2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG maintenance

331 Operation
Maintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator re-
set. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the main-
tenance service indicator in the mainte-
nance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
Setting the date for special works
You can enter appointments for exhaust
gas analysis and general inspection using
the maintenance system.
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
The standard display menu appears in
the multifunction display (page 122).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 118).

Press and hold reset
buttonJ(
page 24) for about
five seconds.
The
Service menu
appears in the multi-
function display.
iIf the maintenance service indicator
was inadvertently reset, have an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance
service has been performed. Resetting
the system without performing the
proper maintenance service as called
for by the maintenance service indica-
tor will result in engine damage and/or
other vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


332 OperationMaintenance
Select the
Addit. work
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Addit. work
menu.

Select the
Exh.-gasanalysis
or
General Inspection
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Next due date
menu.

Select
Month: a
nd
Year:
with
button+or-.

Press buttonkorj for setting
month and year.

Select
Confirm
with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The new date is set.

Press buttonè repeatedly until the
standard display menu appears in the
multifunction display (
page 122).
The maintenance system now recalculates
the values. You cannot call up the mainte-
nance service indicator or the service
menu during this time.


333 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the maintenance service data information
The maintenance service indicator shows
the maintenance service type (letters
A-H)
in the multifunction display approximately
one month before the maintenance service
appointment is due in miles or km (dis-
tance criterion) or in days (time criterion).
This maintenance service type is based on
the maintenance service items to be car-
ried out. The maintenance service items
are described in the Maintenance Booklet.
The maintenance service items to be car-
ried out under the corresponding mainte-
nance service type can be displayed in the
multifunction display.Calling up the service item menu

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 122).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 118).

Press and hold reset
buttonJ(
page 24) for about
five seconds.
The
Service menu
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
Items
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Items
menu.

Press buttonè repeatedly until the
standard display menu appears in the
multifunction display (
page 122).
iThe maintenance service items to be
carried out are shown in this menu.
Please refer to the Maintenance Book-
let for a description of each mainte-
nance service item.

356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:!
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release parking brake (
page 49).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in
the reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake flu-
id before checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

390 Practical hintsFlat tire1Wheel wrench
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts in direc-
tion of arrow (approximately one full
turn with wheel wrench1).
The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and
in front of the rear wheel housings.2Jack
3Take-up bracket

Place jack2 on firm ground.

Position jack2 under take-up
bracket3 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.

Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while
vehicle is raised.
Warning!
G
Position the jack only on the jack take-up
brackets designed for this purpose.
If the jack is not properly positioned, the ve-
hicle may fall off of the jack.
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.

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.

413 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!
Only use tires which have been specifi-
cally developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to pro-
vide best possible performance in con-
junction with the driving safety
systems on your vehicle such as ABS or
ESP. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by
finding the following on the tire’s side-
wall:

MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal
equipment tires


MOE = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal
E
xtended (tires with limited run-flat
characteristics) original equipment
tires
Using tires other than those approved
by Mercedes-Benz may result in dam-
age that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor information on driving with
MOExtended tires*, see
“MOExtendedsystem” (
page 312).
!Using tires other than those approved
by Mercedes-Benz can have detrimen-
tal effects, such as

poor handling characteristics


increased noise


increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and dif-
ferent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle may be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A placard with
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have sup-
plemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds
(page 307) or for vehicle loads less
than the maximum loaded vehicle con-
dition. If such information is provided,
it can be found on the placard located
on the inside of the fuel filler flap. The
tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be
adjusted on cold tires. Follow tire
manufacturer’s maintenance recom-
mendation included with vehicle.

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.