maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2006 R171 User Guide

302 OperationDriving instructionsCatalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Emission control
Certain engine systems serve to keep the
toxic components of the exhaust gases
within permissible limits required by law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments on the engine should therefore
only be carried out by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians.
Engine adjustments should not be altered
in any way. Moreover, the specified service
jobs must be carried out regularly accord-
ing to Mercedes-Benz servicing require-
ments. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters, use only 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.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.

312 OperationEngine compartmentAdding engine oil
Only use approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles). For a listing
of approved engine oils and oil filters, refer
to the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet in your vehicle literature
portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles), or
changing of oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS PLUS (Canada vehicles) will result in
engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
SLK 350 (example)1Filler capSLK 55 AMG1Filler cap

Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.

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.

Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” (
page 449) and
(
page 451).!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

314 OperationEngine compartmentThe coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.SLK 350 (example)1Coolant expansion tank
2Cap
3Marking bar in the expansion tank

Using a rag, turn cap2 slowly approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.

Continue turning cap2 counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches marking
bar3 in expansion tank1


for warm coolant: is approximately
0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap2.
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolants” (
page 453).
Battery
Your vehicle’s battery is located in the en-
gine compartment.
The battery should always be sufficiently
charged in order to achieve its rated ser-
vice life. Refer to the Maintenance Booklet
for battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to
have the battery charge checked more
frequently.
When replacing the battery, always use
batteries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.

318 OperationTires and wheelsTire care and maintenance
Regularly check your tire inflation pressure
at least once a month. For more informa-
tion on checking tire inflation pressure,
see “Recommended tire inflation pres-
sure” (
page 327).Tire inspection
Every time you check your tire inflation
pressure, you should also inspect your
tires for the following:


excessive treadwear (
page 319)


cord or fabric showing through the
tire’s rubber


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.Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:


Driving style


Tire inflation pressure


Distance driven
Warning!
G
Regularly check the tires for damage. Dam-
aged 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 badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.

350 OperationMaintenanceIn the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing, and caring for your vehicle.
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Maintenance Booklet at the times
called for by the maintenance service indi-
cator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times/mileage will result in ve-
hicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will no-
tify you when your next maintenance ser-
vice is due.
Starting approximately one month before
maintenance service is due, one of the fol-
lowing messages will appear in the multi-
function display while you are driving or
when you switch on the ignition (example
service A):
Service A in XXXXX miles (km)
Service A in XXX days
Service A in X day
Carry out service AThe maintenance services will be indicated
by showing a service type A through
type H in the multifunction display.
Types A through H are classified based on
estimated time needed to perform the
maintenance service, ranging:
from
Service A(approx. 1 hour)
toService H(approx. 8 hours)
iVehicles equipped with FSS PLUS
(Flexible S
ervice S
ystem PLUS) only
(Canada vehicles): The interval be-
tween maintenance services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between mainte-
nance services.

351 Operation
Maintenance
Clearing the maintenance service indicator
The maintenance service indicator is auto-
matically cleared after 30 seconds.
You can also clear it yourself.
Press reset buttonJ(
page 25) for
clearing the maintenance service indi-
cator.
The maintenance service indicator is
cleared and the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 128).
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction
display:Service A exceeded by XXXXX miles (km)
Service A exceeded by XXX days
Service A exceeded by X dayIn addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.Calling up the maintenance service
indicator
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
The standard display menu appears in
the multifunction display (page 128).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 124).


352 OperationMaintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator re-
set. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the main-
tenance service indicator in the mainte-
nance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the maintenance
service indicator. To arrive at the true
maintenance service deadline, you will
need to subtract these days from the
days shown in the maintenance service
indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance ser-
vice indicator with the engine oil level
indicatorN.
iIf the maintenance service indicator
was inadvertently reset, have an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance
service has been performed. Resetting
the system without performing the
proper maintenance service as called
for by the maintenance service indica-
tor will result in engine damage and/or
other vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


375 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:!
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release parking brake (
page 52).
USA only:;Canada only:3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in
the reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
Warning!
G
Driving with the message
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
displayed can result in an
accident. Have your brake system checked
immediately. Do not add brake fluid before
checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!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.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

415 Practical hints
Flat tire

Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is a
maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground. Never start engine while
vehicle is raised.Removing the wheel
4Alignment bolt

Unscrew the upper-most wheel bolt
and remove.

Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt4 supplied in the vehicle tool kit.

Remove the remaining bolts.

Remove the wheel.Mounting the spare wheel
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for spare wheel with
collapsible tire (located under plastic
cover on the outside of spare wheel
rim)
Warning!
G
The jack is intended only for lifting the
vehicle briefly for wheel changes. It is not
suited for performing maintenance work
under the vehicle.

Never start the engine when the vehicle
is raised.


Never lie down under the raised vehicle.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt.
This could result in damage to the bolt
and wheel hub threads.

421 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right-hand side below the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
1Battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries,
see “Battery” (
page 314).
Never lean over batteries while connecting
them, as you could otherwise be injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come into contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, imme-
diately 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.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.