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
300 Operation
Engine compartment
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required.
Be careful not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” (
page 443) and
(
page 445).
Transmission fluid level*
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and
emission control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!G
In order to avoid any potentially serious
burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
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.
443 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore, only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with
respect to handling, storing and disposing
of service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct
contact with you skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filterAll models8.5 US qt (8.0 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission*SLK 280, SLK 3509.5 US qt (9.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
SLK 55 AMG9.2 US qt (8.7 l)
Manual transmissionSLK 280, SLK 3501.6 US qt (1.5 l)MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axleSLK 2801.1 US qt (1.0 l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
SLK 3501.2 US qt (1.1 l)
SLK 55 AMG1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
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
460 Index
Manual transmission 153
Driving 53
Gearshift pattern 51
Starting with SmartKey 51
Maximum inflation pressure 329
Maximum load rating 328
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 328
Mechanical key see SmartKey
Memory function* 107
Menus see Control system menus
Messages in the multifunction display see
Multifunction display messages
Mirror lamp* see Sun visors
Mirrors 168
Additional turn signals 394
Adjusting 46
Antiglare position 168
Auto-dimming* 169
Exterior rear view mirrors 46
Interior rear view mirror 46Mobile phone see Telephone*
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 317, 414
MON 292, 447
Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3 210
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction display messages 356
ABS 358
Air bags 361–364
Battery, Vehicle 366
Brake fluid 367
Brakes 367
Bulbs 375–380
Coolant 368–370
Cruise control 358
Doors 371
Engine oil 372–373
ESP
®358, 359Passenger front air bag 363
Fuel 374
Hood 375
Maintenance service indicator 334
Parking brake 366
Retractable hardtop 374, 381
Run Flat Indicator* 365
Seat belt 381
SmartKey 375
SRS 360
Symbol messages 366
Telephone* 381
Text messages 358
Transmission 360
Trunk lid 381
Vehicle status message memory 135
Washer fluid 381
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 122
Heating* 276
465 Index
Steering wheel gearshift control one-touch
gearshifting
Automatic transmission* 163
Stolen vehicle, Recovery services
(Tele Aid*) 269
Storage compartments 32, 252
Armrest 32, 252
Between seat backrests 32, 253
Cup holder 32, 254
Door pockets 32
Glove box 32, 252
Parcel net 32, 253
Storage tray 32
Telephone* compartment 32, 252
Trunk 32
Storing tires 306
Summer opening*
Power windows 238
Retractable hardtop 244
Sun visors 170
Symbols in display 366T
Tachometer 119
Tail lamps 395
Tar stains see Vehicle care
TDMA or CDMA network phones
(Telephone*) 226
Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 445
Brake fluid 446
Coolants 448
Electrical system 440
Engine 433
Engine oil 445
Fuel additives 447
Fuel requirements 447
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 443
Headlamp cleaning system* 450
Main dimensions 441
Parts service 428
Premium unleaded gasoline 446
Rims and tires 434
Weights 442
Windshield washer system 450Tele Aid system* 261
Call priority 268
Initiating an emergency call 264
Remote door unlock 269
Requirements 262
Roadside Assistance 265
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 269
System self-check 263
Telephone* 258
Changing mobile phone cradle 261
Compartment 33, 252
GSM network phones 219
Inserting in cradle 259
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 261
Operation 149, 193
Removing from cradle 260
Tightening torque
Wheel bolts 413