2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class key

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.

146 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
only slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, posi tion “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set t he parki ng brake in addi tion to sh ifting
to position “P”, see page 153 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.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 gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

147 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Selector lever position
The current selector lever position is indicated in the
gear range indicator display. The automatic gear
shifting process can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever in park to
secure the vehicle.
Notes:
The key can be removed from the steering lock
only with the foot off the brake pedal and the
selector lever in position “P”. With the key
removed, the selector lever is locked in
position “P”.
With a malfunction in the vehicle’s electrical
system the selector lever could remain locked in
position “P”. To unlock the selector lever
manually, see page 217.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
sto p ped .

153 Parking brake
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking brakeTo engage, firmly pull up brake handle (1). When the
key is in steering lock position 2, the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster should come on brightly.
To release, slightly pull up handle while pushing lock
button (2), and guide lever downward to its stop. The
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should go
out.
A warning sounds, if you start to drive without having
released the parking brake.
Also see brake warning lamp on page 179.
P42.20-2052-27
2
1
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could release the parking brake, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

156 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Caution!
When driving down long and steep grades, relieve the
load on the brakes by shifting into a lower gear to use
the engine’s braking power. This helps prevent
overheating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive on for some
time, rather than immediately parking, so the air stream
will cool down the brakes faster.
Driving off
Apply the service brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only when the road
is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not place full load on
the engine until the operating temperature has been
reached.
W hen sta rting of f on a sl ippery surfa ce, d o not al low one
drive wheel to spin for an extended period with the ESP
switched off. Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drive train which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Parking
Wa r n i n g !
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a result of
vehicle movement, before
turning off the engine
and leaving the vehicle, always:
1. Keep right foot on the service brake pedal.
2. Firmly engage parking brake.
3. Move the selector lever to position “P”
(manual transmission: first or reverse gear).
4. Slowly release the service brake pedal.
5. Turn front wheels towards the road curb.
6. Turn the key to steering lock position 0 and
remove.
7. Take the key and lock vehicle when leaving.

164 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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.

167 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Once the brake pedal is released, the BAS is deactivated.
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is combined
with the BAS malfunction indicator lamp.
The BAS / ESP 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.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
permanently while the engine is running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. As a result, it is
possible that now only partial engine output will be
available, and pressing the accelerator pedal will
require more effort. If the BAS malfunctions, the brake
system functions in the usual manner, but without BAS.If the charging voltage falls below 10 volts, the
malfunction indicator lamp comes on and the BAS is
switched off. When the voltage is above this value again,
the malfunction indicator lamp should go out and the
BA S is op erational .
With the ABS malfunctioning, the BAS and ESP are also
switched off. Both malfunction indicator lamps come on
with the engine running.
If the malfunction indicator lamp stays illuminated,
have the BAS and ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

169 Driving systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ABS control
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 in the
instrument cluster comes on while the engine is
running, it indicates that the ABS has detected a
m a l f u n c t i on a n d h a s sw i tch e d o f f . I n t h is c a s e , t h e b ra ke
system functions in the usual manner, but without
antilock assistance.
For ABS malfunction indicator lamp, see page 182.
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.I f t h e m a lf u n c t i on i n d i c a to r la mp st ays il lu m in a t e d , h ave
the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Note:
To alert following vehicles to slippery road conditions
you discover, operate your hazard warning flashers as
appropriate.
Wa r n i n g !
ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase
braking or steering efficiency beyond that afforded
by the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires or
the traction afforded. The ABS cannot prevent
accidents, including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or aquaplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The
capabilities of an ABS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous manner
which could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.