2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 coolant temperature

376 Practical hintsWhat to do if …During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/conse-
quence
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The poly-V-belt could be
broken.

Stop the vehicle and immediately turn off the engine.

Check the poly-V-belt (
page 437).
If it is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the engine will overheat
due to an inoperative water pump which may result in dam-
age to the engine. Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If it is in order:

Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this message dis-
played. Doing so could result in serious engine damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Drive immediately to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Observe the coolant temperature display (
page 128).
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine
damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the mes-
sage disappears. You could otherwise dam-
age the engine.
/
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 313).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Turn off
the engine, get out of the vehicle and do not
stand near the vehicle until the engine has
cooled down.
The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
this message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major en-
gine damage.

378 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are un-
able to relay information to the con-
trol system. The following systems
may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The instrument cluster display is
malfunctioning.
When the display is malfunctioning, warnings
and malfunction messages might not be dis-
played.
Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
The displays for several systems
have malfunctioned. Some systems
themselves may also have malfunc-
tioned.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
J
Doors open
You are attempting to drive with
one or more doors open.

Close all doors.

449 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore, only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
SLK 280, SLK 350
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
SLK 55 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic transmission*
SLK 280, SLK 350
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
SLK 55 AMG
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
Manual transmission
SLK 280, SLK 350
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
SLK 280
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
SLK 350
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
SLK 55 AMG
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
Power steering
SLK 280, SLK 350
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
SLK 55 AMG
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1oz (60g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)

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).

456 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield washer system and head-lamp cleaning system*
Both the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system* are sup-
plied from the windshield washer fluid res-
ervoir.
The washer fluid reservoir has a capacity of
approximately 7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water (or
concentrate and commercially avail-
able premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning* fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to100 parts water
[40 ml (1.34 fl oz) “S” to 1 gallon (4 l)
water]
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
[40 ml (1.34 fl oz) “S” to 1 gallon (4 l)
solvent].
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

459 Technical terms
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem’s threshold to tighten the seat
belts. ->SRS
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem PLUS)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS PLUS evalu-
ates engine temperature, oil level,
vehicle speed, engine speed, distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 344)Gear range*
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 344)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 345)Head-thorax air bag
Installed in the doors, these air bags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side air bags,
head-thorax air bags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
coolant temperature and fuel gauge.
Kickdown*
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the automatic
transmission down to the lowest possi-
ble gear. This very quickly accelerates
the vehicle and should not be used for
normal acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 345)

467 Index
Control system 123, 458
AUDIO menu 129
Convenience* submenu 147
Coolant temperature 128
Instrument cluster submenu 137
Lighting submenu 143
Maintenance service indicator 350
Menus 124
Messages in display 368
Multifunction display 123
Multifunction steering wheel 124
NAV* menu 132
Overview (Menus) 126
Overview (Settings submenus) 136
Resetting 134
Settings menu 134
Standard display 128
TEL* menu 151
Time/date submenu 139
Trip computer menu 149
Vehicle status message memory
menu 132
Vehicle submenu 147
Controller Area Network see CAN systemConvenience closing*
Power windows 249
Retractable hardtop 257
Coolant 313
Adding water 306
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 454
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 453
Technical data 449
Temperature 303
Temperature, checking (Control
system) 128
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
(Lighting) 115
Cruise control 260, 458
Display message 370
Cup holder 268
Curb weight 344
Customer Assistance Center see CACD
Date (Control system) 141, 142
Daytime running lamp mode 112
Control system 143
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting
Rear window 177
Windshield (Automatic climate
control*) 197
Windshield (Climate control) 184
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties with starting 52
Direction of rotation (Tires) 320
Display text see Messages in display
Doors
Control panel, overview 31
Entry lamps 119
Locking/unlocking from outside 95
Opening from inside 97
Unlocking with Tele Aid 280
DOT 344
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 293
Driver’s air bag see Air bags