oil temperature MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 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).

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.

340 OperationVehicle careHard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto a soft lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Headliner
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive
dirt.
Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Use only clear,
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the
webbing at temperatures above 176°F
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Wood trims
Dampen cloth using water and use damp
cloth to clean wood trims in your vehicle.
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive. Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.

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.

422 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore, only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
SLK 350
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
SLK 55 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic transmission*
SLK 350
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
SLK 55 AMG
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
Manual transmission
SLK 350
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
SLK 350
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
SLK 55 AMG
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
Power steering
SLK 350
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
SLK 55 AMG
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1oz (60g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4)
Cooling system
SLK 350
approx.11.2 US qt (10.2 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
SLK 55 AMG
approx. 11.7 US qt (11.1 l)

423 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
SLK 350
SLK 55 AMG
approx. 18.5 US gal (70.0 l)
approx. 2.4 US gal (9.0 l)
approx. 18.5 US gal (70.0 l)
approx. 2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum posted Octane 91 (average of
96 RON / 86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant oil
(never R-12)
Hydraulic system for
retractable hardtop
0.19 US qt (0.18 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer
system and headlamp
cleaning system*
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
MB Windshield washer concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate“S” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 429).

432 Technical termsCAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 323)
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.COMAND
(Co
ckpit Man
agement and
D
ata System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio,
CD changer and navigation system, as
well as other optional equipment (e.g.
telephone).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Curb weight
(
page 323)
DOT
(Department o
f Transportation)
(
page 323)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(Electronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.

433 Technical terms
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts. ->SRS
FSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 323)Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 323)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 324)Head-thorax air bag
Installed in the doors, these air bags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side air bags,
head-thorax air bags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
coolant temperature and fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the automatic
transmission down to the lowest possi-
ble gear. This very quickly accelerates
the vehicle and should not be used for
normal acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 324)