2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230 page 63

180 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake pad wear indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
brake pad wear indicator lamp comes on. It
goes out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp lights up during braking, this
indicates that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
seat belt warning lamp comes on, and a
warning sounds for a short time if the
driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period to remind the driver and
passengers to fasten seat belts.Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. If no
fault is detected, the lamp will go out after
approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out, the
system continues to monitor the components and
circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again.
See page 53 for notes on airbags, see page 52 for belt
tensioners and page 44 for infant and child seat
restraint.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfu nction of th e “SRS” is indic ated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.

181 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning
With the key in steering lock position 2, the fuel reserve
warning lamp comes on. It should go out immediately
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, it indicates that
the fuel level is down to the reserve quantity of
approximately 2.1 gal (8 liters).
The warning lamp blinks when the fuel cap is not
closed, or a fuel system leak has been detected.
Retighten cap and see if warning lamp goes out after
restart and next OBD selfcheck.
If the warning lamp continues to blink after closing the
fuel cap correctly, have the fuel system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open can
a lso c ause t he “CH ECK ENG INE” lamp to ill uminate, see
also page 178.Electronic stability program (ESP) — warning lamp
The yellow ESP warning lamp in the
speedometer dial comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It should go out
with engine running.
See page 170 if the warning lamp lights up or f lashes
when the vehicle is moving.
BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP
is combined with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunction indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2. It shoul d go out w it h th e engine
running.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, see page 166
and 170.

182 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
ABS malfunction indicator lamp
The ABS malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster comes on with the key in
steering lock position 2 and should go out
with the engine running.
When the ABS malfunction indicator lamp symbol and
warning in the instrument cluster come on while the
engine is running, it indicates that the ABS has detected
a malfunction and has switched off. In this case, the
brake system functions in the usual manner, but
without antilock assistance.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps come on
with the engine running.
If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the ABS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
ABS is operational.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
See page 168 for notes on antilock brake system (ABS).Telescoping steering column warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on. It should go out when the engine
is running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.
Important!
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly locked
the steering column.
ABS

183 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Low engine coolant level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, then the coolant
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station
and have coolant added to the coolant system, see
page 194.
The low engine coolant level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.
Low windshield and headlamp washer system fluid
level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, the level of the
reservoir has dropped to approximately 1/3 of the total
volume. The reservoir should be refilled with MB
Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water (or
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent /antifreeze, depending on ambient temperature -
see page 195) at the next opportunity. The reservoir for
the windshield and headlamp washer systems is located
in the engine compartment.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts.
You can be seriously burned.

184 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on. It should
go out immediately when the engine is
running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip, see
page 193.Charge indicator lamp
Should the charge indicator lamp fail to
come on prior to starting when the key is in
ste ering lock position 2 or sh ou ld it fa il to g o
out after starting or during operation, this indicates a
malfunction which must be repaired immediately at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If t he charg e ind ica tor l amp comes on, or a l oss of power
steering assistance is noticeable while the engine is
running, this may indicate that one of the two poly-V-
belts has broken. Should this condition occur, the poly-
V-belt mu st be replac ed before continuing to operate t he
vehicle. Otherwise, the engine may overheat due to an
inoperative water pump which may result in damage to
the engine.
Do not continue to drive the vehicle with the charge
indicator lamp illuminated. Doing so could result in
serious engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

185 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Exterior lamp failure indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, an
indicator lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, this lamp
indicates a failure in the parking lamp, taillamp, stop
lamp, or low beam headlamp.
If an ex terior la mp fa il s, t he indicator la mp w ill c ome on
only when that lamp is switched on.
If a brake lamp fails, the lamp failure indicator will
come on when applying the brake and stays on until the
engine is turned off.
Note:
If additional lighting equipment is installed (e.g.
auxiliary headlamps etc.) be certain to connect into the
fuse before the failure indicator monitoring unit in
order to avoid damaging the system.Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (distance, Service A),
see page 75.
FSS indicator (distance, Service B)
see page 75.
FSS indicator (days, Service A), see page 75.
FSS indicator (days, Service B), see page 75.
Start lock-out malfunction, see page 24.
Malfunction and indicator lamp in the
center console
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp
Passenger front airbag automatically
switched off, see page 53.
AIRBAGOFF

193 Checking engine oil level
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Checking engine oil level
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.Wipe oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine oil
level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.
Oil level must be between the lower
(min) and upper (max) mark of the
dipstick.
Fill qu antity b etween u pper a nd l ower dipstick m arking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0l).
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could
cause engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
For low engine oil level warning, see page 184.
P18.40-2047-262
1

194 Coolant level
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Coolant level
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
Adding coolant
If coolant has to be add ed, a 50/50 mix ture of water and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added. Refill
coolant until the float in the reservoir reaches and
closes the filler opening. Anticorrosion / antifreeze, see page 256. The drain plugs for the cooling system are
located on the right side of the engine block and at the
bottom of the radiator.
P20.20-2052-26
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid possible serious burns or injury:
• Use extreme caution when opening the hood if
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking
from the cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F
(90°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.
• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.