2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class brake fluid

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

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

155 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power assistance
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.

176 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip
SLK 230 Kompressor shown1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir, see page 195.
2Coolant level
See “Adding coolant” on page 194.
3Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 193 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 77.
4Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 254.
Opening hood, see page 190.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 218.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 79.

177 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 .............................. 180Supplemental 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 .............................182
Telescoping steering
column warning lamp ................182
Low engine coolant level
warning lamp ..............................183Low windshield and
headlamp washer system
fluid 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

179 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near the engine hood release,
allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
With the key in steering lock position 2, the brake
warning lamp will come on. It should go out when the
engine is running.
The brake warning lamp will come on:
•when there is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir (engine running and parking brake
released), or
•when the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.

234 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external inf luences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying
climatic conditions, but also by air polution, road salt,
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel,
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint
damage. Frequent washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base ru stproof ing in th e body cavities w hich will la st for
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz
because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled
recommendations which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow
the instructions on the particular container.
Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your vehicle.