2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS manual transmission

2 Contents
Power windows ............................... 109
Interior lighting ..............................110
Night security illumination ..........110
Sun visors with Vanity Mirror ......111
Interior .............................................111
Cup holder and glove box ............. 112
Storage compartments ...................113
Ashtrays ...........................................114
Coin Holder ......................................114
Lighter ..............................................115
Parcel net in
passenger footwell .....................116
Shelf behind roll bars .....................116
Cellular telephone ..........................116
Garage door opener ........................117
Retractable hardtop ....................... 120
Wind screen .................................... 125
Luggage cover ................................. 126
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 128
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 129
Maintenance .................................. 129
Tele Aid ............................................130
Catalytic converter .........................138
Emission control .............................139
Steering lock .................................. 140
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 142
Manual transmission .................... 143
Automatic transmission ............... 144
Parking brake .................................153
Driving instructions .......................154
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........154
Drinking and driving .................154
Pedals ...........................................154Power assistance ........................ 155
Brakes .......................................... 155
Driving off ................................... 156
Parking ........................................ 156
Tires ............................................. 157
Snow chains ................................ 160
Winter driving instructions ...... 160
Block heater ................................ 162
Deep water .................................. 162
Passenger compartment ........... 162
Traveling abroad ........................ 162
Cruise control ................................. 163
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 166
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 168
Electronic stability
program (ESP) ........................... 170
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 174
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 176

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

80 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fog lamps are automatically switched off when the
exterior lamp switch is turned to position D.
Daytime running lamps (Canada only)
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
When the engine is running and the selector lever is in
a driving position, the low beam headlamps (includes
parking lamps, side marker lamps, taillamps and
license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).
Vehicles with manual transmission:
With the engine running, the low beam headlamps
(includes parking lamps, side marker lamps, taillamps
and license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.Headlamp cleaning system
The switch is located in the center console.
The headlamp washer can be activated with the key in
steering lock position 2.
Briefly press symbol side of switch.
P82.15-2007-26

127 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 128
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 129
Maintenance ................................... 129
Tele Aid ........................................... 130
Catalytic converter ........................ 138
Emission control ............................ 139
Steering lock ................................... 140
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 142
Manual transmission .................... 143Automatic transmission ............... 144
Parking brake .................................153
Driving instructions .......................154
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........154
Drinking and driving .................154
Pedals ...........................................154
Power assistance .........................155
Brakes ...........................................155
Driving off ....................................156
Parking .........................................156
Tires ..............................................157
Snow chains ................................160
Winter driving
instructions .................................160Block heater ................................ 162
Deep water .................................. 162
Passenger compartment ........... 162
Traveling abroad ........................ 162
Cruise control ................................. 163
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 166
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 168
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 170
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 174
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 176

129 The first 1 000 miles
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the
break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle
during the first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) at moderate
vehicle and engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle
driving) and excessive engine speeds.
Manual transmission:
Downshift at proper engine speeds.
Automatic transmission:
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended
to bra ke t he veh icl e by ma nu al ly shif ting to a l owe r gear.
We recommend that you select positions “3”, “2” or “1”
only at moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1 000 miles (1 500 km) speeds may be gradually
increased to the permissible maximum.Maintenance
Approximately 30 days or 2000 miles (2000 km) prior to
the next recommended service, the remaining distance
or days are displayed in the main odometer field. See
Flexible service system (FSS) on page 75.
We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle
serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the times called
for by the FSS.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in accordance
with the Service Booklet at the designated times /
mileage may result in vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

135 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the indicator lamps do not start flashing after
pressing one of the buttons or remain illuminated (in
red) at any time, the Tele Aid system has detected a fault
or the service is not currently active, and may not
initiate a call. Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center and
h ave t he system checked or contac t t he Response Center
at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada) as soon as possible.
Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following
priority.
•Automatic emergency – First priority
•Manual emergency – Second priority
•Roadside assistance – Third priority
•Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard,
and the appropriate indicator lamp will f lash. If certain
information such as vehicle identification number or
client information is not available, the operator may
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmission is
completed. Once a call is concluded, a chirp will be
heard and the appropriate indicator lamp will stop
f lashing. The audio system operation will resume.
Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until
the call is concluded and this can only be completed by
a Response Center or Client Assistance Center
representative.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio
system is muted and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle
must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call.

142 Starting and turning off the enging
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Starting and turning off the engine
Before starting
Ensure that parking brake is engaged and that selector
lever is in position “P” or “N” (gearshift lever in
neutral). Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
Starting
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Briefly turn key in steering
lock clockwise to the stop and release. The starter will
engage until the engine is running.
If engine will not run, and the starting procedure stops,
turn key completely to the left and repeat starting the
engine.
After several unsuccessful attempts, have the system
checked at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Vehicles with manual transmission:
Do not depress accelerator. Fully depress clutch pedal,
otherwise the engine cannot be started due to the
integrated safety interlock.
Turn key in steering lock clockwise to the stop. Release
key only when the engine is firing regularly.
Important!
Due to the installed starter nonrepeat feature, the key
must be turned completely to the left before attempting
to start the engine again.
In areas where temperatures frequently drop below
-4°F(-20°C) we rec omm end tha t a n e ng ine bl ock h eater
be insta lled . You r a ut horized Mercedes-Benz Center will
advise you on this subject, see page 162.
Turning off
Turn the key in the steering lock to position 0 to stop the
engine.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The key can only be removed with your foot off the
brake pedal and the selector lever in position “P”.

143 Manual transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Manual transmission
See illustration for gearshift lever positions
corresponding to the individual gears.
Stop the vehicle completely before shifting into reverse;
to shift into reverse, pull the gearshift lever up.
Do not exceed the maximum engine speed in the
individual gears. Refer to tachometer (see page 74) for
engine speeds.Important!
When vehicle is parked, always be sure to engage first
or reverse gear and firmly set parking brake.
When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
Downshifting gears leading to overrevving the engine
can result in transmission damage that is not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Do not exceed engine speed limits, see page 74.
4 1
6
5
1
3
R
4
R4
6
13
5
2
2
P26.60-2053-26
Wa r n i n g !
On slippery road surfaces as well as high engine
speeds, never downshift in order to obtain braking
action. This could result in drive wheel slip and
reduced vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ESP will not
prevent this type of loss of control.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an u nlocked veh ic le. Ch ildren cou ld m ove
the gearshift lever, which could result in an
accident or serious injury.