2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 check engine

378 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Add 1 qt. (Canada:
1 liter) engine oil when next
refueling
(SLK 55 AMG) or Check oil
level when next refueling
(SLK 280,
SLK 350) appears while the engine is run-
ning and at operating temperature, the en-
gine oil level has dropped to approximately
the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning is at first
intermittent and then remains on if the oil
level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If there are no
obvious oil leaks, drive to the nearest
service station to refill the engine oil
should be topped to the required level.
For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NUSA only:
Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refueling
.
Canada only:
Add 1 liter engine oil
when next refueling
.
SLK 55 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.Add engine oil (page 299) and check the
engine oil level (
page 296).
Cannot Measure
Engine Oil LevelSLK 55 AMG only:
The measuring system is malfunc-
tioning.Have the measuring system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

379 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NEngine Oil Level
Reduce Oil LevelSLK 55 AMG only:
You have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damaging the
engine or the catalytic converter.Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with respect
to its disposal.
Engine Oil Level
Stop, turn engine off.There is no oil in the engine. There
is a danger of engine damage.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).
Add engine oil (page 299) and check the
engine oil level (
page 296).
AReserve FuelThe fuel level has dropped below
the reserve mark.Refuel at the next gas station (page 291).
4Gas Cap
Is OpenA loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 291).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

422 Practical hints
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right-hand side below the
water tray (
page 423).
1Battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 302).
Never lean over batteries while connecting
them, as you could otherwise be injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come into contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, imme-
diately flush affected area with water and
seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an
accident.
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.

426 Practical hints
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.

427 Practical hints
Jump starting
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (manual transmission
to Neutral).
Open the hood (page 294).
Flip up cover from positive under hood
terminal2 in front of water tray1
(
page 423).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal of charged battery
4Negative terminal
Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive
under-hood terminal2 in front of the
water tray with one jumper cable.
Clamp the cable to positive terminal1
of the charged battery first.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminal3 of the
charged battery with negative
under-hood terminal4 with the
second jumper cable. Clamp the cable
to negative terminal3 of the charged
battery first.
Start the engine of the disabled
vehicle.
You can now turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not switch on the
headlamps under any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals2 and1.
You can now switch on the headlamps.
Have the battery checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(
page 302).
!Never invert the terminal connections.

456 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

Corrosion protection

Freeze protection

Boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase boil-over protec-
tion. Refer to Maintenance Booklet for
replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least
50% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equivalent
to freeze protection to approximately
-35°F [-37°C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approximately
-49°F [-45°C]), the engine temperature
will increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorro-
sion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label
instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

457 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of
aluminum parts. The use of aluminum
components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the aluminum parts. Failure to use such anti-
corrosion/antifreeze coolant will result in
a significantly shortened service life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
ModelApproximate freeze protection
-35°F (-37°C)-49°F (-45°C)
SLK 280, SLK 3505.4 US qt (5.1 l)6.0 US qt (5.6 l)
SLK 55 AMG5.9 US qt (5.5 l)6.4 US qt (6.1 l)

460 Index
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 383
Replacing bulbs 402
Bar 331
BAS 86
Batteries (SmartKey)
Replacing 398
Battery (Vehicle) 302, 422
Charging 424
Jump starting 426
Messages in the multifunction
display 372
Bead 331
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 401Brake Assist System see BAS
Brakes 280
Brake fluid 292, 454
Messages in the multifunction
display 373
SLK 55 AMG 281
Warning lamp 350
Break-in period 278
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 381–386
Replacing 400
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
Important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid* 268
Capacities and recommended
fuels/lubricants 451
Carpets, cleaning 345
Catalytic converter 288
CD
Changer* 208, 253
Player/Changer*,
operation 134, 208
CD changer* (Audio system) 212Center console
Lamp 358
Lower part 30
Upper part 29
Central locking
Automatic 102, 146
Locking/unlocking from inside 103
SmartKey 62
Certification label 438
CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp 351
Checking tire pressure electronically
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS), (USA only) 317
Children in the vehicle
Air bags 79
Infant and child restraint systems 79
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 71
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74, 358
Chrome-plated exhaust tip*
Cleaning 346
Cigarette lighter 32, 256