199 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
When operating the automatic climate
control system in automatic modeU
and there is a high need for cooling,
MAX COOL is activated. This provides the
fastest possible cooling of the vehicle’s in-
terior (when retractable hardtop is closed).MAX COOL
will appear in displaye
(
page 192).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the interior.Activating
Press button, (
page 192).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 187) is activated, or
press buttonP.
iThe air recirculation mode activates au-
tomatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
The indicator lamp on button, is
not lit when the air recirculation mode
is automatically switched on.
A quantity of outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.
200 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*
Deactivating
Press button, (
page 192) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational
when the engine is running, cools the vehi-
cle interior down to the selected tempera-
ture. The cooling function also
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior,
thus preventing the windows from fogging
up.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows if there is
the possibility of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the door win-
dows can be immediately halted by
releasing the, button or by pressing the
respective power window switch.
The closing of the rear side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the
,button.iIf you press button, and keep it
pressed, the side windows will close.
The closing of the windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing
button,.
iThe air recirculation mode is deactivat-
ed automatically:
after 5 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is below approximately
41°F (5°C)
after 5 minutes if the air condition-
ing is turned off (
page 200)
after 30 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is above approximately
41°F (5°C)
iIf you press button, and keep it
pressed, the side windows will open.
The opening of the windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing
button,.
344 OperationTires and wheelsTire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa), or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
437 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
SLK 280, SLK 350
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
SLK 55 AMG
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
450 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Cooling system
SLK 280
approx. 10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
SLK 350
approx. 11.2USqt (10.2l)
SLK 55 AMG
approx. 11.7USqt (11.1l)
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
SLK 280, SLK 350
SLK 55 AMG
approx. 18.5USgal (70.0l)
approx. 2.4 US gal (9.0 l)
approx. 18.5USgal (70.0l)
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 456).
451 Technical data
Fuels, 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 PLUS (Cana-
da vehicles). For a listing of approved en-
gine oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
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.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) will result in engine damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) recommendations for sched-
uled oil changes. Failure to do so will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
465 Index
A
ABS 82, 457
Display message 370
Indicator lamp 362
Accessory weight 344
Accident 58
Adjusting (Getting started) 38
Air bags 65
BabySmart
TM
77, 457
Children 66
Front 70
Head-thorax 71, 459
Kneebag 70
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78
Safety guidelines 68
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control* 200
Climate control 187
Air conditioning refrigerant 451
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating*
(Seats) 105, 457
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 388,
415, 457Anticorrosion/antifreeze 454
Antilock brake system see ABS
Anti-theft systems 87
Alarm system 87
Immobilizer 87
Tow-away alarm 88
Ashtray 269
Aspect ratio 344
AUDIO menu (Control system) 129
Audio system 203
Audio and telephone*, operation 203
CD changer* 223
CD operation 219
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) 214
MP3 220
Operating and display elements 204
Auto-dimming* for rear view mirrors 174
Automatic climate control*
Air conditioning 200
Automatic mode, basic setting 194
Control panel 192
Deactivating 194
Overview 190Automatic locking
Control system 147
When driving 101
Automatic shift program* 163
Automatic transmission* 157
Automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) 313
Driving 53
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 172
Fluid level 313
Gear ranges 160
Gear selector lever 157
Gear selector lever (Unlocking
manually) 396
Gear shifting malfunctions 172
Gearshift pattern 51
Kickdown 162
Manual shifting 164
One-touch gearshifting 164
Program mode selector switch 163
466 IndexB
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 457
Compatible child seats 76, 457
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 77
Back-up lamp 401
Bar 344
BAS 83, 457
Battery (SmartKey)
Replacing 398
Battery (Vehicle) 314, 421
Jump starting 424
Bead 344
Bi-Xenon* 457
Headlamps 401
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brakes 294
Brake fluid 306, 451
Display message 375
SLK 55 AMG 295
Warning lamp 363
Break-in period 292
Bulbs
Front/rear lamps 401
Replacing 400, 401C
CAC 457
California, important notice 11
CAN system 458
Capacities (Fuels, coolants, lubricants,
etc.) 449
Cargo compartment cover 253
Carpets, cleaning 359
Catalytic converter 302
CD
Changer* 219, 266
Player/Changer*, operation 131,
219
CD changer* (Audio system) 223
Center console 28
Lamp 367
Central locking
Automatic 101, 147
From outside (SmartKey) 62
Locking/unlocking from inside 102
Certification label 436
CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp 364
Child safety
Air bags 66
Children in the vehicle 75Cigarette lighter 270
Cleaning tires 319
Climate control 178
Air conditioning 187
Air recirculation mode 185
Control panel, overview 179
Switching on/off 181
Clock 122
Cockpit 458
Overview 22
Cold tire inflation pressure 344
Collapsible tire 458
Collapsible wheel chock 390
COMAND* 122, 458
Navigation 132
Radio transmitter 301
Combination switch 114
High beam flasher 114
High beam headlamps 55, 114
Low beam headlamps 55
Turn signals 55
Windshield wipers 56
Comfort driving
Transmission program mode* 163
Compatible child seat see BabySmart
TM