2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK300 park assist

!
Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds.
This may result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Shift gear in a timely manner.
For more information on driving, see “Driving
instructions” ( Y page 221).
Automatic transmission G
Warning!
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission
out of park position P or neutral
position N if the engine speed is higher than
idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on the
brake pedal, the vehicle could accelerate
quickly forward or in reverse. You could lose
control of the vehicle and hit someone or
something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
! Only shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R or park position P when the
vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.
X Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.
X Shift the automatic transmission into drive
position D or reverse gear R.
i Shifting
the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Only depressing the brake pedal releases
the gear selector lever lock.
X Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.
X If engaged, release the parking brake.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
After a cold start, the automatic transmission
shifts at a higher engine speed. This allows the catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
For

more information on driving, see “Driving
instructions” ( Y page 221). Problems while driving
The
engine runs erratically and misfires R
An ignition cable may be damaged.
R The engine electronics may not be
operating properly.
R Unburned gasoline may have entered the
catalytic converter and damaged it.
X Give very little gas.
X Have the problem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz

Center as soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248‡
(120†) The coolant is too hot and is no longer cooling
the engine.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location as soon
as possible.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Allow the engine and coolant to cool off.
X Check the coolant level and add coolant if
necessary ( Y page 196).
In case of accident If the vehicle is leaking fuel:
X
Do not start the engine under any
circumstances.
X Exit the vehicle at a safe distance from the
roadway.
X Notify local fire and/or police authorities.
If the extent of the damage cannot be
determined:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance. 82
Driving and parking
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Turning off the engine
G
Warning!
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle.
X Manual transmission: Shift the manual
transmission into 1st gear or reverse gear
R.
X Automatic transmission: Shift the
automatic transmission into park position
P.
X Engage the parking brake.
i Always engage the parking brake in
addition to shifting the automatic
transmission into park position P (manual
transmission: shifting into 1st gear or
reverse gear R).
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.
Automatic transmission:
The SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the automatic
transmission in park position P. Manual transmission
Introduction
For information on driving with a manual
transmission, see “Driving and parking”
(Y page 79). G
Warning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between or
under the pedals. You could then no longer
brake or accelerate. This could lead to
accidents and injury.
G
Warning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the manual
transmission into 1st gear or reverse gear R.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
! Allow the engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature has
been reached.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces.
This may cause serious damage to the
engine and the drivetrain which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. Gearshift lever
Gearshift pattern for manual transmission
k
Reverse gear
1 to 6 Forward gears 84
Manual transmissionControls in detail
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(1-800-367-6372) (USA only) or
1-888-923-8367
(Canada only).
You will be asked to provide your password.
X Then return to your vehicle at the time
arranged with the Customer Assistance
Center and pull the trunk recessed handle
for a minimum of 20 seconds until the
indicator

lamp in the SOS button is flashing.
The message Connecting Call appears in
the multifunction display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehicle
via Internet in the “My Tele Aid” section of
“Owner’s

Online”, using your ID and password
(USA only).
i The remote door unlock feature is
available if the relevant cellular phone
network is available.
The SOS button will flash and the message
Connecting Call will appear in the
multifunction display to indicate receipt of
the door unlock command.
If the trunk recessed handle was pulled for
more than 20 seconds before door unlock
authorization was received by the
Customer Assistance Center, you must
wait 15 minutes before pulling the trunk
recessed handle again.
Stolen Vehicle Recovery Services In the event your vehicle was stolen:
X
Report the incident to the police.
The police will issue a numbered incident
report.
X Pass this number on to the Customer
Assistance Center along with your
password.
The Customer Assistance Center will then
attempt to covertly contact the vehicle’s
Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle is
located, the Customer Assistance Center
will contact the local law enforcement and
you. The vehicle’s location will only be
provided to law enforcement.
i If the anti-theft alarm or the tow-away
alarm stays on for more than 30 seconds, a call to the Customer Assistance Center is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid
system provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated, and
that necessary cellular service and GPS
coverage are available. See “Anti-theft
alarm system”

(Y page 51) and “Tow-away
alarm” ( Y page 52). Garage door opener
The
integrated remote control can operate up
to three separately controlled devices
compatible with HomeLink ®
or some other
systems. G
Warning!
Before programming the integrated remote
control to a garage door opener or gate
operator, make sure people and objects are
out of the way of the device to prevent
potential harm or damage. When
programming

a garage door opener, the door
moves up or down. When programming a gate
operator, the gate opens or closes.
Do not use the integrated remote control with
any garage door opener that lacks safety stop
and reverse features as required by U.S.
federal safety standards (this includes any
garage door opener model manufactured
before April 1, 1982). A garage door that
cannot detect an object - signaling the door
to stop and reverse - does not meet current
U.S. federal safety standards.
When programming a garage door opener,
park vehicle outside the garage.
Do not run the engine while programming the
integrated remote control. Inhalation of
exhaust gas is hazardous to your health. All
exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide (CO),
and inhaling it can cause unconsciousness
and possible death. Useful features
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Power assistance
G
Warning!
There is no power assistance for the steering
and the brake when the engine is not running.
Steering and braking requires significantly
more effort and you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident as a result.
Do not turn off the engine while the vehicle is
in motion. Brakes
Downhill grades !
When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes by
shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s

braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces
wear.
When using the engine’s braking power, a
drive wheel may not spin for an extended
period of time, e.g. on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage
to the drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Continuous or hard braking G
Warning!
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their
effectiveness. It may not be possible to stop
the vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on
for

some time, rather than immediately park,
so that the air stream will cool down the
brakes faster. Wet roads G
Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without
applying the brakes or through water
deep enough to wet brake components, the
first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may be
necessary to obtain expected brake effect.
Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in
front.
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet or salt-covered roads, it is
advisable to brake the vehicle with
considerable force prior to parking. The heat
generated serves to dry the brakes.
Salt-covered roads G
Warning!
A layer of salt on the brake discs and the brake
linings may cause a delay in the braking
effect, resulting in a significantly increased
braking distance, which could lead to an
accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully when you are
driving on salt-covered roads, so that any
layer of salt that may have built up on the
brake discs and the brake linings is
removed without putting other road users
at risk
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new

trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake disc
Brake service !
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be

too low if the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on and an
acoustic warning sounds although the 222
Driving instructions
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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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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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X
Simultaneously press tabs ? together and
let the wiper blade engage into both
recesses of attachment =.
X Check if the wiper blade is securely
fastened.
X Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on the
windshield.
Make sure you hold on to the wiper arm
when folding it back.
! Make sure the wiper blades are installed
properly.

Improperly installed wiper blades
may cause windshield damage. Flat tire
Safety notes
Your vehicle may be equipped with a TIREFIT
kit or a spare wheel with collapsible tire.
Vehicles

with a TIREFIT kit do not have a spare
wheel.
For information on your vehicle’s equipment,
see “Rims and tires” ( Y page 297).G
Warning!
The dimensions of the spare wheel are
different from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style
accordingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with a spare wheel mounted,
ensure proper tire inflation pressure and do
not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).
Contact the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible to have the
spare wheel replaced with a regular road
wheel.
Never

operate the vehicle with more than one
spare wheel mounted.
Do not switch off the ESP ®
when a spare
wheel is mounted. Preparing the vehicle
X Whenever possible, park the vehicle in a
safe

distance from moving traffic on a hard,
flat surface.
X Turn on the hazard warning flasher.
X Turn the steering wheel so that the front
wheels are in a straight-ahead position.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Shift the automatic transmission into park
position P (manual transmission to 1st or
reverse gear R).
X Turn off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
X Have any passenger exit the vehicle at a
safe distance from the roadway. Open
doors only when conditions are safe to do
so. Sealing tires with TIREFIT
This section applies to SLK 55 AMG with
Performance Package only.
Small

tire punctures, particularly those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient temperatures
down to -4‡ (-20†). G
Warning!
TIREFIT is a limited repair device. TIREFIT
cannot be used for cuts or punctures larger
than approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) and tire
damage

caused by driving with extremely low
tire inflation pressure, or on a flat tire, or a
damaged wheel.
Do not drive the vehicle under such
circumstances.
Contact the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for assistance or call Roadside
Assistance. Flat tire
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After attaining a tire inflation pressure of
at least 26 psi (1.8 bar):
X
Press 0 on electric air pump switch =.
The electric air pump is switched off.
X Detach the TIREFIT kit from the tire valve. G
Warning!
The air hose may still be hot. Exercise proper
caution to avoid burning yourself when
detaching the electric air pump.
! Remaining TIREFIT sealant could escape
from the filler hose after it has been
detached from the tire valve. TIREFIT
sealant may cause stains.
Therefore, cover the filler hose, e.g. by
inserting it into the plastic bag the TIREFIT
kit was packed in.
X Drive off immediately. G
Warning!
Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not designed to
operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the
instrument cluster where it will be easily seen
by the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics of a TIREFIT
repaired tire may change. Adapt your driving
accordingly.
X After driving the vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check the tire inflation
pressure using pressure gauge. G
Warning!
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the
roadway and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside
Assistance.
Have the damaged tire replaced. If the tire inflation pressure is at least 20 psi
(1.3 bar), inflate or deflate the tire to the
correct tire inflation pressure (see Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver’s
door B-pillar):
Version 2
X
To increase tire inflation pressure:
Switch on the electric air pump.
X To decrease tire inflation pressure:
Version 1: Open vent screw F on
pressure gauge G (Y page 275).
Version 2: Press yellow deflate button a
located in air pump housing next to
pressure gauge G. G
Observe Safety notes, see page 201.
X Drive to the nearest qualified workshop,
e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
to have the damaged tire replaced.
X Recommended duration of use: A
maximum of 300 miles (500 km) at 50 mph
(80 km/h) or below with the recommended
tire inflation pressure.
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a new
TIREFIT kit.
X Bring used TIREFIT materials to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
proper disposal.
X Replace your TIREFIT container every
4 years. Replacement containers are
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. 276
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