2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG coolant

!
Do not ignore the low engine coolant level warning. Extended driving with the message
and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant in the cooling system. The engine will
overheat causing major engine damage. Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions? Coolant
Stop,
turn
engine
off. The coolant is too hot.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Only start the engine again after the message disappears.
You could otherwise damage the engine.
X Observe the coolant temperature in the multifunction
display.
X If the temperature rises again: Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
During severe operation conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 248‡
(120†). 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.
! The engine should not be operated with the coolant temperature above 248‡ (120†).
Doing so may cause serious damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. 248
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
Practical hints
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 248

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions? Coolant
Stop,
turn
engine
off. The poly-V-belt could be broken.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Check the poly-V-belt.
X If it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X If it is intact: Do not continue to drive the vehicle with this
message displayed. Doing so could result in serious engine
damage that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
X Observe the coolant temperature in the multifunction
display.
X Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. ? The radiator cooling fan is malfunctioning.
X
Observe the coolant temperature in the multifunction
display.
If

the coolant temperature is below 248‡ (120†), you may
continue driving to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Avoid placing heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by driving
uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.
X Have the fan replaced as soon as possible. # The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:
R
alternator malfunctioning
R broken poly-V-belt
X Stop immediately in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so and check the poly-V-belt.
X If it is broken: Do not continue to drive. Otherwise the
engine will overheat due to an inoperative water pump
which may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X If it is intact: Drive to the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center immediately. Adjust driving to be consistent
with reduced braking responsiveness. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
249
Practical hints
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 249 Z

Vehicle equipment ............................
292
Parts service ..................................... 292
Warranty coverage ...........................292
Identification labels ..........................292
Vehicle specification SLK 300
(171.454) ........................................... 294
Vehicle specification SLK 350
(171.458) ........................................... 295
Vehicle specification SLK 55 AMG
(171.473) ........................................... 296
Rims and tires ................................... 297
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......300 291Technical data
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 291

Spare wheel
! Compare the recommended tire inflation pressure for your vehicle with the tire inflation
pressure on the yellow label located on the spare wheel rim.
If
the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the tire to the recommended tire inflation pressure
given on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim.
i Please note that the tire inflation pressure of the spare wheel differs from the tire inflation
pressure of the road tires.
i The SLK 55 AMG with Performance Package does not have a spare wheel. The SLK 55 AMG
with Performance Package is equipped with TIREFIT ( Y page 273). All models
(except SLK 55 AMG with Performance Package)
Rim
4.5 B x 17 H2
Wheel offset
0.47 in (12 mm)
Collapsible tire
33 145/70-17 92P
Recommended tire inflation
pressure
51 psi (3.5 bar)
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
For information on tested and approved
products, contact an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center or visit www.mbusa.com (USA
only). G
Warning!
Comply with all valid regulations with respect
to handling, storing, and disposing of service fluids. Otherwise you could endanger persons
or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service

fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
33 Must not be used with snow chains. 300
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Technical data
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 300

Model Capacity Fuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil
filter
All models 8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Approved engine
oils
Manual
transmission
SLK 300
SLK 350 1.6 US qt (1.5 l) MB Manual
Transmission Fluid
Automatic
transmission
SLK 300
SLK 350 9.8 US qt (9.3 l) MB Automatic
Transmission Fluid
SLK 55 AMG 9.2 US qt (8.7 l)
Rear axle
SLK 300 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Hypoid Gear Oil
(SAE 85W-90)
SLK 350 1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
SLK 55 AMG 1.3 US qt (1.2 l) Fuchs Titan
EG 5010 D
Power steering
All models aprrox. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power Steering
Fluid (Chevron
Texaco PSF 9109)
Brake system
All models 0.53 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake Fluid
(DOT 4+)
Cooling system
SLK 300
SLK 350 approx. 10.4 US qt (9.8 l) MB 325.0
Anticorrosion/
Antifreeze
SLK 55 AMG approx. 11.7 US qt (11.1 l)
Fuel tank
All models 18.5 US gal (70.0 l) Premium unleaded
gasoline (Minimum
Posted Octane 91
[Avg. of
96 RON/86 MON])
Fuel tank
reserve
SLK 300
SLK 350 approx. 2.4 US gal (9.0 l)
SLK 55 AMG approx. 2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
Air
conditioning
system
All models — R134a refrigerant
and special
PAG lubricant oil
(never R 12)Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
301Technical data
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 301 Z

Model Capacity Fuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.
Hydraulic
system for
retractable
hardtop
All models 0.2 US qt (0.195 l) MB Hydraulic Oil
Washer system
and headlamp
cleaning
system
All models 7.4 US qt (7.0 l) MB Windshield
Washer
Concentrate
34
(Y page 306)
Washer fluid mixing
ratio ( Y page 306) Approved engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for our
service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters required
for vehicles with the 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).
! Using engine oils and oil filters of a
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or
changing of oil and oil filter at change
intervals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System will result in engine or
emission control system damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
recommendations for scheduled oil
changes. Failure to do so will result in
engine or emission control system damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Mercedes-Benz recommends MOBIL OIL. Use the table below to determine the
MB sheet number. Model Engine,
type MB sheet
number
SLK 300 272 229.5
SLK 350 272 229.5
SLK 55 AMG 113 229.5
i
MB sheet numbers are printed on the
outside of oil containers.
Viscosity grades for engine oils Using the chart below, select oil viscosity
according to the lowest air temperature
expected before the next oil change.
34
Mixed with water or commercially available premixed washer solvent/antifreeze. 302
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Technical data
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 302

Engine oil additives
! Do
not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty. Air conditioning refrigerant
R134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating

oil are used in the air conditioning
system.
! Never use R 12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur. Brake fluid
G
Warning!
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of
the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from the
atmosphere.
Under extremely strenuous operating
conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system, thus
reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly.

Refer to your vehicle’s Maintenance
Booklet for replacement interval.
Only brake fluid approved by Mercedes-Benz
is recommended. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will provide you with additional
information. Premium unleaded gasoline
G
Warning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury. Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health.
! To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gasoline
must be used.
If premium unleaded gasoline is not
available and low octane gasoline is used,
follow these precautions:
R Have the fuel tank only partially filled
with

unleaded regular gasoline and fill up
with premium unleaded gasoline as soon
as possible.
R Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
R Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded with a
light load such as two persons and no
luggage.
R Do not exceed 2
/ 3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the vehicle
is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain. Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded gasoline. The
octane

number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research
Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane
Number (MON): (RON+MON)/2. This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Reformulated gasolines (RFG) and/or
unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, TAME, ETBE, IPA, IBA, and
TBA can be used provided the ratio of any one Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
303
Technical data
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe, Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 303 Z

of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using
mixtures of ethanol and methanol is not
allowed. Gasohol, which contains 10%
ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be
used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc. Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused by
gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends only
the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of carbon
deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives carbon deposits can
build up, especially on the intake valves and
in the combustion area, leading to engine
performance problems such as:
R Warm-up hesitation
R Unstable idle
R Knocking/pinging
R Misfire
R Power loss
In areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasoline which contains these additives, the
use of Mercedes-Benz approved additives is
recommended.
Contact

an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or visit www.mbusa.com (USA only) for a
listing of approved products. Follow
directions on the product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and may
be harmful to the engine operation. !
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor

fuel quality or from blending additional
fuel additives other than those tested and
approved by us for use on Mercedes-Benz
vehicles are not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty or by any pre-owned
or Extended Limited Warranties. Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides:
R Corrosion protection
R Freeze protection
R Boiling

protection (by increasing the boiling
point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection to
approximately -35‡ (-37†) and corrosion
protection.
! Add premixed coolant solution only.
Adding water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/
Antifreeze separately from each other,
could cause engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -35‡
(-37†), the boiling point of the coolant in the
pressurized cooling system is reached at
approximately 266‡ (130†).
The coolant solution must be used year round
to provide the necessary corrosion protection
and increase boil-over protection. Refer to
the Maintenance Booklet for replacement
interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solution
or other Mercedes-Benz approved products
of equal specification are used to renew the
coolant concentration or bring it back up to
the proper level. 304
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Technical data
171_AKB; 3; 60, en-US
d2ureepe,
Version: 2.11.8.1 2009-05-11T16:00:23+02:00 - Seite 304