423 Practical hints
Battery
Charging and reinstalling battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.
Connect the negative lead.
Reinstall the water tray.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for infor-
mation and availability. Charge battery in
accordance with the separate instructions
for the accessory battery charger.
!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):
Set the clock (
page 139).
Synchronize the power windows
(page 251).
424 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, as you could otherwise be
injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.
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.
428 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the ve-
hicle tool kit, located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor (
page 388).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.
Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(page 388).Front cover
1Cover in front bumper
Removing
Press mark on cover1.
Cover1 springs open at the top right
corner.
Pull at the protruding part of cover1
and fold cover down to reveal the
threaded hole for the towing eye bolt.
Do not disconnect cover1 from its
check strap.
Screw towing eye bolt in to its end stop
and tighten with lug wrench.Installing
Unscrew the towing eye bolt using the
lug wrench.
To reinstall cover1, tilt the marked
lower left corner towards the opening.
Maintaining its tilted position, insert
cover1 by applying the latches at the
top left and lower right corner into the
opening.
To close cover1, press on the diago-
nal opposite side of the marked corner
until it fully engages.
iThe gear selector lever* will remain
locked in positionP (vehicles with au-
tomatic transmission*) and the
SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch if the battery is disconnected or
discharged. See notes on the battery
(page 421) or on jump starting
(page 424).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of
gear selector lever, see (
page 396).
iMake sure the cover’s check strap
does not get caught when closing.
446 Technical dataElectrical systemModel
SLK 280
SLK 350
SLK 55 AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/150 A
14 V/150 A
14 V/150 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.4 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
Battery
12 V/62 Ah
12 V/74 Ah
12 V/74 Ah
Spark plugs
NGK PLKR 6A
Bosch Platin Y 7 MPP33
NGK PLKR 6A
NGK IFR6D10
Electrode gap
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
Tightening torque
15 – 22 lb-ft (20 – 30 Nm)
15 – 22 lb-ft (20 – 30 Nm)
18 – 22 lb-ft (25 – 30 Nm)
462 Technical termsRoll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Shift lock*
When the vehicle with automatic trans-
mission is parked, this lock prevents
the gear selector lever from being inad-
vertently moved out of positionP with-
out the SmartKey turned and the brake
pedal depressed.Sidewall
(
page 345)
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning
device and air bags. Though indepen-
dent systems, they are closely inter-
faced to provide effective occupant
protection.
Tele Aid system
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 346)
Tire load rating
(page 346)
Tire ply composition and material used
(page 346)
Tire speed rating
(page 346)
Traction
(page 346)
Tread
(page 346)
Treadwear indicators
(page 346)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(page 346)
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
471 Index
L
Labels 436
Lamp in center console 367
Lamps in instrument cluster 362
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 362
Battery (SmartKey) 95
Brakes 363
CHECK ENGINE 364
ESP
®
84, 86, 365
Fuel reserve 365, 366
Passenger front air bag off 367
Seat belts 366
SRS 64, 65, 366
Language in multifunction display (Control
system) 137
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 437
License plate lamps 401
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 358
Technical data 441, 442
Lighter see Cigarette lighterLighting 110
Combination switch 114
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 115
Daytime running lamp mode 112
Door entry lamps 119
Exterior lamp switch 110
Exterior lamps, cleaning 357
Fog lamps 113
Footwell lighting* 118
Hazard warning flasher 117
Headlamp mode,
automatic/manual 111
High beam 115
High beam flasher 115
Individual settings (Control
system) 143
Instrument cluster illumination 120
Interior lighting 117
Low beam headlamps 110
Night security illumination (Control
system) 145
Reading lamps 119
Standing lamps 110
Trunk 118Limp Home Mode (Automatic
transmission*) 172
Line of fall 460
Loading 265, 320, 344
Loading the vehicle 320
Locator lighting (Control system) 144
Locking
And parking 59
Centrally (Control system) 147
Centrally from inside 102
Locking knob (Doors) 97, 460
Locking the vehicle 62
Long trip, checking before 305
Loss of
Service and Warranty Booklet 435
SmartKey or mechanical key 97
Low beam headlamps 110, 401
Lubricants, technical data 449