415 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right-hand side below the
water tray (
page 416).
1Battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 303).
Never lean over batteries while connecting
them, as you could otherwise be injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come into contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, imme-
diately flush affected area with water and
seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an
accident.
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
419 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a higher voltage battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, as you could otherwise be
injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Do not tow-start vehicle.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a
battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it checked
at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the
catalytic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still at-
tached to a battery.
420 Practical hints
Jump starting
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (manual transmission
to Neutral).
Open the hood (page 294).
Flip up cover from positive under hood
terminal2 in front of water tray1
(
page 416).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal
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 terminal3 of the
charged battery with negative
under-hood terminal4 with the
second jumper cable. Clamp the cable
to negative terminal3 of the charged
battery first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not switch on the
headlamps under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals2 and1.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Have the battery checked at the
nearest 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 303).
!Never invert the terminal connections.
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.
449 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the aluminum parts. Failure to use such anti-
corrosion/antifreeze coolant will result in
a significantly shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
ModelApproximate freeze protection
-35°F (-37°C)-49°F (-45°C)
SLK 280, SLK 3505.4 US qt (5.1 l)6.0 US qt (5.6 l)
SLK 55 AMG5.9 US qt (5.5 l)6.4 US qt (6.1 l)
453 Index
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
Important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid* 268
Capacities and recommended
fuels/lubricants 443
Carpets, cleaning 342
Catalytic converter 288
CD
Changer* 208, 252
Player/Changer*, operation 134,
208
CD changer* (Audio system) 212
Center console
Lamp 354
Lower part 30
Upper part 29Central locking
Automatic 102, 146
Locking/unlocking from inside 102
SmartKey 62
Certification label 430
CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp 349
Children in the vehicle
Air bags 79
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74, 354
Infant and child restraint systems 79
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 71
Cigarette lighter 32, 256Climate control 172
Air conditioning refrigerant 444
Air conditioning, Cooling 180
Air recirculation mode 178
Air vents 172
Air volume 177
Control panel 174
Defrosting 170, 177
Residual heat utilization 181
Switching on/off 175
Temperature 175
Clock 120
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 328
Collapsible wheel chock 384
COMAND* system 29
Driving instructions 287
Navigation 135
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
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