27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Multifunction display
with:
Main odometer127
Trip odometer120,
127
Automatic transmission*:
Gear range indicator160
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode indicator161
Outside temperature
indicator (or digital speed-
ometer when selected)140
Set speed for cruise control249
2Tachometer with:
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only351
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only351
ItemPage
HUSA only:
Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale317,
356
AHigh beam
headlamp indicator
lamp55,
113
3Fuel gauge with:
4Fuel reserve warning
lamp355
The arrow indicates that the
fuel filler flap is on the rear
right-hand side.291
4Clock120
5Speedometer with:
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp64,
355
ItemPage
-Antilock Brake
System (ABS)
indicator lamp84,
348
LLeft turn signal
indicator lamp
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp55
vElectronic Stability
Program (ESP®)
warning lamp
86,
352
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only59,
350
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only59,
350
6Reset button for:
Resetting trip odometer
Resetting all settings
120
136
7Knobs for instrument
cluster illumination118
292 Operation
At the gas station
Close the fuel filler flap.
Check regularly and before a long trip
Engine compartment
(example illustration, SLK 350)
1Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system* reservoir
2Brake fluid reservoir
3Coolant expansion tankWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 301).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 451).
iMake sure to close the fuel filler flap before
locking your vehicle as the flap locking pin
prevents closing after you have locked the
vehicle.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average
of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be
found on the fuel pump. Please contact gas
station personnel in case labels on the pump
cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see “Premium
unleaded gasoline” (
page 454), refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz-Center.
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp to flash and the?malfunction
indicator lamp (USA only) or the
±malfunction indicator lamp (Canada only)
to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 351).
iFor opening the hood, see “Hood”
(
page 294).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 350).
355 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
4The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
flashes after starting the engine.The fuel cap is not closed properly.Close the fuel cap.
The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
Additionally you see the message
Reserve Fuel in the multifunction
display.
The fuel level has gone below the
reserve mark.Refuel at the next gas station (page 291).
After refueling you will see the message
1 Message in the multifunction display.
Press reset buttonJto confirm the
message (
page 26).
1The red SRS indicator lamp comes
on when the engine is running.There is a malfunction in the
restraint systems. The air bags or
emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to deploy in an accident.Drive with added caution to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may
not be operational. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the system checked;
otherwise the SRS may not be deployed
when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might
deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily
which could also result in an accident
and/or injury to you or to others.
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.
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).
463 Index
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 289
Information label 439
System warranties 10
Engine
Cleaning 342
Compartment 294
Malfunction indicator lamp 27, 351
Number 439
Poly-V-belt layout 440
Starting 51
Tachometer 119
Technical data 441
Turning off 61
Engine oil 296, 453
Adding 299
Additives 453
Checking level (Control system) 296
Checking level (Dipstick) 298
Consumption 296
Messages in the multifunction
display 297, 377–379ESP®84, 86
Messages in the multifunction
display 362, 363
Warning lamp 352
ETD 79
Safety guidelines 68
Warning and indicator lamps 355
Exterior lamp switch 109
Exterior lighting
Lamps 400
Replacing bulbs 400
Exterior rear view mirrors see Mirrors
F
First aid kit 389
Flat tire 408
Inflating collapsible spare tire 418
Lifting vehicle 414
Lowering vehicle 420
Mounting spare wheel 414, 416
TIREFIT kit* 408
Floormat 258
Fog lamps 112, 401
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 114
Footwell lighting* 117Fuel
Additives 455
Consumption statistics (Control
system) 148
Filler flap 291
Fuel tank capacity 452
MON 292, 455
Premium unleaded
gasoline 292, 454
Refueling 291
Requirements 292, 455
Reserve warning lamp 355
RON 292, 455
Technical data 451
Fuel filler flap 291
Fuel gauge (Instrument cluster) 27
Fuses 432
Replacing 432
465 Index
L
Labels 438
Lamp in center console 358
Lamps in instrument cluster 348
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 348, 349
Battery (SmartKey) 97
Brakes 350
CHECK ENGINE 351
ESP
®87, 352
Fuel reserve 355
Instrument cluster 356
Passenger front air bag off 74, 358
Seat belts 353–354
SRS 65, 355
Language in multifunction display (Control
system) 139
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 440
License plate lamps 402
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 344
Technical data 442
Lighter see Cigarette lighterLighting 109
Combination switch 113
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 114
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Door entry lamps 117
Exterior lamp switch 109
Exterior lamps, cleaning 343
Fog lamps 112
Footwell lighting* 117
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamp mode,
automatic/manual 110
High beam 113
High beam flasher 113
Individual settings (Control
system) 143
Instrument cluster illumination 118
Interior lighting 116
Low beam headlamps 109
Night security illumination (Control
system) 144
Reading lamps 117
Standing lamps 109
Trunk 116Limp-home mode 167
Loading 252, 307, 331
Locator lighting (Control system) 144
Locking
And parking 59
Centrally (Control system) 146
Centrally from inside 103
Locking knob (Doors) 98
Locking the vehicle 62
Long trip, checking before 292
Loss of
Service and Warranty Booklet 437
SmartKey or mechanical key 98
Low beam headlamps 109, 401
Lubricants, technical data 451
Luggage cover 32, 241
M
Main dimensions 449
Maintenance service indicator (Control
system) 337
Maintenance System 337
Manual seat see Seats
Manual shift program* 165
Deactivating 167