2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS check oil

300 Operation
Engine compartment
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required.
Be careful not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” (
page 443) and
(
page 445).
Transmission fluid level*
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and
emission control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!G
In order to avoid any potentially serious
burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

337 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of vehicle
Regular and proper care will help to main-
tain the value of your vehicle. The best way
to protect your vehicle from harmful envi-
ronmental influences is to wash it and use
protective treatments regularly.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
undercarriage and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:

Air pollution

Road salt

Tar

Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:

Grease and oil

Fuel

Coolant

Brake fluid

Bird droppings

Insects

Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:

near the ocean

in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)

during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a
thorough check is a washing of the under-
body followed by a thorough inspection.
Damaged areas need to be
re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the
factory with a wax-base rustproofing in the
body cavities which will last for the lifetime
of the vehicle. Post-production treatment
is neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

372 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NCheck oil level
when next refuelingSLK 280 and SLK 350 only:
The engine oil level has dropped to
a critical level.Check the engine oil level (page 296) and
add engine oil as required (
page 299).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
USA only:
Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refueling
Canada only:
Add 1 liter engine oil
when next refueling
SLK 55 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.Add engine oil (page 299) and check the
engine oil level (
page 296).
Cannot measure
motor oil levelSLK 55 AMG only:
The measuring system is malfunc-
tioning.Have the measuring system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

373 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Add 1 qt. (Canada:
1 liter) engine oil when next
refueling
(SLK 55 AMG) or Check oil
level when next refueling
(SLK 280,
SLK 350) appears while the engine is run-
ning and at operating temperature, the en-
gine oil level has dropped to approximately
the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved engine oil. For information on
approved engine oils, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NEngine oil level
Reduce oil levelSLK 55 AMG only:
You have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damaging the
engine or the catalytic converter.Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with respect
to its disposal.
Engine oil level
Stop, turn engine offThere is no oil in the engine. There
is a danger of engine damage.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Turn off the engine.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Add engine oil (page 299) and check the
engine oil level (
page 296).
!The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

448 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
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 -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°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
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least
50% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equivalent
to freeze protection to approximately
-35°F [-37°C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approximately
-49°F [-45°C]), the engine temperature
will increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorro-
sion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label
instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

456 Index
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44, 147
Electric air pump
Inflating collapsible tire 411
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 401
Vehicle tool kit 382
Electrical system (Technical data) 440
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call (911) 233
Emergency call system 262
Tele Aid* 263
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission* (Limp-Home
Mode) 167
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Retractable hardtop 390
Selector lever*, unlocking
manually 389
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 101
Unlocking/locking the vehicle 387Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 289
Information label 431
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram 431
Engine
Cleaning 339
Compartment 294
Malfunction indicator lamp 27, 349
Number 431
Poly-V-belt layout 432
Starting 51
Tachometer 119
Technical data 433
Turning off 61Engine oil 296, 445
Adding 299
Additives 445
Checking level (Control system) 296
Checking level (Dipstick) 298
Consumption 296
Messages in the multifunction
display 297, 372–373
ESP®84, 86
Messages in the multifunction
display 358, 359
Warning lamp 350
ETD 79
Safety guidelines 68
Warning and indicator lamps 353
Exterior lamp switch 109
Exterior lighting
Lamps 393
Replacing bulbs 393
Exterior rear view mirrors see Mirrors

465 Index
Steering wheel gearshift control one-touch
gearshifting
Automatic transmission* 163
Stolen vehicle, Recovery services
(Tele Aid*) 269
Storage compartments 32, 252
Armrest 32, 252
Between seat backrests 32, 253
Cup holder 32, 254
Door pockets 32
Glove box 32, 252
Parcel net 32, 253
Storage tray 32
Telephone* compartment 32, 252
Trunk 32
Storing tires 306
Summer opening*
Power windows 238
Retractable hardtop 244
Sun visors 170
Symbols in display 366T
Tachometer 119
Tail lamps 395
Tar stains see Vehicle care
TDMA or CDMA network phones
(Telephone*) 226
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 445
Brake fluid 446
Coolants 448
Electrical system 440
Engine 433
Engine oil 445
Fuel additives 447
Fuel requirements 447
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 443
Headlamp cleaning system* 450
Main dimensions 441
Parts service 428
Premium unleaded gasoline 446
Rims and tires 434
Weights 442
Windshield washer system 450Tele Aid system* 261
Call priority 268
Initiating an emergency call 264
Remote door unlock 269
Requirements 262
Roadside Assistance 265
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 269
System self-check 263
Telephone* 258
Changing mobile phone cradle 261
Compartment 33, 252
GSM network phones 219
Inserting in cradle 259
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 261
Operation 149, 193
Removing from cradle 260
Tightening torque
Wheel bolts 413