2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 transmission

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.

428 Practical hints
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
This is 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).

429 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the ve-
hicle tool kit, located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor (
page 389).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.
Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(
page 389).
Front cover
1Cover in front bumper
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, the
vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as well
as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 102).
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, switch on ignition
and activate the combination switch for the left
or right turn signal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
iThe gear selector lever* will remain locked
in positionP (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*) and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch if the battery is disconnected or
discharged. For more information, see “Battery”
(
page 422) or “Jump starting” (page 426).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of gear
selector lever, see (
page 396).

432 Practical hints
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
A fuse chart explains the fuse allocation
and fuse amperages. It is located in the
fuse box in the passenger compartment
(
page 433).
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:

in the passenger compartment on the
driver’s side (
page 433)

on the driver’s side of the engine
compartment (
page 433)Before replacing fuses:
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Make sure the gear selector lever* is
set to positionP (
page 157) (manual
transmission to Neutral).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 61).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an
appropriate spare fuse (recognizable by its color
or the fuse rating given on the fuse) of the
amperage recommended in the fuse chart.
Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to advise
you on this subject.
iIn case of a blown fuse contact Roadside
Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

451 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore, only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with
respect to handling, storing and disposing
of service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct
contact with you skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filterAll models8.5 US qt (8.0 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission*SLK 280, SLK 3509.5 US qt (9.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
SLK 55 AMG9.2 US qt (8.7 l)
Manual transmissionSLK 280, SLK 3501.6 US qt (1.5 l)MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axleSLK 2801.1 US qt (1.0 l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
SLK 3501.2 US qt (1.1 l)
SLK 55 AMG1.3 US qt (1.2 l)

459 Index
A
ABS 84
Indicator lamp 348, 349
Messages in the multifunction
display 362
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 159
Accessory weight 331
Accident 58
Air bags 66
Children in the vehicle 79
Front 69
Head-thorax 70
Knee bag 70
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 71
Passenger 69
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74
Safety guidelines 68
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control* 191
Climate control 180
Air conditioning refrigerant 453
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating* 105Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt
(Vehicle tool kit) 389, 416
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 457
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems 90
Alarm system 90
Immobilizer 90
Tow-away alarm 91
Ashtray 32, 255
Aspect ratio 331
Audio search function 146
Audio system 193
Audio and telephone*, operation 193
CD changer* 212
CD operation 208
Introduction to satellite radio* 203
MP3 210
Operating and display elements 194
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 168
Automatic central locking 102
Control system 146
Automatic climate control* 182
Air conditioning refrigerant 452
Air conditioning, Cooling 191
Air recirculation mode 190Air vents 182, 188
Air volume 188
Automatic mode 186
Control panel 184
Deactivating 185
Defrosting 170, 189
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) 396
Gear selector lever control one-touch
gearshifting 162
Gear selector lever positions 157

462 Index
Digital speedometer 128
Dimensions, Vehicle 449
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (Tires) 307
Display text see Messages in the multi-
function display
Displays
Digital speedometer 128
Maintenance service indicator 337
Multifunction display 121
Outside temperature 128
Symbol messages 371
Text messages 362
Vehicle status message memory 135
Vehicle status messages 360
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 149
Door
Control panel 34
Entry lamps 117
Locking in an emergency 395
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 94
Opening from inside 98
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Unlocking in an emergency 394
DOT 331Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 279
Driver’s air bag see Air bags
Driving 53
Abroad 287
Accelerator position 159
Automatic transmission* 53
Driving off 282
Fuel saving 279
Hydroplaning 284
In winter 286
Instructions 48, 279
Kickdown 159
Manual transmission 53
Standing water 287
Tires 283
Driving safety systems 84
ABS 84
BAS 86
Electronic traction system 88
ESP
®86
Driving systems
Cruise control 248
Driving tips 159E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44, 147
Electric air pump
Inflating collapsible tire 418
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 408
Vehicle tool kit 389
Electrical system (Technical data) 448
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call (911) 233
Emergency call system 262
Tele Aid* 264
Emergency, In case of
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 348–357
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission* (Limp-Home
Mode) 167
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Retractable hardtop 397
Selector lever*, unlocking
manually 396
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 102
Unlocking/locking the vehicle 394

464 Index
G
Garage door opener* 270
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 331
Gear range
Automatic transmission 160
Limiting 160
Shifting into optimal 163, 165
Gear selector lever 155
Gearshift pattern 155
Position 156, 157
Shifting procedure 156
Gear selector lever one-touch gearshifting
Automatic transmission 162
Global locking/unlocking see SmartKey
Glove box 253
Good visibility 168
GPS 90, 91
Tele Aid system* 262
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GSM network phones (Telephone*) 219
GVW 331
GVWR 332H
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 345
Hazard warning flasher 115, 116
Head restraint height (Seats) 42
Headlamps
Bi-Xenon* 401
Cleaning system* 168, 301, 458
Night security illumination
(Control system) 144
Switching off 61
Switching on 55
Headliner, cleaning 345
Head-thorax air bag 70
Heating
Seats* 104
Steering wheel* 276
High beam
Flasher 113
Headlamps 55, 113
Headlamps, bulbs 401
High beam headlamps 109
High mounted brake lamp 402
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 348
Overview 26
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior rear view mirror see Mirrors
Intermittent/interval wiping see
Windshield wipers
J
Jack (Vehicle tool kit) 389
Lifting vehicle 414
Lowering vehicle 420
Jump starting 426
K
Key, Mechanical
Valet locking 101
Kickdown 159
Kilopascal 332
Knee bag see Air bags