2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS automatic transmission

152 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
WWinter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch on symbol “W”. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.Emergency Operation
(Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1.Stop the vehicle.
2.Move selector lever to position “P”.
3.Turn off the engine.
4.Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5.Restart the engine.
6.Move sel ector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

165 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care IndexNotes:
If the engine does not brake the vehicle sufficiently
while driving on a downgrade, the speed you set on the
cruise control may be exceeded. In this case the
following will assist in maintaining the set cruise
controlled speed:
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Downshift occurs (max. to 3rd gear) to maintain the set
cruise controlled speed by using the engine’s braking
power.
As soon as the grade eases, the automatic transmission
shifts up again dependent on the selector lever position.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is switched off when
decl utch ing exceed s fou r se conds during d ow nsh if ting a
gear.
Neverth eless, in some ca ses you m ay have to step on t he
bra ke peda l to slow d ow n. In t his ca se th e cruise control
is switched off.
Use the lever to resume the previously set speed.
Wa r n i n g !
Only use the cruise control if the traffic and
weather conditions make it advisable to travel at a
steady speed.
• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
winding roads or in heavy traffic because
conditions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.• The use of cruise control can be dangerous on
slippery roads. Rapid changes in tire adhesion
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.The “Resume” function should only be operated if
the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed
and wishes to resume this particular preset speed.

187 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 188
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 188
Fuses ................................................ 188
Hood ................................................. 190
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 192
Checking engine oil level ............. 193
Coolant level ................................... 194
Adding coolant ........................... 194
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 195
Air pump, spare wheel,
vehicle tools, storage
compartment ............................. 196Vehicle jack .....................................197
Wheels .............................................198
Tire replacement ........................198
Rotating wheels ..........................199
Spare wheel .................................... 200
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 201
Changing wheels ........................... 202
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ..................................... 207
Storing spare wheel
in wheel well .............................. 208
Tire inflation pressure ................. 209
Battery ..............................................210
Jump starting ..................................212
Towing the vehicle .........................214Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 217
Exterior lamps ................................ 218
Headlamp assembly ................... 219
Taillamp assemblies ..................222
Changing batteries
in the remote control ................224
Synchronizing
remote control ............................225
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................226
Raising hardtop manually ............226
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 231
Antenna ...........................................232
Manual release of
fuel filler flap .............................232

192 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice f luid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.

215 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Sport Package
G r il l e re m ova l f or S p or t Pa cka g e v e rs i on : P u l l on t op e n d
of grille simultaneously pushing apron (arrow) up.
Grille installation for Sport Package: Position bottom
end of grille and press in securely simultaneously
pushing apron (arrow) up.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
f lat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Front towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports. Rear towing with sling-
type equipment over bumpy roads will damage the
lower edge of the front bumper cover.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or f lat bed equipment, with key in
steering lock turned to position 0.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic
transmission: The vehicle may be towed with all wheels
on the ground and the selector lever in position “N” for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km / h). The key must be in steering
lock position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive f lange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
P88.00-2045-26
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort in necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

252 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities
Veh icle c omponents and t heir respec tive lub rica nts mu st ma tch . T herefore u se only brands tested and rec omm end ed
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter SLK 230
SLK 3206.1 US qt (5.5 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission 8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Manual transmission SLK 230
SLK 3201.6 US qt (1.5 l)
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)Transmission oil
Rear axle 1.4 US qt (1.3 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake f luid (DOT 4)
Cooling system SLK 230
SLK 320approx. 9.8 US qt (9.3 l)
a p p r ox . 11.8 U S q t ( 11.2 l )MB Anticorrosion / antifreeze

260 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
A
ABS (Antilock brake system) ....................................... 168
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 182
Adjusting telescoping steering column ........................ 63
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................254
Air pump ......................................................................... 196
Airbag deactivation system ............................................ 50
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ........................................ 185
Airbags .............................................................................. 52
Alarm system ............................................................. 35, 37
Antenna ...........................................................................232
Anticorrosion / antifreeze .................. 161, 194, 252, 256
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....................................... 168
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 182
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 35
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 158
Ashtrays ...........................................................................114
Audio system .................................................................... 91
Anti-theft system ........................................................ 93
Button and soft key operation ................................... 94
Cassette mode ............................................................. 99
CD changer ................................................................ 103CD mode ..................................................................... 102
Operating and display elements ...............................92
Operating safety .......................................................... 91
Operation – audio and telephone ............................. 91
Radio mode .................................................................. 97
Telephone operation .................................................106
Automatic central locking .............................................. 31
Automatic transmission ................................................144
Emergency Operation ............................................... 152
Fluid level ................................................................... 192
Program mode selector switch ................................ 151
Selector lever positions ............................................147
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ............................................. 217
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 50
Self-test ......................................................................... 51
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 166
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 181
Battery ............................................................................. 210
Charge indicator lamp .............................................. 184
Recycling .................................................................... 211
Block heater .................................................................... 162

265 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps ............................................................ 79, 222
Headlamps ......................................... 79, 185, 219, 237
Parking lamps ............................................ 79, 219, 221
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 218
Side marker lamp, front .................................... 79, 223
Standing lamps ........................................... 79, 219, 221
Taillamps ............................................79, 185, 222, 237
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................245
Lighter ..............................................................................115
Limp Home Mode (Automatic transmission) ............ 152
Locking and unlocking ................................................... 26
Low engine coolant level warning .............................. 183
Luggage cover ................................................................. 126MMaintenance ................................................................... 129
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ......................................... 178
Manual transmission .................................................... 143
Mirror, exterior, adjusting .............................................. 65
Mirror, exterior, rear view .............................................. 65
Mirror, inside, rear view ................................................. 64
NNight security illumination .......................................... 110OOn-board diagnostic system .........................................178
Operator’s manual ............................................................. 6
Outside temperature indicator .......................................73
Overhead control panel ................................................... 19PPanic button ......................................................................27
Parcel net in passenger footwell .................................. 116
Parking ............................................................................ 156
Parking brake ............................... 153, 155, 156, 171, 179
Power assistance ............................................................ 155
Power seats ....................................................................... 38
Power windows ...............................................................109
Express opening ........................................................109
Operate with hard top switch ..................................120
Problems with your vehicle ............................................ 12
Product information .......................................................... 5