25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Multifunction display
with:Main odometer
122
Trip odometer
116
Automatic transmission*:
Gear range indicator
48,
153
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode
158,
164
Outside temperature indi-
cator (or actual speed
when selected)
132
2
Tachometer with:?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
344
±
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
344
Item
Page
<
Seat belt telltale
69,
346
A
High beam head-
lamp indicator lamp
52,
110
3
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
345
4
Fuel filler cap loca-
tion indicator: The
fuel filler cap is on
the rear right-hand
side.
284
4
Clock
116
5
Speedometer with:1
Supplemental Re-
straint System
(SRS) indicator
lamp
62,
346
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp
80,
342
Item
Page
L
Left turn signal indi-
cator lamp
K
Right turn signal in-
dicator lamp
52
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
82,
345
;
Brake warning
lamp, USA only
56,
343
3
Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
343
6
Reset button
115
7
Knobs for instrument
cluster illumination
115
285 Operation
At the gas station
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Open fuel filler flap by pushing at point
indicated by arrow1.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel filler cap counterclockwise
and hold on to it until possible pressure
is released.
Take off fuel filler cap and set it in di-
rection of arrow2 in the recess on the
inside of fuel filler flap.
To prevent fuel vapors from escaping
into open air, fully insert filler nozzle
unit.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or over-
fill.
Replace the fuel filler cap by turning it
clockwise until it engages audibly.
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long tripEngine compartment (SLK 350, example)1Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system* reservoir
2Brake fluid reservoir
3Coolant expansion tank
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and
the ? malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) or the ± malfunction in-
dicator lamp (Canada only) to illumi-
nate.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 344).
iFor opening the hood, see “Hood”
(page 287).
345 Practical hints
What to do if …
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp comes
on while driving.
The ESP is deactivated.
Risk of accident!
Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road, weather and traffic
conditions.
Switch the ESP back on (
page 84).
If the ESP cannot be switched back on, have the
system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
The yellow ESP warning lamp flashes
while driving.
The ESP or traction control has
come into operation because of de-
tected traction loss in at least one
tire.
When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 82).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.
4
The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
comes on while driving.
Additionally you see the message Reserve fuel
in the multifunction
display.
The fuel level has gone below the re-
serve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station (
page 284).
After refueling you will see the message
1 Malfunction
in the multifunction display.
Press reset buttonJ to confirm the message
(page 24).
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
346 Practical hintsWhat to do if …4
The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
flashes after starting the engine.
The fuel cap is not closed properly.
Close the fuel cap.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes on
after starting the engine and with all
doors closed.
The seat belt telltale reminds you
and your passenger to fasten your
seat belts.
Fasten your seat belts.
For more information, see “Seat belts”
(page 69).
1
The red SRS indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
There is a malfunction in the re-
straint systems. The air bags or
emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to deploy in an accident.
Drive with added caution to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
In the event that a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may
not be operational. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you visit an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately to have the system checked;
otherwise the SRS may not be activated
when needed in an accident, which could re-
sult in serious or fatal injury, or it might de-
ploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which
could also result in an accident and/or
injury to you or to others.
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.
423 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
SLK 350
SLK 55 AMG
approx. 18.5 US gal (70.0 l)
approx. 2.4 US gal (9.0 l)
approx. 18.5 US gal (70.0 l)
approx. 2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum posted Octane 91 (average of
96 RON / 86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant oil
(never R-12)
Hydraulic system for
retractable hardtop
0.19 US qt (0.18 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer
system and headlamp
cleaning system*
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
MB Windshield washer concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate“S” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 429).
445 Index
ESP 82
Description 432
Display message 352
On/off switch 84
Warning lamp 345
ETD 71, 72
Description 433
Safety guidelines 66
Seat belt force limiter 72
Exterior lamp switch 106
Exterior lighting
Lamps 381
Replacing bulbs 380
Exterior rear view mirrors see MirrorsF
First aid kit 369
Flat tire 388
Inflating collapsible spare tire 393
Lifting vehicle 389
Lowering vehicle 395
Mounting spare wheel 388, 391
Removing wheel 391
Floormat (Driver’s side only) 255
Fog lamps 109, 381
Cornering fog lamps 111
FSS (Canada vehicles)
Control system 329
Description 433
Fuel
Additives 425
Consumption statistics
(Control system) 144
Filler flap 284
MON 284
Premium unleaded
gasoline 284, 425
Refueling 284
Requirements 425
Reserve warning lamp 345, 346RON 284
Saving fuel 273
Technical data 422
Fuel filler flap
Localization 25, 284
Fuel gauge (Instrument cluster) 25
Fuel tank capacity 423
Fuse extractor (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Fuses 404
Auxiliary fuse box 406
Main fuse box 405
Spare fuses (Vehicle tool kit) 369
448 IndexK
Key 197
Key-dependency (Control system) 143
Kickdown 159
Description 433
Kilometers/miles in speedometer
(Control system) 131
Kilopascal 324
Kneebag see Air bagsL
Labels
Certification 410
Emission control 410
Engine number 410
Identification 410
Vacuum line routing diagram 410
VIN (Vehicle Identification
Number) 410
Lamp in center console 347
Lamps in instrument cluster 342
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 342
Battery (SmartKey) 92
Brakes 343
CHECK ENGINE 344
ESP 82, 84, 345
Fuel reserve 345, 346
Passenger front air bag off 347
Seat belts 346
SRS 62, 63, 346
Language in multifunction display
(Control system) 132
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 411
License plate lamps 381Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 339
Technical data 414, 415
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 106
Combination switch 110
Cornering fog lamps 111
Daytime running lamp mode 108
Door entry lamps 114
Exterior lamp switch 106
Exterior lamps, cleaning 337
Fog lamps 109
Hazard warning flasher 112
Headlamp mode,
automatic/manual 107
High beam 110
High beam flasher 110
Individual settings
(Control system) 137
Instrument cluster illumination 115
Interior delayed shut-off
(Control system) 140
Interior lighting 113
Locator lighting (Control system) 138
Low beam headlamps 106