Page 287 of 464

287 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
The hood release is located on the driver
side under the instrument panel.
1Hood lock release lever
Pull hood lock release lever1 in direc-
tion of arrow.
The hood is unlocked.
2Lever for opening the hood
Push lever2 on the hood upward to
release hood.
With the hood released, lift the hood by
lifting it at the front edge.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield
wipers or hood, never open the hood if
the wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.
Page 337 of 464

337 Operation
Vehicle care
To prevent damage to the antenna, un-
screw and remove antenna on left rear
side of vehicle before taking the vehicle
through a car wash. Note that without the
antenna on the left rear side of the vehicle
installed, the signaling range of the
SmartKey is considerably reduced. Hold
the SmartKey in close proximity towards
the antenna base when locking and un-
locking the vehicle.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the undercarriage, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, side makers, tail lamps,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.Wiper blades
Switch on wipers and place them in a
vertical position.
For information on placing the wipers
in a vertical position, see “Replacing
wiper blades” (
page 386).
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.
Page 338 of 464

338 OperationVehicle care
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.Window cleaning
Switch on wipers and place them in a
vertical position.
For information on placing the wipers
in a vertical position, see “Replacing
wiper blades” (
page 386).
Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wipers back onto
the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
windshield wiper back. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blade. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wipers back onto
the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
windshield wiper back. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold onto the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Page 386 of 464
386 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesRemoving wiper blades
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 53).
With wiper arms in vertical position,
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
Fold the wiper arms forward until they
engage.
1Wiper blade
2Cover
3Attachment
4Tab
5Removing
Press tabs4 together and tilt wiper
blade1 to detach tabs4 on both
recesses of attachment3.
Wiper blade1 is released on one end.
Maintaining its tilted position, slide
wiper blade1 out of attachment3 in
direction of arrow5.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch before replacing a wiper blade. Oth-
erwise, the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.!To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward
when in the vertical position.
Page 442 of 464

442 IndexCOMAND 116
Description 432
Navigation 126
Radio transmitter 281
Combination switch 110
High beam flasher 110
High beam headlamps 52, 110
Low beam headlamps 52
Turn signals 52
Turn signals, additional in
mirrors 381
Windshield wipers 53
Comfort driving
Transmission program mode 158
Compatible child seat see Baby Smart
TM
Control system 117
AUDIO menu 123
Automatic locking 141
Calling up range 146
CD player/CD changer 125
Clock, hours 134
Clock, minutes 134
Convenience submenu 142
Coolant temperature 122
Date, day 136Date, month 135
Date, year 136
Daytime running lamp mode 137
Description 432
Easy-entry/exit feature 142
Fuel consumption statistics 144
Functions 118
Instrument cluster submenu 131
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 140
Key-dependency 143
Language 132
Lighting submenu 137
Locator lighting 138
Maintenance service indicator 329
Menus 118
Messages in display 348
Multifunction display 117
Multifunction steering wheel 118
NAV menu 126
Night security illumination 139
Outside temperature/speed 132
Overview (Menus) 120
Overview (Settings submenus) 130
Parking position 144Radio station 124
Resetting all settings 128
Resetting single settings 129
Satellite radio (USA only) 124
Settings menu 127
Settings submenus 129
Speed/outside temperature 123
Speedometer, display mode 131
Standard display 122
Submenus, selecting and
scrolling 129
TEL menu 146
Temperature, display mode 131
Time and date synchronization with
head unit 133
Time/date submenu 133
Trip computer menu 144
Vehicle status message memory
menu 126
Vehicle submenu 141
Controller Area Network see CAN system
Convenience closing
Power windows 235
Retractable hardtop 242
Page 447 of 464
447 Index
I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition (Position in starter switch) 35
Immobilizer see Anti-theft systems
Infant and child restraint systems 73
Information
About maintenance and warranty 10
Button for Tele Aid 261
Terminating a call (Tele Aid) 262
Instrument cluster 115
Cleaning 339
Clock 116
Description 433
Fuel gauge 25
Illumination 25, 115
Lamps, indicator and warning 342
Language in display
(Control system) 132
Outside temperature indicator
(Control system) 116
Overview 24
Reset button 25
Tachometer 115
Trip odometer 116Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting
Delayed shut-off
(Control system) 140
Operation 113
Interior rear view mirror see Mirrors
Intermittent wiping see Windshield
wipers
Intermittent/interval wiping see
Windshield wipersJ
Jack (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Lifting vehicle 389
Lowering vehicle 395
Jump starting 399
Page 454 of 464

454 IndexShift lock, description 436
Shifting
Gear selector lever 152
Gear selector lever positions 156
Into optimal gear range
(Automatic transmission) 154
Side marker lamps 381
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 324
Single CD mode selector 193
Single wipe see Windshield wipers
SmartKey 90
Battery check lamp 92
Checking batteries 93
Factory setting 92
Global locking 92
Global unlocking 92
Key-dependent settings
(Control system) 143
Locking 56
Locking and unlocking 90
Loss of SmartKey or mechanical
key 94
Mechanical key 374
Panic button 78Positions in starter switch 35
Power windows,
opening/closing 235
Remote control 90
Replacing batteries 378
Restoring to factory setting 93
Retractable hardtop,
opening/closing 242
Selective setting 92
Starting engine 47
Turning off engine 58
Unlocking 34
Unlocking the trunk lid 93
Snow chains 328
Soft keys (Audio system) 194
Spare fuses (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Spare parts see Parts service
Spare wheel 371
Bolts 373
Inflating 393
Mounting 388
Speed/outside temperature
Display (Control system) 123
Mode (Control system) 132Speedometer, display mode
(Control system) 131
Speedshift
Description 436
Speedshift (SLK 55 AMG) 162
SRS 71
Description 436
Display message 353
Indicator lamp 346
Standard display menu
(Control system) 122
Standing lamps 106, 381
Standing water, driving instructions 280
Starter switch positions 35
Starting
Difficulties with 49
Engine 47
Position in starter switch 35
The engine 35
With automatic transmission 48
With manual transmission 48
Station (Satellite radio)
Selecting 204
Storing 204, 206
Page 458 of 464
458 IndexW
Warning sounds
Anti-theft alarm system 85
Driver’s seat belt 69
Exterior lighting 58, 107
Maintenance service indicator 330
Panic alarm 78
Parking brake 50, 343
Tow-away alarm 86
Warranty coverage 409
Washing the vehicle see Vehicle care
Wear pattern (Tires) 326
Weights 421
Wheel bolts 373
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Wheel wrench (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Wheels see Tires
Wheels, tightening torque 395
Where will I find...? 369
Wind screen 243
Description 437
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Washer fluid reservoir 295
Washer system 429Windshield wipers 53
Intermittent wiping 54
Intermittent/interval wiping 53
Replacing wiper blades 386
Single wipe 54
Wiper blades, cleaning 337
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 54
Winter driving 327
Instructions 279
Snow chains 328
Tires 327
Winter tires see Tires
Wiper blades, replacing 386
Wiping and washing see Windshield
wipers
Wood trims, cleaning 340