Page 243 of 464

243 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Closing (Convenience closing feature)
Press and hold lock button‹ until
the retractable hardtop is fully closed.
The retractable hardtop and windows
begin to close after approximately
one second.
In the multifunction display you will see
the message
Retractable roof
closed
.
Release button‹ on the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
Wind screen
1Wind screen
2Snap fastener
3Supporting strap
4Fastening pinInstalling
Remove wind screen1 from its stor-
age bag and unfold.
The storage bag is located on the wall
behind the seat backrests.
Attach supporting straps3 to fasten-
ing pins4.
Close snap fasteners2.
Pull wind screen1 on molding over
roll bars.
Removing
Pull off wind screen1 from roll bars.
Open snap fasteners2.
Loosen supporting straps3 from fas-
tening pins4.
Fold wind screen1 and put it back
into storage bag.
Warning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, a warning sounds. In
the multifunction display you will see
K
and the message
Retractable roof
being lowered. After about 15 seconds
the roof hydraulics lose pressure.
Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(
page 240) before continuing to drive.
Warning!
G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s
vision to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent
a possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.
iPull on snap fastener’s head to open
the snap fastener.
Page 249 of 464
249 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
items on its roof. Roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices, unless express-
ly approved by Mercedes-Benz for use
on this vehicle model, must not be used
as they will damage the vehicle and
retractable hardtop.
At time of printing, Mercedes-Benz
does not offer any roof racks or any
other roof-mounted devices for use on
this vehicle.
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
any items on its trunk lid or accommo-
date any type of trunk lid rack or de-
vice. Using such devices may damage
the vehicle and retractable hardtop
mechanism.
Page 324 of 464

324 OperationTires and wheelsGVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to one psi; another metric unit for
air pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to one bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Page 335 of 464

335 Operation
Vehicle care
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.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 an au-
thorized 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.Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning
the vehicle, always observe manufactur-
er’s operating instructions.
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.
!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 connec-
tors, seals, or other rubber parts.
Page 362 of 464
362 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
A
Fuel reserve
The fuel level has dropped below
the reserve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station (
page 284).
Check gas cap
See Operator’s Manual
The fuel cap may not be closed
properly.
Check the fuel cap (
page 284).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
Lock retractable roof
The retractable hardtop is not
locked properly.
Push the retractable hardtop switch forward
or rearward until the retractable hardtop is
completely closed or open (
page 237).
Retractable roof
Visit workshop
The retractable hardtop is
malfunctioning.
Have the retractable hardtop checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
O
Close hood
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 287).
F
Replace key
The SmartKey is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 377 of 464

377 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Raising retractable hardtop manuallyWarning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered
after approximately seven minutes
when the ignition is switched on
after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will see
K
and the message
Retractable roof being lowered
.
Properly lock retractable hardtop before
continuing to drive (
page 237).
Warning!
G
Manually closing the retractable hardtop is a
complicated and technically demanding pro-
cedure and should only be performed by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or quali-
fied technician. Attempting to manually
close the retractable hardtop may cause
damage to the retractable hardtop and/or
personal injury.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.
Page 396 of 464

396 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right-hand side below the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
1Battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries,
see “Battery” (
page 294).
Never lean over batteries while connecting
them, as you could otherwise be injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come into contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, imme-
diately flush affected area with water and
seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
Page 421 of 464
421 Technical data
Weights
Weights
Model
SLK 350
SLK 55 AMG
Maximum roof load
110lb (50kg)
110 lb (50 kg)
Maximum trunk load
220 lb (100 kg)
220 lb (100 kg)
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
items on its roof. Roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices, unless express-
ly approved by Mercedes-Benz for use
on this vehicle model, must not be used
as they will damage the vehicle and
retractable hardtop.
At time of printing, Mercedes-Benz
does not offer any roof racks or any
other roof-mounted devices for use on
this vehicle.
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
any items on its trunk lid or accommo-
date any type of trunk lid rack or de-
vice. Using such devices may damage
the vehicle and retractable hardtop
mechanism.