Page 398 of 473

397 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Low beam bulb (Halogen headlamps 
only)
Turn housing cover1 counterclock-
wise and remove.
Turn bulb socket5 with the bulb 
counterclockwise and remove.
Pull the bulb out of bulb socket5.
Press the new bulb into bulb socket5.
Place bulb socket5 back into the 
lamp and turn it clockwise.
Reinstall housing cover1.
High beam/high beam flasher bulb 
(Halogen headlamps) / High beam 
flasher bulb (Bi-Xenon* headlamps)
Turn bulb socket3 with the bulb 
counterclockwise and remove.
Pull the bulb out of bulb socket3.
Press the new bulb into bulb socket3.
Place bulb socket3 back into the 
lamp and turn it clockwise.Front turn signal bulb
Turn bulb socket2 with the bulb 
counterclockwise and remove.
Press gently onto the bulb and turn it 
counterclockwise out of bulb 
socket2.
Press the new bulb gently into bulb 
socket2 and turn it clockwise.
Place bulb socket2 back into the 
lamp and turn it clockwise.
Parking and standing lamp bulb
Turn bulb socket4 with the bulb 
counterclockwise and remove.
Pull the bulb out of bulb socket4.
Press the new bulb into bulb socket4.
Place bulb socket4 back into the 
lamp and turn it clockwise.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a rear 
lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to 
positionM (
page 109).
Open the trunk lid (page 100).
Tail lamp unit
1Bulb socket for rear fog lamp 
(driver’s side only)
2Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
3Bulb socket for backup lamp 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 421 of 473

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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 445 of 473

444 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Power steeringAll models1.1 US qt (1.0 l)MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S or, 
depending on vehicle production date, Chevron 
Texaco PSF 9109)
1
Front wheel hubsAll modelsapprox. 2.1oz (60g) eachHigh temperature roller bearing grease
Brake systemAll models0.5 US qt (0.5 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling systemSLK 280approx. 10.4 US qt (9.8 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
SLK 350approx. 10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
SLK 55 AMGapprox. 11.7 US qt (11.1 l)
Fuel tankAll modelsapprox. 18.5 US gal (70.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum posted Octane 91 (average of 
96 RON/86 MON)
including a reserve ofSLK 280, SLK 350
SLK 55 AMGapprox. 2.4 US gal (9.0 l)
approx. 2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
Air conditioning systemAll modelsR-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant oil 
(never R-12)
Hydraulic system for 
retractable hardtopAll models0.19 US qt (0.18 l)MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer 
system and headlamp 
cleaning system*All models7.4 US qt (7.0 l)MB Windshield washer concentrate2
1For detailed information, please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.2Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate“MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” 
and commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 450). 
         
        
        
     
        
        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 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 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 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 460 of 473

459 Index
Language in multifunction display (Control 
system) 139
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 432
License plate lamps 395
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 341
Technical data 434
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting 109
Combination switch 113
Corner-illuminating front fog 
lamps* 114
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Door entry lamps 117
Exterior lamp switch 109
Exterior lamps, cleaning 340
Fog lamps 112
Footwell lighting* 117
Hazard warning flasher 115Headlamp mode, 
automatic/manual 110
High beam 113
High beam flasher 113
Individual settings (Control 
system) 143
Instrument cluster illumination 118
Interior lighting 116
Low beam headlamps 109
Night security illumination (Control 
system) 144
Reading lamps 117
Standing lamps 109
Trunk 116
Limp-home mode 167
Loading 251, 307, 327
Locator lighting (Control system) 144
Locking
And parking 59
Centrally (Control system) 146
Centrally from inside 102Locking knob (Doors) 99
Locking the vehicle 62
Long trip, checking before 292
Loss of
Service and Warranty Booklet 429
SmartKey or mechanical key 98
Low beam headlamps 109, 394
Lubricants, technical data 443
Luggage cover 32, 241
M
Main dimensions 441
Maintenance service indicator (Control 
system) 334
Maintenance System 334
Manual seat see Seats
Manual shift program* 165
Deactivating 167