Contents
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 406
Placing wiper arms in vertical
position ........................................ 406
Removing wiper blades ................ 407
Installing wiper blades.................. 407
Flat tire .............................................. 408
Preparing the vehicle.................... 408
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 408
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 414
MOExtended system*................... 421
Battery ............................................... 422
Disconnecting the battery ............ 423
Removing the battery ................... 424
Charging and reinstalling battery . 424
Reconnecting the battery ............. 425
Jump starting ..................................... 426
Towing the vehicle ............................. 428
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 429
Fuses ................................................. 432
Fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 433
Fuse box in engine
compartment................................ 433
Technical data................................. 435
Parts service ...................................... 436
Warranty coverage............................. 437
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 437
Identification labels ........................... 438
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 440
SLK 280, SLK 350 ........................ 440
SLK 55 AMG................................. 440
Engine................................................ 441
Rims and tires.................................... 442
Same size tires ............................. 443
Mixed size tires ............................ 445
Spare wheel ................................. 447
Electrical system ............................... 448
Main Dimensions ............................... 449
Weights.............................................. 450Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 451
Capacities .................................... 451
Engine oils ................................... 453
Engine oil additives ...................... 453
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 453
Brake fluid.................................... 454
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 454
Fuel requirements ........................ 455
Gasoline additives ........................ 455
Coolants ...................................... 456
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 458
Index................................................. 459
23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk
Opening the trunk99
Closing the trunk100
Spare wheel392
Vehicle tool kit389
2Rear lamps400
3Rear window defroster170
4Fuel filler flap291
Refueling291
Gasoline454
5Doors
Locking and unlocking94
Opening98
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency394
ItemPage
6Towing428
Installing towing eye bolt429
7Tires and wheels304
Checking tire inflation
pressure313
General information304
Flat tire408
8Front lamps400
9Hood
Opening294
Engine oil296,
453
Coolant300,
456
ItemPage
aWindshield wipers56
Wiper blades, replacing406
Wiper blades, cleaning343
bWindshield
Cleaning with wiper fluid58
Cleaning343
cRetractable hardtop240
Opening/closing242
Wind screen246
Luggage cover241
dExterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting46
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors*168
56 Getting started
Driving
Press the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 or2.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lampKorL in the instrument
cluster flashes (
page 26).
The combination switch resets auto-
matically after major directional chang-
es.
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
iTo signal minor directional changes such as
changing lanes, press combination switch only
to point of resistance and release. The corre-
sponding turn signals will flash three times.
!Do not operate the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry. Dust that accumulates on
a windshield might scratch the glass and/or
damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on
a dry windshield. If it is necessary to operate the
windshield wipers in dry weather conditions,
always operate the windshield wipers with
windshield washer fluid (
page 58).
!If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe
location, turn off the engine and remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch before
attempting to remove any blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function at all with
the combination switch in positionI,
set the combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed
have the windshield wipers checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
58 Getting started
Driving
Single wipe
Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow1 (
page 58) to
the resistance point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Press the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow1 (
page 58) past the
resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 301).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool off.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 300).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police
authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
If no damage can be determined on the
Major assemblies
Fuel system
Engine mount
Start the engine in the usual manner.
iTo prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with
windshield washer fluid every now and then even
when it is raining.
168 Controls in detail
Good visibility
For information on the windshield wipers,
see “Windshield wipers” (
page 56).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The headlamps will automatically be
cleaned with a high-pressure water jet
when you have
switched on the headlamps
and
operated the windshield wipers with
windshield washer fluid five times
When you switch off headlamps, the
counter resets.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 301).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 46).
Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night
position by moving the lever towards
the windshield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.Auto-dimming rear view mirrors*
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirrors and the interior rear view
mirror will respond automatically to glare
when
ignition is switched on
and
incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror
The rear view mirrors will not react if
reverse gearR is engaged
interior lighting is switched on
472 Index
Useful features
Ashtray 255
Cigarette lighter 256
Cup holder 255
Floormat (Driver’s side only) 258
Garage door opener* 270
Heated steering wheel* 276
Parcel net 254
Power outlet 257
Storage compartments, interior 253
Tele Aid* 262
V
Vehicle
Battery 302, 422
Bulbs 400
Fuses 432
Individual settings (Control
system) 136
Jump starting 426
Lifting with jack 414
Locking 62
Proper use of 16
Towing 428
Unlocking/locking in an
emergency 394Vehicle capacity weight 333
Vehicle care 340
Chrome-plated exhaust tip 346
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 390
Vehicle loading terminology 331
Vehicle status message memory menu
(Control system) 135
Vehicle tool kit 32, 389
Collapsible wheel chock 391
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
VIN 439
W
Warning sounds
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Exterior lighting 62, 98, 109
Maintenance service indicator 338
Panic alarm 83
Parking brake 53, 350
Seat belts 78, 353, 354
Tow-away alarm 91
Warranty coverage 437
Washing the vehicle see Vehicle care
Wear pattern (Tires) 334
Weights 450
Wheel bolts 393Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 389
Wheel wrench (Vehicle tool kit) 389
Wheels
Tightening torque 420
Wheels see Tires
Where will I find...? 389
Wind screen* 246
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Washer fluid reservoir 301
Washer system 458
Windshield wipers 56
Replacing wiper blades 406
Wiper blades, cleaning 343
Winter driving 335
Instructions 286
Snow chains 336
Tires 335
Winter tires 335
Wood trims
Cleaning 346