Page 126 of 474
125 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Table continued on next page.
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4
Standard displayAMG1AUDIONAV*
(page 127)(page 128)(page 133)(page 135)
Commands/submenus
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
or
TPMS (USA only)Engine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationShow route guidance 
instructions, current direction 
traveled
Checking coolant temperatureVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio 
station* (USA only)
Digital speedometer/outside 
temperatureRACETIMEROperating the CD player
Calling up maintenance service 
indicatorOverall analysis
Checking engine oil level 
(SLK 55 AMG only)Lap analysis
1AMG vehicles only. 
     
        
        Page 128 of 474

127 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
The multifunction display shows the main 
odometer and trip odometer. This default 
setting is referred to as the standard 
display.
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
If another display is shown instead of the 
standard display:
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly 
until the standard display appears in 
the multifunction display.
Press buttonk orj to select 
the functions in the standard display 
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
or
TPMS (USA only)315
317
Checking coolant temperature127
Displaying digital speedometer 
or outside temperature128
Calling up maintenance service 
indicator337
Checking engine oil level 
(SLK 55 AMG only)296
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated 
can cause some fluids which may have 
leaked into the engine compartment to 
catch fire. You could be seriously 
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can 
cause serious burns and can occur just 
by opening the hood. Stay away from 
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from 
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of 
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle 
until the engine has cooled down. 
     
        
        Page 129 of 474

128 Controls in detail
Control system
When in the standard display menu, 
press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the coolant temperature appears 
in the multifunction display.Displaying digital speedometer or 
outside temperature
Press buttonjork repeatedly 
until the digital speedometer appears 
in the multifunction display.
The current vehicle speed or the 
outside temperature appears in the 
multifunction display.
Example illustration for selected vehicle 
speed
AMG menu
The main screen of the AMG menu shows 
you the gear currently engaged as well as 
the engine oil temperature.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly 
until the AMG menu appears in the 
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2Engine oil temperature
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers a 
warning message in the multifunction display 
(
page 374).
The engine should not be operated with a 
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C). 
Doing so may cause serious engine damage 
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g. 
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature 
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
iYou can select to either display the digital 
speedometer or the outside temperature 
indicator (
page 140).
iThis function is only available in AMG 
vehicles. 
     
        
        Page 130 of 474

129 Controls in detail
Control system
Use buttons k or j to select the 
following functions in the AMG menu:Vehicle supply voltage
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly 
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until the 
vehicle supply voltage appears in the 
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2Vehicle supply voltageRACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and 
save driving stretches in hours, minutes 
and seconds.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly 
until the AMG menu appears in the 
multifunction display.
iThe engine oil temperature symbol 
flashes if the engine oil temperature has not yet 
reached 80°C. During this time, avoid driving at 
full engine speed.
FunctionPage
Vehicle supply voltage129
RACETIMER129
Overall analysis132
Lap analysis132
iIf the engine reaches the overspeed range in 
the manual shift program (
page 165), the 
menu will be shown in red. In addition, you will 
see 
UP n e x t  t o  g e a r  i n d i c a t o r  1 as a reminder to 
upshift.
Warning!G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on 
roads and in conditions where high speed 
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads 
is prohibited under all circumstances and 
the driver is and must always remain 
responsible for following posted speed 
limits.
 
     
        
        Page 298 of 474

297 Operation
Engine compartment
One of the following messages will 
subsequently appear in the multifunc-
tion display:
Engine Oil Level
OK
Add 1.0 qt. (Canada: 1.0 liter)
to reach max. oil level.
Add 1.5 qts. (Canada: 
1.5 liters)
to reach max. oil level.
Add 2.0 qts. (Canada: 
2.0 liters)
to reach max. oil level.
If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding 
engine oil” (
page 299).
For more information on engine oil, see 
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.” 
(
page 451).Other display messages
If the ignition is not switched on, the fol-
lowing message will appear:
Turn on ignition
to see engine oil level
.
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
If you see the message:
Observe
Waiting Time
If engine is at operating temperature, 
wait 5 minutes before repeating check 
procedure.
If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, you must wait 30 minutes 
before checking oil.If you see the message:
Cannot check engine oil level
with engine on.
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking 
oil.
If the engine is not at operating 
temperature yet, you must wait 
30 minutes before checking oil.
iIf you want to interrupt the checking 
procedure, press buttonk orj on the 
multifunction steering wheel (
page 122).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking 
procedure, press buttonk orj on the 
multifunction steering wheel (
page 122). 
     
        
        Page 299 of 474

298 Operation
Engine compartment
If there is excess engine oil with the engine 
at normal operating temperature, the 
following message will appear:
Engine Oil Level
Reduce Oil Level
Have excess oil siphoned or drained 
off. Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For more information on messages in the 
display concerning engine oil, see the 
“Practical hints” section (
page 360).Checking engine oil level with the oil 
dipstick (SLK 280, SLK 350 only)
When checking the oil level
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground.
with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been 
stationary for at least 5 minutes with 
the engine turned off.
with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been 
stationary for at least 30 minutes with 
the engine turned off.1Oil dipstick
2Upper (max) mark
3Lower (min) mark
To check the engine oil level with the oil 
dipstick, do the following:
Open the hood (page 294).
Pull out oil dipstick1.
Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the 
dipstick guide tube.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off. 
It could cause damage to the engine and 
catalytic converter not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 301 of 474

300 Operation
Engine compartment
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
Add engine oil as required.
Be careful not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding. 
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil 
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see 
“Technical data” (
page 451) and 
(
page 453).
Transmission fluid level*
Vehicles with automatic transmission*: 
The transmission fluid level does not need 
to be checked. If you notice transmission 
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions, 
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
check the transmission.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water 
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,
the vehicle must be parked on level 
ground
the coolant temperature must be 
below 158°F (70°C)
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off. 
It could cause damage to the engine and 
emission control system not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
In order to avoid any potentially serious 
burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the 
hood if there are any signs of steam or 
coolant leaking from the cooling system, 
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant 
reservoir if coolant temperature is 
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to 
cool down before removing cap. The 
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and 
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately 1/2turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding 
hot fluid and steam will be blown out 
under pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine 
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene 
glycol which may burn if it comes into 
contact with hot engine parts. 
     
        
        Page 378 of 474
377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
±Display Malfunction
Drive To WorkshopCertain electronic systems are un-
able to relay information to the con-
trol system. The following systems 
may have failed:
Coolant temperature display
Tachometer
Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
NCheck oil level
when next refueling
.
SLK 280 and SLK 350 only:
The engine oil level has dropped to 
a critical level.Check the engine oil level (page 296) and 
add engine oil as required (
page 299).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have 
the engine checked for possible leaks.