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, and the
coolant temperature must be below 158‡
(70†). G
Warning!
In order to avoid any potentially serious burns:
R 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 display indicates
that the coolant is overheated.
R Do not remove the cap on the coolant
expansion tank if the coolant temperature
is above 158‡ (70†). Allow the engine to
cool down before removing the cap. The
coolant expansion tank contains hot fluid
and is under pressure.
R Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately 1
/ 2 turn counterclockwise
to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam
will be blown out under pressure.
R Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. Example illustration: SLK 350
X
Using a rag, slowly open cap ;
approximately 1
/ 2 turn counterclockwise
to relieve excess pressure.
X Continue turning cap ; counterclockwise
and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
R for cold coolant: reaches marking bar
= in coolant expansion tank :
R for warm coolant: is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher
X Add coolant as required.
X Screw cap ; back on and tighten it.
For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section ( Y page 301) and
(Y page 304). Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system
G
Warning!
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
! Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the washer system/fluid
reservoir. 196
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Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45‡ (7†) and whenever wintry road
conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated tires
provide special winter performance. Make
sure the tires you use show the mountain/
snowflakeimarking on the tire sidewall.
These tires meet specific snow traction
performance requirements of the Rubber
Manufacturers Association (RMA) and the
Rubber Association of Canada (RAC) and
have been designed specifically for use in
snow conditions. Use of winter tires is the
only way to achieve the maximum
effectiveness of your vehicle’s driving safety
systems such as the ABS and the ESP
®
in
winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.
For information on winter tires for your
vehicle model, see the “Technical data”
section ( Y page 297).
Always
observe the speed rating of the winter
tires installed on your vehicle. Snow chains
! Some tire sizes do not leave adequate
clearance for snow chains. To help avoid
serious damage to your vehicle or tires,
make sure the use of snow chains is
permissible as specified in the “Technical
data” section of this Operator’s Manual.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow-
covered roads at speeds not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h)
. Remove chains as soon
as possible when driving on roads without
snow.
Observe the following guidelines when using
snow chains:
R Use of snow chains is not permissible with
all wheel/tire combinations ( Y page 297).
R Use snow chains in pairs and on rear
wheels only. Follow the manufacturer’s
mounting instructions. !
If snow chains are mounted to the front
wheels, they may scrape against the body
or
axle components. The tires or the vehicle
could be damaged as a result.
R Only use snow chains that are approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to advise you on
this subject.
R Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check local
and state laws before installing snow
chains.
R Do not use snow chains on the spare wheel.
i When driving with snow chains, you may
wish to switch off the ESP ®
(Y page 49)
before setting the vehicle in motion. This
will improve the vehicle’s traction. Winter driving instructions
G
Warning!
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To
assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind. G
Warning!
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing
point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result
in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle 220
Winter driving
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parking brake is released. Observe
additional messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
Brake
pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. G
Warning!
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle
can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer
or when the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads. G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers. Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
Y page 49).
High-performance brake system The high-performance brake system is only
available on SLK 55 AMG.
G
Warning!
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide
optimum braking efficiency. Until that
time, you may need to use increased brake
pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware
of this and adjust your driving and braking
accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive high-demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
The high-performance brake system is
designed to operate under the extremely high
operating demands required to
accommodate the performance capabilities
of the vehicle.
The brakes may produce a squeaking-type
noise depending on the
R vehicle speed
R brake force applied
R ambient conditions, e.g. temperature and
humidity
As with any brake system, the wear of
individual brake system components such as
brake pads or disks strongly depends on your
driving style and the conditions under which
you operate the vehicle. Thus, a driving style
calling for high-demand braking will cause
your vehicle’s brakes to wear more quickly. Driving instructions
223
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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
Maintenance
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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
227
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions$
(USA only)
!
(Canada
only) Release
Parking
Brake You are driving with the parking brake engaged. In addition
an acoustic warning sounds.
X
Release the parking brake. $
(USA only)
J
(Canada
only) Check
Brake
Fluid
Level There is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.
Risk of accident!
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Do not drive any further.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Do not add brake fluid! This will not solve the problem. G
Warning!
Driving with the message Check Brake Fluid Level displayed can result in an accident. Have
your brake system checked immediately.
Do not add brake fluid before checking the brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.
! 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. 244
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsK Retractabl
e Roof
Operation
Please
Wait The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
X Start the engine. The hardtop drive system was shut down for safety reasons
after multiple, consecutive attempts to raise or lower the
hardtop.
After
about 10 minutes you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
X If the retractable hardtop still does not open or close
properly, have the hardtop system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. K Retractabl
e Roof
Lowering The retractable hardtop is not completely opened or closed.
The roof hydraulics will start to lose pressure.
X
Make sure the retractable hardtop is completely opened or
closed ( Y page 170). K Retractabl
e Roof
Operation
Only At
Standstill You have attempted to open the retractable hardtop while
driving.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to open the
hardtop again. K Retractabl
e Roof
Not
Opened/
Closed
Completely You are driving with the retractable hardtop not properly
locked.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
X Push the retractable hardtop switch forward or rearward
until the retractable hardtop is completely closed or open
(Y page 170).
X If the retractable hardtop still does lock properly, have the
hardtop system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. J Trunk
Partition
Open You are trying to open or close the retractable hardtop even
though the luggage cover in the trunk is not closed and/or
properly engaged.
X
Close the luggage cover ( Y page 173).+ Remove Key You have forgotten to remove the SmartKey.
X
Remove the SmartKey from the starter switch. 246
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions+ Please
get a new
key. The SmartKey is malfunctioning.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. ~ Bluetooth
Ready The telephone has not yet been connected to the audio
system or COMAND system via Bluetooth
®
.
X Connect the telephone to the audio system or COMAND
system via Bluetooth ®
. ¥ Top Up
Washer
Fluid The washer fluid in the washer fluid reservoir has fallen below
the minimum level.
X
Add washer fluid ( Y page 196). Engine
Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions=
(USA only)
;
(Canada
only) Engine
Service There may be a malfunction in
R
the fuel management system
R the ignition system
R the exhaust system
R the fuel system
X Have the engine checkedas soon as possible at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. ; Display
Malfunctio
n
Drive To
Workshop Certain electronic systems are unable to relay information to
the control system. The coolant temperature display or the
tachometer may have failed.
X
Have the electronic systems checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. + Top Up
Coolant
See
Operator’s
Manual The coolant level is too low.
X
Add coolant (Y page 196).
X If you have to add coolant frequently, have the cooling
system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. G
Warning!
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may burn
if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. You could be seriously burned. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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