2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 check engine

78 Checking engine oil level
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and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
If the symbols : and I are continuously
illuminated after pressing button “1” on the instrument
cluster twice and there is no change in the odometer
display field or the low engine oil level warning lamp
comes on, a malfunction has occurred to the system.
Perform the engine oil level check with the dipstick.
If no oil leaks are noted continue to drive to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the system checked.Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.

124 Retractable hardtop
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If the hardtop switch is held or is released and slid
forward again within approximately 30 seconds, the
door windows will close.
However, the door windows can also be closed / opened
later on. Slide hardtop switch twice forward / backward
and hold.For safety reasons, the hardtop cannot be raised while
driving. However, if the hardtop is not completely locked
after raising it, you can then lock it while driving by
pushing the hardtop switch forward.
If t he ind ica tor lamp in th e h ardtop switch bl inks slowly
while activating the switch,
•the battery voltage may be insufficient – start
engine and let run while activating switch,
•the system may be overloaded (for example after
lowering or raising the hardtop approximately
5 consecutive times) - after approximately
10 minutes the hardtop switch may be activated
again.
I f t h e i nd ic a tor l a mp c on t in u e s to b l in k , l oc k t h e h a rd top
manually, see page 226.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Wa r n i n g !
The hardtop is not fully closed and locked:
• if the indicator lamp in the hardtop switch
does not go out (key in steering lock
position 2),
• if the indicator lamp blinks, and a warning
sounds for 10 seconds when starting to drive.Stop the vehicle and before continuing to drive,
close and lock the hardtop:
The key should be in steering lock position 2.
Slide the hardtop switch forward.To prevent possible accidents, drive the vehicle
only with the hardtop either completely closed and
locked, or fully lowered into its storage
compartment.

127 Contents - Driving
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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

142 Starting and turning off the enging
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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”.

152 Automatic transmission
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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.

155 Driving instructions
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BrakesThe condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake f luid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake f luid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Al l checks and service work on the brake system shoul d
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is used, t he braking properties of th e vehic le can be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.

161 Driving instructions
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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.

164 Driving systems
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3Canceling
To cancel the cruise control, brief ly push lever to
position 3.
When you step on the brake pedal or the vehicle
speed drops below approximately 25 mph (40 km /
h), for example when driving upgrade, the cruise
control will be canceled.
If the cruise control cancels by itself and remains
inoperative until the engine is restarted, have the
system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.4Resume
If the lever is briefly pushed to position 4 when
driving at a speed exceeding approximately 25 mph
(40 km / h), the vehicle resumes the speed which
was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise
control. The last memorized speed is canceled when
the key in the steering lock is turned to position 1
or 0.
Important!
Moving gear selector lever to position “N” switches the
cruise control off.