Check the following:
R
Engine oil level ( Y page 193)
R Tire inflation pressure ( Y page 201)
R Coolant level ( Y page 196)
R Vehicle lighting ( Y page 267)
R Washer system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 196)
R Brake fluid ( Y page 197) Engine compartment
Hood
G
Warning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening G
Warning!
Do not open the hood when the engine is
overheated. You could be seriously injured.
Observe the coolant temperature display to
determine whether the engine may be
overheated. If you see flames or smoke
coming from the engine compartment, move
away from the vehicle. Wait until the engine
has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department. G
Warning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions. G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades. G
Warning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
R with the engine running
R while starting the engine
R when the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually X
Pull hood lock release lever :.
The hood is unlocked.
! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged. 192
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X
Push handle ; under the hood upwards.
X Lift the hood at the front edge.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
Closing G
Warning!
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
X Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 8 in (20 cm).
X Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point above
the headlamps, then it is not properly
closed. Open it again and let it drop with
somewhat greater force. Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine consumes will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption can
occur when the vehicle is new or the vehicle
is driven frequently at higher engine speeds. Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
!
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level When checking the oil level
R
the vehicle must be parked on level ground
R with the engine at operating temperature,
the vehicle must have been stationary for
at least 5 minutes with the engine turned
off
R with the engine not at operating
temperature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with the
engine turned off
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick On the SLK 300 and SLK 350 you can check
the engine oil level with the oil dipstick.
X
Open the hood (Y page 192). X
Pull out oil dipstick :.
X Wipe oil dipstick : clean. Engine compartment
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X
Slowly insert oil dipstick : fully into the
dipstick guide tube.
X Pull out oil dipstick : again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is between
lower (min) mark = and upper (max)
mark ; of oil dipstick :.
i The filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
X If necessary, add engine oil.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(Y page 300).
For information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine oil,
see the “Practical hints” section
(Y page 250).
Checking engine oil level with the
control system On the SLK 55 AMG you can check the engine
oil level with the control system.
X
Switch on the ignition.
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display ( Y page 96).
X Press button * or & on the
multifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the following message appears in the
multifunction display: One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the multifunction
display:
R
Engine Oil Level OK
R Add 1.0 qt. (Canada: 1.0 liter)
to reach max. oil level.
R Add 1.5 qts. (Canada: 1.5 liters)
to reach max. oil level.
R Add 2.0 qts. (Canada: 2.0 liters)
to reach max. oil level.
i If you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press button * or & on
the multifunction steering wheel.
X If necessary, add engine oil.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.”
(Y page 300).
Other display messages
If the ignition is not switched on, the following
message appears in the multifunction
display:
Turn on ignition
to see engine oil level.
X Switch on the ignition.
If you see the message:
Observe
Waiting Time
X If the engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before repeating check
procedure.
X If the engine is not at operating
temperature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
If you see the message:
Cannot check engine oil level
with engine on.
X Turn off the engine.
X If the engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 minutes before checking oil.
X If the engine is not at operating
temperature yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil. 194
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i
If you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press button * or & on
the multifunction steering wheel.
If there is excess engine oil with the engine at
normal operating temperature, the following
message appears in the multifunction
display:
Engine Oil Level
Reduce Oil Level
X Have excess oil siphoned or drained off.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
! 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.
For information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine oil,
see the “Practical hints” section
(Y page 251).
Adding engine oil !
Only use approved engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System. For a listing of
approved engine oils and oil filters, contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
visit www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The following will result in engine or
emission control system damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty:
R Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System.
R Changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by
the Maintenance System.
R Using any oil additives. Example illustration: SLK 350 (SLK 300 similar)
SLK 55 AMG
X
Unscrew filler cap : from filler neck.
X 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.
! 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.
X Screw filler cap : back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section ( Y page 300) and
(Y page 302). Transmission fluid level
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The transmission fluid level does not need to
be checked. If you notice transmission fluid
loss or gearshifting malfunctions, have an Engine compartment
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Clearing the maintenance service
indicator message
The maintenance service indicator message
is cleared automatically
R
after approximately 10 seconds when you
switch on the ignition
R after approximately 10 seconds when
reaching
the service threshold while driving
R after approximately 30 seconds, once the
suggested maintenance service term has
passed
X Clearing the maintenance service
indicator
message manually: Press reset
button . on the instrument cluster.
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display.
Maintenance service term exceeded If you have exceeded the suggested
maintenance service term, you will see the
following message in the multifunction
display:
Service A Exceeded By XXXXX Miles
(Km)
Service A Exceeded By XXX Days
Service A Exceeded By X Day
In addition, a signal sounds when the
message appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance service.
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
i The menu overview can be found on
(Y page 96).
You can call up the maintenance service
indicator display at any time to check when
the next maintenance service is required. X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press button V or U on the
multifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display
(Y page 96)
appears in the multifunction display.
X Press button * or & on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance
service indicator display with
the service symbol ¯ and the
maintenance service deadline appears in
the multifunction display.
i If
the battery was disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in the
count shown by the maintenance service
indicator. To arrive at the true maintenance
service deadline, you will need to subtract
these days from the days shown in the
maintenance service indicator message or
maintenance service indicator display.
Do not confuse the maintenance service
indicator with the engine oil level indicator
4. Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In
the event that the maintenance service on
your vehicle is not carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can have the
maintenance service indicator reset.
The automotive maintenance facility carrying
out the maintenance service will find the
information for resetting the maintenance
service indicator in the maintenance-relevant
literature for your vehicle.
Such literature is available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or directly from
Mercedes-Benz.
! If the maintenance service indicator was
reset inadvertently, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset the maintenance service
indicator if the proper maintenance service
has been performed. Not following the
proper maintenance service as described 226
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in the Maintenance Booklet will result in
engine damage and/or other vehicle
damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Notes Regular and proper care will help to maintain
the value of your vehicle.
G
Warning!
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! When cleaning the vehicle, do not use
scouring agents. Never apply strong force
and only use a soft, wet cloth or sponge.
Otherwise you may scratch or damage the
surface to be cleaned.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the vehicle
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme
and varying climatic conditions, but also by:
R Air pollution
R Road salt
R Tar
R Gravel and stone chipping To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:
R
Grease and oil
R Fuel
R Coolant
R Brake fluid
R Bird droppings
R Insects
R Tree resins etc.
Frequent
washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above
adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
R near the ocean
R in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
R during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage. Any
damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody of
the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thorough
check is a washing of the underbody followed
by a thorough inspection. Damaged areas
need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory
with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of the
vehicle. Post-production treatment is neither
necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-
Benz because of the possibility of
incompatibility between materials used in the
production process and others applied later.
We have selected vehicle-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and which
always reflect the latest technology. You can
obtain Mercedes-Benz approved vehicle-care
products at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Vehicle care
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions4 Check
engine
oil level
at next
refueling. SLK 300 and SLK 350 only:
The engine oil has dropped to a critical level.
X
Check the engine oil level ( Y page 193) and add engine oil
as required ( Y page 195).
X If you must add engine oil frequently, have the engine
checked for possible leaks. 4 Add 1 qt.
engine
oil at
next
refueling.
(USA only)
Add 1
liter
engine
oil at
next
refueling.
(Canada
only) SLK 55 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.
X
Add engine oil ( Y page
195) and check the engine oil level
(Y page 193).
X If you must add engine oil frequently, have the engine
checked for possible leaks. If the message Add 1 qt. (Canada:
1 liter) engine oil at next
refueling
(SLK 55 AMG) or Check engine
oil level at next refueling (SLK 300,
SLK 350) appears while the engine is running
and at operating temperature, the engine oil
level has dropped to approximately the
minimum level.
The message will be stored in the vehicle
status message memory after you have
cleared it from the multifunction display.
Visually check for oil leaks. If there are no
obvious oil leaks, drive to the nearest service station to refill your engine oil to the required
level.
For information on approved engine oils
contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or visit www.mbusa.com (USA only).
! Engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. 250
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Practical hints
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions4 Cannot
Measure
Engine
Oil Level SLK 55 AMG only:
The measuring system is malfunctioning.
X
Have the measuring system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. 4 Engine
Oil Level
Reduce
Oil Level SLK 55 AMG only:
You have added too much engine oil. There is a risk of
damaging the engine or the catalytic converter.
X
Have oil siphoned or drained off. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its disposal. 4 Engine
Oil Level
Stop,
turn
engine
off. The engine oil level is too low. There is a danger of engine
damage.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.
X Turn off the engine.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Add engine oil ( Y page 195) and check the engine oil level
(Y page 193). C The fuel level is low.
X
Refuel at the next gas station. 8 Reserve
Fuel The fuel level has dropped below the reserve mark.
X
Refuel at the next gas station. 8 Gas Cap
Is Open A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The
fuel cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may
be leaking.
X
Check the fuel cap ( Y page 191).
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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