Page 8 of 481

Contents
Practical hints................................. 361
What to do if … .................................. 362
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 362
Lamp in center console................ 367
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 368
Where will I find...? ............................ 388
First aid kit ................................... 388
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack......... 388
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 391
Spare wheel bolts ........................ 392
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 394
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 394
Locking the vehicle ...................... 395
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ........... 396
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 397
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ...................................... 397
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 398
SmartKey ..................................... 399Replacing bulbs .................................. 400
Bulbs ............................................. 401
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 403
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 405
Replacing wiper blades....................... 406
Removing wiper blades ................. 406
Installing wiper blades .................. 407
Flat tire ............................................... 408
Preparing the vehicle .................... 408
Sealing tires with TIREFIT.............. 408
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 412
Battery................................................ 421
Disconnecting the battery............. 422
Removing the battery.................... 422
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 423
Reconnecting the battery.............. 423
Jump starting ...................................... 424
Towing the vehicle .............................. 426
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 428
Fuses .................................................. 430
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 430
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 431
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 432
Technical data.................................. 433
Parts service ...................................... 434
Warranty coverage ............................. 435
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 435
Identification labels ............................ 436
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 437
SLK 280, SLK 350 ........................ 437
SLK 55 AMG ................................. 437
Engine ................................................ 438
Rims and tires .................................... 439
Same size tires ............................. 441
Mixed size tires ............................. 443
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 445
Electrical system ................................ 446
Main Dimensions................................ 447
Weights .............................................. 448
Page 97 of 481

96 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingRestoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttonsŒand‹
simultaneously for about 6 seconds.
Battery check lamp5 flashes twice.
The SmartKey is set to the factory set-
ting again.Unlocking the trunk lid
You can unlock and open the trunk lid sep-
arately.
Press and hold buttonŠ on the
SmartKey until the trunk lid unlocks.
For opening the trunk, see “Opening
the trunk” (
page 98).
!If you can no longer lock or unlock the
vehicle with the SmartKey, then the
batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the SmartKey is malfunction-
ing, or the vehicle battery is drained.
Check the batteries in the
SmartKey and replace them if nec-
essary (
page 398).
Use the mechanical key to lock/un-
lock the driver’s door (
page 394).
Use the mechanical key to lock/un-
lock the trunk lid as required
(page 395).
Have the vehicle battery and the
battery connections checked
(page 421).
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iThe trunk lid can only be opened when
the vehicle is not in motion and the re-
tractable hardtop is fully opened or
closed.
Page 98 of 481

97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Checking the batteries
Press button‹orŒ.
Battery check lamp5 comes on brief-
ly to indicate that the SmartKey batter-
ies are in order.Loss of SmartKey or mechanical key
If you lose a SmartKey or mechanical key,
you should do the following:
Have the SmartKey deactivated by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Report the loss of the SmartKey or the
mechanical key to your car insurance
company immediately.
If necessary have the mechanical lock
replaced.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
1Inside door handle
2Locking knob
Pull on door handle1 of the desired
door.
If the door was locked, locking knob2
will move up.
iIf battery check lamp5 does not
come on briefly during check, then the
SmartKey batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (
page 398).
You can obtain the required batteries
at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within sig-
nal range of the vehicle, pressing
button‹orŒ will lock or un-
lock the vehicle accordingly.
Page 288 of 481

287 Controls in detail
Useful features
While performing step 3, hold the
hand-held remote control6 at differ-
ent lengths and angles from the signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4) you
are programming. Attempt varying an-
gles at the distance of 2 to 5 inches
(5 to 12 cm) away or the same angle at
varying distances.
If another hand-held remote control is
available for the same device, try the
programming steps again using that
other hand-held remote control. Make
sure new batteries are in the hand-held
remote control before beginning the
procedure.
Straighten the antenna wire from the
garage door opener assembly. This
may help improve transmitting and/or
receiving signals.
iCertain types of garage door openers
are incompatible with the integrated
remote control. If you should experi-
ence further difficulties with program-
ming the integrated remote control,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center, or call Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA only) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or
Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.
iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any
interference received, including
interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
Page 315 of 481

314 OperationEngine compartmentThe coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.SLK 350 (example)1Coolant expansion tank
2Cap
3Marking bar in the expansion tank
Using a rag, turn cap2 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning cap2 counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
for cold coolant: reaches marking
bar3 in expansion tank1
for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap2.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 453).
Battery
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the en-
gine compartment.
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life. Refer to the Maintenance Booklet
for battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to
have the battery charge checked more
frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.
Page 316 of 481

315 Operation
Engine compartment
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located
on the passenger side of the engine com-
partment.SLK 350 (example)1Washer fluid reservoir cap
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system* is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approx. 7.4 US qt (7 l).
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clean
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.
Page 362 of 481
361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses
Page 399 of 481
398 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteriesIf the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.
When replacing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.