2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK500 maintenance

The following functions are available:
R
Checking tire inflation pressure with the
Advanced TPMS (Y page 201) (USA only)
R Checking coolant temperature
(Y page 97)
R Calling up digital speedometer or outside
temperature ( Y page 97)
R Calling up maintenance service indicator
display ( Y page 226)
R Checking engine oil level (SLK 55 AMG
only) ( Y page 194)
Checking coolant temperature G
Warning!
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked into
the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until
the engine has cooled down.
X Press button & or * repeatedly until
the coolant temperature appears in the
multifunction display. During severe operating conditions, e.g. stop-
and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248‡ (120†).
!
Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning in the multifunction display. The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248‡
(120†). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature You can select whether the digital
speedometer or the outside temperature
appears in the multifunction display
(Y page 104).
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.
X Press button & or * repeatedly until
the digital speedometer or the outside
temperature appears in the multifunction
display. Digital speedometer
AMG menu
This function is only available in AMG
vehicles.
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display. Control system
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simply a reminder with respect to the
operation of certain systems. They do not
replace the owner’s and/or driver’s
responsibility to maintain the vehicle’s
operating safety. Have all required
maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the
malfunction and warning messages.
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the Vehicle status message memory
menu appears in the multifunction display.
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction
display. :
Number of recorded status messages
X Press button & or *.
The stored messages will now be displayed
in the order in which they have occurred.
For malfunction and warning messages,
see “Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display” ( Y page 236).
Should the vehicle’s system record any
conditions while driving, the number of
messages will reappear in the multifunction
display when the SmartKey in the starter
switch is turned to position 0 or removed
from the starter switch.
Except for high-priority messages, the vehicle
status message memory will be cleared when
you switch off the ignition. Settings menu
Introduction In the
Settings menu there are two
functions: The function To reset, push
reset button for 3 seconds, with which
you can reset all the settings to the original
factory settings and a collection of submenus
with which you can make individual settings
for your vehicle.
The following settings and submenus are
available in the Settings menu:
R Resetting to factory settings
(Y page 102)
R Submenus in the Settings menu
(Y page 103)
R Instrument cluster submenu
(Y page 103)
R Time/Date submenu ( Y page 105)
R Lighting submenu ( Y page 105)
R Vehicle submenu ( Y page 108)
R Convenience submenu ( Y page 108)
Resetting to factory settings You can reset the settings of all submenus to
the factory settings.
For safety reasons, the function
Headlamp
Mode in the Lighting submenu cannot be
reset while driving.
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display. 102
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CD and MP3 mode
Submenu overview Menu Submenu
CD or MP3
Normal Track
Sequence
Random Tracks
Random Folders
(MP3 mode only)
AUX
Track list (Audio
CD) or Folder
(MP3)
Select track (CD
mode only)
Select folder and/or
tracks (MP3 mode
only)
CD changer or
other media
Media selection
Sound
Treble
Bass
Balance
Surround sound
i
The components and operating principles
of the audio system can be found on
(Y page 112) and ( Y page 116).
The audio system is fitted with a CD changer.
The CD changer can play audio CDs as well
as CDs with MP3 or WMA files.
The available menu options will vary
depending on the equipment and the type of
CD.
Safety precautions G
Warning!
The CD changer is classified as a Class 1 laser
product.
You must not open the casing. There
is a risk of exposure to invisible laser radiation if you open the casing, or if the casing is faulty
or damaged.
The CD changer does not contain any parts
that you are able to maintain yourself. For
safety

reasons, all maintenance work must be
carried out by qualified technicians. G
Warning!
In order to avoid distraction which could lead
to an accident, the driver should insert or
eject CDs with the vehicle at a standstill and
operate

the audio system only if permitted by
road, weather and traffic conditions.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
General notes i
Audio CDs with copy protection are not
compatible

with the CD audio standard and
therefore may not be able to be played by
the CD changer. There may be playback
problems when playing copied discs.
There is a large variety of discs, disc-writing
software and writers available. This variety
means that there is no guarantee that the
system will be able to play discs that you
have written/copied yourself.
There may be playback problems if you use
CD-R or CD-RW type discs you have
compiled yourself with a storage capacity
of more than 700 MB. These CDs are not
compatible with currently applicable
standards.
! Do not affix stickers or labels to the CDs,
they can become warped due to the heat
that develops in the CD changer.
In certain situations, the CDs can then no
longer be ejected and cause damage to the
CD changer. Such damage is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Audio system
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Vehicle equipment ............................
190
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......190
At the gas station ............................. 190
Engine compartment ........................ 192
Tires and wheels ............................... 197
Winter driving ................................... 219
Driving instructions ..........................221
Maintenance ...................................... 225
Vehicle care ....................................... 227 189Operation
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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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G
Warning!
The TPMS does not indicate a warning for
wrongly selected inflation pressures. Always
adjust
tire inflation pressure according to the
Tire and Loading Information placard or the
supplemental tire inflation pressure
information on the inside of the fuel filler flap.
The TPMS is not able to issue a warning due
to a sudden dramatic loss of pressure (e.g. tire
blowout caused by a foreign object). In this
case bring the vehicle to a halt by carefully
applying the brakes and avoiding abrupt
steering maneuvers. G
Warning!
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door B-
pillar

or the tire inflation pressure label on the
inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
or the tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability. Please note that
the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire
maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS

malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately 1 minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly.
i If a condition causing the TPMS to
malfunction develops, it may take up to
10 minutes for the system to signal a
malfunction using the TPMS telltale
flashing and illumination sequence.
The telltale extinguishes after a few
minutes driving if the malfunction has been
corrected.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display. The current tire
inflation pressure for each tire appears in the
multifunction display after a few minutes of
driving.
i Possible differences between the
readings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and the
vehicle’s control system can occur. The tire
pressure displayed by the control system
apply to sea level. In high-altitude
locations, the reading on a tire pressure 202
Tires and wheels
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Maximum tire load
G
Warning!
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also result
in handling or steering problems, or brake
failure. i
For illustration purposes only. Actual data
on tires are specific to each vehicle and
may vary from data shown in above
illustration.
The maximum tire load rating : is the
maximum weight the tires are designed to
support.
For more information on tire load rating, see
(Y page 214).
For information on calculating total and cargo
load capacities, see ( Y page 206). Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantages,
such as better hydroplaning performance. To
benefit, however, you must make sure the
tires rotate in the direction specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the
intended direction of rotation of the tire.
Spare wheels may be mounted against the
direction of rotation (spinning) even with a
unidirectional tire for temporary use only until the regular drive wheel has been repaired or
replaced. Always observe and follow
applicable temporary use restrictions and
speed limitations indicated on the spare
wheel.
Tire care and maintenance
G
Warning!
Regularly check the tires for damage.
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle.
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if
the tires have sustained damage, replace
them.
Check the tire inflation pressure at least once
a month. For more information on checking
tire inflation pressure, see “Recommended
tire inflation pressure” ( Y page 198).
Tire inspection Every time you check the tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your tires
for the following:
R
excessive treadwear ( Y page 210)
R cord or fabric showing through the tire’s
rubber
R bumps, bulges, cuts, cracks or splits in the
tread or side of the tire
Replace the tire if you find any of the above
conditions.
Make sure you also inspect the spare tire
periodically for condition and inflation. Spare
tires will age and become worn over time even
if never used, and thus should be inspected
and replaced when necessary. Tires and wheels
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control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads
is to drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt
acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, shift
the automatic transmission to neutral
position N or declutch in case of manual
transmission. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
i For information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains” ( Y page 220).
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce the
normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically when
traveling at length on salt-strewn roads can
bring road-salt-impaired braking efficiency
back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on
salt-treated roads, the braking efficiency
should be tested as soon as possible after
driving is resumed. G
Warning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers. Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
To save fuel you should:
R Keep tires at the recommended inflation
pressures.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Allow engine to warm up under low load
use. R
Avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.
R Have all maintenance work performed at
the intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet and as required by the
Maintenance system. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel
consumption is also increased by driving
in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic, on
short trips and in mountainous areas. Drinking and driving
G
Warning!
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident

are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs. Pedals
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 that the
pedals still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers,
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury. Driving instructions
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