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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X
Press the reset button . in the instrument
cluster for approximately 3 seconds.
The message Reset to factory
settings? Push reset button to
confirm appears in the multifunction
display.
X Press the reset button . once more.
The settings of all the submenus will be
reset to factory settings.
The settings you have changed will not be
reset unless you confirm the action by
pressing the reset button . a second time.
After approximately 5 seconds, the
Settings menu reappears in the
multifunction display.
Submenus in the Settings menu X
Press button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button &.
The collection of the submenus appears in
the multifunction display. There are more
submenus than can be displayed
simultaneously. X
Press button X.
The selection marker moves to the next
submenu.
X Scroll down with button X, scroll up
with button W.
X With the selection marker on the desired
submenu, use button & to access the
individual functions within that submenu.
X Once within the submenu, use button
& to move to the next function or button * to move to the previous function
within that submenu.
X Use button W or X to change the
settings of the respective function.
The following lists show what settings can be
changed within the various menus. Detailed
instructions on making individual settings can
be found on the following pages.
Instrument cluster submenu
R Selecting speedometer display mode
(Y page 104)
R Selecting language ( Y page 104)
R Selecting display (digital speedometer or
outside temperature) for status indicator
(Y page 104)
Time/Date submenu
R Setting the time ( Y page 105)
R Setting the date (Y page 105)
Lighting submenu
R Switching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only) (Y page 106)
R Switching locator lighting on or off
(Y page 106)
R Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off (Y page 107)
R Switching interior lighting delayed shut-off
on or off ( Y page 107)
Vehicle submenu
R Switching automatic central locking on or
off (Y page 108)
Convenience submenu
R Activating easy-entry/exit feature
(Y page 108)
Instrument cluster submenu Access the
Instr. Cluster submenu via
the Settings menu. Use the Instr. Control system
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The following functions are available:
R
Switching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only) (Y page 106)
R Switching locator lighting on or off
(Y page 106)
R Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off (Y page 107)
R Switching interior lighting delayed shut-off
on or off ( Y page 107)
Switching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only)
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button &.
X Move the selection marker with button
W or X to the Lighting submenu.
X Press button & or * repeatedly until
the message Headlamp Mode appears in
the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting. X
Press button W or X to select
manual operation ( Manual) or daytime
running lamp mode ( Constant).
With daytime running lamp mode switched on
and the exterior lamp switch in
position $ or Ã, the low-beam
headlamps are switched on when the engine
is running.
In low ambient light conditions the following
lamps will come on additionally:
R Parking lamps
R Tail lamps R
License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
For more information on the daytime running
lamp mode, see ( Y page 72).
For safety reasons, resetting all the functions
of all submenus to the factory settings while
driving ( Y page 102) will not deactivate the
daytime running lamp mode.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display:
Lighting Cannot be completely reset
to factory settings while driving.
Switching locator lighting on or off
With the locator lighting feature activated and
the exterior lamp switch in position Ã, the
following lamps will come on during darkness
when the vehicle is unlocked using button
% on the SmartKey:
R Parking lamps
R Tail lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
R Front fog lamps
The locator lighting goes out when the driver’s
door is opened.
If you do not open the driver’s door after
unlocking the vehicle with the SmartKey, the
lamps will go out automatically after
approximately 40 seconds.
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button &.
X Move the selection marker with button
W or X to the Lighting submenu.
X Press button & or * repeatedly until
the message Surround Lighting
Function appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting. 106
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X
Press button W or X to switch the
locator lighting function On or Off.
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
à when exiting the vehicle.
The locator lighting feature is activated.
Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on
or off
Use this function to set whether you would
like the exterior lamps to remain on for
15 seconds during darkness after exiting the
vehicle and closing all doors.
With the headlamps delayed shut-off feature
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
position à before the engine is turned off,
the following lamps will come on when the
engine is turned off:
R Parking lamps
R Tail lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
R Front fog lamps
If, after turning off the engine, you do not
open a door or do not close an opened door,
the lamps will automatically go out after
60 seconds.
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button &. X
Move the selection marker with button
W or X to the Lighting submenu.
X Press button & or * repeatedly until
the message Headlamps Delayed Shut-
off appears in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting. X
Press button W or X to switch the
headlamps delayed shut-off feature On or
Off.
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
à before turning off the engine.
The headlamps delayed shut-off feature is
activated.
You can temporarily deactivate the
headlamps delayed shut-off feature:
X Before exiting the vehicle, turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to position
0.
X Then turn it to position 2 and back to
position 0.
The headlamps delayed shut-off feature is
deactivated. It will reactivate as soon as
you start the engine.
Switching interior lighting delayed shut-
off on or off
Use this function to set whether you would
like the interior lighting to remain on for
10 seconds during darkness after you have
removed the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
X Press button V or U repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
X Press button &. Control system
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Check the following:
R
Engine oil level ( Y page 193)
R Tire inflation pressure ( Y page 201)
R Coolant level ( Y page 196)
R Vehicle lighting ( Y page 267)
R Washer system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 196)
R Brake fluid ( Y page 197) Engine compartment
Hood
G
Warning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening G
Warning!
Do not open the hood when the engine is
overheated. You could be seriously injured.
Observe the coolant temperature display to
determine whether the engine may be
overheated. If you see flames or smoke
coming from the engine compartment, move
away from the vehicle. Wait until the engine
has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department. G
Warning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions. G
Warning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades. G
Warning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
R with the engine running
R while starting the engine
R when the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually X
Pull hood lock release lever :.
The hood is unlocked.
! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged. 192
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X
Push handle ; under the hood upwards.
X Lift the hood at the front edge.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
Closing G
Warning!
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. Do not continue driving if
the hood can no longer engage after an
accident, for example. The hood could
otherwise come loose while the vehicle is in
motion and injure you and/or others.
X Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 8 in (20 cm).
X Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point above
the headlamps, then it is not properly
closed. Open it again and let it drop with
somewhat greater force. Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine consumes will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption can
occur when the vehicle is new or the vehicle
is driven frequently at higher engine speeds. Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
!
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level When checking the oil level
R
the vehicle must be parked on level ground
R with the engine at operating temperature,
the vehicle must have been stationary for
at least 5 minutes with the engine turned
off
R with the engine not at operating
temperature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with the
engine turned off
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick On the SLK 300 and SLK 350 you can check
the engine oil level with the oil dipstick.
X
Open the hood (Y page 192). X
Pull out oil dipstick :.
X Wipe oil dipstick : clean. Engine compartment
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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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!
Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can
damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not use distilled or deionized water in
the washer fluid reservoir. Otherwise, the
washer fluid level sensor could be
damaged.
Fluid for the washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system is supplied from the washer
fluid reservoir.
During all seasons, use MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”. Mix it
with water or premixed washer solvent/
antifreeze depending on the ambient
temperature ( Y page 306). Example illustration: SLK 350
X
Opening washer fluid reservoir: Pull tab
of cap : upwards.
X Refill the washer fluid reservoir.
X Closing washer fluid reservoir: Press
cap : onto filler hole until it engages.
For more information, see “Washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(Y page 302). Brake fluid level
! 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
immediately. Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately. Do
not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see
“Practical hints”.
When checking the brake fluid level, the
vehicle must be parked on level ground. The brake fluid level is correct when it is
between lower mark (MIN)
; and upper
mark (MAX) : of the brake fluid reservoir. Tires and wheels
Safety notes
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommended
rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice
concerning tire service and purchase. G
Warning!
Replace rims or tires with the same
designation, manufacturer and type as shown
on the original part. For further information
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted, the wheel brakes or suspension
components can be damaged. Also, the
operating clearance of the wheels and the
tires may no longer be correct. G
Warning!
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire
tread is worn to minimum tread depth, or if Tires and wheels
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