408 Practical hintsFlat tireThe SLK 55 AMG with Performance
Package* is equipped with a TIREFIT kit.Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.
Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead po-
sition.
Set the parking brake (
page 52).
Move the gear selector lever* toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).
Turn off the engine (
page 61).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
Small tire punctures, particularly those in
the tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).
iOpen door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
iSLK 55 AMG with Performance
Package* only.Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT away from sparks, open flame
or heat source.
Do not smoke.
414 Practical hintsFlat tire
1Wheel wrench
On wheel to be changed, loosen but do
not yet remove the wheel bolts in direc-
tion of arrow (approximately one full
turn with wheel wrench1).
The jack take-up brackets are located di-
rectly behind the front wheel housings and
in front of the rear wheel housings.2Jack
3Take-up bracket
Place jack2 on firm ground.
Position jack2 under take-up
bracket3 so that it is always vertical
(plumb-line) as seen from the side,
even if the vehicle is parked on an
incline.
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into either side of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use, es-
pecially on hills. Always try to use the jack
o n l e v e l s u r f a c e . B e s u r e t h e j a c k a r m i s f u l l y
seated in the jack take-up bracket. Always
lower the vehicle onto sufficient capacity
jackstands before working under the
vehicle.
Warning!
G
Position the jack only on the jack take-up
brackets designed for this purpose.
If the jack is not properly positioned, the ve-
hicle may fall off of the jack.
422 Practical hintsBatteryDisconnecting the battery
1Water tray
2Lock
Pull up parking brake lever firmly and
m o v e g e a r s e l e c t o r l e v e r * t o p o s i t i o nP
(manual transmission to Neutral).
Switch off all electrical consumers.
Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Open the hood (
page 307).
Turn locks2 one quarter turn.
Remove water tray1.
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 421).
Use a 10 mm open-end wrench to dis-
connect the negative lead from battery
negative terminal3 (
page 421).
Remove the cover from the positive
terminal.
Use a 10 mm open-end wrench to dis-
connect the positive lead from battery
positive terminal2 (
page 421).
Removing the battery
Remove the screw on the swivel bar.
Remove the swivel bar.
Pull out the battery ventilation tube
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation tube is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).
Take out the battery.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
automatic transmission*: the gear se-
lector lever will remain locked in
positionP
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.
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
473 Index
N
NAV* menu 132
Navigation system see NAV*
Neck-level heating see AIRSCARF* (Seats)
Night security illumination (Control
system) 145
Normal occupant weight 345
O
Occupant distribution 345
Occupant safety 64
Children 66, 75
Infant and child restraint systems 72,
75
Seat belts 47, 68, 71
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting* 164
Operating safety 16, 203
Operating vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings see Vehicle care
Outside temperature indicator 121, 129
Outside temperature/speed 138
Overhead control panel 30
Overspeed range 121, 460P
Paintwork see Vehicle care
Panic alarm 80
Parcel net (Storage compartment) 267
Parking 296
And locking 59
Parking aid see Parking position*
Parking brake 52, 59
Parking lamps 110, 401
Parking position* 108
Activation (Control system) 148
Exterior rear view mirrors 175
Parts service 434
Passenger air bag see Air bags
Passenger compartment 301
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 367
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Phone book see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 359
Poly-V-belt drive 437, 460
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 332
Power outlet 271
Power seat* see Seats
Power train 461Power washer see Vehicle care
Power windows 246
Operating rear side windows 248
Operating with retractable hardtop
switch 248
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 249
Synchronizing 251
Practical hints
Fuses 430
Lamps in instrument cluster 362
Spare wheel bolts 392
Towing vehicle 426
Vehicle jack 389
What to do if... 362
Premium unleaded gasoline 452
Problems
While driving 58
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 345
Program mode selector switch* 461
Automatic transmission* 163
PSI 345
478 IndexV
Valve extractor (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Vehicle
Battery 314, 421
Bulbs 401
Fuses 430
Individual settings (Control
system) 134
Jump starting 424
Lifting with jack 413
Locking 62
Proper use of 16
Towing 426
Unlocking/locking in an
emergency 394
Vehicle capacity weight 346
Vehicle care 353
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 389
Vehicle loading terminology 344
Vehicle status message memory menu
(Control system) 132
Vehicle tool kit 388
Collapsible wheel chock 390
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
VIN 436, 463W
Warning sounds
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Driver’s seat belt 71
Exterior lighting 61, 111
Maintenance service indicator 351
Panic alarm 80
Parking brake 53, 363
Tow-away alarm 88
Warranty coverage 435
Washing the vehicle see Vehicle care
Wear pattern (Tires) 347
Weights 448
Wheel bolts 392
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Wheel wrench (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Wheels see Tires
Wheels, tightening torque 419
Where will I find...? 388
Wind screen 259, 463
Windows see Power windowsWindshield
Washer fluid reservoir 315
Washer system 456
Windshield wipers 56
Replacing wiper blades 406
Wiper blades, cleaning 357
Winter driving 348
Instructions 299
Snow chains 349
Tires 348
Winter tires see Tires
Wood trims, cleaning 360