95 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in positionD,
you can limit the transmission’s gear range
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
left (D-), and reverse the gear range limit
by pressing the gear selector lever to the
right (D+).
The selected gear range appears in the
tachometer display. If you press on the
accelerator when the engine has reached
its rpm limit, the transmission will upshift
beyond any gear range limit selected.
Gear selector lever position
Effect
é
The transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
è
The transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
Effect
ç
The transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving:
on steep downgrades
in mountainous regions
under extreme operating
conditions
æ
The transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.
Effect
ì
Park position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in positionP
only when vehicle is stopped.
The park position is not intended
to serve as a brake when the
vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always set the
parking brake in addition to
placing the gear selector lever in
positionP to secure the vehicle.
167 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN or
declutch in case of manual transmission.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 188).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 189).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior re-
sulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.
190 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.1Knob
2Display in the speedometer
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, the type of service is indi-
cated in the speedometer display2:
9Minor service (A)
´Major service (B)
Depending on operating conditions
throughout the year, one of the following
service symbols is also shown:
9 1000 Calculated distance remain-
ing, e. g. service in
1000 miles (km)š 10 Calculated remaining time in
days, e. g. service in 10 days
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared
after ten seconds when you switch on
the ignition or when reaching the
service threshold while driving
after 30 seconds, once the suggested
service term has passed
You can also clear it yourself.
Press knob1.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.
214 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?More information can be found in the
“Technical data” section (
page 263).
TIREFIT kit (SLK 32 AMG only)
1Electric air pump
2TIREFIT kit
3Vehicle tool kit, jack, wheel wrenchThe electric air pump and TIREFIT kit are
located in the storage box under the trunk
floor cover.
The vehicle tool kit, jack and wheel wrench
are located below the rug on the right side.
Lift trunk floor cover.
Open storage box cover.
You can take out vehicle tool kit3 and
accessories.
Pull down the flap on the storage box.
Remove electric air pump1 and
TIREFIT kit2.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting spare wheel rim size
4.5 B x 15 H2.
The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts2 for spare wheel rim size
4.5 B x 15 H2 can cause physical dam-
age to the vehicle.Warning!
G
Make sure to use original length wheel bolts
when remounting the original wheel after it
has been repaired.
247 Practical hints
Flat tire
Remove the wheel.
Take the spare tire out of the trunk.
Mounting the new wheel
Wheel bolts1 Wheel bolt for
wheel rim size 7Jx16 H2 and 8Jx16 H2
AMG wheel rim size 7½ Jx17 H2 and
8½ Jx17 H2
spare wheel rim size 4½ Bx16 H2
2 Wheel bolt for
spare wheel rim size 4½ Bx15 H2
(located with electric air pump)
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.
Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
Inflate the spare tire using the electric
air pump (
page 249).
!Wheel bolts2must be used when
mounting spare wheel rim size
4½ Bx15 H2.
The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts2for spare wheel rim size
4½ Bx15 H2 can cause physical dam-
age to the vehicle.Warning!
G
Be sure to use original length wheel bolts
when remounting the original wheel after it
has been repaired.
Warning!
G
Inflate spare wheel with collapsible tire only
after the wheel is properly mounted.!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while in-
stalling first wheel bolt.
254 Practical hintsJump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle‘s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the battery installed in the engine
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.
275 Technical data
Main Dimensions
Main Dimensions
Model
SLK 230 Kompressor, SLK 320
SLK 32 AMG
Overall vehicle length
157.9 in (4010 mm)
157.9 in (4010 mm)
Overall vehicle width
64.4 in (1712 mm)
64.4 in (1712 mm)
Overall vehicle height
50.4 in (1279 mm)
50.4 in (1279 mm)
Wheelbase
94.5 in (2400 mm)
94.5 in (2400 mm)
Track, front
58.6 in (1488 mm)
58.6 in (1488 mm)
Track, rear
58.5 in (1485 mm)
58.2 in (1477 mm)
307 Index
Speed
Saving current 137
Speed settings
Cruise control 138
Speedometer 21
SRS 59, 290
Indicator lamp 203
Standing lamps 83
Replacing bulbs 226, 227, 229
Standing water
Driving instructions 168
Starting difficulties 41
Starting position 29
Starting the engine 40
Steering column
Height adjustment 34
Length adjustment 34
Steering lock 19, 29
Positions 29
Steering wheel
Adjustment 34
Cleaning 196
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 152
Storage compartments 140
Armrest 141Center console 140
Glove box 139
Sun visors 100
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 290
Switching off
Audio system 115
Engine 48
ESP 69
Hazard warning flasher 86
Headlamps 48
Seat heating* 82
Switching on
Audio system 115
ESP 70
Front fog lamps 84Hazard warning flasher 86
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Rapid seat heating* 82
Rear fog lamp 84
Seat heating* 82
Windshield wipers 44
Synchronizing
ESP 202
Power windows 129
Synchronizing the remote control 219
T
Tachometer 21, 90
Displaying gear range 95
Overspeed range 90
Tail lamps
Cleaning 194
Replacing bulbs 227, 230
Tar stains 193
Technical data 279