2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG run flat

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).

442 Technical data
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system*” (
page 421).
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit
dimensional variations and different tire defor-
mation characteristics that could cause them to
come into contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be
the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 313) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 313). If such information is provided, it
can be found on the placard located on the in-
side of the fuel filler flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory
equipment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Performance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more information.

443 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelSLK 280SLK 280*
SLK 280 (Appearance Package*)
SLK 350
SLK 350 (Appearance Package*)
Rims (light alloy)7Jx16H27.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset1.34 in (34 mm)1.42 in (36 mm)
Winter tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.
205/55 R16 91H M+S.225/45 R17 91H M+S.
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S.MOExtended
3
3Must be used in conjunction with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (U.S. vehicles) or Run Flat Indicator* (Canada vehicles) only.

445 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
ModelSLK 280SLK 280*
SLK 280 (Appearance Package*)
SLK 350
SLK 350 (Appearance Package*)
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)7Jx16 H27.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset1.34 in (34 mm)1.42 in (36 mm)
Summer tires1205/55 R16 91V225/45 R17 91W
or
225/45 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
Rear axle:
Rims (light alloy)8J x16 H28.5 J x17 H2
Wheel offset1.18 in (30 mm)1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires1,3225/50 R16 92V245/40 R17 91W
or
245/40 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
1Radial-ply tires2Must be used in conjunction with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (U.S. vehicles) or Run Flat Indicator* (Canada vehicles) only.3Must not be used with snow chains.

446 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelSLK 280 (Sport Package*)
SLK 350 (Sport Package*)SLK 55 AMG
SLK 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
Front axle:
AMG rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 17 H27.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires1,3
1Radial-ply tires
225/45 ZR17 91Y
or
225/45 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
2Must be used in conjunction with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (U.S. vehicles) or Run Flat Indicator* (Canada vehicles) only.
225/40 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
Rear axle:
AMG rims (light alloy)8.5 J x17 H28.5 J x18 H2
Wheel offset1.18 in (30 mm)1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires1,3
3Must not be used with snow chains.
245/40 ZR17 91Y
or
245/40 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)

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

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

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