306 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*” (
page 315).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (page 449).Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality).
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant” (
page 313) and “Fuels, cool-
ants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 449).
Engine oil level
For information on engine oil, see “Engine
oil” (
page 308).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness.
For more information on vehicle lighting,
see “Replacing bulbs” (
page 400).
For information on switching on the exteri-
or lighting, see “Exterior lamp switch”
(
page 110).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Important notes on tire inflation
pressure” (
page 328).
!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 immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 363).
359 Operation
Vehicle care
Plastic and rubber parts
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Instrument cluster and cup holders
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution.
Wipe with a cloth moistened in a luke-
warm solution.Hard plastic trim items
Use Pour Mercedes-Benz approved
Interior Care, a soft, lint-free cloth and
apply with light pressure onto.
Steering wheel and gearshift/gear se-
lector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thor-
oughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz
approved Leather Care.
Carpets
Use Mercedes-Benz approved Carpet
and Fabric Care for cleaning the car-
pets.
!The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately
after it has been cleaned, especially not
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim
cleaners can lead to increased corro-
sion of the brake discs and brake pads.
Therefore, the vehicle’s brake system
should always be warmed-up before it
is parked after cleaning. To do so,
please drive your vehicle for several
minutes to allow the brakes to dry.
When applying Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Tire Care and Mercedes-Benz
approved Wheel Care products, take
care not to spray them on the brake
discs.
!Do not use oil or wax on these parts.!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.
!To prevent scratches, do not use scour-
ing agents.
382 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
.
3rd brake light
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Tail lamp / brake lamp
left
Back-up lamp on
The left tail lamp/brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.
A backup bulb has been brought
into use.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Tail lamp / brake lamp
right
Back-up lamp on
The right tail lamp/brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.
A backup bulb has been brought
into use.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Visit workshop
Brake lamp illumination is delayed
or lamp is permanently on.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, L
The left front fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, R
The right front foglamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
402 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement
Only use 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.
Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.
Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.
Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.
If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:
Additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors
Bi-Xenon* lamps
Front fog lamps
High mounted brake lamp
Brake lamps
Front and rear side marker lamps
Parking/standing lamps in the tail
lamp assemblies
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:
touch or move it when hot
drop the bulb
scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.
416 Practical hintsFlat tire
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.
Insert the wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the spare wheel with
collapsible tire. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the
spare wheel with collapsible tire will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. !To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while in-
stalling first wheel bolt.
Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are dam-
aged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be re-
paired immediately. Do not continue to drive
under these circumstances! Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident. Be
sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
425 Practical hints
Jump starting
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply parking brake.
Shift gear selector lever* to positionP
(manual transmission to Neutral).
Open the hood (
page 307).
Flip up cover from positive under hood
terminal2 in front of water tray1
(page 422).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
water tray
3Negative under hood terminal in front
of water tray
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the water
tray with one jumper cable. Clamp the
cable to positive terminal1 of the
charged battery first.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal4 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal3 in front of the water
tray with the second jumper cable.
Clamp the cable to negative
terminal4 of the charged battery
first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals2 and1.
You can now turn on the lights.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 314).
!Never invert the terminal connections.
iVehicles with automatic transmission*:
Do not tow-start vehicle.
457 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 344)
Air pressure
(page 344)
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 344)BabySmart
TM 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
and remains illuminated).
BabySmartTM 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 344)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 344)
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.
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