Page 433 of 481
432 Practical hintsFusesFuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine com-
partment on the driver’s side.
1Fuse box
2Clamp
3Fuse box coverOpening
Open the hood (
page 307).
With a dry cloth, remove any moisture
from the fuse box.
Release clamps2.
Remove fuse box cover3.Closing
Make sure the sealing rubber is proper-
ly positioned.
Press fuse box cover3 down and se-
cure with clamps2.
Page 434 of 481
433 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Page 437 of 481
436 Technical dataIdentification labels1Certification label (includes paintwork
code)2Vehicle Identification Number (VIN),
located behind the passenger seat
under the floor cover3Engine number (engraved on engine)
4VIN, visible (lower edge of windshield)
5Vacuum line routing diagram label
6Emission control information label,
includes both federal and California
certification exhaust emission
standards
iWhen ordering parts, please specify
vehicle identification and engine num-
bers.
Page 439 of 481

438 Technical dataEngineModel
SLK 280 (171.454)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
SLK 350 (171.456)
1
SLK 55 AMG (171.473)
1
Engine
272
272
113
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline
injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline
injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline
injection
No. of cylinders
6
6
8
Bore
3.47 in (88.00 mm)
3.66 in (92.90 mm)
3.82 in (97.00 mm)
Stroke
3.24 in (82.20 mm)
3.39 in (86.00 mm)
3.60 in (92.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
182.8 cu in (2 996 cm
3)
213.5 cu in (3 498 cm
3)
331.8 cu in (5 439 cm
3)
Compression ratio
11.3:1
10.7:1
11:1
Output according to
SAE J 1349
228 hp / 6 000 rpm
2
(170 kW / 6 000 rpm)
268 hp / 6 000 rpm
2
(200 kW / 6 000 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
355 hp / 5 750 rpm
2
(265 kW / 5 750 rpm)
Maximum torque according
to SAE J 1349
221 lb-ft / 2 700 - 5 000 rpm
(300 Nm / 2 700 - 5 000 rpm)
258 lb-ft / 2 400 - 5 000 rpm
(350 Nm / 2 400 - 5 000 rpm)
376 lb-ft / 4 000 rpm
(510 Nm / 4 000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6500 rpm
6 500 rpm
6700 rpm
Firing order
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-4-3-6-2-5
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
Poly-V-belt
2404 mm
2 404 mm
2380 mm
Page 450 of 481

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+)
Page 452 of 481

451 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Cana-
da vehicles). For a listing of approved en-
gine oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special
PAG lubricating oil are used in the air con-
ditioning system. Never use R-12 (CFC) or
mineral-based lubricating oil, otherwise
damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles), or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals 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.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS PLUS (Canada
vehicles) recommendations for sched-
uled oil changes. Failure to do so will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus re-
ducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s
Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
Page 453 of 481

452 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA, and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious inju-
ry. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish
all smoking materials. Never allow sparks,
flame or smoking materials near gasoline!
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:
Have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible.
Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage.
Do not exceed
2/3of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.
Page 454 of 481

453 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz only recommends the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet for a listing of approved product(s).
Follow directions on product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary costs and
may be harmful to engine operation.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:
Corrosion protection
Freeze protection
Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for in-
formation on replacement intervals.