MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

Sommer\ Corporate\ Media\ AG
Operator’s Manual
SLK-Class
Order No. 6515 3274 13 Part No. 171 584 97 82 Edition A 2008SLK-Class
1715849782

SLK 280
SLK 350
SLK55AMG

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your
desire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the
efforts of many skilled engineers and
craftsmen. To help assure your driving
pleasure, and also the safety of you and
your passengers, we ask you to make a
small investment of time:

Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.

Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are
designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.

Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and
occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19At a glance.......................................... 21
Exterior view ......................................... 22
Cockpit ................................................. 24
Instrument cluster ................................ 26
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Storage compartments ......................... 32
Door control panel................................ 34Getting started................................... 35
Unlocking ............................................. 36
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 36
Starter switch positions .................. 37
Adjusting .............................................. 39
Seats .............................................. 39
Steering wheel ................................ 43
Mirrors ............................................ 46
Driving .................................................. 48
Fastening the seat belts ................. 48
Starting the engine ......................... 51
Parking brake ................................. 53
Driving off ....................................... 53
Switching on headlamps ................. 55
Turn signals .................................... 55
Windshield wipers ........................... 56
Problems while driving.................... 58
Parking and locking .............................. 59
Parking brake ................................. 59
Switching off headlamps................. 61
Turning off engine ........................... 61
Releasing seat belts........................ 61
Locking ........................................... 62

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 63
Occupant safety................................... 64
Air bags .......................................... 66
Occupant Classification System ..... 71
Seat belts ....................................... 76
Children in the vehicle .................... 79
Panic alarm .......................................... 83
Activating ....................................... 83
Deactivating ................................... 83
Driving safety systems ......................... 84
ABS ................................................ 84
BAS ................................................ 86
ESP
®............................................... 86
Anti-theft systems................................ 90
Immobilizer..................................... 90
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 90
Tow-away alarm ............................. 91
Controls in detail............................... 93
Locking and unlocking ......................... 94
SmartKey ....................................... 94
Opening the doors from the
inside ............................................. 98
Opening the trunk .......................... 99
Closing the trunk.......................... 100
Valet locking ................................ 101
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 102
Automatic central locking ............ 102
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 103
Seats ................................................. 104
Seat heating* ............................... 104
Lumbar support*.......................... 105
AIRSCARF neck-level heating* ..... 105
Memory function* ............................. 107
Storing positions into memory ..... 108
Recalling positions from
memory ........................................ 108Lighting ............................................. 109
Exterior lamp switch .................... 109
Combination switch ..................... 113
Corner-illuminating front
fog lamps* ................................... 114
Hazard warning flasher ................ 115
Interior lighting ............................ 116
Door entry lamps ......................... 117
Instrument cluster ............................. 118
Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 118
Tachometer.................................. 119
Outside temperature indicator ..... 119
Resetting trip odometer ............... 120
Clock............................................ 120

Contents
Control system .................................. 121
Multifunction display .................... 121
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 122
Menus .......................................... 124
Standard display menu ................ 127
AMG menu ................................... 128
AUDIO menu ................................ 133
NAV* menu .................................. 135
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 135
Settings menu .............................. 136
Trip computer menu..................... 148
TEL* menu ................................... 149
Manual transmission ......................... 153
Shifting into reverse ..................... 154Automatic transmission*.................... 155
Gear selector lever........................ 155
Shifting procedure ........................ 156
Gear selector lever positions ........ 157
Driving tips.................................... 159
Gear ranges .................................. 160
Automatic shift program ............... 161
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting ................................... 162
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ................ 163
Manual shift program* .................. 165
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 167
Good visibility ..................................... 168
Headlamp cleaning system* ......... 168
Rear view mirrors .......................... 168
Sun visors ..................................... 169
Rear window defroster .................. 170Climate control................................... 172
Switching climate control
system on/off............................... 175
Setting the temperature ............... 175
Adjusting air distribution .............. 176
Adjusting air volume ..................... 177
Basic settings ............................... 177
Front defroster ............................. 177
Air recirculation mode .................. 178
Air conditioning ............................ 180
Residual engine heat utilization .... 181
Automatic climate control* ................ 182
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 185
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode ........... 186
Setting the temperature ............... 186
Adjusting air distribution .............. 187
Adjusting air volume ..................... 188
Front defroster ............................. 189
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 189
Air recirculation mode .................. 190
Air conditioning ............................ 191
Residual heat and ventilation........ 192

Contents
Audio system ..................................... 193
Audio and telephone*, operation . 193
Operating safety ........................... 193
Operating and display elements ... 194
Button and soft key operation ...... 196
Operation ..................................... 196
Radio operation ............................ 199
Introduction to satellite radio* ..... 203
CD mode ...................................... 208
GSM network phones ................... 219
TDMA or CDMA network phones.. 226
Emergency calls “911” ................. 233
Power windows .................................. 235
Opening and closing the
windows ....................................... 235
Synchronizing power windows ..... 239
Retractable hardtop ........................... 240
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ...................... 240
Wind screen* ............................... 246
Driving systems ................................. 248
Cruise control............................... 248
Loading .............................................. 252
Roof rack ...................................... 252Useful features .................................. 253
Storage compartments ................ 253
Shelf behind roll bars ................... 254
Cup holder ................................... 255
Ashtray......................................... 255
Cigarette lighter ........................... 256
Power outlet................................. 257
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 258
Telephone* .................................. 259
Tele Aid* ...................................... 262
Garage door opener* ................... 270
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only) 276
Operation......................................... 277
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 278
Driving instructions ........................... 279
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 279
Drinking and driving ..................... 279
Pedals .......................................... 279
Power assistance ......................... 280
Brakes.......................................... 280
Driving off .................................... 282
Parking......................................... 282
Tires ............................................. 283
Hydroplaning................................ 284
Tire traction ................................. 284
Tire speed rating .......................... 285
Winter driving instructions ........... 286
Standing water............................. 287
Passenger compartment .............. 287
Driving abroad ............................. 287
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 287
Catalytic converter....................... 288
Emission control .......................... 289
Coolant temperature.................... 289

Contents
At the gas station .............................. 291
Refueling ...................................... 291
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 292
Engine compartment ......................... 294
Hood ............................................ 294
Engine oil ..................................... 296
Transmission fluid level* .............. 300
Coolant level ................................ 300
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 301
Battery ......................................... 302
Tires and wheels ................................ 304
Important guidelines .................... 304
Tire care and maintenance........... 305
Direction of rotation ..................... 307
Loading the vehicle ...................... 307
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 311
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 313
MOExtended system* .................. 321
Tire labeling.................................. 321
Load identification ....................... 325
DOT, Tire Identification
Number (TIN) ............................... 326
Maximum tire load ....................... 327Maximum tire inflation pressure ... 328
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) .............. 328
Tire ply material ............................ 330
Tire and loading terminology......... 331
Rotating tires ................................ 334
Winter driving ..................................... 335
Winter tires ................................... 335
Snow chains.................................. 336
Maintenance....................................... 337
Maintenance service indicator
message ....................................... 337
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message ............ 338
Maintenance service term
exceeded ...................................... 338
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display ............... 338
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator ........................... 339
Vehicle care........................................ 340
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 340
Practical hints.................................. 347
What to do if … ................................... 348
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 348
Lamp in center console ................ 358
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 360
Where will I find...? ............................. 389
First aid kit.................................... 389
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack ......... 389
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 392
Spare wheel bolts ......................... 393
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 394
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 394
Locking the vehicle ....................... 395
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ............ 396
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 397
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ....................................... 397
Replacing SmartKey batteries ............ 398
Replacing bulbs .................................. 400
Bulbs............................................. 400
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 403
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 404

Contents
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 406
Placing wiper arms in vertical
position ........................................ 406
Removing wiper blades ................ 407
Installing wiper blades.................. 407
Flat tire .............................................. 408
Preparing the vehicle.................... 408
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 408
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 414
MOExtended system*................... 421
Battery ............................................... 422
Disconnecting the battery ............ 423
Removing the battery ................... 424
Charging and reinstalling battery . 424
Reconnecting the battery ............. 425
Jump starting ..................................... 426
Towing the vehicle ............................. 428
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 429
Fuses ................................................. 432
Fuse box in passenger
compartment................................ 433
Fuse box in engine
compartment................................ 433
Technical data................................. 435
Parts service ...................................... 436
Warranty coverage............................. 437
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 437
Identification labels ........................... 438
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 440
SLK 280, SLK 350 ........................ 440
SLK 55 AMG................................. 440
Engine................................................ 441
Rims and tires.................................... 442
Same size tires ............................. 443
Mixed size tires ............................ 445
Spare wheel ................................. 447
Electrical system ............................... 448
Main Dimensions ............................... 449
Weights.............................................. 450Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 451
Capacities .................................... 451
Engine oils ................................... 453
Engine oil additives ...................... 453
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 453
Brake fluid.................................... 454
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 454
Fuel requirements ........................ 455
Gasoline additives ........................ 455
Coolants ...................................... 456
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*......... 458
Index................................................. 459

9
Product information

Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Genuine
Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in
individual cases an official approval or
authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts
and accessories could adversely affect the
safety, performance or reliability of your
vehicle. Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts as well
as conversion parts and accessories
approved by us are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where
you will receive comprehensive informa-
tion, also on permissible technical modifi-
cations, and where proper installation will
be performed.