contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature
with the vehicle to make it available
to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car”
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer
Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R Service
facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R Unleaded gasoline for vehicles with
catalytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts.
R Gasoline may have a considerably lower
octane rating, and improper fuel can cause
engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe under our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9 Operating safety
G
Warning!
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause
them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving. G
Warning!
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole. If you feel a sudden significant
vibration or ride disturbance, or you suspect
that damage to your vehicle as occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers
R slow down carefully
R drive
with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs. 20
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!
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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G
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result
in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
! When you are shifting the manual
transmission into the 5th or 6th gear,
make sure you move the gearshift lever to
the right. Otherwise, you could accidentally
shift into the 3rd or 4th gear and damage
the manual transmission.
Downshifting gears leading to overrevving
the engine can result in engine damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by
using the clutch pedal. The clutch may be
damaged which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! 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.
Shifting into reverse gear R !
Only shift the manual transmission into
reverse
gear R when the vehicle is stopped.
Otherwise the manual transmission could
be damaged.
X Stop the vehicle completely.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift the manual transmission into the
neutral position (no gear selected).
X Move the gearshift lever to the left until you
feel a certain resistance.
X Push the gearshift lever past this resistance
and hold.
X Move the gearshift lever forward to select
reverse gear R. Automatic transmission
Introduction
For information on driving with an automatic
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.
! 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.
i During the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more quickly
to operating temperature. Automatic transmission
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fuel is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! If you have accidentally filled the tank
with incorrect or non-approved fuel, do not
switch on the ignition. Otherwise the
incorrect or non-approved fuel will get into
the fuel lines. The fuel system must be
drained completely. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the fuel
system drained completely.
! To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel may
reach the catalytic converter, causing it to
overheat and potentially start a fire.
i Only use premium unleaded gasoline with
a minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91
(average of 96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump. Please
contact gas station personnel in case
labels on the pump cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see
“Premium unleaded gasoline”
(Y page 303), see “Fuel requirements”
(Y page 303), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, or visit
www.mbusa.com (USA only).
Locking/unlocking the vehicle with the
SmartKey automatically locks/unlocks the
fuel filler flap.
i In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, or the
opening mechanism is clamping, contact
Roadside Assistance or an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The fuel filler flap is located on the right-hand
side of the vehicle towards the rear. X
Turn off the engine.
i Leaving the engine running and the fuel
filler cap open can cause the yellow fuel
tank reserve warning lamp to flash and the
malfunction indicator lamp ! (USA
only) or ; (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see also “Practical
hints” (Y page 262).
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
X Opening: Press fuel filler flap : at the
point indicated by the arrow.
X Turn fuel filler cap ; counterclockwise.
X Take off fuel filler cap ;.
X Place fuel filler cap ; in direction of arrow
into holder =.
X Fully insert filler nozzle unit and refuel.
X Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle unit
cuts out – do not top off or overfill .
X Closing: Turn fuel filler cap ; clockwise
until it audibly engages.
i Close the fuel filler flap before locking the
vehicle. Otherwise the flap locking pin will
prevent closing the fuel filler flap.
X Close fuel filler flap :. Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and
requirements of operating agents, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (Y page 300). At the gas station
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions4 Cannot
Measure
Engine
Oil Level SLK 55 AMG only:
The measuring system is malfunctioning.
X
Have the measuring system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. 4 Engine
Oil Level
Reduce
Oil Level SLK 55 AMG only:
You have added too much engine oil. There is a risk of
damaging the engine or the catalytic converter.
X
Have oil siphoned or drained off. Observe all legal
requirements with respect to its disposal. 4 Engine
Oil Level
Stop,
turn
engine
off. The engine oil level is too low. There is a danger of engine
damage.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon as it is safe
to do so.
X Turn off the engine.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Add engine oil ( Y page 195) and check the engine oil level
(Y page 193). C The fuel level is low.
X
Refuel at the next gas station. 8 Reserve
Fuel The fuel level has dropped below the reserve mark.
X
Refuel at the next gas station. 8 Gas Cap
Is Open A loss of pressure has been detected in the fuel system. The
fuel cap may not be closed properly or the fuel system may
be leaking.
X
Check the fuel cap ( Y page 191).
X If it is not closed properly: Close the fuel cap.
X If it is closed properly: Have the fuel system checked at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never
lean over batteries while connecting or
jump starting. You might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can
result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
! Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the automatic
transmission which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Jump starting should only be performed
using the jump-start terminals located in
the engine compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a
battery quick-charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and may
present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have
loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch
any other metal part while the other end is
still attached to a battery. If the battery is discharged, the engine can be
started with jumper cables and the fully
charged battery of another vehicle or an
equivalent starter pack. Observe the
following:
R
Access
to the battery is not possible on all
vehicles. If you cannot access the battery
of the other vehicle, provide jump start
power by an external battery or starter
pack.
R Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic converter
are cold.
R Do not jump start the engine or charge the
battery if the battery is frozen. Let the
battery thaw out first.
R Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting
with a more powerful battery could damage
the vehicle’s electrical system. Such
damage will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
R Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.
R Always make sure the jumper cables are
not on or near pulleys, fans or other parts
that move when an engine is started or
running.
R Should the battery be drained completely,
let the donating power source charge the
vehicle for several minutes before
reattempting the starting process.
The jump-start contacts are located in the
engine compartment on the passenger side.
X Make sure the two vehicles do not touch.
X Switch off all electrical consumers.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P (manual transmission to
Neutral).
X Open the hood (Y page 192). 284
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