2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class key

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
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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

207 Tires, wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Inflating the collapsible spare tire
The air pump is located inside the wheel well in the
trunk.
1Filler hose
2Electrical plug
3Pressure gauge with vent screw1.Remove air pump from storage compartment inside
trunk.
2.Open lid and pull out air hose with pressure gauge
and electrical plug.
Observe instructions on air pump label.
3.Unscrew tire valve cap from spare wheel tire valve.
4.Screw filler hose onto tire valve.
5.Plug air pump electrical plug into vehicle cigar
lighter.
6.To switch on air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 1.
Important!
Do not start engine.
P40.10-2124-26
1
0
45 6max. 6 min
A 170 584 01 38 AIR COMPRESSOR 23
Mercedes-Benz
2
3
2 1
1
2,5 bar
36 psi1
0 23
4
5
620PSI
BAR40
60
80
LUFTPRESSER12
12
3
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible injury when unscrewing air
pump filler hose from tire valve after inflating the
tire, use a rag since the tire valve could be hot.

208 Tires, wheels
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7.Operate air pump (approximately 5 minutes) until
pressure gauge displays 36 psi (2.5 bar).
8.To switch off air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 0.
9.Unscrew filler hose from tire. Reinstall tire valve
cap.
Note:
Excessive tire air pressure should be released using the
vent screw.Storing spare wheel in wheel well
Deflate spare tire:
1.Unscrew valve stem removal tool, which is a part of
the valve cap, from tire valve.
2.Using the valve stem removal tool, open tire valve
slightly by turning the tire valve insert
counterclockwise to release air pressure.
3.When the tire air pressure has been released,
remove tire valve insert (protect it from dirt and
sand) using the previously removed tire valve cap.
4.Once all air is out of the tire, and the tire has
collapsed to its original shape, reinstall the tire
valve insert and valve cap.
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with air
pump holder. Turn pump holder clockwise to its stop.

211 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
key is in steering lock position 0. The battery must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components will be
damaged.Battery recycling
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.

215 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Sport Package
G r il l e re m ova l f or S p or t Pa cka g e v e rs i on : P u l l on t op e n d
of grille simultaneously pushing apron (arrow) up.
Grille installation for Sport Package: Position bottom
end of grille and press in securely simultaneously
pushing apron (arrow) up.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
f lat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Front towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports. Rear towing with sling-
type equipment over bumpy roads will damage the
lower edge of the front bumper cover.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or f lat bed equipment, with key in
steering lock turned to position 0.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic
transmission: The vehicle may be towed with all wheels
on the ground and the selector lever in position “N” for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km / h). The key must be in steering
lock position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive f lange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
P88.00-2045-26
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort in necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

216 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
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Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle doors lock if
the left front wheel as well as the right rear wheel are
turning at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
f lash er in u se, turn key in steering l ock to position 2 a nd
activate combination switch for left or right turn signal
in usual manner – only the selected turn signal will
operate. Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in steering lock position 0
or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged
and will apply the rear wheel brakes. Switch off the
tow-away alarm as well as the ESP, see page 37 and 170.

224 Remote control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Changing batteries in the remote control
Checking batteries
If the transmit buttonŒ or‹ is pressed longer
than 1 second, the battery check lamp in the transmitter
eye (1) lights up briefly – indicating that the batteries
are in order.
Change batteries if the battery check lamp does not light
up briefly.Changing batteries
Unfold master key from holder by pressing key release
button (2). Pull off battery cover (3).