2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 Coolant top up

Contents
Audio system ..................................... 193
Audio and telephone*, operation . 193
Operating safety ........................... 193
Operating and display elements ... 194
Button and soft key operation ...... 196
Operation ..................................... 196
Radio operation ............................ 199
Introduction to satellite radio* ..... 203
CD mode ...................................... 208
GSM network phones ................... 219
TDMA or CDMA network phones.. 226
Emergency calls “911” ................. 233
Power windows .................................. 235
Opening and closing the
windows ....................................... 235
Synchronizing power windows ..... 239
Retractable hardtop ........................... 240
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ...................... 240
Wind screen* ............................... 246
Driving systems ................................. 248
Cruise control............................... 248
Loading .............................................. 252
Roof rack ...................................... 252Useful features .................................. 253
Storage compartments ................ 253
Shelf behind roll bars ................... 254
Cup holder ................................... 255
Ashtray......................................... 255
Cigarette lighter ........................... 256
Power outlet................................. 257
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 258
Telephone* .................................. 259
Tele Aid* ...................................... 262
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.................... 289

Contents
At 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* ......... 301
Battery ......................................... 302
Tires and wheels ................................ 304
Important guidelines .................... 304
Tire care and maintenance........... 305
Direction of rotation ..................... 307
Loading the vehicle ...................... 307
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 311
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 313
MOExtended system* .................. 321
Tire labeling.................................. 321
Load identification ....................... 325
DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ............................... 326
Maximum tire load ....................... 327Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 328
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 328
Tire ply material ............................ 330
Tire and loading terminology......... 331
Rotating tires ................................ 334
Winter driving ..................................... 335
Winter tires ................................... 335
Snow chains.................................. 336
Maintenance....................................... 337
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 337
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message ............ 338
Maintenance service term
exceeded ...................................... 338
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 338
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 339
Vehicle care........................................ 340
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 340
Practical hints.................................. 347
What to do if … ................................... 348
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 348
Lamp in center console ................ 358
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 360
Where will I find...? ............................. 389
First aid kit.................................... 389
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack ......... 389
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 392
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 393
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 394
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 394
Locking the vehicle ....................... 395
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ............ 396
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 397
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ....................................... 397
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 398
Replacing bulbs .................................. 400
Bulbs............................................. 400
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 403
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 404

23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk
Opening the trunk99
Closing the trunk100
Spare wheel392
Vehicle tool kit389
2Rear lamps400
3Rear window defroster170
4Fuel filler flap291
Refueling291
Gasoline454
5Doors
Locking and unlocking94
Opening98
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency394
ItemPage
6Towing428
Installing towing eye bolt429
7Tires and wheels304
Checking tire inflation
pressure313
General information304
Flat tire408
8Front lamps400
9Hood
Opening294
Engine oil296,
453
Coolant300,
456
ItemPage
aWindshield wipers56
Wiper blades, replacing406
Wiper blades, cleaning343
bWindshield
Cleaning with wiper fluid58
Cleaning343
cRetractable hardtop240
Opening/closing242
Wind screen246
Luggage cover241
dExterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting46
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*168

58 Getting started
Driving
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1 (
page 58) to
the resistance point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow1 (
page 58) past the
resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 301).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.

The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.

Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool off.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 300).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police
authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage can be determined on the

Major assemblies

Fuel system

Engine mount
Start the engine in the usual manner.
iTo prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with
windshield washer fluid every now and then even
when it is raining.

127 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
The multifunction display shows the main
odometer and trip odometer. This default
setting is referred to as the standard
display.
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
If another display is shown instead of the
standard display:
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
or
TPMS (USA only)315
317
Checking coolant temperature127
Displaying digital speedometer
or outside temperature128
Calling up maintenance service
indicator337
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)296
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 com-
ing from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.

128 Controls in detail
Control system
When in the standard display menu,
press buttonjork repeatedly
until the coolant temperature appears
in the multifunction display.Displaying digital speedometer or
outside temperature
Press buttonjork repeatedly
until the digital speedometer appears
in the multifunction display.
The current vehicle speed or the
outside temperature appears in the
multifunction display.
Example illustration for selected vehicle
speed
AMG menu
The main screen of the AMG menu shows
you the gear currently engaged as well as
the engine oil temperature.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2Engine oil temperature
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning message in the multifunction display
(
page 374).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
iYou can select to either display the digital
speedometer or the outside temperature
indicator (
page 140).
iThis function is only available in AMG
vehicles.

181 Controls in detail
Climate control
Set air volume control2 (page 177)
to position5.
The ventilation operates with maximum
blower speed.
Turn temperature controls1and4
(
page 174) completely counterclock-
wise to their end stops.
The lowest temperature for both sides
is set.
Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Switch off the ignition (page 37).
Press button9 (page 174).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating
Press button9 (page 174) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iWhen the vehicle’s interior has cooled down
enough, reduce the air volume and increase the
air temperature to comfortable settings if
desired.
iHow long the system will provide heating
depends on

the coolant temperature

the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting1 regardless
of the air distribution control setting.
iThe residual heat is automatically turned off

when the ignition is switched on (page 37)

after about 30 minutes

if the battery voltage drops

290 Operation
Driving instructions
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning message in the multifunction display
(
page 374).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).