2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG radio

287 Operation
Driving instructions
Standing waterPassenger compartment
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Control and operation of radio
transmitter
COMAND*, radio, and telephone*
!Do not drive through flooded areas or water
of unknown depth. Before driving through water,
determine its depth. Never accelerate before
driving into water. The bow wave could force
water into the engine and auxiliary equipment,
thus damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water, drive
slowly to prevent water from entering the pas-
senger compartment or the engine compart-
ment. Water in these areas could cause damage
to electrical components or wiring of the engine
or transmission, or could result in water being
ingested by the engine through the air intake,
causing severe internal engine damage. Any
such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND*, radio or tele-
phone
1 if road, traffic and weather condi-
tions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.

288 Operation
Driving instructions
Telephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation
instructions regarding use of an external
antenna.Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial
control of the pollutants in the exhaust
emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our
recommended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, use only premium unleaded gasoline
in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation
should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may reach
the catalytic converter, causing it to overheat
and potentially start a fire.
Warning!G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.

318 Operation
Tires and wheels
Warning!G
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and
inflated to the inflation pressure recom-
mended by the vehicle manufacturer on the
Tire and Loading Information placard or, if
available, on the tire inflation pressure label.
If your vehicle has tires of a different size
than the size indicated on the Tire and
Loading Information placard or, if available,
the tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitor-
ing system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires is significantly underinflated. Accord-
ingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illu-
minates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significant-
ly underinflated tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Please
note that the TPMS is not a substitute for
proper tire maintenance, and it is the driv-
er’s responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of
the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction, the
telltale will flash for approximately 1 minute
and then remain continuously illuminated.
This sequence will continue upon subse-
quent vehicle start-ups as long as the mal-
function exists. When the malfunction
indicator is illuminated, the system may not
be able to detect or signal low tire pressure
as intended.TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of
replacement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your vehicle
to ensure that the replacement or alternate
tires and wheels allow the TPMS to continue
to function properly.
iIf a condition causing the TPMS to malfunc-
tion develops, it may take up to 10 minutes
for the system to signal a malfunction using
the TPMS telltale flashing and illumination
sequence.
The telltale extinguishes after a few minutes
driving if the malfunction has been corrected.
iOperating radio transmission equipment
(e.g. wireless headsets, two-way radios) in or
near the vehicle could cause the TPMS to mal-
function.

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.

370 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
Tire Pressure Monitor
InoperativeThe TPMS is malfunctioning.Have the TPMS checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Inoperative
No Wheel SensorsThere are wheels without appropriate
wheel sensors mounted (e.g. winter tires).Have the TPMS checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the wheel sensors installed by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tire Pressure Monitor
Currently UnavailableThe TPMS is unable to monitor the tire
pressure due to a nearby radio interfer-
ence source.As soon as the causes of the malfunction have been re-
moved, the TPMS automatically becomes active again after
a few minutes driving.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

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

468 Index
R
RACETIMER see Control system menus,
AMG
Radio
Operation (Audio system) 199
Operation (Control system) 133
Satellite* 134
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 287
Reading lamps 117
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 170
Recommended inflation pressure 332
Recovery services for stolen vehicle (Tele
Aid*) 269
Refrigerant (Air conditioning) 453
Refueling 291
Regular checks 292
Remote control see SmartKey
Remote door unlock with Tele Aid* 269
Reporting, safety defects 18
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button (Instrument cluster) 27
Residual engine heat utilization see RESTREST
Automatic climate control* 192
Climate control 181
Restraint systems
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 79
Seat belts 64, 76
Retractable hardtop 240
Locking after raising/lowering 242
Opening and closing 240
Operating manually 397
Problems when operating 242, 246
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 244
Wind screen* 246
Reverse gear position
Automatic transmission* 155, 157
Manual transmission 154
Rims 332, 442
Roadside Assistance 12, 266
RON 292, 455
Roof rack 252
Rubber parts, cleaning 345
Run Flat Indicator* 315S
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects, reporting 18
Safety, occupant 64
Satellite radio* 134
Seat belt force limiter 79
Seat belts 64, 76
Cleaning 346
Fastening 48
Proper use of 50
Release button 49
Safety guidelines 68
Warning lamp 353–354
Seating capacity 308
Seats 104
Adjusting 39
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44
Head restraint height 42
Heating* 104
Power seats* 41