Page 271 of 314
271 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Mixed size tires
16’’ tires
SLK 230 Kompressor
(except Sport Package)
SLK 320
(except Sport Package)
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
7 J x16 H2
7 J x16 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91V
205/55 R16 91W
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
8 J x16 H2
8 J x16 H2
Wheel offset
1.18 in (30 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/50 R16 92V
1
225/50 R16 92W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
Page 272 of 314
272 Technical dataRims and Tires17’’ tires
SLK 230 Kompressor, SLK 320
(Sport Package*)
SLK 32 AMG
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
71⁄2 J x17 H2
71⁄2 J x17 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/45 R17 91Y
or
225/45 ZR17 91Y
225/45 R17 91Y
or
225/45 ZR17 91Y
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
81⁄2 J x17 H2
81⁄2 J x17 H2
Wheel offset
1.34 in (34 mm)
1.34 in (34 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245/40 R17 91Y
1
or
245/40 ZR17 91Y
1
245/40 R17 91Y
1
or
245/40 ZR17 91Y
1
1Must not be used with snow chains
Page 273 of 314
273 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Spare wheel with collapsible tire
SLK 230 Kompressor
SLK 320
Rim (light alloy)
4.5 B x15 H2
4.5 B x16 H2
Wheel offset
0.47 in (12 mm)
0.47 in (12 mm)
Collapsible tire
165-15 89P
1
165/70-16 92P
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.iThe SLK 32 AMG does not have a spare
wheel. The SLK 32 AMG is equipped
with TIREFIT (
page 235).
Page 280 of 314

280 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Use only premium unleaded gasoline
meeting ASTM standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the
pu mp ) m ust b e 91 m i n. It is an a ve ra ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power loss
Do not blend any specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
costs and may be harmful to engine opera-
tion.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:
Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
Do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.
Do not exceed
2/3of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.
Page 287 of 314

287 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the passenger seat. The sys-
tem will automatically deactivate the
passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp7 in the center console lights
up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Page 291 of 314
291 Technical terms
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.). Wind screen
Screen for deflecting wind from the ve-
hicle interior when the hardtop is low-
ered.
Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Page 294 of 314

294 IndexAlarm
Audible 65, 71, 72
Canceling 71, 72
Visual 71
Alarm system
Anti-theft 71
Alignment bolt 246
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 287
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 282
Antiglare
Automatic 99
Antilock brake system (ABS) 287
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 71
Canceling alarm 71, 72
Disarming 71
Anti-theft systems 71
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Immobilizer 71
Tow-away alarm 72
Armrest
Storage compartment 141
Ashtray 142
ATF (automatic transmission fluid)* 180
Audio system 121Audio and telephone, operation 111
Button and soft key operation 115
Cassette mode 118
Operating and display elements 112
Operating safety 111
Operation 115
Radio mode 116
Switching off 115
Switching on 115
Telephone operation 125
Audio systems 111
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 99
Automatic central locking
Activating 80
Deactivating 80
Automatic lighting control
Deactivating 87
Automatic locking when driving 79
Automatic transmission 93
Accelerator position 98
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 98
Gear ranges 95Gear selector lever position 95
Gear shifting malfunctions 98
Kickdown 98
Manual shifting 94
One-touch gearshifting 94
Program mode selector switch 97
Selector lever position 93
Winter program mode 97
Automatic transmission*
Fluid level 180
Starting with 41
Transmission fluid 180
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 62
Compatible child seats 62, 287
Self-test 63
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 287
Backrest tilt 31
Backup lamps 227, 230
Bulbs 227
BAS 67, 287
Page 296 of 314

296 IndexCentral locking
From inside 80
Unlocking from inside 80
Certification label 266
Changing CDs
CD mode 121
Charging
Vehicle battery 252
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 205
Checking
Coolant level 173, 180
Oil level 172, 175
Tire inflation pressure 173
Vehicle lighting 173
Child safety 60
Airbags 54
Infant and child restraint systems 57,
60
Cigarette lighter 143
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 197Cup holder 196
Gear selector lever 196
Hard plastic trim items 196
Headliner 197
Instrument cluster 196
Leather upholstery 197
Light alloy wheels 196
Plastic and rubber parts 197
Rear window 195
Seat belts 197
Steering wheel 196
Windows 195
Windshield 45
Wiper blades 195
Cleaning*
Headlamps 99
Climate control 102
Adjusting air distribution 105
Adjusting air volume 105
Air conditioning 106
Air recirculation mode 106
Deactivating the climate control
system 110
Defogging windshield 110
Defrosting 109Reactivating the climate control
system 110
Rear window defroster 101
Residual heat utilization 107
Residual ventilation 107
Setting the temperature 104
Clock 21
Setting 91
Closing
Glove box 139
Hood 175
Retractable hardtop 221
Side windows 128
Trunk lid 78
Windows 128
Closing hardtop
In an emergency 221
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 197
Cockpit 18, 287
Coin holder 142
Collapsible tire 287