Page 422 of 473

421 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*: Do
not tow-start vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with the SmartKey in the starter switch in
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (
page 91) and
the automatic central locking (
page 102).
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the brake
system
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever* must be in
positionN (manual transmission: gear shift lever
in neutral position) and the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch position0or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever* must be in
positionN (manual transmission: gear shift lever
in neutral position) and the SmartKey must be in
starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
Page 433 of 473
432 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
SLK 280, SLK 350
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)SLK 55 AMG
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
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 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 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 461 of 473

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
Page 462 of 473

461 Index
N
Navigation system* 135
Neck-level heating see AIRSCARF*
Neutral gear position
Automatic transmission* 155, 157
Manual transmission 154
Night security illumination (Control
system) 144
Normal occupant weight 329
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 430
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 329
Occupant safety 64
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74
OCS 71
Seat belts 48, 68
SRS 64OCS 71
Self-test 75
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting
Gear selector lever 162
Steering wheel gearshift
control* 163
Operating safety 16, 193
Operating vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings see Vehicle care
Outside temperature indicator 119, 128
Outside temperature/speed 140
Overhead control panel 31
Overspeed range 119P
Paintwork code 430
Paintwork see Vehicle care
Panic alarm 83
Parcel net (Storage compartment) 253
Parking 59, 282
Parking brake 53, 59
Parking lamps 109, 394
Parts service 428
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see Pas-
senger front air bag off indicator lamp
Passenger air bag see Air bags
Passenger compartment 287
Passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 361–364
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74, 354
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Page 465 of 473

464 Index
Service system
Maintenance service indicator 334
Parts service 428
Settings menu (Control system) 136
Shelf behind roll bar 254
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission* 161
Shifting, Automatic transmission 155
Side marker lamps 394
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 329
SmartKey 94
Checking batteries 98
Factory setting 96
Global locking 96
Global unlocking 96
Locking and unlocking 94
Loss of SmartKey or mechanical
key 98Mechanical key 387
Panic button 83
Positions in starter switch 37
Power windows,
opening/closing* 238
Remote control 94
Replacing batteries 391
Restoring to factory setting 98
Retractable hardtop,
opening/closing* 244
Selective setting 97
Starting engine 51
Turning off engine 61
Snow chains 333
Spare fuses (Vehicle tool kit) 382
Spare parts see Parts service
Spare wheel 385SRS
Indicator lamp 353
Messages in the multifunction
display 360
Standard display menu (Control
system) 127
Standing lamps 109, 394
Standing water, driving instructions 287
Starter switch positions 37
Starting 37, 51
Difficulties with 52
Position in starter switch 37
Steering column see Steering wheel
Steering wheel
Adjusting 43
Heating* 276
Lock 52