
1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information  .......................... 5
Operator’s manual  ............................. 6
Where to find it  ................................ 11
Reporting Safety Defects  ................ 13Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls  ............... 16
Center console  .............................. 18
Overhead control panel  ............... 19OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 22
Remote control with 
folding master key  ...................... 22
Start lock-out  .................................... 24
General notes on the 
central locking system  ............... 24
Central locking system  ................... 25
Remote control  ............................. 25
Panic button  .................................. 27
Doors .................................................. 28Central locking switch .................... 30
Automatic central locking ...............31
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident  .......................... 32
Trunk ................................................. 33
Emergency release
for trunk lid  ................................. 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 37
Seats  .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system  .......................... 44
Seat belts  .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag 
deactivation system  ................... 50
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child
seat installed  .................................51
Supplemental restraint 
system (SRS)  ................................51
Emergency tensioning 
retractor (ETR)  ............................ 52Airbags  .............................................. 52
Safety guidelines for the 
seat belt, emergency 
tensioning retractor
and airbag  .................................... 59
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 61
Adjusting telescoping 
steering column  .......................... 63
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 64
Instrument cluster  ........................... 68
Flexible service
system (FSS)  ................................ 75
Checking engine oil level  ............... 77
Engine oil consumption  .................. 78
Exterior lamp switch  ....................... 79
Headlamp cleaning system  ............ 80
Combination switch  ........................ 81
Hazard warning flasher
switch ............................................ 83
Climate control ................................. 84
Rear window defroster  .................... 88
Audio and telephone, 
operation  ...................................... 91 

3 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster  ......................................... 178
On-board diagnostic system  ..... 178
Check engine malfunction 
indicator lamp ............................. 178
Brake warning lamp  .................. 179
Brake pad wear 
indicator lamp ............................. 180
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp  .............................. 180
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp ............................. 180
Fuel reserve and fuel cap 
placement warning  .................... 181
Electronic stability 
program (ESP) —
warning lamp  .............................. 181
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 181
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 182Telescoping steering 
column warning lamp  ................182
Low engine coolant level 
warning lamp  ..............................183
Low windshield and
headlamp washer system
f luid level warning lamp  ...........183
Low engine oil level
warning lamp  ..............................184
Charge indicator lamp  ...............184
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp  .............................185
Additional function 
indicator lamps 
(in the odometer display)  ..........185
Malfunction and indicator 
lamp in the center console .......185
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp  .............................185
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  ......................................188
Stowing things
in the vehicle  .............................188Fuses  ................................................ 188
Hood  ................................................. 190
Automatic transmission
fluid level  ................................... 192
Checking engine oil level  ............. 193
Coolant level  ................................... 194
Adding coolant  ........................... 194
Windshield and
headlamp washer system  ........ 195
Air pump, spare wheel, 
vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................ 196
Vehicle jack ..................................... 197
Wheels  ............................................. 198
Tire replacement  ........................ 198
Rotating wheels  .......................... 199
Spare wheel  ....................................200
Spare wheel bolts ....................... 201
Changing wheels  ...........................202
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire  .....................................207
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well  ...................................208
Tire inflation pressure  ..................209 

4 Contents
Battery  ............................................. 210
Jump starting  .................................. 212
Towing the vehicle ......................... 214
Transmission selector lever, 
manually unlocking .................. 217
Exterior lamps  ................................ 218
Headlamp assembly ................... 219
Taillamp assemblies  ..................222
Changing batteries in the 
remote control  ...........................224
Synchronizing 
remote control  ............................225
Emergency engine shut-down  .....226
Raising hardtop manually  ............226
Replacing wiper blade insert  ....... 231
Antenna  ...........................................232
Manual release of
fuel filler flap .............................232
Vehicle careCleaning and care 
of the vehicle  .............................234
Power washer ..............................235Paintwork, painted body 
components  ................................ 235
Tar stains  .................................... 235
Engine cleaning  ......................... 236
Vehicle washing  ......................... 236
Headlamps, taillamps, 
turn signal lenses  ...................... 237
Window cleaning  ....................... 237
Rear window cleaning  .............. 237
Wiper blades  .............................. 238
Light alloy wheels  ..................... 238
Instrument cluster ..................... 238
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever  ..................... 239
Cup holder  .................................. 239
Hard plastic trim items ............. 239
Plastic and rubber parts  ........... 239
Headliner and shelf
behind roll bars .......................... 239
Upholstery  .................................. 239
Seat belts ..................................... 240
Technical data
Spare parts service  ........................242
Warranty coverage  .........................242
Identification labels  ......................243
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............245
Technical data  ................................248
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
etc. – capacities  .........................252
Engine oils  ......................................254
Engine oil additives  .......................254
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........254
Brake fluid  ......................................254
Premium unleaded gasoline  ........255
Fuel requirements  .........................255
Gasoline additives  .........................256
Coolants ...........................................256
Consumer information  ..................258IndexIndex  ................................................260 

20 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys  ...................................... 22
Remote control
with folding master key  ............. 22
Start lock-out  .................................... 24
General notes on
the central locking system  ........ 24
Central locking system  ................... 25
Remote control  ............................. 25
Panic button  .................................. 27
Doors .................................................. 28
Central locking switch  .................... 30
Automatic central locking  .............. 31
Emergency unlocking in case of 
accident  ........................................ 32
Trunk  ................................................. 33Emergency release for trunk lid  ... 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm  ............................... 37
Seats  .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and integrated restraint 
system  .......................................... 44
Seat belts  .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage 
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system  .......................................... 50
Self-test BabySmart
TM without 
special child seat installed  ..........51
Supplemental restraint system 
(SRS)  ..............................................51
Emergency tensioning retractor 
(ETR) ............................................. 52Airbags  .............................................. 52
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, 
emergency tensioning retractor 
and airbag  .................................... 59
Infant and child 
restraint systems ......................... 61
Adjusting telescoping steering 
column  .......................................... 63
Rear view mirrors  ............................ 64
Instrument cluster  ........................... 68
Flexible service system (FSS)  ........ 75
Checking engine
oil level  ......................................... 77
Engine oil consumption  .................. 78
Exterior lamp switch  ....................... 79
Headlamp cleaning system  ............ 80
Combination switch  ........................ 81 

70 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 182
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged, see page 179
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged, see page 179
BAS malfunction, see page 181
ESP malfunction, see page 181
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition, 
see page 181
Fasten seat belts, see page 180
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp 
washer system low, see page 183
Coolant level low, see page 183
Engine oil level low, see page 184Brake pads worn down, see page 180
Battery not being charged properly, 
see page 184
Exterior lamp failure, see page 185
Telescoping steering column not locked, 
see page 182
SRS malfunction, see page 180
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the 
malfunction indicator lamp comes on when 
the engine is running, it indicates a 
malfunction of the fuel management system, 
emission control system, systems which 
impact emissions, or the fuel cap is not 
c l o se d  t i g h t. I n  a l l  c a se s,  w e  r e c o m m e n d  t h a t  
you have the malfunction checked as soon as 
possible, see page 178
Function indicator lamp on the center console
Front passenger airbag automatically 
switched off, see page 185
ABS
AIRBAGOFF 

77 Checking engine oil level 
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Checking engine oil level 
(model SLK 320)
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2 and 
wait until the symbols : and I appear in the 
odometer display field.
Within 1 second press left button on the instrument 
cluster twice.The following messages are available:
“OK”
“-1.0 Q” (Canada: -1.0 L)
“-1.5 Q” (Canada: -1.5 L)
“-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L)
If the message “-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L) blinks and a 
signal sounds, add oil to upper (max) mark of the 
dipstick.
“HI”
The message “HI” blinks and a signal sounds.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could 
cause damage to engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The symbol I f la sh es in th e od ome ter display f ield  if 
a proper oil level check cannot be performed.
The oil level check can be repeated after a short time.
Perform the oil level check with the dipstick, if it cannot 
be compl eted  via t he od ometer display f iel d. In t his case 
we recommend that you have the system checked at a 
Mercedes-Benz Center. 

78 Checking engine oil level 
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the symbols : and I are continuously 
illuminated after pressing button “1” on the instrument 
cluster twice and there is no change in the odometer 
display field or the low engine oil level warning lamp 
comes on, a malfunction has occurred to the system. 
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick.
If no oil leaks are noted continue to drive to the nearest 
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the system checked.Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made 
after the break-in period. During the break-in period, 
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal. 
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in 
increased consumption. 

161 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil 
which is not approved for winter operation. For 
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity, 
see page 252.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze 
concentration.•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a 
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze 
which is formulated for below freezing 
temperatures, see page 195.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing 
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps 
to ensure t ha t t he engine c an be sta rted, even at l ow  
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on 
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe 
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated radial-
ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the 
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability 
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated 
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by 
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure 
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and 
from around the vehicle with engine running. 
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may 
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness 
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a 
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not 
facing the wind.