2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS tires

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
DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ............................... 322
Maximum tire load ....................... 324
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 324
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 325
Tire ply material ........................... 327
Tire and loading terminology ........ 327
Rotating tires ............................... 330
Winter driving .................................... 332
Winter tires .................................. 332
Snow chains................................. 333
Maintenance ...................................... 334
Maintenance service indicator
message....................................... 334
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 335
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 335
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display............... 335
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 336
Vehicle care ....................................... 337
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 337
Practical hints.................................. 345
What to do if … ................................... 346
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 346
Lamp in center console................. 354
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display..................... 356
Where will I find...? ............................. 382
First aid kit .................................... 382
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack ......... 382
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 385
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 386
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 387
Unlocking the vehicle.................... 387
Locking the vehicle ....................... 388
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ............ 389
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 390
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ....................................... 390
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 391
SmartKey ...................................... 391Replacing bulbs .................................. 393
Bulbs............................................. 393
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 396
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 397
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 399
Placing wiper arms in vertical
position......................................... 399
Removing wiper blades ................. 400
Installing wiper blades .................. 400
Flat tire............................................... 401
Preparing the vehicle .................... 401
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 401
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 407
MOExtended system* ................... 414
Battery ............................................... 415
Disconnecting the battery ............ 416
Removing the battery ................... 417
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 417
Reconnecting the battery ............. 418
Jump starting...................................... 419
Towing the vehicle.............................. 421
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 422
Fuses.................................................. 425
Fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 425
Fuse box in engine compartment . 426

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

16 Introduction
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual

the “Technical data” section
(
page 427) in this manual

the traffic rules and regulations

the motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modification made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for repairs or modifications to
electronic components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore
never turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!G
Heavy blows against the vehicle undercar-
riage or tires/wheels, for example when
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole, may cause serious damage and im-
pair the operating safety or your vehicle. If
you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that dam-
age to your vehicle has occurred, you should
turn on your hazard warning flashers, care-
fully slow down, and drive with caution to an
area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle undercarriage or
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the
vehicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair
facility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!G
Various labels are attached to your vehicle.
These warning labels are intended to make
you and others aware of various risks. You
should not remove any of these warning
labels unless explicitly instructed to do so by
information on the label itself. Removal of
any of these labels may cause you and
others to be unaware of certain risks which
may result in an accident and/or personal
injury.

23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk
Opening the trunk100
Closing the trunk100
Spare wheel385
Vehicle tool kit382
2Rear lamps393
3Rear window defroster170
4Fuel filler flap291
Refueling291
Gasoline446
5Doors
Locking and unlocking94
Opening99
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency387
ItemPage
6Towing421
Installing towing eye bolt422
7Tires and wheels304
Checking tire inflation
pressure314
Run Flat Indicator*315
General information304
Flat tire401
8Front lamps393
9Hood
Opening294
Engine oil296,
445
Coolant300,
448
ItemPage
aWindshield wipers56
Wiper blades, replacing399
Wiper blades, cleaning340
bWindshield
Cleaning with wiper fluid58
Cleaning340
cRetractable hardtop240
Opening/closing242
Wind screen246
Luggage cover241
dExterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting46
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*169

84 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
In this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (Antilock Brake System)

BAS (Brake Assist System)

ESP® (Electronic Stability Program)
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will
respond even to light brake pressure.
The -indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster (
page 26) comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns

Wet and slippery road surfaces

Following another vehicle too closely
The driving systems described in this sec-
tion cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on
the vehicle.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
iIn winter operation, the maximum
effectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, and the ESP®
is only achieved with winter tires (
page 332)
or snow chains as required.
Warning!G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

85 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the
pulsation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions
and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 346).
Warning!G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP® are also switched off. The
basic driving and braking functions are still
available.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency
beyond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent
accidents. The capabilities of an ABS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.

86 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
ESP®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid.
By applying the brakes to the appropriate
wheel and by limiting the engine output,
the ESP
® works to stabilize the vehicle.
The ESP® is especially useful while driving
off and on wet or slippery road surfaces.
The ESP
® also stabilizes the vehicle during
braking and steering maneuvers.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the
instrument cluster flashes when the ESP®
is engaged.
The ESP
® warning lampv in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functioning normally, but
without the additional brake boost available
that BAS would normally provide in an emer-
gency braking maneuver. Therefore, the
braking distance may increase.
Warning!G
The BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle
brakes and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, includ-
ing those resulting from excessive speed in
turns, following another vehicle too closely,
or hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a BAS equipped vehicle
must never be exploited in a reckless or
dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user’s safety or the safety of others.