Page 310 of 481

309 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the 
control system (SLK 55 AMG only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground.
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least 5 minutes with the 
engine turned off.
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been 
stationary for at least 30 minutes with 
the engine turned off.
To check the engine oil level via the 
multifunction display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
The standard display appears in the 
multifunction display (
page 128).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly 
until the following message appears in 
the multifunction display (
page 124):
One of the following messages will 
subsequently appear in the multifunc-
tion display:
Engine oil level
ok
Add 1.0 qt.
 (Canada: 
1.0 liter
)
to reach max. oil level
Add 1.5 qts.
 (Canada: 
1.5 liters
)
to reach max. oil level
Add 2.0 qts.
 (Canada: 
2.0 liters
)
to reach max. oil level
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding en-
gine oil” (
page 312).
For more information on engine oil, see 
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.” 
(
page 449).iIf you want to interrupt the checking 
procedure, press buttonk orj 
on the multifunction steering wheel 
(page 124). 
     
        
        Page 312 of 481

311 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil 
dipstick (SLK 280, SLK 350 only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground.
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least 5 minutes with the 
engine turned off.
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been 
stationary for at least 30 minutes with 
the engine turned off.1Oil dipstick
2Upper (max) mark
3Lower (min) mark
To check the engine oil level with the oil 
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (
page 307).
Pull out oil dipstick1.
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the 
dipstick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick1 again after 
approximately 3 seconds to obtain ac-
curate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween the lower (min) mark3 and 
upper (max) mark2 of oil dipstick1.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding en-
gine oil” (
page 312).
For more information on engine oil, see 
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.” 
(
page 449).
For more information on messages in the 
multifunction display concerning engine 
oil, see the “Practical hints” section 
(page 368).iThe filling quantity between the upper 
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is 
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l). 
     
        
        Page 313 of 481

312 OperationEngine compartmentAdding engine oil
Only use approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters required for vehicles with 
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or 
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). For a listing 
of approved engine oils and oil filters, refer 
to the Factory Approved Service Products 
pamphlet in your vehicle literature 
portfolio, or contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required 
for the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles), or 
changing of oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals 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.
SLK 350 (example)1Filler capSLK 55 AMG1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required.
Be careful not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding. 
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil 
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see 
“Technical data” (
page 449) and 
(
page 451).!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained 
off. It could cause damage to the 
engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 469 of 481

468 IndexDriver’s door
Locking in an emergency 395
Unlocking in an emergency 394
Driving 53
Automatic transmission* 53
Driving off 296
Fuel saving 293
Hydroplaning 297
In winter 299
Instructions 47, 293
Manual transmission 53
Standing water 300
Tires 297
Traveling abroad 301
Driving safety systems 82
ABS 82
BAS 83
ESP
®
84E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 43, 148
Electric air pump 391
Electric air pump (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Electrical system (Technical data) 446
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call (911) 243
Emergency call system 273
Tele Aid 275
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission* 172
Releasing trunk lid from inside 100
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) 280
Retractable hardtop 397
Selector lever*, unlocking 
manually 396
Unlocking/locking the vehicle 394
Emergency tensioning device see ETD
Emission control 302, 436
Engine
Cleaning see Vehicle care
Compartment 307
Driving after replacement 292
Number 436, 458
Technical data 438
Turning off 61Engine oil 308, 451
Adding 312
Additives 451
Checking level (Control system) 309
Checking level (Dipstick) 311
Consumption 308
Display message 310
Viscosity 458
ESP
®
84, 458
Display message 371
Warning lamp 365
ETD 73, 74, 459
Safety guidelines 68
Seat belt force limiter 74
Exterior lamp switch 110
Exterior lighting
Lamps 401
Replacing bulbs 401
Exterior rear view mirrors see Mirrors