Page 74 of 290

71 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Coolant temperature gauge, see page 75
2Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement 
warning lamp, see page 185
3Outside temperature indicator, see page 75
4Push button for activating the instrument cluster, 
intensity of instrument lamps, for trip odometer, and 
for Flexible service system (FSS) indicator, see 
pages 74, 76 and 77
5Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 83
6Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp, 
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 1857Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination 
switch on page 83
8Speedometer
9Trip odometer, see page 76
10Main odometer, Flexible service system (FSS) 
indicator, see page 77
11Push button for setting clock, see page 76
12Tachometer, see page 76
13Clock, see page 76
14Gear range indicator display, see selector lever 
position, page 150
Notes:
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
see page 72 
     
        
        Page 79 of 290
76 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trip odometer
To r es et :
•Press button (1) once (with key in steering lock 
position 2).
•Press button (1) twice (with key removed or in 
steering lock position 0 or 1).Clock
Adjusting clock:
Hour: Pull out knob (2) and turn it to the left.
Minute: Pull out knob (2) and turn it to the right.
Tachometer
The red marking on tachometer denotes excessive 
engine speed.
Avoid this engine speed, as it may result in serious 
engine damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted 
if the engine is operated within the red marking.
P54.30-4498-26
1
2 
     
        
        Page 100 of 290

97 Audio system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Operation
Switching on and off
Press the control knob  .
The radio is switched off when the ignition key is turned 
to position 0 or removed from the ignition. The radio is 
switched on again when the ignition key is turned to 
position 1 or 2.
Note:
The radio can also be switched on even if the ignition 
key is not inserted, but will switch itself off 
automatically after one hour to conserve vehicle battery 
power.
Adjusting the volume
Turn the control knob - turning the knob clockwise will 
increase the volume, counterclockwise will decrease the 
volume.Audio functions
The AUD key is used to select the BASS, TREBLE and 
BALANCE functions. Settings for bass and treble are 
stored separately for the cassette and CD modes. Tone 
level settings are identified by the vertical bars. The 
center (flat) setting is shown by one longer bar in the 
center of the display.
Bass
Press the AUD key repeatedly 
until “BASS” appears in the 
display.
Treble
Press the AUD key repeatedly 
until “TREBLE” appears in the 
display.
Press the “+” key to increase 
or the “-” key to decrease the level. 
     
        
        Page 145 of 290

142 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Steering lock
0The key can be withdrawn in this position only. The 
steering is locked when the key is removed from the 
steering lock. If necessary, move steering wheel 
slightly to allow the locking mechanism to engage.
In vehicles equipped with automatic transmission, 
the key can only be removed with the selector lever 
in position “P”. After removing the key or with the 
key in steering lock position 0, the selector lever is 
locked in position “P”.1Steering is unlocked.
(If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow 
the key to be turned clockwise to position 1.)
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For 
detailed information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
3Starting position.
See page 144 for instructions on starting and turning off 
the engine.
2
3
0
1
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key 
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not 
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with 
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of 
vehicle equipment may cause serious personal 
injury. 
     
        
        Page 147 of 290

144 Starting and turning off the enging
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector 
lever is in position “P” or “N” (gearshift lever in 
neutral). Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Briefly turn key in steering 
lock clockwise to the stop and release. The starter will 
engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops, 
turn key completely to the left and repeat starting the 
engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system 
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center.Vehicles with manual transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Fully depress clutch pedal, 
otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the 
integrated safety interlock.
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to the stop. Release 
key only when the engine is firing regularly.
Important!
Due to the installed starter nonrepeat feature, the key 
must be turned completely to the left before attempting 
to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below 
-4°F(-20°C) we recommend that an engine block heater 
be installed. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
advise you on this subject, see page 165.
Turning off
Turn the key in the steering lock to position 0 to stop the 
engine.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The key can only be removed with your foot off the 
brake pedal and the selector lever in position “P”. 
     
        
        Page 203 of 290
200 Air pump, spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Air pump, spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage 
compartment (except SLK 32 AMG)1Vehicle tools
2Wheel bolt wrench
3Spare wheel and wheel bolts
4Air pump (electric. 12 V), Bolts for spare wheel rim
5Ve h i c l e  j a c k
Raise roof, open luggage cover, and move aside trunk 
floor.
To remove air pump:
Unbuckle strap and remove air pump from holder.
To remove spare wheel:
First remove air pump, then turn pump holder 
counterclockwise and remove spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with 
pump holder. Turn pump holder clockwise to its stop. 
Reinstall air pump.
P58.10-2025-27
43
2
15 
     
        
        Page 212 of 290
209 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 6. Holding the jack, unfold pin (1) and handle (2). 
Insert pin fully into the tube hole up to the stop. 
Crank handle clockwise until jack base (3) meets 
the ground. Place jack on firm ground. Position the 
jack so that it is always vertical (plump-line) as seen 
from the side (see arrow), even if the vehicle is 
parked on an incline.
7. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the 
ground. Never start engine while vehicle is raised.8. Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and screw in 
alignment pin (4) supplied in the tool kit. Remove 
the remaining bolts. Keep bolt threads protected 
from dirt and sand.
9. Remove wheel. Grip wheel from the sides. Keep 
hands from beneath the wheels. 
     
        
        Page 216 of 290

213 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 7. Operate air pump (approximately 5 minutes) until 
pressure gauge displays 36 psi (2.5 bar).
8. To switch off air pump, turn key in steering lock to 
position 0.
9. Unscrew filler hose from tire. Reinstall tire valve 
cap.
Note:
Excessive tire air pressure should be released using the 
vent screw.Storing spare wheel in wheel well
Deflate spare tire:
1. Unscrew valve stem removal tool, which is a part of 
the valve cap, from tire valve.
2. Using the valve stem removal tool, open tire valve 
slightly by turning the tire valve insert 
counterclockwise to release air pressure.
3. When the tire air pressure has been released, 
remove tire valve insert (protect it from dirt and 
sand) using the previously removed tire valve cap.
4. Once all air is out of the tire, and the tire has 
collapsed to its original shape, reinstall the tire 
valve insert and valve cap.
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with air 
pump holder. Turn pump holder clockwise to its stop.