Contents
Introduction......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Storage compartments ......................... 32
Door control panel................................ 34Getting started................................... 35
Unlocking ............................................. 36
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 36
Starter switch positions .................. 37
Adjusting .............................................. 39
Seats .............................................. 39
Steering wheel ................................ 43
Mirrors ............................................ 46
Driving .................................................. 48
Fastening the seat belts ................. 48
Starting the engine ......................... 51
Parking brake ................................. 53
Driving off ....................................... 53
Switching on headlamps ................. 55
Turn signals .................................... 55
Windshield wipers ........................... 56
Problems while driving.................... 58
Parking and locking .............................. 59
Parking brake ................................. 59
Switching off headlamps................. 61
Turning off engine ........................... 61
Releasing seat belts........................ 61
Locking ........................................... 62
Contents
Automatic transmission* ................... 155
Gear selector lever ....................... 155
Shifting procedure ....................... 156
Gear selector lever positions ....... 157
Driving tips ................................... 159
Gear ranges ................................. 160
Automatic shift program .............. 161
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 162
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ............... 163
Manual shift program* ................. 165
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 167
Good visibility .................................... 168
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 168
Rear view mirrors ......................... 168
Sun visors .................................... 170
Rear window defroster ................. 170Climate control ................................... 172
Switching climate control
system on/off ............................... 175
Setting the temperature................ 175
Adjusting air distribution............... 176
Adjusting air volume ..................... 177
Basic settings ............................... 177
Front defroster.............................. 177
Air recirculation mode .................. 178
Air conditioning............................. 180
Residual engine heat utilization .... 181
Automatic climate control* ................ 182
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 185
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 186
Setting the temperature................ 186
Adjusting air distribution............... 187
Adjusting air volume ..................... 188
Front defroster.............................. 188
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 189
Air recirculation mode .................. 189
Air conditioning............................. 191
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 192Audio system...................................... 193
Audio and telephone*, operation .. 193
Operating safety ........................... 193
Operating and display elements ... 194
Button and soft key operation ...... 196
Operation...................................... 196
Radio operation ............................ 199
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 203
CD mode....................................... 208
GSM network phones ................... 219
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 226
Emergency calls “911” ................. 233
Power windows .................................. 235
Opening and closing the windows 235
Synchronizing power windows ...... 239
Retractable hardtop ........................... 240
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 240
Wind screen* ................................ 246
Driving systems .................................. 247
Cruise control ............................... 247
Contents
Loading .............................................. 251
Roof rack ...................................... 251
Useful features .................................. 252
Storage compartments................. 252
Shelf behind roll bars ................... 254
Cup holder.................................... 254
Ashtray ......................................... 255
Cigarette lighter ........................... 256
Power outlet ................................. 257
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 257
Telephone*................................... 258
Tele Aid* ...................................... 261
Garage door opener* ................... 270
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only) 276
Operation......................................... 277
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 278
Driving instructions............................ 279
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 279
Drinking and driving ..................... 279
Pedals .......................................... 279
Power assistance ......................... 280
Brakes .......................................... 280
Driving off .................................... 282
Parking ......................................... 282
Tires ............................................. 283
Hydroplaning ................................ 284
Tire traction.................................. 284
Tire speed rating .......................... 285
Winter driving instructions ........... 286
Standing water ............................. 287
Passenger compartment .............. 287
Driving abroad.............................. 287
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 287
Catalytic converter ....................... 288
Emission control .......................... 289
Coolant temperature .................... 289At the gas station .............................. 291
Refueling ...................................... 291
Check regularly and before a
long trip ....................................... 292
Engine compartment ......................... 294
Hood ............................................ 294
Engine oil ..................................... 296
Transmission fluid level* .............. 300
Coolant level ................................ 300
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 302
Battery ......................................... 303
Tires and wheels................................ 304
Important guidelines .................... 304
Tire care and maintenance........... 305
Direction of rotation..................... 307
Loading the vehicle ...................... 307
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 312
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 314
MOExtended system* .................. 317
Tire labeling ................................. 318
Load identification ....................... 322
Contents
Technical data.................................. 427
Parts service ...................................... 428
Warranty coverage ............................. 429
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 429
Identification labels............................ 430
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 432
SLK 280, SLK 350 ........................ 432
SLK 55 AMG ................................. 432
Engine ................................................ 433
Rims and tires .................................... 434
Same size tires ............................. 435
Mixed size tires ............................ 437
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 439
Electrical system................................ 440
Main Dimensions ............................... 441
Weights .............................................. 442Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 443
Capacities .................................... 443
Engine oils.................................... 445
Engine oil additives ...................... 445
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 445
Brake fluid .................................... 446
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 446
Fuel requirements ........................ 447
Gasoline additives ........................ 447
Coolants....................................... 448
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 450Index................................................. 451
25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*163
2Multifunction steering
wheel28,
122
3Horn
4Instrument cluster26,
118
5Overhead control panel31,
116
6Glove box252
CD changer*216,
252
7Center console29, 30
8Sun sensor for automatic
climate control*
9Starter switch37
ItemPage
aSteering wheel adjustment
release handle, manual43
bSteering wheel adjustment
stalk, electrical*44
Heated steering wheel
stalk* (SLK 280,
SLK 350, Canada only)276
cHeadlamp cleaning button*168
dHood lock release lever294
eExterior lamp switch55,
109
fCombination switch
High beam55
Turn signals55
Windshield wipers56
gPower window switches235
hInside door handle99
jCruise control lever247
27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Multifunction display
with:
Main odometer127
Trip odometer120
Automatic transmission*:
Gear range indicator52,
160
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode indicator161
Outside temperature
indicator (or digital speed-
ometer when selected)140
2Tachometer with:
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only349
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only349
ItemPage
AHigh beam
headlamp indicator
lamp55,
113
3Fuel gauge with:
4Fuel reserve warning
lamp353
The arrow indicates that the
fuel filler flap is on the rear
right-hand side.291
4Clock120
5Speedometer with:
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp64,
353
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp84,
346
ItemPage
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp55
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
86,
350
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only59,
348
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only59,
348
6Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
Resetting all settings
120
136
7Knobs for instrument
cluster illumination118
37 Getting started
Unlocking
Press unlock buttonŒ on the
SmartKey.
All turn signal lamps flash once.
An acoustic warning sounds once
(if equipped and feature activated).
For more information, see “Factory
setting” (
page 96).
The locking knobs in the doors
move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is
disarmed.
Enter the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
For more information, see “SmartKey”
(
page 94).
Starter switch positions
SmartKey
Starter switch
0For removing the SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
1Power supply for some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment*
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, see “Lamps in
instrument cluster” (
page 346).
3Starting position
iWithout the antenna on the left rear side
of the vehicle installed, the SmartKey signaling
range is considerably reduced.
Hold the SmartKey in close proximity towards
the antenna base when locking or unlocking
the vehicle.
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
38 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine, see
(
page 51).
iWhen you switch on ignition, the indicator
and warning lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) in the instrument cluster come
on. The indicator and warning lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and turn signal
indicator lamps if activated) will go out when the
engine is running. This indicates that the respec-
tive systems are operational.
iVehicles with automatic transmission*: The
SmartKey can only be removed from the starter
switch with the gear selector lever in positionP.
iIf the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can
no longer be turned in the starter switch. In this
case the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
SmartKey from the starter switch and reinsert.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
Check the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 415).
Get a jump start (page 419).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery discharge
or a completely discharged vehicle battery,
always remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch when the engine is not in operation.