
247 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due
to negligent or incorrect care cannot always be removed
or repaired with the car-care products recommended
here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning and care of
your vehicle and give important “how-to” information as
well as references to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products.
Additional information can be found in the booklet titled
“Vehicle Car Guide”.
Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning the vehicle
always observe manufacturers’ operating instructions.
Caution!
Never use a round nozzle to power wash tires. The
intense jet of water can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving across the surface.
Do not aim directly at electrical parts, electrical
connectors, seals, or other rubber parts.Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care should be applied
when water drops on the paint surface do not “bead up”,
normally in 3 to 5 months, depending on climate and
washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner should be
applied if paint surface shows signs of dirt embedding
(i.e. loss of gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax if your
vehicle is parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick for quick and
provisional repairs of minor paint damage (i.e. chips
from stones, vehicle doors etc.).
Tar st ai ns
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and become
more difficult to remove. A tar remover is
recommended.

273 Consumer information
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are “AA”,
“A”, “B”, and “C”. Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under
controlled conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked “C” may
have poor traction performance.Te mp e r a t u r e
The temperature grades are “A” (the highest), “B”, and
“C”, representing the tire‘s resistance to the generation
of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can
cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade “C” corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger vehicle tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

276 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Clock, setting .................................................................... 76
Coin Holder ......................................................................116
Combination switch ........................................................ 83
Consumer information .................................................. 272
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 130
Coolant level
Adding coolant .......................................................... 198
Checking .................................................................... 198
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................ 75
Coolants ........................................................................... 270
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ......................... 271
Cruise control ................................................................. 166
Cup holder .......................................................................114
DDaytime running lamps .................................................. 82
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 165
Display illumination ........................................................ 74
Doors .................................................................................. 28
Drinking and driving .................................................... 157
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 157
Driving instructions ...................................................... 157
Driving off ....................................................................... 159
EElectronic stability program (ESP) .............................. 173
Control switch ........................................................... 175
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 185
Synchronizing ........................................................... 174
Warning lamp ............................................................ 185
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132
Emergency release for trunk lid .................................... 35
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) .........................53
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 184
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ...................32
Emission control ............................................................ 141
Emission control label .................................................. 256
Engine compartment ..................................................... 194
Engine oil additives ...................................................... 268
Engine oil consumption ..................................................80
Engine oil level
Checking .............................................................. 79, 197
Warning ...................................................................... 188
Engine oil level indicator ................................................ 79
Engine oils ..................................................................... 268
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............................. 173
Control switch ........................................................... 175
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 185

278 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
GGarage door opener ........................................................119
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 270
Fuel requirements ....................................................269
Premium unleaded ................................................... 269
General notes
on the central locking system ................................... 23
Global locking
See Central locking system ....................................... 24
Glove box ..........................................................................114HHardtop, retractable ...................................................... 122
Lowering ..................................................................... 123
Raising ........................................................................ 125
Raising manually ......................................................238
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 85
Head restraints
Removal ........................................................................ 40
Headlamp cleaning system ............................................ 82
Headlights ......................................................................... 81
Heated seats ..................................................................... 42High beams
See Combination switch ............................................83
Hood ................................................................................. 194
IIdentification labels ...................................................... 255
Indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster .................................. 72, 182
Infant and child restraint systems ................................63
Inflating the collapsible spare tire .............................. 212
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 70
Activating ..................................................................... 74
Indicator lamps ............................................................ 72
Malfunction and indicator lamps ........................... 182
Instrument lamps ............................................................. 74
Instruments and controls ............................................... 16
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 113
Interior lighting .............................................................. 112

279 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
JJack (SLK 32 AMG only) ...............................................202
Jump starting ..................................................................222KKeys, changing batteries ...............................................236
Keys, vehicle ..................................................................... 22LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps .............................................................81, 234
Headlamps ..........................................81, 189, 231, 249
Parking lamps ............................................ 81, 231, 233
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 230
Side marker lamp, front .....................................81, 235
Standing lamps ........................................... 81, 231, 233
Taillamps ............................................ 81, 189, 234, 249
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................ 257Lighter ............................................................................. 117
Limp Home Mode
(Automatic transmission) ........................................ 155
Locking and unlocking .................................................... 25
Low beams
See Combination switch ............................................83
Low engine coolant level warning ............................... 187
Luggage cover ................................................................. 128
MMaintenance ................................................................... 131
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ......................................... 182
Manual locking/unlocking the doors ........................... 27
Manual transmission .................................................... 145
Mechanical keys ...............................................................27
Mirror, exterior, adjusting .............................................. 67
Mirror, exterior, rear view .............................................. 67
Mirror, inside, rear view .................................................66