2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 engine

254 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on
recommended brands is available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow Service Booklet recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. They may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
War ra nt y.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (H FC) ref rigerant a nd special PAG l ubricating oil
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil,
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing
the system‘s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will provide you with additional information.

255 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance,
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used,
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane
number and the Motor (M) octane number: [(R+M) / 2].
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3%
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor
pressure etc..

256 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
a d d i t i ve s , c a r b o n d e po si t s c a n b u il d u p e s pe c ia l ly o n t h e
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The cool ant sol ution must be used yea r round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22 °F [- 30 °C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion /
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49 °F [- 45°C]),

257 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
h eat transfer ca pa bil ity of th e sol ution. Therefore, d o not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion /
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The
use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such e ng ines b e specif ica lly formul ated to protec t th e
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion /
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
Anticorrosion / Antifreeze Agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR 4.9 US qt
(4.7 l)5.4 US qt
(5.1 l)
SLK 320 5.9 US qt
(5.6 l)6.5 US qt
(6.2 l)

261 Index
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 166
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 181
Brake fluid ......................................................................254
Brake pad wear indicator lamp .................................... 180
Brake warning lamp ...................................................... 179
Brake fluid low .......................................................... 179
Brakes .....................................................155, 166, 168, 170
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ...............................252
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 138
Cellular telephone ..........................................................116
Center console .................................................................. 18
Central locking switch .................................................... 30
Central locking system ................................................... 25
Automatic central locking ......................................... 31
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 26
Emergency release for trunk lid ............................... 35
General notes ............................................................... 24
Locking and unlocking .............................................. 26
Remote control ............................................ 22, 25, 224
Vehicle keys ................................................................. 22Changing wheels ........................................................... 202
Inflating the collapsible spare tire ........................ 207
Storing spare wheel in wheel well ........................ 208
Charge indicator lamp ................................................... 184
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp .................178
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 176
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level .....................................................77
Via oil dipstick ........................................................... 193
Child restraint ...............................................44, 50, 51, 61
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 234
Climate control .................................................................84
Air Recirculation .........................................................89
Basic setting .................................................................86
Defogging windows .....................................................87
Defrosting .....................................................................87
Dust Filter .....................................................................90
Rear window defroster ............................................... 88
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) ................ 89
Special settings ........................................................... 87
Clock, setting .................................................................... 74
Coin Holder ..................................................................... 114
Combination switch ......................................................... 81
Consumer information ................................................. 258
Control and operation of radio transmitters .............. 128

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Coolant level
Adding coolant .......................................................... 194
Checking .................................................................... 194
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................ 73
Coolants ...........................................................................256
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity .........................257
Cruise control ................................................................. 163
Cup holder .......................................................................112
DDaytime running lamps .................................................. 80
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 162
Display illumination ........................................................ 72
Doors .................................................................................. 28
Drinking and driving .................................................... 154
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 154
Driving instructions ...................................................... 154
Driving off ....................................................................... 156
EElectronic stability program (ESP) ..............................170
Control switch ........................................................... 172
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 181
Synchronizing ........................................................... 171
Warning lamp ............................................................ 181
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 130
Emergency engine shut-down ..................................... 226
Emergency release for trunk lid ....................................35
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) .........................52
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 180
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ...................32
Emission control ............................................................ 139
Emission control label .................................................. 244
Engine compartment ..................................................... 190
Engine oil additives ...................................................... 254
Engine oil consumption ..................................................78
Engine oil level
Checking ...............................................................77, 193
Warning ...................................................................... 184

263 Index
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Engine oil level ................................................................. 77
Engine oils ......................................................................254
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............................. 170
Control switch ........................................................... 172
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 181
Synchronizing ........................................................... 171
Warning lamp ............................................................ 181
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) ......................... 52
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 180
Exterior lamp failure indicator .................................... 185
Exterior lamp switch ....................................................... 79
Exterior lamps ................................................................ 218
Additional turn signals on the exterior mirror ....223
Headlamp assembly ................................................. 219
High mounted stop lamp .........................................223
Low and high beam ..................................................220
Parking lamps .................................................. 221, 222
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 218
Side marker lamp, front ...........................................223
Standing lamps ................................................. 221, 222
Taillamp assemblies .................................................222
Turn signal lamps ............................................ 221, 222
FFirst aid kit ...................................................................... 188
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 75
FSS indicator lamp .............................................. 71, 185
Fuel
Gasoline additives .................................................... 256
Premium unleaded gasoline .................. 174, 253, 255
Fuel cap placement warning ........................................ 181
Fuel filler f lap
Manual release ......................................................... 232
Fuel requirements ........................................................ 255
Fuel reserve warning ..................................................... 181
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities .............. 252
Fuses, electrical .............................................................. 188GGarage door opener ....................................................... 117
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 256
Fuel requirements ................................................... 255
Premium unleaded .................................................. 255
General notes on the central locking system .............. 24
Glove box ......................................................................... 112

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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