2006 Mercedes CLK-Class Owner's Manual - Page 368

Operation Vehicle care Automatic car wash You can have your car washed in an automatic car wash from the start. Automatic car washes without brushes are preferable. If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before running it through the automatic car wash. i After running the vehicle through an automatic car wash, wipe any wax off of the windshield ( page 370). This will prevent smears and reduce wiping noise which can be caused by residual wax on the windshield. When leaving the car wash, make sure that the mirrors are folded out. Otherwise they may vibrate. Soft top Clean soft top with soft top raised and locked. Lower the soft top into the storage compartment only if the soft top is completely dry. If the soft top is kept in the storage compartment for a lengthy period, raise it and air out with the windows open about every 4 months. Light colored soft tops should be cleaned frequently to prevent spots and dirt from setting in, which could stain and discolor the soft top material permanently. ! Remove bird droppings immediately. The organic acid damages the material and causes the soft top to leak. Never use a power washer to clean the soft top, as you may damage the soft top material. Do not use sharp-edged instruments for the removal of ice and snow. Never use hot-wax when you run the vehicle through an automatic car wash, as you may damage the soft top material. ! Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in exterior rear view mirrors prior to running the vehicle through an automatic car wash to prevent damage to the mirrors. Make sure that the combination switch is set to 0 ( page 53). Otherwise, the rain sensor could activate and cause the wipers to move unintentionally. This may lead to vehicle damage. i Depending on the operation mode of the car wash, there is the possibility of water drops entering the vehicle's interior. This is not an indication of a defect or malfunction in the soft top. 367