Page 255 of 473

254 Controls in detail
Useful features
Shelf behind roll barsCup holder
1Cover plate
Press briefly on cover plate1 to open
the cup holder.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Press cover plate1 until the cup
holder engages to close it.
Warning!G
The shelf behind the roll bars should not be
used to carry objects. This will prevent such
objects from being thrown around and injur-
ing vehicle occupants during an accident or
sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids
on vehicle occupants and/or vehicle
equipment, only use containers that fit into
the cup holder. Use lids on open containers
and do not fill containers to a height where
the contents, especially hot liquids, could
spill during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in
an accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle
occupants may cause serious personal
injury. Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment
may cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during hard braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior. Ob-
jects thrown around in the vehicle interior
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.
Page 296 of 473

295 Operation
Engine compartment
Pull hood lock release lever1 in direc-
tion of arrow.
The hood is unlocked.
2Lever for opening the hood
Push lever2 on the hood upward to
release hood.
With the hood released, lift the hood by
lifting it at the front edge.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
ClosingLet the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.!To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Warning!G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hand or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged be-
fore driving. Do not continue driving if the
hood can no longer engage after an accident
for example. The hood could otherwise
come loose while the vehicle is in motion
and injure you and/or others.
Page 320 of 473

319 Operation
Tires and wheels
General:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only. Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 318) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (
page 318) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 318) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag-
onal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 320).Rim diameter
The rim diameter4 (
page 318) is the
diameter of the bead seat, not the
diameter of the rim edge. Rim diameter is
indicated in inches (in).
Tire load rating
The tire load rating5 (
page 318) is a
numerical code associated with the
maximum load a tire can support.
For example, a load rating of 91 corre-
sponds to a maximum load of 1 356 lbs
(615 kg) the tire is designed to support.
See also “Maximum tire load”
(
page 324) where the maximum load as-
sociated with the load index is indicated in
kilograms and lbs.
Page 328 of 473

327 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa), or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.
Warning!G
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underin-
flation, or excessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can cause
excessive heat build-up and possible tire
failure.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and may vary
from data shown in above illustration.
Page 389 of 473
388 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.Insert mechanical key 3 into the trunk
lid lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key 3 counterclock-
wise to position1 until it stops,
and simultaneously
pull trunk lid handle 2 and lift lid.
Turn mechanical key 3 back and
remove 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 103).
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.
1Unlocking
2Handle
3Mechanical key
!Always make sure there is sufficient over-
head clearance.
Page 442 of 473
441 Technical data
Main Dimensions
Main Dimensions
ModelSLK 280SLK 350SLK 55 AMG
Overall vehicle length161.0 in (4 089 mm)161.0 in (4 089 mm)161.1 in (4 093 mm)
Overall vehicle width77.5 in (1 969 mm)77.5 in (1 969 mm)77.5 in (1 969 mm)
Overall vehicle height51.0 in (1 296 mm)51.1 in (1 298 mm)50.6 in (1 286 mm)
Overall vehicle height when
opening/closing hardtop60.8 in (1 544 mm)60.8 in (1 544 mm)60.4 in (1 534 mm)
Wheelbase95.7 in (2 430 mm)95.7 in (2 430 mm)95.7 in (2 430 mm)
Track, front60.2 in (1 530 mm)60.1 in (1 526 mm)60.0 in (1 524 mm)
Track, rear61.0 in (1 549 mm)61.0 in (1 549 mm)61.0 in (1 549 mm)
Turning circle34.5 ft (10.51 m)34.5 ft (10.51 m)34.5 ft (10.51 m)
Page 459 of 473

458 Index
H
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 342
Hazard warning flasher 115, 116
Head restraint height (Seats) 42
Headlamps
Bi-Xenon* 394
Cleaning system* 168, 302, 450
Night security illumination (Control
system) 144
Switching off 61
Switching on 55
Headliner, cleaning 342
Head-thorax air bag 70
Heating
Seats* 104
Steering wheel* 276
High beam
Flasher 113
Headlamps 55, 113
Headlamps, bulbs 394
High beam headlamps 109
High mounted brake lamp 395
High-performance brake system 281
Hood 294
Horn 25
Hydroplaning 284I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition (Position in starter switch) 37
Immobilizer see Anti-theft systems
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Instrument cluster 27, 118
Clock 120
Lamps, indicator and warning 346
Overview 26
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior rear view mirror see Mirrors
Intermittent/interval wiping see
Windshield wipers
J
Jack (Vehicle tool kit) 382
Lifting vehicle 407
Lowering vehicle 413
Jump starting 419K
Kickdown 159
Kilopascal 328
Knee bag see Air bags
L
Labels 430
Lamp in center console 354
Lamps in instrument cluster 346
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 346, 347
Battery (SmartKey) 97
Brakes 348
CHECK ENGINE 349
ESP
®87, 350
Passenger front air bag off 74, 354
Fuel reserve 353
Passenger front air bag off 354
Seat belts 351–352
SRS 65, 353
Page 464 of 473

463 Index
Remote door unlock with Tele Aid* 269
Reporting, safety defects 18
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button (Instrument cluster) 27
Residual engine heat utilization see REST
REST
Automatic climate control* 192
Climate control 181
Restraint systems
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 79
Seat belts 64, 76
Retractable hardtop 240
Locking after raising/lowering 242
Opening and closing 240
Operating manually 390
Problems when operating 242
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 244
Wind screen* 246Reverse gear position
Automatic transmission* 155, 157
Manual transmission 154
Rims 329, 434
Roadside Assistance 12, 265
RON 292, 447
Roof rack 251
Rubber parts, cleaning 342
Run Flat Indicator* 315
S
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects, reporting 18
Safety, occupant 64
Satellite radio* (USA only) 134
Seat belt force limiter 79
Seat belts 64, 76
Cleaning 343
Fastening 48
Proper use of 50
Release button 49
Safety guidelines 68
Warning lamp 351–352Seating capacity 308
Seats 104
Adjusting 39
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44
Head restraint height 42
Heating* 104
Power seats* 41
Selective setting see SmartKey
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Selector lever* lock 52
Self-test
OCS 75
Service
Information 12
Maintenance Booklet 12
Service and warranty
Booklet 429
Information 10
Service life (Tires) 305