
Clear button .......................................
116
Climate control see Climate control system 
                    
Climate control system  ....................162
Air conditioning  ............................. 165
Air conditioning refrigerant ............ 303
Air distribution ............................... 168
Air recirculation mode ................... 169
Air vents ........................................ 166
Air volume ..................................... 168
Automatic mode ............................ 166
Deactivating system  ......................165
Front defroster  .............................. 168
Maximum cooling MAX COOL  ........169
Residual heat and ventilation ......... 169
Temperature  .................................. 166
Clock  ...................................... 26, 93, 105
Cockpit  ................................................. 25
Cold tire inflation pressure  ..............217
Collapsible tire (spare wheel)  ..........300
Collapsible wheel chock  ...................234
COMAND system see separate COMAND system
operating instructions                              
Combination switch  ............................73
Control system .................................... 93
Multifunction display  .......................95
Multifunction steering wheel ............ 94
Resetting to factory settings .......... 102
Control system menus ........................ 96
AMG ................................................. 97
Audio/DVD  .................................... 100
Navigation ..................................... 101
Settings ......................................... 102
Standard display  .............................. 96
Telephone  ...................................... 110
Trip computer ................................ 109
Vehicle status message memory  ...101
Control system submenus 
Convenience .................................. 108
Instrument cluster  .........................103
Lighting .......................................... 105
Time/Date ..................................... 105
Vehicle  ........................................... 108
Convenience submenu  
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 108 Coolant
 
Anticorrosion/antifreeze  ...............305
Capacities ...................................... 301
Checking level  ............................... 196
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 247
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps  .................................................... 75
Cruise control  .................................... 159
Activating ....................................... 160
Canceling  ....................................... 160
Changing the set speed  .................161
Last stored speed .......................... 161
Lever .............................................. 160
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 241
Resume function ............................ 161
Setting current speed .................... 160
Cup holders ........................................ 176
Curb weight  ....................................... 217
Customer Assistance Center (CAC)  ...21
Customer Relations Department  .......21 D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster 
                            
Data recording ..................................... 21
Date, Setting ...................................... 105
Daytime running lamp mode  ..............72
Switching on or off ......................... 106
Deep water
see Standing water                                  
Defogging (windshield)  .....................169
Defroster  Front (Climate control system)  ......168
Rear window  .................................. 170
Delayed shut-off 
Exterior lamps ................................ 107
Interior lighting  .............................. 107
Department of Transportation
see DOT                                                    
Difficulties  
While driving .................................... 82
With starting  .................................... 80
Digital speedometer  ............................ 97
Dimensions (vehicle) see Vehicle specification                          6
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Consumption .................................
193
Messages in the multifunction
display
 ........................................... 250
Oil dipstick ..................................... 193
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter ............................................... 302
ESP ®
 (Electronic Stability
Program)  .............................................. 49
ETS  .................................................. 50
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 237
Warning lamp ................................. 260
ETD (Emergency Tensioning
Device)  ................................................. 43
Safety guidelines  ............................. 34
ETS (Electronic Traction System)  ....... 50
Express operation  Power windows ................................ 78
Exterior lamp switch ........................... 71
Exterior rear view mirrors  ..................68
Parking position ............................... 69
Exterior view of vehicle  ......................24 F
Fastening the seat belts  .....................42
First aid kit  .........................................
234
Flat tire ............................................... 273
Lowering the vehicle  ......................281
Mounting the spare wheel ............. 277
Preparing the vehicle  .....................273
Spare wheel ........................... 273, 300
TIREFIT (tire repair kit) ................... 273
Floormats ........................................... 187
Fluids  
Automatic transmission fluid ......... 301
Brake fluid  ..................................... 301
Capacities ...................................... 300
Engine coolant ............................... 301
Engine oil ....................................... 301
Hydraulic fluid ................................ 302
Manual transmission oil ................. 301
Power steering fluid ....................... 301
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ........................................... 302
Fog lamps ............................................. 73
Messages in the multifunction
display  ................................... 252, 254Front air bags
see Air bags 
                                             
Front lamps
see Headlamps                                        
Front seat head restraints
see Head restraints                                  
Fuel  ..................................................... 190
Additives ........................................ 304
Capacity, fuel tank ......................... 301
Drive sensibly–safe fuel  .................221
Fuel consumption statistics  ...........109
Fuel filler flap and cap ................... 191
Fuel tank reserve warning
lamp  ........................................ 26, 261
Premium unleaded gasoline  ...........303
Refueling ........................................ 190
Requirements  ................................ 303
Fuel filler flap  ..................................... 191
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.  ........300
Fuel tank  Capacity ........................................ 301
Fuel filler flap and cap ................... 191
Refueling ........................................ 190
Fuses  .................................................. 288 G
Garage door opener .................... 30, 183
Gasoline see Fuel 
                                                   
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)  ...218
Gear range ........................................... 88
Indicator .......................................... 88
Limiting ............................................ 89
Shifting into optimal  ........................90
Gear selector lever  .............................. 86
Cleaning ......................................... 231
Gearshift pattern ............................. 86
Lock  ........................................... 80, 86
Shifting procedure ........................... 86
Transmission position indicator ....... 87
Transmission positions .................... 87
Gearshift lever ..................................... 84
Gearshift pattern ............................. 84
Generator
see Alternator                                          
Global locking/unlocking
see Key, SmartKey                                    8
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Unlocking/locking manually ..........
264
Valet locking .................................... 61
Key, SmartKey 
Battery check lamp .......................... 57
Checking batteries ........................... 57
Factory setting
 ................................. 57
Global locking (SmartKey) ................ 57
Global unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 57
Locking/unlocking ........................... 56
Loss of ............................................. 58
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 246
Remote control  ................................ 56
Replacing ......................................... 58
Replacing batteries ........................ 266
Restoring to factory setting ............. 57
Selective setting .............................. 57
Starter switch positions ................... 61
Kickdown  ............................................. 87
Kickdown (manual shift program) ..... 92
Kilopascal (air pressure unit)  ...........218
Knee bags  ............................................ 36L
Labels  
Certification ................................... 292
Emission control information
 ......... 293
Tire and Loading Information
placard ........................................... 205
Tire inflation pressure  ....................200
Lamps, exterior  
Exterior lamp switch ........................ 71
Front .............................................. 269
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 252
Switching on/off .............................. 71
Lamps, indicator and warning  
ABS .......................................... 26, 257
Brakes ..................................... 27, 257
Engine malfunction .................. 26, 262
ESP ®
 ........................................ 26, 260
Fog lamps  ........................................ 73
Fuel tank reserve ..................... 26, 261
High-beam headlamps  ...............26, 74
Instrument cluster  ...................26, 256 Low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale ..................
26, 262
Passenger front air bag
off ...................................... 29, 37, 263
Seat belt telltale  ................26, 42, 259
SRS ....................................
26, 32, 260
Turn signals  ..................................... 26
Language, selecting  ..........................104
License plate lamps  
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 253
Replacing bulbs ............................. 269
Light alloy wheels, cleaning  .............230
Lighter see Cigarette lighter                                
Lighting  ................................................ 70
Daytime running lamp mode  ............72
Exterior ............................................ 71
Interior  ............................................. 75
Limp-home mode ................................. 92
Load index (tires)  ......................213, 218
Locator lighting  ................................. 106
Locking the vehicle  
Manually  ........................................ 265
SmartKey ......................................... 56
Loss of  
Key  .................................................. 58
Service and Warranty Information
booklet .......................................... 292
Low-beam headlamps ......................... 71
Exterior lamp switch ........................ 71
Switching on  .................................... 71
Lubricants .......................................... 300
Luggage cover  ................................... 173
Lumbar support  ................................... 64 M
Maintenance  ........................................ 19
Maintenance System  Service indicator display
 ................226
Service indicator message ............. 225
Service term exceeded  ..................226
Manual headlamp mode (Low-
beam headlamps)  ................................ 71
Manual shift program  .........................90
Manual transmission .......................... 84
Gearshift lever  ................................. 8410
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Maximum engine speed
see Vehicle specification                          
Maximum loaded vehicle weight  .....218
Maximum load rating (tires)  .............218
Maximum permissible tire
inflation pressure .............................. 218
Mechanical key see Key, Mechanical                                
Media interface ................................. 139
Memory function ................................. 70
Menus see Control system menus                      
Mirrors  .................................................. 68
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors ....... 69
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position ............................................ 69
Exterior rear view mirrors ................ 68
Interior rear view mirror ................... 68
Memory function .............................. 70
Vanity mirror .................................. 176
MON (Motor Octane Number)  ..........303
Motor Octane Number see MON                                                  
MP3 mode .......................................... 131
Multifunction display .......................... 95
Symbol messages .......................... 243
Text messages ............................... 237
Vehicle status messages ............... 236
Multifunction display messages  
ABS ................................................ 237
Advanced TPMS ..................... 241, 255
Air bags ......................................... 239
Alternator ...................................... 249
Battery ........................................... 249
Brake fluid  ..................................... 244
Brake pads ..................................... 243
Check engine ................................. 247
Coolant .......................................... 247
Cruise control ................................ 241
Doors ............................................. 245
Engine oil ....................................... 250
Engine service  ............................... 247
ESP ®
 .............................................. 237
Fog lamps  .............................. 252, 254
Gas cap .......................................... 251
High-beam lamps ........................... 253
Hood .............................................. 245License plate lamps .......................
253
Light sensor ................................... 253
Low-beam lamps
 ............................ 253
Parking brake ................................ 244
Parking lamps  ................................ 253
Passenger front air bag  ..................239
Reserve fuel ................................... 251
Retractable hardtop  .......................246
Reverse lamp ................................. 252
Side marker lamps  .........................252
SmartKey ....................................... 246
SRS ................................................ 245
Tail lamps  ...................................... 254
Tele Aid  .......................................... 245
Tire inflation pressure  ............241, 255
Tire pressure monitor .................... 241
Tires ...................................... 241, 255
Trunk ............................................. 245
Turn signals  ................................... 255
Washer fluid  ................................... 247
Multifunction steering wheel  
Adjustment  ...................................... 66
Buttons ............................................ 94
Cleaning ......................................... 231
Easy-entry/exit feature  ...........67, 108
Gearshift control .............................. 89
Heating ............................................ 67
Memory function .............................. 70
Overview  .......................................... 27 N
Navigation menu ............................... 101
Navigation system see Separate operating instructions 
       
Nets, parcel  ....................................... 174
Night security illumination .............. 107
Normal occupant weight .................. 218
Number, vehicle identification
(VIN) ................................................... 293 O
Occupant Classification System see 
OCS (Occupant Classification
System)                                                    
Occupant distribution ....................... 218 Index
11 171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
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Occupant safety 
Air bags ........................................... 33
Children and air bags
 .......................33
Children in the vehicle  .....................45
Fastening the seat belts ................... 42
Infant and child restraint systems .... 45
Introduction ..................................... 32
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 37
Passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp .......................... 37, 263
Seat belts .................................. 34, 40
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ................................................ 37
Self-test ........................................... 39
Odometer ............................................. 95
Oil, oil level see Engine oil                                           
On-board computer
see Control system                                  
One-touch gearshifting  .......................89
Operating safety  .................................. 20
Ornamental moldings, cleaning  .......229
Outside temperature see Displays                                             
Overhead control panel  ......................30 P
Paintwork, cleaning  ..........................228
Paintwork code  ................................. 293
Panic alarm .......................................... 47
Parcel nets  ......................................... 174
Parking ................................................. 83
Parking and standing lamp  
Replacing bulbs
 ............................. 269
Parking brake ...................................... 83
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 244
Parking position  
Exterior rear view mirrors ................ 69
Transmission position ...................... 87
Parts service ...................................... 292
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see Passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp                                           Passenger front air bag ......................
35
Messages in the multifunction
display
 ........................................... 239
Passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp  ....................... 29, 37, 263
Passenger safety see Occupant safety                                
Pedals ................................................. 221
Phone see Telephone                                          
Plastic parts, cleaning ...................... 230
Power assistance  .............................. 222
Power outlet  ...................................... 177
Power seats see Seats                                                 
Power washer  .................................... 228
Power windows  ................................... 78
Cleaning ......................................... 229
Door windows .................................. 78
Operation ......................................... 78
Rear side windows ........................... 79
Synchronizing .................................. 79
Practical hints ................................... 234
Problems  While driving .................................... 82
With vehicle ..................................... 21
With wipers  ...................................... 77
Product information  ............................18
Production options weight  ...............218
Program mode selector switch  
Automatic shift program  ..................88
Manual shift program ....................... 90
Proximity key
see Key, SmartKey                                   
PSI (air pressure unit) ....................... 218 R
RACETIMER  .......................................... 98
Radio .................................................. 121
Satellite radio
 ................................ 125
Selecting stations .......................... 100
Radio transmitters  ............................224
Rain sensor see Intermittent wiping                            
Rear axle oil  ....................................... 301
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps                                           12
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Indicator lamps ................................
26
Messages in the multifunction
display
 ........................................... 255U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards  .................................. 210, 219
Units  Selecting speedometer display
mode ............................................. 104
Unleaded gasoline, premium ........... 303
Unlocking the vehicle  
Manually
 ........................................ 264
SmartKey ......................................... 56
Upholstery, cleaning  .........................231
USB devices (media interface)  .........139
Useful features .................................. 176V
Valet locking  ........................................ 61
Vehicle  
Battery ........................................... 282
Care  ............................................... 227
Control system ................................ 93
Identification Number (VIN) ........... 292
Locking/unlocking
 ........................... 56
Lowering (wheel change)  ...............281
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety  .............................. 20
Towing  ........................................... 285
Unlocking/locking manually .......... 264
Vehicle dimensions
see Vehicle specification                         
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ................................................... 292
Vehicle jack see Jack                                                    
Vehicle lighting  .................................... 70
Vehicle loading  
Load limit  ....................................... 206
Terminology  ................................... 217
Vehicle maximum load on the tire ... 219
Vehicle specification   
SLK 300 ......................................... 294
SLK 350 ......................................... 295
SLK 55 AMG  .................................. 296Vehicle status message memory ....
101
Vehicle tool kit  .................................. 234
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care 
                                      
Vehicle weights
see Vehicle specification                          W
Warning sounds  Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt
 .....42
Parking brake ................................ 244
Seat belt telltale  ............................ 259
Warranty coverage  ............................ 292
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ................................................ 306
Washer fluid  
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 247
Mixing ratio .................................... 306
Refilling .......................................... 196
Washing the vehicle  .......................... 227
Wear pattern (tires)  ..........................212
Weights (vehicle) see Vehicle specification                         
Wheel  
Changing  ....................................... 273
Removing ....................................... 278
Spare ............................................. 273
Tightening torque ........................... 281
Wheels, sizes  ..................................... 297
Wheels, Tires and .............................. 197
Windows see Power windows                                  
Windows, cleaning  ............................229
Wind screen  ....................................... 173
Windshield  Cleaning wiper blades .................... 229
Defogging ...................................... 169
Washer fluid  ................................... 306
Wipers  ............................................. 76
Windshield wipers  
Replacing wiper blades .................. 271
Winter driving 
Instructions .................................... 220
Snow chains .................................. 220
Tires ............................................... 219
Winter tires ................................ 219, 297 16
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Relevant information can be obtained at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i Vehicles equipped with active Bi-Xenon
headlamps:
The active Bi-Xenon headlamps increase
usable illumination over conventional
headlamps because they follow the
curvature of the road ahead. The beams of
the active Bi-Xenon headlamps shift to
either side according to the vehicle’s
steering angle and speed. Exterior lamp switch
1 W
Standing lamps, left
2 X Standing lamps, right
3 $ Off
Daytime running lamp mode
4 Ã Automatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
5 T Parking lamps (also tail lamps,
license plate lamps, side marker
lamps and instrument panel lamps)
6 L Low-beam headlamps or high-beam
headlamps
7 N Front fog lamps
8 R Rear fog lamp
i If you hear a warning signal you have
forgotten to switch off the low-beam
headlamps or the parking lamps before
opening the driver’s door. In addition, the message 
Switch Off 
Lights appears in the multifunction
display.
Switch off the low-beam headlamps or the
parking lamps.
If the message Switch off lights or 
remove key appears in the multifunction
display remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch or switch off the headlamps.
!  Failure to switch off the exterior lamps
when leaving the vehicle may result in a
discharged battery.
Low-beam headlamps  The low-beam headlamps can be switched on
and off with the exterior lamp switch.
X
Switching on:  Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position L.
The following lamps come on:
R Low-beam headlamps
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
R Instrument panel lamps
R Green indicator lamp  T in the exterior
lamp switch
X Switching off:  Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position $.
Automatic headlamp mode  The following lamps come on and go out
automatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:
R
Low-beam headlamps
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps Lighting
71Controls in detail
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G
Warning!
If the exterior lamp switch is set to  Ã, the
headlamps will not automatically come on
under foggy conditions.
To 
minimize risk to you and to others, activate
headlamps by turning exterior lamp switch to
L when driving or when traffic and/or
ambient lighting conditions require you to do
so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position à to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from à to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.
X Switching on:  Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position Ã.
The following lamps come on and go out
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light with the SmartKey in starter switch
position 1:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps will also come on and turn off
automatically.
Canada 
only: High-beam headlamps are only
available with the exterior lamp switch in
position L.
Daytime running lamp mode  In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode is
mandatory 
and therefore in a constant mode.
In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default. X
Activate the daytime running lamp mode
using the control system, see “Switching
daytime 
running lamp mode on or off (USA
only)” (Y page 106).
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
$ or Ã.
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps come on.
In low ambient lighting conditions, the
following lamps will come on additionally:
R
Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
With the daytime running lamp mode
activated 
 and the engine running, you cannot
switch off the low-beam headlamps manually.
Canada only
With the exterior lamp switch in position
$ or Ã, you cannot switch on the
high-beam headlamps.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
X For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch 
to position  L to permit activation
of the high-beam headlamps.
When the engine is running, and you
R shift from a driving position to neutral
position N or park position P with the
vehicle at a standstill (vehicles with
automatic transmission), the low-beam
headlamps will go out with a delay of
3 minutes
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
T, the low-beam headlamps, the tail
and 
parking lamps, the license plate lamps
and the side marker lamps come on
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
(Y page 71). 72
Lighting
Controls in detail
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