Page 302 of 474

301 Operation
Engine compartment
The coolant expansion tank is located on 
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
SLK 350 (example illustration)
1Coolant expansion tank
2Cap
3Marking bar in the expansion tank
Using a rag, turn cap2 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise 
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning cap2 counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level 
for cold coolant: reaches marking 
bar3 in expansion tank1
for warm coolant: is approximately 
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap2.
For more information on coolant, see 
“Coolants” (
page 456).Windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located 
on the passenger side of the engine com-
partment.
SLK 350 (example illustration)
1Cap for windshield washer reservoir
Fluid for the windshield washer system 
and the headlamp cleaning system* is 
supplied from the windshield washer 
reservoir. It has a capacity of 
approximately 7.4 US qt (7 l). 
     
        
        Page 332 of 474

331 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those 
standard items which may be replaced) of 
automatic transmission, power steering, 
power brakes, power windows, power 
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that 
these items are available as 
factory-installed equipment (whether 
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing 
outward on each square inch of the tire. 
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per 
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa), or 
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire 
section height and section width 
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There 
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi) 
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa) 
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped 
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the 
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle 
has been sitting for at least three hours or 
driven no more than 1 mile (1.6 km). 
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum 
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so 
equipped, air conditioning and additional 
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the 
tire meets requirements of the 
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible 
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on 
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for 
the front and rear axle indicated on the 
certification label located on the driver’s 
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the 
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel, 
installed accessories, passengers and 
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue 
load. The GWV must never exceed the 
GWVR indicated on the certification label 
located on the driver’s door B-pillar. 
     
        
        Page 452 of 474

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) 
     
        
        Page 453 of 474

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). 
     
        
        Page 459 of 474

458 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning system*
Both the windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning system* are supplied 
from the windshield washer reservoir.
The windshield washer reservoir has a 
capacity of approximately 7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield 
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” 
and water (or concentrate and 
commercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze, de-
pending on ambient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid 
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, 
use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate 
“MB SummerFit” and water:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to100 parts 
water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to 
1gal [4.0l] water)For temperatures below freezing point, use 
MB Windshield Washer 
Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and com-
mercially available premixed windshield 
washer solvent/antifreeze:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts 
solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to 
1 gal [4.0 l] solvent)
Warning!G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze 
on hot engine parts because it may ignite 
and burn. You could be seriously burned.