oil level MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2005 R171 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 271
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 272
Driving instructions ............................ 273
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 273
Drinking and driving ..................... 273
Pedals .......................................... 273
Power assistance ......................... 273
Brakes .......................................... 274
Driving off..................................... 276
Parking ......................................... 276
Tires ............................................. 277
Hydroplaning ................................ 277
Tire traction .................................. 278
Tire speed rating .......................... 278
Winter driving instructions ........... 279
Standing water ............................. 280
Passenger compartment .............. 281
Driving abroad .............................. 281
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 281
Catalytic converter ....................... 282
Emission control........................... 282
Coolant temperature .................... 283At the gas station .............................. 284
Refueling ...................................... 284
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 285
Engine compartment ......................... 287
Hood ............................................ 287
Engine oil ..................................... 288
Transmission fluid level* .............. 293
Coolant level ................................ 293
Battery ......................................... 294
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 295
Tires and wheels ................................ 297
Important guidelines .................... 297
Tire care and maintenance ........... 298
Direction of rotation ..................... 300
Loading the vehicle ...................... 300
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 306
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 308
MOExtended system* .................. 312
Tire labeling.................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 318Maximum tire load ....................... 319
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 320
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 320
Tire ply material ........................... 322
Tire and loading terminology........ 323
Rotating tires ............................... 326
Winter driving .................................... 327
Winter tires .................................. 327
Snow chains................................. 328
Maintenance...................................... 329
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 330
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 330
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 330
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 331
Setting the date for special
works ........................................... 331
Calling up the maintenance
service data information .............. 333
Vehicle care....................................... 334
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 334

121 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAV*
Vehicle status
message
memory
Settings
Trip computer
TEL*
(page 122)
(page 123)
(page 126)
(page 126)
(page 127)
(page 144)
(page 146)
Commands/submenusRun Flat
Indicator*
Select radio sta-
tion
Activate route
guidance
Call up vehicle
malfunction,
warning and
system status
messages stored
in memory
Reset to factory
settings
Fuel consump-
tion statistics
after start
Load phone book
Check coolant
temperature
Select satellite
radio station*
(USA only)
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consump-
tion statistics
since last reset
Search for name
in phone book
Digital speedom-
eter/outside
temperature
Operate the CD
player
Time/Date
submenu
Call up range
Redialing
Call up mainte-
nance service
indicator
Lighting
submenu
Check engine oil
level
(SLK 55 AMG
only)
Vehicle submenuConvenience
submenu

122 Controls in detailControl systemStandard display menu
The multifunction display shows the main
odometer and trip odometer. This default
setting is referred to as the standard dis-
play.
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
If another display is shown instead of the
standard display:
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until you see the standard display.
You can select the functions in the stan-
dard display menu with
buttonjork.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature

When in the standard display menu,
press buttonjork until you
see the coolant temperature in the
multifunction display.
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Function
Page
Run Flat Indicator*
308
Checking coolant temperature
122
Display digital speedometer or
outside temperature
123
Calling up maintenance service
indicator
329
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)
289
iExcessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 357).

286 OperationAt the gas stationWindshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system*” (
page 295).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (page 422).Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality).
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant” (
page 293) and “Fuels, cool-
ants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 422).
Engine oil level
For information on engine oil, see “Engine
oil” (
page 288).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness.
For more information on vehicle lighting,
see “Replacing bulbs” (
page 380).
For information on switching on the exteri-
or lighting, see “Exterior lamp switch”
(
page 106).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Important notes on tire inflation
pressure” (
page 307).
!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. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 343).

289 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the
control system, SLK 55 AMG
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with
the engine turned off.


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with
the engine turned off.
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display (
page 122).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display (
page 118):
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the multifunc-
tion display:


Engine oil level
ok


Add 1.0 qt.
(Canada:
1.0 liter
)
to reach max. oil level


Add 1.5 qts.
(Canada:
1.5 liters
)
to reach max. oil level


Add 2.0 qts.
(Canada:
2.0 liters
)
to reach max. oil level

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding en-
gine oil” (
page 292).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 422).iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press buttonk orj
on the multifunction steering wheel
(page 118).

290 OperationEngine compartmentOther display messages
If the ignition is not switched on, the fol-
lowing message will appear:Turn on ignition
to see engine oil level
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
If engine is at operating temperature,
wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure.

If engine is not at operating tempera-
ture yet, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait five minutes before checking
oil.

If the engine is not at operating
temperature yet, you must wait
30 minutes before checking oil.If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
Engine oil level
Reduce oil level
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 348).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press buttonk orj
on the multifunction steering wheel
(page 118).
!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.

291 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, SLK 350
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.


with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least five minutes with
the engine turned off.


with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with
the engine turned off.1Oil dipstick
2Upper (max) mark
3Lower (min) mark
To check the engine oil level with the oil
dipstick, do the following:

Open the hood (
page 287).

Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately three seconds to obtain
accurate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween the lower (min) mark3 and
upper (max) mark2 of oil dipstick1.

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil, see “Adding en-
gine oil” (
page 292).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 422).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 348).iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).

299 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tread depth
Do not allow your tires to wear down too
far. Adhesion properties on wet roads are
sharply reduced at tread depths under 1⁄8in (3 mm).
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of approx-
imately
1/16
in (1.6 mm), at which point
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
Recommended minimum tire tread depth:


Summer tires
1/8in (3 mm)


Winter tires
1/6in (4 mm)
1TWI (T
read W
ear I
ndicator)
The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.Storing tires
Cleaning tires
Warning!
G
Although the applicable federal motor safety
laws consider a tire to be worn when the
treadwear indicators (TWI) become visible at
approximately
1/16in (1.6 mm), we recom-
mend that you do not allow your tires
to wear down to that level. As tread depth
approaches
1/8in (3 mm), the adhesion
properties on a wet road are sharply re-
duced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.!Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water can
result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.

330 OperationMaintenanceClearing 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 24) for
clearing the maintenance service indi-
cator.
The maintenance service indicator is
cleared and the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 122).
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 35).
The standard display menu appears in
the multifunction display (page 122).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 118).
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
indicator:.

360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …When the message
Add 1 qt.
(Canada:
1 liter
) engine oil when next
refueling (SLK 55 AMG) or
Check oil
level when next refueling (SLK 350)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the
minimum level.When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest ser-
vice station where the engine oil should be
topped to the required level with an ap-
proved oil specified in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
:
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter engine oil
when next refueling
SLK 55 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 292) and check the
engine oil level (page 288).
Check oil level
when next refueling
SLK 350 only:
The engine oil level has dropped to
a critical level.

Check the engine oil level (
page 288) and
add engine oil as required (page 292).

If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
!The engine oil level warnings should
not be ignored. Extended driving with
the symbol displayed could result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.