2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 Service F

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:

Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 28
Upper part ...................................... 28
Lower part ...................................... 29
Overhead control panel ........................ 30
Door control panel................................ 31
Getting started................................... 33
Unlocking ............................................. 34
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 34
Starter switch positions .................. 36
Adjusting .............................................. 38
Seats .............................................. 38
Steering wheel ................................ 42
Mirrors ............................................ 45
Driving .................................................. 47
Fastening the seat belts ................. 47
Starting the engine ......................... 50
Parking brake ................................. 52
Driving ............................................ 53
Switching on headlamps ................. 55
Turn signals .................................... 55
Windshield wipers ........................... 56
Problems while driving.................... 58
Parking and locking .............................. 59
Parking brake ................................. 59
Switching off headlamps................. 60
Turning off engine ........................... 61
Locking ........................................... 62

ContentsOperation......................................... 291
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 292
Driving instructions ............................ 293
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 293
Drinking and driving ..................... 293
Pedals .......................................... 293
Power assistance ......................... 293
Brakes .......................................... 294
Driving off..................................... 296
Parking ......................................... 296
Tires ............................................. 297
Hydroplaning ................................ 297
Tire traction .................................. 298
Tire speed rating .......................... 298
Winter driving instructions ........... 299
Standing water ............................. 300
Passenger compartment .............. 301
Driving abroad .............................. 301
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 301
Catalytic converter ....................... 302
Emission control........................... 302
Coolant temperature .................... 303At the gas station .............................. 304
Refueling ...................................... 304
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 305
Engine compartment ......................... 307
Hood ............................................ 307
Engine oil ..................................... 308
Transmission fluid level* .............. 313
Coolant level ................................ 313
Battery ......................................... 314
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 315
Tires and wheels ................................ 317
Important guidelines .................... 317
Tire care and maintenance ........... 318
Direction of rotation ..................... 320
Loading the vehicle ...................... 320
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 327
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 329
MOExtended system* .................. 333
Tire labeling.................................. 334
Load identification ....................... 338DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 339
Maximum tire load ....................... 340
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 341
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 341
Tire ply material ........................... 343
Tire and loading terminology ........ 344
Rotating tires ............................... 347
Winter driving .................................... 348
Winter tires .................................. 348
Snow chains................................. 349
Maintenance...................................... 350
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 351
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 351
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 351
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 352
Vehicle care....................................... 353
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 353

Contents
Practical hints................................. 361
What to do if … .................................. 362
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 362
Lamp in center console................ 367
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 368
Where will I find...? ............................ 388
First aid kit ................................... 388
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack......... 388
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 391
Spare wheel bolts ........................ 392
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 394
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 394
Locking the vehicle ...................... 395
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ........... 396
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 397
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ...................................... 397
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 398
SmartKey ..................................... 399Replacing bulbs .................................. 400
Bulbs ............................................. 401
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 403
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 405
Replacing wiper blades....................... 406
Removing wiper blades ................. 406
Installing wiper blades .................. 407
Flat tire ............................................... 408
Preparing the vehicle .................... 408
Sealing tires with TIREFIT.............. 408
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 412
Battery................................................ 421
Disconnecting the battery............. 422
Removing the battery.................... 422
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 423
Reconnecting the battery.............. 423
Jump starting ...................................... 424
Towing the vehicle .............................. 426
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 428
Fuses .................................................. 430
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 430
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 431
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 432
Technical data.................................. 433
Parts service ...................................... 434
Warranty coverage ............................. 435
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 435
Identification labels ............................ 436
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 437
SLK 280, SLK 350 ........................ 437
SLK 55 AMG ................................. 437
Engine ................................................ 438
Rims and tires .................................... 439
Same size tires ............................. 441
Mixed size tires ............................. 443
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 445
Electrical system ................................ 446
Main Dimensions................................ 447
Weights .............................................. 448

10 IntroductionOperator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and
should be kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Car Limited Warranty


Emission System Warranty


Emission Performance Warranty


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)

11 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approx. 29 000 km) on the
odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs
first, a reasonable number of repair at-
tempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following
occurs:(1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days.
Written notification should be sent to us,
not a dealer, at Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC,
Customer Assistance Center,
One Mercedes Drive, Montvale,
NJ 07645-0350.

12 IntroductionOperator’s ManualMaintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the
necessary maintenance work which should
be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with
you when you take the vehicle to your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for ser-
vice. The service advisor will record each
service in the booklet for you.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory-trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Cus-
tomer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program Brochure in your vehicle literature
portfolio.
Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to
send in the “Change of Address Notice”
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer
Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
It is in your own interest that we can
contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it avail-
able to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Car” found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer
Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our
European Delivery Program. For details,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9