
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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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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Rear lamps
see Tail lamps                                           
Rear window defroster ..................... 170
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ..................................... 198, 218
Refrigerant, air conditioning ............ 303
Refueling  ............................................ 190
Regular checks  .................................. 191
Reminder, Seat belt see Seat belts, Telltale                             
Remote control
see Key, SmartKey                                   
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid)  .........182
Replacing  
Key  .................................................. 58
Replacing bulbs  ................................. 267
Reporting safety defects .................... 21
Research Octane Number see RON                                                   
Reserve fuel  
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 251
Warning lamp ........................... 26, 261
Reset button .................................. 27, 92
Restraint systems see Occupant safety                                
Retractable hardtop  ..........................170
Locking  .......................................... 172
Luggage cover  ............................... 173
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 246
Operating manually ........................ 266
Wind screen ................................... 173
Rims ........................................... 218, 297
Roadside Assistance  ...................19, 180
RON (Research Octane Number) ..... 303
Roof see Retractable hardtop                          
Rubber parts, cleaning ...................... 230 S
Safety  Driving safety systems ..................... 47
Occupant safety ...............................
32
Reporting defects ............................ 21
Safety belts
see Seat belts                                           Satellite radio ....................................
125
Seat belt force limiter ......................... 43
Seat belts ............................................. 40
Children in the vehicle  .....................45
Cleaning .........................................
231
Fastening  ......................................... 42
Proper use of  ................................... 41
Safety guidelines  ............................. 34
Safety notes ..................................... 40
Telltale ..................................... 26, 259
Seat heating ......................................... 65
Seating capacity ................................ 206
Seats ..................................................... 62 Adjustment  ...................................... 62
Easy-entry/exit feature  ....................67
Heating ............................................ 65
Memory function .............................. 70
Selective setting
see Key, SmartKey                                   
Selector lever
see Gear selector lever                            
Self-test 
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 39
Tele Aid  .......................................... 178
Service
see Maintenance                                      
Service, parts  .................................... 292
Service and warranty information  .....18
Service intervals see Maintenance System, Service
indicator message                                    
Service life (tires)  .............................. 210
Settings  Factory setting (SmartKey)  ..............57
Memory function .............................. 70
Menu ............................................. 102
Selective setting (SmartKey)  ............57
Shelf behind roll bars  ........................ 175
Side marker lamps  
Cleaning lenses ............................. 229
Messages in the multifunction
display  ........................................... 252
Sidewall (tires)  .................................. 219
Side windows see Power windows                                   Index
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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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Instrument cluster
Function Page
:
Multifunction display with:
Trip odometer 109
Main odometer 95
Gear range indicator
(automatic transmission)
88
Program mode indicator
(automatic transmission)
88
Outside temperature
indicator or digital
speedometer (depending
on selected setting in the
control system)
97,
104 Set speed for cruise control 159
;
Tachometer with:
! Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA only  
262
; Engine malfunction
indicator lamp, Canada only
262
h Combination low tire
pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale, USA
only  
201,
262 Function Page
7 Seat belt telltale   42,
259 K High-beam headlamp
indicator lamp  
73
=
Fuel gauge with:
8 Fuel tank reserve
warning lamp (the arrow
indicates that the fuel filler
flap is on the right-hand
side)   
261
?
Clock  93
A
Speedometer with:
+ Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp  
32,
260 ! Antilock Brake
System (ABS) indicator
lamp 
257
# Left turn signal
indicator lamp  
d Electronic Stability
Program (ESP
®
) warning
lamp  26026
Instrument clusterAt a glance
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Vehicle equipment
i This Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual. Occupant safety
Introduction
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts
R Child restraints
Additional 
protection potential is provided by:
R Supplemental  Restraint  System (SRS) with
- Air bags
- Air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
- Emergency  Tensioning  Device (ETD) for
seat belts
- Seat belt force limiter
R Air bag system components with
-Passenger 
front air bag off indicator lamp
- Passenger seat with  Occupant
Classification  System (OCS)
Although the systems are independent, their
protective 
functions work in conjunction with
each other. G
Warning!
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to 
the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended. Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See “Children in the vehicle”
(Y page 45) for information on
R infants 
and children traveling with you in
the vehicle
R restraint systems for infants and children SRS indicator lamp
The SRS system conducts a self-test when
the ignition is switched on and in regular
intervals while the engine is running. This
facilitates detection of system malfunctions.
The SRS indicator lamp  + in the
instrument cluster comes on when the
ignition is switched on. It goes out no later
than 
a few seconds after the engine has been
started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the SRS indicator lamp
+ is not lit while the engine is running. G
Warning!
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction when the SRS indicator lamp
+
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out after approximately
4 seconds after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For 
your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which 32
Occupant safety
Safety and security
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could result in serious or fatal injury. The SRS
might also deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily 
which could also result in injury
as well.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
USA only: Call our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details. Air bags
G
Warning!
Air bags are designed to reduce the potential
of injury and fatality in certain
R frontal impacts (front air bags and knee
bags)
R side impacts (head-thorax air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
Deployment of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the air
bags. This dust, however, is neither harmful
to 
your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some
temporary breathing difficulty for people with
asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid
this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any
breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the
vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or door. G
Warning!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags 
 inflate, it is very important for the driver and passenger to always be in a properly
seated position and to wear their seat belts.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering 
wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver’s seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver’s chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and potential
severity of hand/arm injury when the driver
front air bag inflates.
R Adjust the passenger seat as far as possible
rearward from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the head-
thorax air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the head- Occupant safety
33
Safety and security
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