424 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or changing
of oil and oil filter at change intervals long-
er than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System (U.S.
vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles) recom-
mendations for scheduled oil changes.
Failure to do so will result in engine dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special
PAG lubricating oil are used in the air con-
ditioning system. Never use R-12 (CFC) or
mineral-based lubricating oil, otherwise
damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency. Therefore, the brake fluid
must be replaced every two years, prefera-
bly in the spring. Only brake fluid approved
by Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
431 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.
Accessory weight
(
page 323)
Air pressure
(page 323)
AIRSCARF neck-level heating
AIRSCARF neck-level heating provides
the surrounding area of the occupants’
necks with a heated air stream flowing
from openings in the head restraints.
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.
Aspect ratio
(page 323)BabySmart
TM1
air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special
system-compatible child restraint seat
is installed on the passenger seat.
The system will automatically
deactivate the passenger front air bag
when such a seat is properly installed
(the 75indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on).
BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front air bag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Bar
(
page 323)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.
Bead
(
page 323)
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer 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.
1BabySmart
TM
is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
436 Technical termsRoll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle with automatic trans-
mission is parked, this lock prevents
the gear selector lever from being inad-
vertently moved out of positionP with-
out the SmartKey turned and the brake
pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(
page 324)
Speedshift
Steering wheel gearshift control for ve-
hicles with automatic transmission.
You can change the gears yourself with
the steering wheel gearshift buttons.
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning
device and air bags. Though indepen-
dent systems, they are closely inter-
faced to provide effective occupant
protection.Tele Aid system
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
439 Index
A
ABS 80
Braking 80
Description 431
Display message 350
Emergency brake maneuver 80
Indicator lamp 342
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 159
Accessory weight 323
Accident 55
Adjusting (Getting started) 37
Air bags 63
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 75
BabySmartTM air bag deactivation
system, description 431
BabySmartTM compatible child
seat 74
BabySmartTM self-test 76
Children 64
Front 68
Head-thorax 69
Head-thorax, description 433
Kneebag 68Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 76
Safety guidelines 66
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control 188
Climate control 178
Air conditioning refrigerant 424
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating
(Seats) 102
Description 431
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 369,
391
Description 431
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 427
Antilock brake system see ABS
Anti-theft systems 85
Activating 86
Alarm system 85
Canceling alarm 86
Canceling alarm (Tow-away) 87
Deactivating 86
Immobilizer 85
Tow-away alarm 86
Transporting the vehicle 87Ashtray 253
Aspect ratio 323
AUDIO menu (Control system) 123
Audio system 191
Adjusting balance 196
Adjusting sound functions 195
Adjusting volume 195
Audio and telephone, operation 191
Button and soft key operation 194
CD changer 209
CD operation 207
Introduction to satellite radio
(USA only) 202
Operating and display elements 192
Operating safety 191
Operation 194
Radio operation 197
Returning sound functions to factory
settings 196
Returning volume distribution to
factory settings 197
Switching on/off 194
Telephone muting 197
Telephone operation 216
Weather band 201
441 Index
Bi-Xenon
Description 431
Headlamps 381
Bolts
For spare wheel 373
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brakes 274
Brake fluid 286, 424
Display message 356
Salty roads 274
SLK 55 AMG 275
Warning lamp 343
Break-in period 272
Bulbs
Front/rear lamps 380
Replacing 380
Buttons (Audio system) 194C
CAC 431
California, important notice 11
CAN system, description 432
Capacities
(Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.) 422
Catalytic converter 282
CD
Changer 250
Player/changer, operation 125
CD changer (Audio system) 207, 209
CD operation (Audio system) 207
Center console
Lamp 347
Overview 28
Central locking
Automatic (Control system) 141
Automatic (When driving) 97
From outside (SmartKey) 59
Locking/unlocking from inside 97
Central locking/unlocking switches 98
Certification label 410
CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp 344Child safety
Air bags 64
Children in the vehicle 73
Cigarette lighter 254
Cleaning tires 299
Climate control 172
Air conditioning 178
Air distribution 176
Air recirculation mode 176
Air volume 176
Control panel, overview 175
Defrosting 181
Maximum cooling 179
Rear window defroster 171
Switching on/off 175
Temperature 175
Clock 116
Cockpit
Description 432
Overview 22
Cold tire inflation pressure 323
Collapsible tire, description 432
Collapsible wheel chock 371
443 Index
Coolant 293
Adding water 286
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 427
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 426
Technical data 422
Temperature 283
Temperature, checking
(Control system) 122
Cornering fog lamps (Lighting) 111
Cruise control 244
Canceling 246
Cruise control lever 244
Description 432
Display message 351
Driving uphill/downhill 246
Fine adjustment 248
Saving current speed 245
Set to last stored speed 248
Setting higher/lower speed 247
Cup holder 252
Cleaning 339
Curb weight 323
Customer Assistance Center see CACD
Date (Control system)
Day 136
Month 135
Year 136
Daytime running lamp mode 108
Control system 137
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting see Automatic climate control
Defrosting see Climate control
Department of Transportation see DOT
Differential, driving after
replacement 272
Difficulties with starting 49
Direction of rotation (Tires) 300
Display elements (Audio system) 192
Display text see Messages in display
Door
Control panel, overview 31
Entry lamps 114
Doors
Locking from outside 92
Opening from inside 94
Unlocking from outside 92
Unlocking with Tele Aid 263DOT 323
Downshifting
Automatic transmission 154
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 273
Driver’s air bag see Air bags
Driver’s door
Locking in an emergency 375
Unlocking in an emergency 374
Driving 50
And drinking 273
Automatic transmission 50
Brakes 274
Catalytic converter 282
Coolant temperature 283
Driving off 276
Emission control 282
Fuel saving 273
General instructions 44, 273
Hydroplaning 277
In winter 279
Manual transmission 50
On salty roads 274
Parking 276
Pedals 273
446 IndexG
Garage door opener 264
Canadian programming 268
Operation of remote control 269
Programming/reprogramming 266
Rolling code programming 267
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 323
Gear range
Automatic transmission 155
Description 433
Limiting 155
Shifting into optimal 154
Gear range limit
Canceling 154
Gear selector lever 152
Position
(Automatic transmission) 152, 156
Global locking/unlocking see SmartKey
Global Positioning System see GPS
Glove box 250
Good visibility 167
GPS 85, 86
Description 433
Tele Aid system 257Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GSM network phones (Telephone) 216
GVW 323
GVWR 324H
Hazard warning flasher 112
Head restraint height (Seats) 40
Headlamps
Bi-Xenon 381
Bi-Xenon, description 431
Cleaning system 167, 295, 429
Night security illumination
(Control system) 139
Switching off 57
Switching on 52
Head-thorax air bag 433
Also see Air bags
Heating
Seats 101
Steering wheel 270
High beam
Flasher 110
Headlamps 52, 110
Headlamps, bulbs 381
High mounted brake lamp 381
High-performance brake system
(SLK 55 AMG) 275
Hood 287
Horn 23
Hydroplaning 277
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