Page 179 of 273
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.
Page 183 of 273

180 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Brake pad wear indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
brake pad wear indicator lamp comes on. It
goes out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp lights up during braking, this
indicates that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Seat belt nonusage warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
seat belt warning lamp comes on, and a
warning sounds for a short time if the
driver’s seat belt is not fastened.
After starting the engine, the seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period to remind the driver and
passengers to fasten seat belts.Supplemental restraint system (SRS) indicator lamp
The operational readiness of the airbag
system is verified by the indicator lamp
“SRS” in the instrument cluster when
turning the key in steering lock to position 1 or 2. If no
fault is detected, the lamp will go out after
approximately 4 seconds; after the lamp goes out, the
system continues to monitor the components and
circuitry of the airbag system and will indicate a
malfunction by coming on again.
See page 53 for notes on airbags, see page 52 for belt
tensioners and page 44 for infant and child seat
restraint.
Wa r n i n g !
In the event a malfu nction of th e “SRS” is indic ated
as outlined above, the “SRS” may not be
operational. For your safety, we strongly
recommend that you visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the
system checked; otherwise the “SRS” may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which could
result in serious or fatal injury, or it might deploy
unexpectedly and unnecessarily which could also
result in injury.
Page 188 of 273

185 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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
Page 216 of 273

213 Jump starting
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Proceed as follows:
1.Position the vehicle with the charged battery so that
the jumper cables will reach, but never let the
vehicles touch. Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
2.On both vehicles:
•Turn off engine and all lights and accessories,
except hazard warning flashers or work lights.
•Apply parking brake and shift selector lever to
position “P” (manual transmission to Neutral).
Important!
3.Clamp one end of the first jumper cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery and
the other end to the positive (+) terminal of the
charged battery. Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal parts.
4.Clamp one end of the second jumper cable to the
grounded negative (–) terminal of the charged
battery and the final connection to a grounded
heavy metal bracket in the engine compartment or
on the engine of the disabled vehicle.Important!
5.Start engine of the vehicle with the charged battery
and run at high idle. Make sure the cables are not
on or near pulleys, fans, or other parts that will
move when the engine is started. Allow the
discharged battery to charge for a few minutes. Start
engine of the disabled vehicle in the usual manner.
6.After the engine has started, remove jumper cables
by exactly reversing the above installation
sequence, starting with the last connection made
first. When removing each clamp, make sure that it
does not touch any other metal while the other end
is still attached.
Note:
If engine does not run after several unsuccessful
starting attempts, have it checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel may damage the catalytic
converter.
Page 268 of 273

265 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
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