engine oil MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2006 R171 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 291
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ......... 292
Driving instructions ............................ 293
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 293
Drinking and driving ..................... 293
Pedals .......................................... 293
Power assistance ......................... 293
Brakes .......................................... 294
Driving off..................................... 296
Parking ......................................... 296
Tires ............................................. 297
Hydroplaning ................................ 297
Tire traction .................................. 298
Tire speed rating .......................... 298
Winter driving instructions ........... 299
Standing water ............................. 300
Passenger compartment .............. 301
Driving abroad .............................. 301
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 301
Catalytic converter ....................... 302
Emission control........................... 302
Coolant temperature .................... 303At the gas station .............................. 304
Refueling ...................................... 304
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 305
Engine compartment ......................... 307
Hood ............................................ 307
Engine oil ..................................... 308
Transmission fluid level* .............. 313
Coolant level ................................ 313
Battery ......................................... 314
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 315
Tires and wheels ................................ 317
Important guidelines .................... 317
Tire care and maintenance ........... 318
Direction of rotation ..................... 320
Loading the vehicle ...................... 320
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 327
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 329
MOExtended system* .................. 333
Tire labeling.................................. 334
Load identification ....................... 338DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 339
Maximum tire load ....................... 340
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 341
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 341
Tire ply material ........................... 343
Tire and loading terminology ........ 344
Rotating tires ............................... 347
Winter driving .................................... 348
Winter tires .................................. 348
Snow chains................................. 349
Maintenance...................................... 350
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 351
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 351
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 351
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 352
Vehicle care....................................... 353
Cleaning and care of vehicle ........ 353

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 449
Capacities .................................... 449
Engine oils .................................... 451
Engine oil additives ...................... 451
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 451
Brake fluid .................................... 451
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 452
Fuel requirements ........................ 452
Gasoline additives ........................ 453
Coolants ....................................... 453
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 456
Technical terms............................... 457Index................................................. 465

127 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard display
AUDIO
NAV*
Vehicle status
message
memory
1
Settings
Trip computer
TEL*
(page 128)
(page 129)
(page 132)
(page 132)
(page 134)
(page 149)
(page 151)
Commands/submenusRun Flat Indicator*
Select radio
station
Show route
guidance in-
structions,
current direc-
tion traveled
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 speedome-
ter/outside tem-
perature
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
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.

128 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.

Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature

When in the standard display menu,
press buttonjork repeatedly
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*
329
Checking coolant temperature
128
Display digital speedometer or
outside temperature
129
Calling up maintenance service
indicator
350
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)
309
iExcessive coolant temperature triggers
a warning message in the multifunction
display (
page 376).

306 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 315).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (page 449).Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality).
For more information on coolant, see
“Coolant” (
page 313) and “Fuels, cool-
ants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 449).
Engine oil level
For information on engine oil, see “Engine
oil” (
page 308).Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness.
For more information on vehicle lighting,
see “Replacing bulbs” (
page 400).
For information on switching on the exteri-
or lighting, see “Exterior lamp switch”
(
page 110).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Important notes on tire inflation
pressure” (
page 328).
!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 363).

308 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 1 ft (30 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

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 needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature display in the multifunction display
indicates that the engine is overheated, do
not open the hood. Move away from vehicle
and do not open the hood until the engine
has cooled down. If necessary, call the fire
department.Warning!
G
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, diagnos-
tic socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, 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.
More information on this subject is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


309 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the
control system (SLK 55 AMG only)
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 5 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 36).
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display (
page 128).

Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display (
page 124):
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 312).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 449).iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press buttonk orj
on the multifunction steering wheel
(page 124).

310 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 36).
If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
If engine is at operating temperature,
wait 5 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 5 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 368).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press buttonk orj
on the multifunction steering wheel
(page 124).
!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.

311 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (SLK 280, SLK 350 only)
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 5 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 307).

Pull out oil dipstick1.

Wipe oil dipstick1 clean.

Fully insert oil dipstick1 into the
dipstick guide tube.

Pull out oil dipstick1 again after
approximately 3 seconds to obtain ac-
curate 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 312).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 449).
For more information on messages in the
multifunction display concerning engine
oil, see the “Practical hints” section
(page 368).iThe filling quantity between the upper
and lower marks on the oil dipstick is
approximately 2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).

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.