Contents
Loading .............................................. 251
Roof rack ...................................... 251
Useful features .................................. 252
Storage compartments................. 252
Shelf behind roll bars ................... 254
Cup holder.................................... 254
Ashtray ......................................... 255
Cigarette lighter ........................... 256
Power outlet ................................. 257
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 257
Telephone*................................... 258
Tele Aid* ...................................... 261
Garage door opener* ................... 270
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only) 276
Operation......................................... 277
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 278
Driving instructions............................ 279
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 279
Drinking and driving ..................... 279
Pedals .......................................... 279
Power assistance ......................... 280
Brakes .......................................... 280
Driving off .................................... 282
Parking ......................................... 282
Tires ............................................. 283
Hydroplaning ................................ 284
Tire traction.................................. 284
Tire speed rating .......................... 285
Winter driving instructions ........... 286
Standing water ............................. 287
Passenger compartment .............. 287
Driving abroad.............................. 287
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 287
Catalytic converter ....................... 288
Emission control .......................... 289
Coolant temperature .................... 289At the gas station .............................. 291
Refueling ...................................... 291
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 292
Engine compartment ......................... 294
Hood ............................................ 294
Engine oil ..................................... 296
Transmission fluid level* .............. 300
Coolant level ................................ 300
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 302
Battery ......................................... 303
Tires and wheels................................ 304
Important guidelines .................... 304
Tire care and maintenance........... 305
Direction of rotation..................... 307
Loading the vehicle ...................... 307
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 312
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 314
MOExtended system* .................. 317
Tire labeling ................................. 318
Load identification ....................... 322
23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk
Opening the trunk100
Closing the trunk100
Spare wheel385
Vehicle tool kit382
2Rear lamps393
3Rear window defroster170
4Fuel filler flap291
Refueling291
Gasoline446
5Doors
Locking and unlocking94
Opening99
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency387
ItemPage
6Towing421
Installing towing eye bolt422
7Tires and wheels304
Checking tire inflation
pressure314
Run Flat Indicator*315
General information304
Flat tire401
8Front lamps393
9Hood
Opening294
Engine oil296,
445
Coolant300,
448
ItemPage
aWindshield wipers56
Wiper blades, replacing399
Wiper blades, cleaning340
bWindshield
Cleaning with wiper fluid58
Cleaning340
cRetractable hardtop240
Opening/closing242
Wind screen246
Luggage cover241
dExterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting46
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*169
90 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens
a door
the trunk lid
the hood
the glove box
the storage/telephone* compartment
in the center console
The alarm system will also be triggered
when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle
opening the vehicle with the
mechanical key
someone opens a door from the inside
someone opens the trunk lid with the
emergency release button
iStarting the engine will also deactivate the
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iThe alarm will stay on, even if the activating
element (e.g. a door) is immediately closed.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid* system
(
page 261), provided Tele Aid* service was
subscribed to and properly activated, and that
necessary cellular service and GPS coverage are
available (
page 261).
127 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
The multifunction display shows the main
odometer and trip odometer. This default
setting is referred to as the standard
display.
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
If another display is shown instead of the
standard display:
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Run Flat Indicator*315
Checking coolant temperature127
Displaying digital speedometer
or outside temperature128
Calling up maintenance service
indicator334
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)296
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
275 Controls in detail
Useful features
Programming tips
If you are having difficulty programming
the integrated remote control, here are
some helpful tips:
Check the frequency of the hand-held
remote control5 (typically located on
the reverse side of the remote). The in-
tegrated remote control is compatible
with radio-frequency devices operating
between 280-390 MHz.
Put a new battery in hand-held remote
control5. This will increase the likeli-
hood of the hand-held remote control
sending a faster and more accurate sig-
nal to the integrated remote control.
While performing step 3, hold
hand-held remote control5 at
different lengths and angles from the
signal transmitter button (2, 3 or4)
you are programming.
Attempt varying angles at the distance
of 2 to 5 in (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 experience further difficulties with
programming 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 interfer-
ence, 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.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
289 Operation
Driving instructions
Emission control
Certain engine systems serve to keep the
toxic components of the exhaust gases
within permissible limits required by law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly
according to factory specifications.
Any adjustments on the engine should
therefore only be carried out by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians.
Engine adjustments should not be altered
in any way. Moreover, the specified service
jobs must be carried out regularly accord-
ing to Mercedes-Benz servicing require-
ments. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.Coolant temperature
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause un-
consciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids, which may have
leaked into the engine compartment, to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
292 Operation
At the gas station
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
Engine compartment
(example illustration, SLK 350)
1Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system* reservoir
2Brake fluid reservoir
3Coolant expansion tankWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 302).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 443).
iMake sure to close the fuel filler flap before
locking your vehicle as the flap locking pin
prevents closing after you have locked the
vehicle.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average
of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be
found on the fuel pump. Please contact gas
station personnel in case labels on the pump
cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see “Premium
unleaded gasoline” (
page 446), refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz-Center.
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp to flash and the?malfunction
indicator lamp (USA only) or the
±malfunction indicator lamp (Canada only)
to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 349).
iFor opening the hood, see “Hood”
(
page 294).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 348).
294 Operation
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
1Hood lock release lever
Warning!G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose
and injure you and/or others.
Warning!G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from the vehicle and do not open the
hood until the engine has cooled. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.
Warning!G
You could be injured when the hood is open
– even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool of com-
pletely before touching any components on
the vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
Warning!G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades.
Warning!G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually