Page 275 of 473

274 Controls in detail
Useful features
Reprogramming a single signal trans-
mitter button
To program a device using a signal trans-
mitter button previously trained, follow 
these steps:
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Press and hold the desired signal 
transmitter button (2, 3 or4). 
Do not release the button.
Indicator lamp1 will begin to flash 
after 20 seconds. Without releasing 
the signal transmitter button, proceed 
with programming starting with step 3.Operation of integrated remote control
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Select and press the appropriate inte-
grated signal transmitter button (2, 
3 or4) to activate the remote con-
trolled device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as 
long as the button is pressed – up to 
20 seconds.Erasing the integrated remote control 
memorySwitch on the ignition (page 37).
Simultaneously press and hold outer 
signal transmitter buttons2 and 4, 
for approximately 20 seconds, until 
indicator lamp1 flashes rapidly. Do 
not hold for longer than 30 seconds.
The codes of all three channels are 
erased.
iIf you sell your vehicle, erase the codes of all 
three channels. 
     
        
        Page 277 of 473

276 Controls in detail
Useful features
Heated steering wheel* 
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only)
The steering wheel heating warms up the 
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is located on the lower left-hand 
side of the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Indicator lamp
3Switching offSwitching onSwitch on the ignition (page 37).
Turn switch at tip of stalk in direction of 
arrow1 and release it.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator 
lamp2 comes on.Switching off
Turn switch at tip of stalk in direction of 
arrow3 and release it.
The steering wheel heating is switched 
off. Indicator lamp2 goes out.
iThe steering wheel heating is temporarily 
suspended while indicator lamp2 remains on 
when
the temperature of the vehicle interior is 
above 86°F (30°C)
the temperature of the steering wheel is 
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore, 
steering wheel heating continues.
iIndicator lamp2 flashes or switches off in 
case of
power surge or undervoltage
steering wheel heating malfunction
iThe steering wheel heating switches off 
automatically when you remove the SmartKey 
from the starter switch. 
     
        
        Page 295 of 473

294 Operation
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
1Hood lock release lever
Warning!G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could 
be forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose 
and injure you and/or others.
Warning!G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the 
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is 
overheated, do not open the hood. Move 
away from the vehicle and do not open the 
hood until the engine has cooled. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.
Warning!G
You could be injured when the hood is open 
– even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To 
prevent burns, let the engine cool of com-
pletely before touching any components on 
the vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety 
precautions.
Warning!G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of 
moving parts when the hood is open and the 
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for 
approximately 30 seconds or may even 
restart after the engine has been turned off. 
Stay clear of fan blades.
Warning!G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized 
ignition system. Because of the high voltage 
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic 
socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is 
turned manually 
     
        
        Page 297 of 473

296 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will 
depend on a number of factors, including 
driving style. Higher oil consumption can 
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at 
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only 
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking engine oil level with the 
control system (SLK 55 AMG only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground.
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least 5 minutes with the 
engine turned off.
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been 
stationary for at least 30 minutes with 
the engine turned off.To check the engine oil level via the 
multifunction display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
The standard display appears in the 
multifunction display (
page 127).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly 
until the following message appears in 
the multifunction display (
page 122):
!Do not use any special lubricant additives, 
as these may damage the drive assemblies. 
Using special additives not approved by 
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered 
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at 
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 
     
        
        Page 298 of 473

297 Operation
Engine compartment
One of the following messages will 
subsequently appear in the multifunc-
tion display:
Engine oil level
OK
Add 1.0 qt. (Canada: 1.0 liter)
to reach max. oil level
Add 1.5 qts. (Canada: 
1.5 liters)
to reach max. oil level
Add 2.0 qts. (Canada: 
2.0 liters)
to reach max. oil level
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding 
engine oil” (
page 299).
For more information on engine oil, see 
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.” 
(
page 443).Other display messages
If the ignition is not switched on, the fol-
lowing message will appear:
Turn on ignition
to see engine oil level
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
If engine is at operating temperature, 
wait 5 minutes before repeating check 
procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, you must wait 30 minutes 
before checking oil.If you see the message:
Cannot check engine
level with engine on
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking 
oil.
If the engine is not at operating 
temperature yet, you must wait 
30 minutes before checking oil.
iIf you want to interrupt the checking 
procedure, press buttonk orj on the 
multifunction steering wheel (
page 122).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking 
procedure, press buttonk orj on the 
multifunction steering wheel (
page 122). 
     
        
        Page 317 of 473

316 Operation
Tires and wheels
Reactivating the Run Flat Indicator
The tire inflation pressure monitor must be 
restarted in the following situations:
If you have changed the tire inflation 
pressure
If you have replaced the wheels or tires
If you have installed new wheels or 
tires
Using the Tire and Loading Information 
placard on the driver’s door B-pillar or, 
if available, the tire inflation pressure 
label on the inside of the fuel filler flap, 
make sure the tire inflation pressure of 
all four tires is correct.
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
The standard display menu appears in 
the multifunction display (
page 127).
Press buttonk orj repeatedly 
until the following message appears in 
the multifunction display:
Run Flat Indicator
active
Menu: R-Button
Press reset buttonJ (page 26).
The following message will appear in 
the multifunction display:
Restart 
Run Flat Indicator? If you wish to confirm activation:
Press buttonæ.
The following message will appear in 
the multifunction display:
Run Flat Indicator
restarted
After a certain “learning phase”, the Run 
Flat Indicator checks the set pressure val-
ues for all four tires.
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press buttonç.
or
Wait until the message
Restart 
Run Flat Indicator? 
disappears.Warning!G
The Run Flat Indicator can only warn you in 
a reliable manner if you have set the correct 
tire inflation pressures for each tire.
If an incorrect tire inflation pressure was 
set, the system will monitor the pressure 
according to the incorrect value. 
     
        
        Page 335 of 473

334 Operation
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have 
your vehicle serviced by an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with 
the Maintenance Booklet at the times 
called for by the maintenance service indi-
cator.Maintenance service indicator 
message
The maintenance service indicator 
message will notify you when the next 
maintenance service is due.
Starting approximately 1 month before the 
next maintenance service is due, one of 
the following messages will appear in the 
multifunction display while you are driving 
or when you switch on the ignition (exam-
ple service A):
Service A due in XXXXX miles (km)
Service A due in XXX days
Service A due in X day
Service A due now
The maintenance services will be indicated 
by showing a service type A through 
type H in the multifunction display. 
Types A through H are classified based on 
estimated time needed to perform the 
maintenance service, ranging:
from
Service A
(approximately 1 hour)
to
Service H
(approximately 8 hours)
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for a listing 
of maintenance services and intervals the 
need to be performed at.
!Failure to have the vehicle maintained in 
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet and 
the maintenance service indicator at the 
designated times/mileage will result in vehicle 
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
iThe Maintenance System tracks distance 
driven and the time elapsed since the last main-
tenance service, calculates other maintenance 
service work required, and calls for the next 
maintenance service accordingly. 
     
        
        Page 336 of 473

335 Operation
Maintenance
Clearing the maintenance service 
indicator message
The maintenance service indicator 
message is automatically cleared:
after approximately 10 seconds when 
you switch on the ignition or when 
reaching the service threshold while 
driving
after approximately 30 seconds once 
the suggested maintenance service 
term has passed
You can also clear it yourself.
Press reset buttonJ(page 26) on 
the instrument cluster.
The maintenance service indicator 
message is cleared and the standard 
display appears in the multifunction 
display (
page 127).
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction 
display:
Service A exceeded by XXXXX miles (km)
Service A exceeded by XXX days
Service A exceeded by X day
In addition, a signal sounds when the 
message appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
reset the maintenance service indicator 
following a completed maintenance 
service.Calling up the maintenance service 
indicator display
You can call up the maintenance service in-
dicator display at any time to check when 
the next maintenance service is due.
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
The standard display menu appears in 
the multifunction display (
page 127).
Press buttonjork on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly 
until the maintenance service indicator 
display with the service symbol 9 
appears in the multifunction display.
iThe menu overview can be found on 
(
page 124).