Page 388 of 481
387 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
<
Seat belt system
Visit workshop
The seat belt system is malfunction-
ing.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
t
Function
Not available
This display appears if buttons
ort on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel is pressed and the vehicle
is not equipped with a telephone*.
Ê
Close trunk lid!
This message will appear whenever
the trunk lid is open.
Close the trunk lid.
W
Washer fluid
Top up
The fluid level in the windshield
washer fluid reservoir has dropped
below its minimum mark.
Add washer fluid (
page 315).
Page 395 of 481
394 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the vehicle
If you cannot unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey, open the driver’s door and the
trunk using the mechanical key. Removing the mechanical key
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key
Move locking tab1 direction of arrow.
Slide mechanical key2 out of the
housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
1Unlocking
Insert the mechanical key into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.
Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1.
The driver’s door is unlocked.
iUnlocking and opening the driver’s
door and/or the trunk with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:
Press buttonŒor‹on the
SmartKey.
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
Page 396 of 481

395 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking and opening the trunk
A minimum height clearance of
5.78 ft (1.76 m) is required to open the
trunk lid.
The trunk lid lock is located next to the
handle above the rear license plate recess.Trunk lid lock1Unlocking in an emergency
Fully insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1 until it stops,
and simultaneously
pull the trunk lid handle and lift lid.
Turn the mechanical key back and re-
move it from the trunk lid lock.
Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey, do the following:
Close the passenger door and the trunk
lid.
Press the central locking switch in the
upper part of the center console
(page 102).
Check to see whether the locking knob
on the passenger door has moved
down.
If necessary, push it down manually.
The passenger door is locked.
Exit the vehicle and close the driver’s
door.
!Always make sure there is sufficient
overhead clearance.
Page 406 of 481
405 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 110).
Open the trunk lid (
page 98).
Tail lamp unit
1Bulb socket for rear fog lamp
(driver’s side only)
2Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
3Bulb socket for backup lamp
Fold corresponding trim to side.
Turn the respective bulb socket coun-
terclockwise and remove.
Press gently onto the bulb and turn
counterclockwise out of its bulb sock-
et.
Press the new bulb gently into its bulb
socket and turn clockwise.
Reinstall the bulb socket and turn
clockwise until it engages.
Reinstall trim.License plate lamp
1Screw
Loosen both screws1.
Remove the license plate lamp.
Replace the bulb.
Reinstall the license plate lamp.
Retighten screws1.
Page 412 of 481

411 Practical hints
Flat tire
After attaining a tire inflation pressure
of 26 psi (1.8 bar), press 0 on electric
air pump switch8.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.
Turn the SmartKey in the ignition to
position0 (
page 36).
Detach the electric air pump.
The air hose may still be hot. Please ex-
ercise appropriate caution.
Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the
electrical air pump back in the trunk.
Close the trunk lid.
Drive off immediately.
The TIREFIT sealant will distribute itself
evenly inside the tire.
After driving the vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check the tire inflation
pressure using pressure gauge 9 on
the air pump.
Warning!
G
If a tire inflation pressure of 26 psi (1.8 bar)
is not attained, tire is too severely damaged
for TIREFIT to provide a reliable tire repair.
In this case, TIREFIT cannot properly seal
the tire.
Do not drive the vehicle.
Contact the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
or call Roadside Assistance.
Warning!
G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km / h). A TIREFIT repair is not
designed to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.
Warning!
G
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the road-
way and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside
Assistance.
If tire inflation pressure is at least
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate tire to correct pres-
sure (see placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar), and drive vehicle to nearest tire re-
pair facility to have tire repaired or replaced.
Recommended duration of use:
300 miles (500 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h)
with the recommended tire inflation pres-
sure.
Page 449 of 481
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.
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
Page 476 of 481

475 Index
Service
Information 12
Maintenance Booklet 12
Service and warranty
Booklet 435
Information 10
Service life (Tires) 318
Service system
Maintenance service indicator 350
Parts service 434
Settings menu (Control system) 134
Shelf behind roll bar 268
Shelf below rear window, cleaning 360
Shift lock* 462
Side marker lamps 401
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 345
SmartKey 92
Checking batteries 97
Factory setting 94
Global locking 95
Global unlocking 94
Locking and unlocking 92Loss of SmartKey or mechanical
key 97
Mechanical key 394
Panic button 80
Positions in starter switch 36
Power windows,
opening/closing* 249
Remote control 92
Replacing batteries 398
Restoring to factory setting 96
Retractable hardtop,
opening/closing* 257
Selective setting 95
Starting engine 50
Turning off engine 61
Unlocking the trunk lid 96
Snow chains 349
Spare fuses (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Spare parts see Parts service
Spare wheel 391
SRS 73, 462
Display message 372
Indicator lamp 366Standard display menu (Control
system) 128
Standing lamps 110, 401
Standing water, driving instructions 300
Starter switch positions 36
Starting 36, 50
Difficulties with 52
Position in starter switch 36
Steering column see Steering wheel
Steering wheel
Adjusting 42
Heating* 288
Steering wheel gearshift control
SLK 280* 165
SLK 350* 165
SLK 55 AMG 167
Stolen vehicle, Recovery services
(Tele Aid) 280
Storage compartments 266
Storing tires 319
Summer opening*
Power windows 249
Retractable hardtop 257
Sun visors 176
Supplemental Restraint System see SRS
Symbols in display 374