2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 Coolant top up

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messages
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ÊThis message will appear whenever
the trunk lid is open.Close the trunk lid.
OYou are driving with the hood open.Risk of accident!
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Close the hood (page 294).
JYou are driving with one or more
doors open.Close the doors.
•The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.Observe the coolant temperature display
(
page 127).
If the coolant temperature is below 120°C,
you may continue driving to the nearest
specialist workshop.
Avoid heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by
driving uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.

374 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
•Coolant
Stop, turn engine
off
.
The coolant is too hot.
Among other possible causes,
the poly-V-belt could be broken.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is
safe to do so.
Turn off the engine.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise, the engine will
overheat due to an inoperative water pump which
may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:
Wait for the message to disappear before restarting
the engine.
Doing otherwise could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
(Continued on next page)

375 Practical hints
What to do if …
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature display
(
page 127).
If the temperature rises again:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

376 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
/Top Up Coolant
See Operator’s ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 300).
Comply with all warnings while doing so.
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with this message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. Do not drive without sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major engine
damage.

452 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Power steeringAll models1.1 US qt (1.0 l)MB Power Steering Fluid
(Chevron Texaco PSF 9109)
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 models0.2 US qt (0.195 l)MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer
system and headlamp
cleaning system*All models7.4 US qt (7.0 l)MB Windshield washer concentrate1
1Use 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 458).

461 Index
Climate control 172
Air conditioning refrigerant 452
Air conditioning, Cooling 180
Air recirculation mode 178
Air vents 172
Air volume 177
Control panel 174
Defrosting 170, 177
Residual heat utilization 181
Switching on/off 175
Temperature 175
Clock 120
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) 447
Collapsible wheel chock 391
COMAND* system 29
Driving instructions 287
Navigation 135
Combination switch 113
High beam flasher 113
High beam headlamps 55, 113
Low beam headlamps 55
Turn signals 55
Windshield wipers 56
Control system 121Control system menus 124
AMG 128
AUDIO 133
NAV* 135
Settings 136
Standard display 127
TEL* 149
Trip computer 148
Vehicle status message memory 135
Control system submenus
Convenience* 147
Instrument cluster 139
Lighting 143
Time/Date 141
Vehicle 146
Convenience opening/closing*
Power windows 238
Retractable hardtop 244
Coolant 456
Adding water 293
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 457
Checking coolant level 300
Messages in the multifunction
display 374–376
Technical data 452
Temperature 289Temperature gauge (Multifunction
display) 127
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 114
Replacing bulbs 400
Cruise control 248
Messages in the multifunction
display 362
Cup holder 255
Curb weight 331
D
Date (Control system) 142
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Setting 143
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting
Rear window 170
Windshield (Automatic climate
control*) 189
Windshield (Climate control) 177
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 144
Interior lighting 145
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
Wile driving 58
With starting the engine 52

466 Index
Manual transmission 153
Driving 53
Gearshift pattern 51
Starting with SmartKey 51
Maximum inflation pressure 332
Maximum load rating 332
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 332
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 401
Adjusting 46
Antiglare position 168
Auto-dimming* 168
Exterior rear view mirrors 46
Interior rear view mirror 46
Mobile phone see Telephone*
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 321, 421
MON 292, 455Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3 210
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction display messages 360
ABS 362
Air bags 365–368
Battery, Vehicle 372
Brake fluid 373
Brakes 373
Bulbs 381–386
Coolant 374–376
Cruise control 362
Doors 371
Engine oil 377–379
ESP
®362, 363
Fuel 379
Hood 371
Low tire pressure 387
Maintenance service indicator 337
Parking brake 372
Passenger front air bag 367
Retractable hardtop 380, 388
Run Flat Indicator* 369
SmartKey 381SRS 364
Symbol messages 371
Telephone* 388
Text messages 362
Tire Pressure Monitoring System 370
Transmission 364
Trunk lid 371
Vehicle status message memory 135
Washer fluid 388
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 122
Heating* 276
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 332
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 438

470 Index
Storage compartments 32, 253
Armrest 32, 253
Between seat backrests 32, 254
Cup holder 32, 255
Door pockets 32
Glove box 32, 253
Parcel net 32, 254
Storage tray 32
Telephone* 253
Telephone* compartment 32
Trunk 32
Storing tires 306
Summer opening*
Power windows 238
Retractable hardtop 244
Sun visors 169
Symbols in display 371
T
Tachometer 119
Tail lamps 402
Tar stains see Vehicle care
TDMA or CDMA network phones
(Telephone*) 226Technical data
Air conditioning refrigerant 453
Brake fluid 454
Coolants 456
Electrical system 448
Engine 441
Engine oil 453
Fuel additives 455
Fuel requirements 455
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 451
Headlamp cleaning system* 458
Main dimensions 449
Parts service 436
Premium unleaded gasoline 454
Rims and tires 442
Weights 450
Windshield washer system 458
Tele Aid system* 262
Call priority 268
Initiating an emergency call 265
Remote door unlock 269
Requirements 262
Roadside Assistance 266
Stolen Vehicle Recovery
services 269
System self-check 263Telephone* 259
Changing mobile phone cradle 261
GSM network phones 219
Inserting in cradle 260
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle 262
Operation 149, 193
Removing from cradle 261
Tightening torque
Wheel bolts 420
Time and date synchronization with head
unit* (Control system) 141
TIN 333
Tire and Loading Information 308
Tire and loading terminology 331
Tire care and maintenance 305
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure 411
Air pressure 331
Checking 311, 313
Checking tire pressure electronically,
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 317
Tire inspection 305
Tire load rating 333