2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG service

Distributio
nofthe vehicle
occupants (definition) ....................315
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) .............................................. .311
DOT (Department of
Transportation) (definition) ............312
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating)
(definition) ..................................... 313
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
(definition) ..................................... 313
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating) (definition) .........................313
Important safety notes ..................294
Increased vehicle weight due to
optional equipment (definition) ......313
Kilopascal (kPa) (definition) ...........314
Labeling (overview )........................ 309
Load bearing index (definition) ......315
Load index ..................................... 311
Load index (definition) ...................314
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(definition) ..................................... 313
Maximum load on a tire
(definition) ..................................... 314
Maximum permissible tire
pressure (definition) ....................... 314
Maximum tire loa d......................... 307
Maximum tire load (definition) .......314
Optional equipment weight
(definition) ..................................... 314
PSI (pounds per square inch)
(definition) ..................................... 314
Replacing ....................................... 315
Service life ..................................... 295
Sidewall (definition) .......................314
Speed rating (definition) ................313
Storing ........................................... 316
Structure and characteristics
(definition) ..................................... 312
Temperature .................................. 308
TIN (Tire Identification Number)
(definition) ..................................... 315
Tire bea d(definition) ...................... 314
Tire pressure (definition) ................314
Tire pressures (recommended )...... 313
Tire size (data) ............................... 316
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 309 Tire tread
....................................... 295
Tire tread (definition) .....................314
Total load limit (definition) .............315
Traction ......................................... 308
Traction (definition) .......................315
Trea dwear ..................................... 308
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standard s...................................... 307
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standard s(definition) .................... 313
Unladen weight (definition) ............314
Wea rindicato r(definition) .............315
Whee lrim (definition ).................... 313
see Flat tire
Towing
Important safety guidelines ...........287
Installing the towing eye ................287
Removing the towing eye. ..............288
With the rear axle raised ................288
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......288
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............289
Important safety notes ..................287
Installing the towing eye ................287
Removing the towing eye. ..............288
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................289
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .270
Trip computer (on-board
computer) .......................................... 185
Trip meter see Trip odometer
Trip odometer
Calling up ....................................... 185
Resetting (on-board computer) ......186
Trunk
Emergency release ..........................79
Important safety notes ....................77
Locking separatel y........................... 78
Opening (automatically from
outside) ............................................ 78
Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 224
Opening/closing .............................. 77 Index
17

Product information
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you use
genuine Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion
parts and accessories that have been
approved for the type of vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz tests genuine parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories which have
been specifically approved for your vehicle for
their reliability, safety and suitability. Despite
ongoing market research, Mercedes-Benz is
unable to assess other parts. Therefore,
Mercedes-Benz accepts no responsibility for
the use of such parts in Mercedes-Benz
vehicles, even if they have been
independently or officially approved. The use
of non-approved parts could affect your
vehicle's operating safety. Mercedes-Benz
therefore recommends that you use genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts, conversion parts and
accessories that have been approved for the
type of vehicle. Genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts, approved conversion parts and
accessories are available from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Here, you will receive
advice about permissible technical
modifications, and the parts will be
professionally installed. Operator's Manual
Notes on the Operator's Manual
This Operator's Manual contains a great deal
of helpful information. We urge you to read it
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of
the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
Operator's Manual. Ignoring them could
result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage
caused by failure to follow instructions is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. Vehicle equipment
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of going to
print. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features described.
This also applies to safety-related systems
and functions. The equipment in your vehicle
may therefore differ from some of the
descriptions or illustrations.
The original purchase agreement lists all
systems installed in your vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
if you have any questions about equipment or
operation.
The Operator's Manual and the Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and should
be kept in the vehicle. Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty
R State warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws) 20
Introduction

Information for customers in
California
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacemen tofyour vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price or lease price, if after a
reasonable number of repair attempts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its
authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or
malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered
by its express warranty. During the period of
18 months from original delivery of the
vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles
(approximately 29 000 km) on the odometer
of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a
reasonable number of repair attempts is
presumed for a retail buyer or lessee if one or
more of the following occurs:
(1) the same substantial defect or malfunction results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect
or malfunction has been subject to repair
two or more times, and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in
writing of the need for its repair.
(2) the same substantial defect or malfunction of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz in writing of the
need for its repair.
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty
Booklet with you when you bring the vehicle
to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The
service advisor will record every service for
you in the Service and Warranty Booklet. Breakdown assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program offers technical help in the event of
a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance Hotline are answered by our
agents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure (USA) or the "Roadside
Assistance" section in the Service and
Warranty booklet (Canada) .You will find both
in your vehicle literature portfolio. Change of address or change of
ownership
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the
entire literature in the vehicle so that it is
available to the next owner. Vehicle operation outside the USA
and 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 fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel Introduction
21

may not cause interference, and (2) These
devices must accept any interference,
including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the device." Diagnostics connection
G
WARNING
If you connect equipment to the diagnostics
connection, it can affect the operation of the
vehicle systems. This can impair the operating
safety of yourv ehicle while driving. There is a
risk of accident.
Do not connect any equipment to the
diagnostics connection. G
WARNING
Loose equipment or equipment cables that
are connected to the diagnostics connection
can obstruct the area around the pedals. The
equipment or the cables could get between
the pedals in the event of sudden braking or
acceleration. As a result, the movemen tofthe
pedals may be impaired. There is a risk of
accident.
Do not attach any equipment or cables in the
driver footwell.
! If the engine is switched off and
equipment on the diagnostics connection
is used, the starter battery may discharge.
The diagnostics connection is only intended
for the connection of diagnostic equipment at
a qualified specialist workshop.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics
connection can, for example, lead to
emissions monitoring information being
reset. This may lead to the vehicle failing to
meet the requirements of the next emissions
test during the main inspection. Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Ben zCenter is a
qualified specialist workshop. It has the necessary specialist knowledge, tools and
qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-BenzC
enter:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components Correct use
G
WARNING
There are various warning stickers affixed to
your vehicle. Their purpose is to alert you and
others to various dangers. Therefore, do not
remove any warning stickers unless the
sticker clearly states that you may do so.
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognize certain dangers
and be injured.
When driving your vehicle observe the
following information:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the "Technical data" section in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
moto rvehicles Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience aproble mwith your
vehicle, particularly one that you believe may
affec tits safe operation, we urge you to
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the problem diagnosed
and rectified. If the problem is not resolved to
your satisfaction, please discuss the problem Introduction
23 Z

again with a Mercedes-Ben
zCenter or
contact us at one of the following addresses.
In the USA Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-BenzC
anada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9 Limited Warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operatio nofyour vehicle
as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions is not covered either by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty or by the
New or Used-Vehicle Warranty. Data stored in the vehicle
Information about electronic data
acquisition in the vehicle
(Including notice pursuant to California Code
§ 9951)
Your vehicle records electronic data. If your
vehicle is equipped with mbrace 1
, data is
transmitted in the event of an accident. This information helps, for example, to test
vehicle systems after an accident and to
continually improve vehicle safety.
Daimler AG can access this data and submit
it:
R
for safety research or vehicle diagnosis
purposes
R with the consen tofthe vehicle owner
R on the instruction of prosecuting
authorities
R for use in arbitration of disputes that
involve Daimler AG, its affiliates or its sales
and service organizations
R as otherwise required or permitted by law.
Please observe the mbrace 1
purchase
agreement for further details on the recording
and transfer of data by this system.
1 The system is called TELE AID in Canada. 24
Introduction

Cente
rorcall 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in
USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
Av isual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
R a door
R the vehicle with the mechanical key
R the trunk lid
R the hood
R the glove box
R the stowage space under the armrest
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that has triggered it, for
example.
i If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, the mbrace (USA only) or TELE
AI D( Canada only) emergency call system
initiates a call to the Custome rAssistance
Center automatically. The emergency call
system initiates the call provided that:
R you have subscribed to the mbrace/
TELE AID service.
R the mbrace/TELE AID service has been
activated properly.
R the required mobile phone, power supply
and GPS are available. X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp 0002flashes. The alarm
system is armed after approximately
15 seconds.
X To disarm: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO.
X To stop the alarm using the SmartKey:
insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off.
or
X Press the 0010or000F button on the
SmartKey.
The alarm is switched off.
X To stop the alarm using KEYLESS-GO:
grasp the outside door handle. The
SmartKey must be outside the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off.
or
X Press the Start/Stop button on the
dashboard. The SmartKey must be inside
the vehicle.
The alarm is switched off. Theft deterrent locking system
65Safety Z

If yourv
ehicle is equipped with Xenon bulbs,
you can recognize this by the following: the
cone of light from the Xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Other bulbs There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y
page 110). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance changing bulbs,
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint-
free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when installing.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly. G
WARNING
Bulbs and lamps can become very hot. For
this reason, allow them to cool down before
changing them. Otherwise, you could burn
yourself when you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Otherwise, they could, for example, damage
the bulbs and injure themselves.
Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may explode and injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and could
explode when you change them, especially if they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them. Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types
You can change the following bulbs. The bulb
type can be found in the legend. Halogen headlamps
0002
Low-beam headlamp: H7 55 W
0003 High-beam headlamp: H7 55 W
0023 Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W Bi-Xenon headlamps
0002
Cornering lamp: H7 55 W 110
Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 23).Breaking-in notes
The first 1,000miles (1,500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R You should therefore drive at varying
vehicle and engine speeds for the first
1,000miles (1,500km).
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full
throttle, during this period.
R Change gear in good time, before the
tachometer needle is 0001of the way to the
red area of the tachometer.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500km)
drive in drive program C.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3,2or 1when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
After 1,000 miles (1,500km), you can
increase the engine speed gradually and bring
the vehicle up to full speed. Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R
do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 km).
R only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,50 0rpm briefly.
R change gear in good time.
i You should also observe these breaking-
in notes if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed
limits. AMG vehicles with rear axle locking
differential
Your vehicle is equipped with aself-locking
differential on the rear axle. To improve the
protection of the differential on the rear axle,
change the oil after a break-in distance of
2,000 miles (3,000 km). This oil change
extends the service life of the differential.
Have the oil change carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Driving
Important safety notes
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 sufficien tclearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught betwee nthe
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury. 130
DrivingDriving and parking