265 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
items on its roof. Roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices, unless express-
ly approved by Mercedes-Benz for use
on this vehicle model, must not be used
as they will damage the vehicle and
retractable hardtop.
At time of printing, Mercedes-Benz
does not offer any roof racks or any
other roof-mounted devices for use on
this vehicle.
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
any items on its trunk lid or accommo-
date any type of trunk lid rack or de-
vice. Using such devices may damage
the vehicle and retractable hardtop
mechanism.
345 Operation
Tires and wheels
GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
353 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
undercarriage and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
381 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
A
Fuel reserve
The fuel level has dropped below
the reserve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station (
page 304).
Check gas cap
See Operator’s Manual
The fuel cap may not be closed
properly.
Check the fuel cap (
page 304).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
Lock retractable roof
You are driving with the retractable
hardtop not properly locked.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location. Observe
the traffic situation around you.
Push the retractable hardtop switch forward
or rearward until the retractable hardtop is
completely closed or open (
page 252).
Retractable roof
Visit workshop
The retractable hardtop is
malfunctioning.
Have the retractable hardtop checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
O
Close hood!
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 307).
F
Replace key
The SmartKey is malfunctioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
397 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Raising retractable hardtop manuallyWarning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered
after approximately 7 minutes when the
ignition is switched on
after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will seeK and the message
Retractable roof being opened
.
Properly lock retractable hardtop before
continuing to drive (
page 252).
Warning!
G
Manually closing the retractable hardtop is a
complicated and technically demanding pro-
cedure and should only be performed by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or quali-
fied technician. Attempting to manually
close the retractable hardtop may cause
damage to the retractable hardtop and/or
personal injury.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.
421 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The 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 314).
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.
448 Technical dataWeightsModel
SLK 280
SLK 350
SLK 55 AMG
Maximum roof load
110lb (50kg)
110lb (50kg)
Maximum trunk load
220 lb (100 kg)
220 lb (100 kg)
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
items on its roof. Roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices, unless express-
ly approved by Mercedes-Benz for use
on this vehicle model, must not be used
as they will damage the vehicle and
retractable hardtop.
At time of printing, Mercedes-Benz
does not offer any roof racks or any
other roof-mounted devices for use on
this vehicle.
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
any items on its trunk lid or accommo-
date any type of trunk lid rack or de-
vice. Using such devices may damage
the vehicle and retractable hardtop
mechanism.
474 IndexR
Radio
Operation (Audio system) 209
Operation (Control system) 129
Satellite* (USA only) 130
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 301
Reading lamps 119
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 177
Recommended inflation pressure 345
Recovery services for stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 280
Refrigerant (Air conditioning) 451
Refueling 304
Regular checks 305
Remote control see SmartKey
Remote door unlock with Tele Aid 280
Reporting, safety defects 18
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button (Instrument cluster) 25
Residual engine heat utilization see RESTREST 461
Automatic climate control* 202
Climate control 188
Restraint systems 461
Retractable hardtop 252, 461
Locking after raising/lowering 255
Opening and closing 252
Operating manually 397
Problems when operating 255
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 257
Wind screen 259
Rims 345, 439
Roadside Assistance 12, 277
Roll bar 462
RON 304, 462
Roof rack 265
Rubber parts, cleaning 359
Run Flat Indicator* 329S
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects, reporting 18
Safety, occupant 64
Satellite radio* (USA only) 130, 214
Seat belts 71
Cleaning 360
Fastening 47
Force limiter 74
Proper use of 49, 73
Release button 49
Safety guidelines 68
Warning lamp 366
Seating capacity 322
Seats 104
Adjusting 38
Easy-entry/exit feature* 43
Head restraint height 41
Heating* 104
Power seats* 40
Selective setting see SmartKey
Selector lever* lock 51, 462