Page 449 of 473

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.
Page 450 of 473

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)
Page 451 of 473

450 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
Both the windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* are supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir.
The windshield washer reservoir has a
capacity of approximately 7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and water (or concentrate and
commercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze, de-
pending on ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point,
use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
“MB SummerFit” and water:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to100 parts
water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1gal [4.0l] water)For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer
Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and com-
mercially available premixed windshield
washer solvent/antifreeze:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts
solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to
1 gal [4.0 l] solvent)
Warning!G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
Page 452 of 473

451 Index
A
ABS 84
Indicator lamp 346, 347
Messages in the multifunction
display 358
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 159
Accessory weight 327
Accident 58
Air bags 66
Children in the vehicle 79
Front 69
Head-thorax 70
Knee bag 70
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 71
Passenger 69
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74
Safety guidelines 68Air conditioning
Automatic climate control* 191
Climate control 180
Air conditioning refrigerant 445
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating* 105
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt
(Vehicle tool kit) 382, 409
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 449
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems 90
Alarm system 90
Immobilizer 90
Tow-away alarm 91
Ashtray 32, 255
Aspect ratio 327
Audio search function 146Audio system 193
Audio and telephone*, operation 193
CD changer* 212
CD operation 208
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) 203
MP3 210
Operating and display elements 194
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 169
Automatic central locking 102
Control system 146
Automatic climate control* 182
Air conditioning refrigerant 444
Air conditioning, Cooling 191
Air recirculation mode 189
Air vents 182, 187
Air volume 188
Automatic mode 186
Control panel 184
Page 453 of 473

452 Index
Deactivating 185
Defrosting 170, 188
Residual heat utilization 192
Sun sensor 25
Temperature 186
Automatic shift program 161
Automatic transmission*
Accelerator position 159
Automatic shift program 161
Automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) 300
Driving 53
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 167
Fluid level 300
Gear ranges 160
Gear selector lever 155
Gear selector lever
(Unlocking manually) 389Gear selector lever control one-touch
gearshifting 162
Gear selector lever positions 157
Gear shifting malfunctions 167
Gearshift pattern 52
Kickdown 159
Kickdown, manual shift
program* 167
Manual shift program* 165
Program mode selector switch 161
Shifting procedure 156
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* 163
B
Backup lamp
Messages in the multifunction
display 377
Replacing bulbs 395Bar 328
BAS 86
Batteries (SmartKey)
Replacing 391
Battery (Vehicle) 303, 415
Charging 417
Jump starting 419
Messages in the multifunction
display 366
Bead 328
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 394
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brakes 280
Brake fluid 292, 446
Messages in the multifunction
display 367
SLK 55 AMG 281
Warning lamp 348
Break-in period 278
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 375–380
Replacing 393
Page 454 of 473

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
Page 455 of 473

454 Index
Combination switch 113
High beam flasher 113
High beam headlamps 55, 113
Low beam headlamps 55
Turn signals 55
Windshield wipers 56
Control system 121
Control system menus 124
AMG 128
AUDIO 133
NAV* 135
Settings 136
Standard display 127
TEL* 149
Trip computer 148
Vehicle status message memory 135Control system submenus
Convenience* 147
Instrument cluster 139
Lighting 143
Time/Date 141
Vehicle 146
Convenience opening/closing*
Power windows 238
Retractable hardtop 244
Coolant 448
Adding water 293
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 449
Checking coolant level 300
Messages in the multifunction
display 368–370
Technical data 444
Temperature 289
Temperature gauge (Multifunction
display) 127Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 114
Replacing bulbs 393
Cruise control 247
Messages in the multifunction
display 358
Cup holder 254
Curb weight 328
D
Date (Control system) 142
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Setting 143
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting
Rear window 170
Windshield (Automatic climate
control*) 188
Windshield (Climate control) 177
Page 456 of 473

455 Index
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 144
Interior lighting 145
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
Wile driving 58
With starting the engine 52
Digital speedometer 128
Dimensions, Vehicle 441
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (Tires) 307
Display text see Messages in the
multifunction display
Displays
Digital speedometer 128
Maintenance service indicator 334
Multifunction display 121
Outside temperature 128
Symbol messages 366
Text messages 358
Vehicle status message memory 135
Vehicle status messages 356Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 149
Door
Control panel 34
Entry lamps 117
Locking in an emergency 388
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 94
Opening from inside 99
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Unlocking in an emergency 387
DOT 328
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 279
Driver’s air bag see Air bagsDriving 53
Abroad 287
Accelerator position 159
Automatic transmission* 53
Driving off 282
Fuel saving 279
Hydroplaning 284
In winter 286
Instructions 48, 279
Kickdown 159
Manual transmission 53
Standing water 287
Tires 283
Driving safety systems 84
ABS 84
BAS 86
Electronic traction system 88
ESP
®86
Driving systems
Cruise control 247
Driving tips 159