
168 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
following will assist in maintaining the set cruise
controlled speed:
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Downshift occurs (max. to 3rd gear) to maintain the set
cruise controlled speed by using the engine’s braking
power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is switched off when
declutching exceeds four seconds during downshifting a
gear.
Nevertheless, in some cases you may have to step on the
brake pedal to slow down. In this case the cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.

191 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 192
Stowing items in the vehicle ........ 192
Fuses ................................................ 192
Hood ................................................. 194
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 196
Checking engine oil level ............. 197
Coolant level ................................... 198
Adding coolant ........................... 198
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........ 199
Air pump, spare wheel,
vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(except SLK 32 AMG) ...............200Ve h i c l e j a c k
(except SLK 32 AMG) .............. 201
Storage box, TIREFIT-Kit,
air pump, Vehicle tools
(SLK 32 AMG only) .................. 202
Wheels ............................................ 203
Tire replacement ....................... 203
Rotating wheels ......................... 204
Spare wheel .................................... 205
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 206
Changing wheels ........................... 207
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ......................................212
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well ....................................213
TIREFIT ............................................214
Tire inflation pressure .................. 219Battery .............................................220
Jump starting ..................................222
Towing the vehicle .........................224
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................229
Exterior lamps ................................230
Headlamp assembly ................... 231
Taillamp assemblies ..................234
Changing batteries in
the remote control ....................236
Synchronizing
remote control ............................237
Raising hardtop manually ............238
Replacing wiper blade insert .......243
Antenna ...........................................244
Manual release
of fuel filler flap ........................244

207 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1. Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2. Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine (manual transmission to 1st or reverse gear).
3. Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axle. On a level road, place one chock in front of and
one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to
the wheel being changed.
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from the area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle is
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.

223 Jump starting
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Proceed as follows:
1. Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
2. On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories,
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to
position “P” (manual transmission to Neutral).
Important!
3. Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery and
the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal parts.
4. Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged
battery and the final connection to a grounded
heavy metal bracket in the engine compartment or
on the engine of the disabled vehicle.Important!
5. Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that will
move when the engine is started. Allow the
discharged battery to charge for a few minutes. Start
engine of the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6. After the engine has started, remove jumper cables
by exactly reversing the above installation
sequence, starting with the last connection made
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it
does not touch any other metal while the other end
is still attached.
Note:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic
converter.

229 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. when towing the
vehicle.To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
After removal of the pin from the opening, the cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its
closed position.
P27.60-2101-26
1

266 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter SLK 230
SLK 320
SLK 32 AMG6.1 US qt (5.5 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission 8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Manual transmission SLK 230
SLK 3201. 6 U S q t ( 1. 5 l )
1. 9 U S q t ( 1. 8 l )Transmission oil
Rear axle 1.4 US qt (1.3 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4)
Cooling system SLK 230
SLK 320
SLK 32 AMGapprox. 9.8 US qt (9.3 l)
approx. 11.8 US qt (11.2 l)
approx. 15.3 US qt (14.5 l)MB Anticorrosion / antifreeze

274 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) ....................................... 171
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 186
Adjusting telescoping steering column ........................ 65
Air conditioner refrigerant ........................................... 268
Air pump (except SLK 32 AMG) ..................................200
Air pump (SLK 32 AMG only) ...................................... 202
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 51
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................ 190
Airbags .............................................................................. 54
Alarm system ............................................................. 35, 37
Antenna ........................................................................... 244
Anticorrosion / antifreeze .................. 164, 198, 266, 270
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....................................... 171
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 186
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 35
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 161
Ashtrays ...........................................................................116
Audio system .................................................................... 93
Anti-theft system ........................................................ 95
Button and soft key operation ................................... 96
Cassette mode ........................................................... 101CD changer ................................................................. 105
CD mode ..................................................................... 104
Operating and display elements ...............................94
Operating safety ..........................................................93
Operation – audio and telephone ............................. 93
Radio mode .................................................................. 99
Telephone operation ................................................. 108
Automatic central locking .............................................. 31
Automatic transmission ................................................ 147
Emergency Operation ............................................... 155
Fluid level ................................................................... 196
Program mode selector switch ................................ 154
Selector lever positions ............................................ 150
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ............................................ 229
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 51
Self-test ......................................................................... 51
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 169
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 185
Battery ............................................................................ 220
Charge indicator lamp .............................................. 188
Recycling ....................................................................221

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