner.

Maintenance Information And Specifications:

Details on routine maintenance tasks and recommended intervals.

Routine Checks:

Checking engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid levels.

Basic Maintenance:

Replacing windshield wiper blades, checking tire pressure, refueling procedures.

Safety Features Operation:

Correct use of seatbelts, airbags, and child restraint systems.

Convertible Top Operation:

Detailed steps for operating the power-operated soft top, including any associated latches or safety precautions.

Emergency Procedures:

Jump starting, changing a flat tire (location of spare, jack, tools), and emergency braking.

Interior Care:

Cleaning procedures for upholstery, dashboard, and interior trim.

Exterior Care:

Washing, waxing, and care for the paintwork and convertible top fabric.

Depth:

Owner-focused, covering operation, basic checks, and common user-level maintenance. Does not include in-depth diagnostic procedures or component-level repair instructions.

📊 Manual Specifications

Compatibility:

Requires PDF reader (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader, Foxit Reader) and compatible with all devices capable of reading PDFs.

Searchability:

Typically searchable text within the PDF, allowing quick access to specific information.

Quality:

Digital compilation from factory original, so quality is dependent on the source scan/digital file. Assumed to be clear and legible.

Binding:

N/A (Digital PDF)

Paper Type:

N/A (Digital PDF)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Code:

M113 E43

Engine Type:

4.3L V8 SOHC

Displacement:

4266 cc (260.3 cu in)

Bore X Stroke:

89.9 mm x 84.0 mm (3.54 in x 3.31 in)

Compression Ratio:

10.0:1

Horsepower:

275 hp @ 5750 rpm

Torque:

295 lb-ft @ 3000-4250 rpm

Fuel Delivery:

Sequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (SFI)

Recommended Fuel:

Premium Unleaded gasoline, 91 octane (or higher)

Emission Standards:

Meets Tier 1 emission standards for the model year.

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type:

5-speed Automatic Transmission

Transmission Model:

722.6 '5G-TRONIC'

Shift Modes:

Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes.

Fluid Type:

MB 236.10 or equivalent ATF (e.g., Mobil ATF 134, Red Line D4 ATF)

📐 Dimensions

Length:

184.0 in (4674 mm)

Width:

69.5 in (1765 mm)

Height:

53.8 in (1367 mm)

Wheelbase:

106.7 in (2710 mm)

Seating Capacity:

4

Trunk Volume Convertible Up:

Approximately 13.2 cu ft (374 L)

Trunk Volume Convertible Down:

Approximately 9.4 cu ft (266 L)

Curb Weight:

Approximately 3700 - 3800 lbs (1680 - 1725 kg)

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:

Approximately 4700 lbs (2130 kg)

🛡️ Safety Features

NHTSA Front Crash Test:

Likely 4-star or 5-star (based on comparable Mercedes-Benz models of the era)

IIHS Side Crash Test:

Likely Good or Acceptable (based on comparable Mercedes-Benz models of the era)

Traction Control:

ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation)

Electronic Stability:

ESP (Electronic Stability Program)

Braking System:

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), BAS (Brake Assist System), possibly EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution)

Headlight Control:

Automatic Headlight Control (ALC), Headlight Washers (often standard on CLK430)

Airbags:

Front airbags (driver and passenger), front side-impact airbags.

Rollover Protection:

Integrated roll bars within the windshield frame and pop-up roll bars behind the rear headrests (deploy in case of rollover detection).

Seatbelts:

Three-point inertia-reel seatbelts with belt tensioners and force limiters, automatic seat belt presenters.

💡 Technology Features

Head Unit Options:

Typically featured COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation) system or the simpler Audio 10/20. COMAND offered navigation, radio, CD, and sometimes cassette. Base audio featured a radio and CD player.

Speaker System:

Premium sound systems often included multiple speakers strategically placed throughout the cabin, sometimes with a subwoofer.

Cruise Control:

Standard electronic cruise control with steering wheel mounted buttons.

Rain Sensing Wipers:

Optional feature that automatically adjusts wiper speed based on detected rainfall.

Auto Dimming Mirrors:

Rearview mirror and sometimes side mirrors automatically dim to reduce glare from headlights.

Phone Integration:

Optional hands-free telephone system with integrated microphone and speaker, often requiring a specific cradle or adapter for older mobile phones.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval:

Typically every 10,000 miles (16,000 km) or 12 months, whichever comes first, using synthetic oil.

Major Service Interval:

Major services (e.g., spark plugs, transmission service, coolant flush) typically recommended at intervals like 30,000 miles, 60,000 miles, or 100,000 miles, with specific items varying.

Brake Fluid Flush:

Every 2 years, regardless of mileage.

Coolant Change:

Initial change at ~15,000 miles (or as specified), then typically every 30,000 miles thereafter using long-life coolant.

Engine Oil:

API SJ/SL or higher; SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40 full synthetic (e.g., Mobil 1 0W-40, Pentosin High Performance II 0W-40).

Coolant:

MB-Approval 325.0 (Blue Antifreeze Concentrate, e.g., Pentofrost Plus).

Brake Fluid:

DOT 4 Plus (or DOT 4) low viscosity, high boiling point brake fluid (e.g., Ate Typ 200).

Power Steering Fluid:

MB-Approval 236.3 (e.g., Pentosin CHF 7.1 or equivalent).

Windshield Washer Fluid:

Mixture of distilled water and Mercedes-Benz approved washer fluid concentrate or a quality summer/winter blend.

Common Wear Items:

Suspension components (control arm bushings, ball joints, sway bar links), O2 sensors, MAF sensor, blower motor resistor, window regulators.

Convertible Top Mechanism:

Hydraulic hoses and pump can develop leaks. Fabric top may show wear or discoloration over time. Frame mechanisms can require lubrication.

Electronics:

Occasional issues with the CAN bus system, SAM (Signal Acquisition Module) failures, and COMAND head unit glitches.

Engine Misfires:

Can be caused by faulty ignition coils, spark plugs, or fuel injectors on the M113 engine.

📚 Vehicle History

Heritage:

Mercedes-Benz boasts a long history of producing luxurious and technologically advanced vehicles, dating back to the first automobile invented by Karl Benz in 1886. Known for engineering excellence and safety innovation.

Generation:

The A208 CLK-Class was based on the W202 C-Class platform, sharing many components but featuring unique styling and bodywork. It succeeded the W124 E-Class Coupe/Convertible. The CLK430 variant was introduced to offer a more potent V8 engine option.

Production Years:

The A208 CLK-Class was produced from 1997 to 2003. The CLK430 model was available during this period, with the 2003 model year being the final year for this generation before the introduction of the W209 CLK-Class.

Manufacturing Location:

Germany

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Car And Driver 10Best:

While the CLK430 itself might not have made a specific '10Best' list, the CLK-Class as a whole was highly regarded for its blend of performance and luxury, often appearing on 'best of' lists for its segment.

Safety Ratings General:

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are historically known for strong safety performance, and the CLK-Class typically adhered to high safety standards for its era.