2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS coolant

3 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster ......................................... 178
On-board diagnostic system ..... 178
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 178
Brake warning lamp .................. 179
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp ............................. 180
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp .............................. 180
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp ............................. 180
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning .................... 181
Electronic stability
program (ESP) —
warning lamp .............................. 181
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 181
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 182Telescoping steering
column warning lamp ................182
Low engine coolant level
warning lamp ..............................183
Low windshield and
headlamp washer system
f luid level warning lamp ...........183
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................184
Charge indicator lamp ...............184
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp .............................185
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) ..........185
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console .......185
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................185
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ......................................188
Stowing things
in the vehicle .............................188Fuses ................................................ 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 ................ 196
Vehicle 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

4 Contents
Battery ............................................. 210
Jump starting .................................. 212
Towing the vehicle ......................... 214
Transmission 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
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................234
Power washer ..............................235Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 235
Tar stains .................................... 235
Engine cleaning ......................... 236
Vehicle washing ......................... 236
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 237
Window cleaning ....................... 237
Rear window cleaning .............. 237
Wiper blades .............................. 238
Light alloy wheels ..................... 238
Instrument cluster ..................... 238
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 239
Cup holder .................................. 239
Hard plastic trim items ............. 239
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 239
Headliner and shelf
behind roll bars .......................... 239
Upholstery .................................. 239
Seat belts ..................................... 240
Technical data
Spare parts service ........................242
Warranty coverage .........................242
Identification labels ......................243
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............245
Technical data ................................248
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
etc. – capacities .........................252
Engine oils ......................................254
Engine oil additives .......................254
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........254
Brake fluid ......................................254
Premium unleaded gasoline ........255
Fuel requirements .........................255
Gasoline additives .........................256
Coolants ...........................................256
Consumer information ..................258IndexIndex ................................................260

11 IntroductionWhere to find it
The Operator’s Manual is divided into eight sections:
• Instruments and controls: An overview of all the controls that can be operated from the driver’s seat.
•Operation: Information on the vehicle’s equipment and its operation.
•Driving: Important information on driving.
• Instrument cluster display: Indicator lamps on the instrument cluster with brief instructions.
• Practical hints: Assistance and instructions in the event of an emergency.
• Car care: Instructions on caring for your vehicle.
• Technical data: All the important technical data for your vehicle as well as consumer information such as fuels,
coolants, lubricants etc. is contained here.
•Index: Key terms to help you find a topic quickly.
Other documents may also be supplied, depending on your vehicle’s equipment.
Explanation of color used:
Warning notices for the protection of yourself and
others appear on red background.

69 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Coolant temperature gauge, see page 73
2Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp, see page 181
3Outside temperature indicator, see page 73
4Push button for activating the instrument cluster,
intensity of instrument lamps, for trip odometer, and
for Flexible service system (FSS) indicator, see
pages 72, 74 and 75
5Left turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 81
6Electronic stability program (ESP) warning lamp,
system is adjusting to road conditions, see page 1817Right turn signal indicator lamp, see combination
switch on page 81
8Speedometer
9Trip odometer, see page 74
10Main odometer, Flexible service system (FSS)
indicator, see page 75
11Push button for setting clock, see page 74
12Tachometer, see page 74
13Clock, see page 74
14Gear range indicator display, see selector lever
position, page 147

70 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 182
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged, see page 179
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged, see page 179
BAS malfunction, see page 181
ESP malfunction, see page 181
ESP. Adjust driving to road condition,
see page 181
Fasten seat belts, see page 180
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer system low, see page 183
Coolant level low, see page 183
Engine oil level low, see page 184Brake pads worn down, see page 180
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 184
Exterior lamp failure, see page 185
Telescoping steering column not locked,
see page 182
SRS malfunction, see page 180
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on when
the engine is running, it indicates a
malfunction of the fuel management system,
emission control system, systems which
impact emissions, or the fuel cap is not
c l o se d t i g h t. I n a l l c a se s, w e r e c o m m e n d t h a t
you have the malfunction checked as soon as
possible, see page 178
Function indicator lamp on the center console
Front passenger airbag automatically
switched off, see page 185
ABS
AIRBAGOFF

73 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Coolant temperature gauge
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city
traf f ic, th e coola nt tempera ture may rise close to th e red
marking.
The engine should not be operated with the coolant
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Outside temperature indicator
The temperature sensor is located in the front bumper
area. Due to its location, the sensor can be affected by
road or engine heat during idling or slow driving. This
means that the accuracy of the displayed temperature
can only be verified by comparison to a thermometer
placed next to the sensor, not by comparison to external
displays (e.g. bank signs etc.).
Adaptation to ambient temperature takes place in steps
and depends on the prevailing driving conditions (stop-
and-go or moderate, constant driving) and amount of
temperature change.
Wa r n i n g !
• Driving when your engine is badly overheated
can cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire. You
could be seriously burned.• Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle and do
not stand near the vehicle until it cools down.
Wa r n i n g !
The outside temperature indicator is not designed
to serve as an Ice-Warning Device and is therefore
unsuitable for that purpose. Indicated
temperatures just above the freezing point do not
guarantee that the road surface is free of ice.

161 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 252.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 195.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure t ha t t he engine c an be sta rted, even at l ow
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated radial-
ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
Otherwise, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases may
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

175 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 193.
Fil l qua ntity between u pper a nd l owe r dipstick ma rking
level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see Approved Service
Products sheet.
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion / antifreeze),
see page 256.
Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 251.
Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside the
fuel filler flap.Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant, see
page 252.
Bulbs
High and low beams (Halogen): H7 (55 W),
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal lamps, parking and standing lamps, front:
2357 NA (28.5 / 8.3 W / 30 / 2.2 cp),
side marker lamps, front: 5 W / 4 cp
stop lamps: 1154 21 W / 32 cp,
backup lamps: 1154 21 W / 32 cp,
turn signal lamps, rear: 1156 NA 21 W / 24cp,
tail, parking and standing lamps: 67 5 W / 4cp,
rear fog lamp, driver´s side: 1155 21 W / 32 cp,
license plate lamps: 67 5 W / 4 cp
Xenon bulb for low beam: D2R (35W)
Wa r n i n g !
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that you have
such work done by a qualified technician.