Page 85 of 273
82 Combination switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
6Control for windshield wiper / washer system:
Push brief ly for single wipe without adding washer 
fluid (use only when windshield is wet).
Push past detent and hold to activate wiper and 
washer.7Windshield wiper
0Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
Note:
The windshield washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles are 
automatically heated.
For windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio 
see page 195.
6
7
P54.25-2303-26 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 164 of 273

161 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
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. 
         
        
        
     
        
        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 180 of 273

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 
         
        
        
     
        
        Page 186 of 273

183 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Low engine coolant level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the 
warning 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, then the coolant 
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks 
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not 
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station 
and have coolant added to the coolant system, see 
page 194.
The low engine coolant level warning light should not be 
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated 
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have 
the cooling system checked at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The 
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.
Low windshield and headlamp washer system fluid 
level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the 
warning 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, the level of the 
reservoir has dropped to approximately 1/3 of the total 
volume. The reservoir should be refilled with MB 
Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water (or 
commercially available premixed windshield washer 
solvent /antifreeze, depending on ambient temperature - 
see page 195) at the next opportunity. The reservoir for 
the windshield and headlamp washer systems is located 
in the engine compartment.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts. 
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may 
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts. 
You can be seriously burned. 
         
        
        
     
        
        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 190 of 273

187 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit  ..................................... 188
Stowing things in the vehicle  ...... 188
Fuses ................................................ 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  ............................. 196Vehicle 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
Battery ..............................................210
Jump starting  ..................................212
Towing the vehicle  .........................214Transmission 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 
         
        
        
     
        
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195 Windshield and headlamp washer system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Windshield and headlamp washer system
1Windshield and headlamp washer fluid reservoir
Capacity approximately 7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield 
Washer Concentrate and water (or concentrate 
commercially available premixed windshield washer 
solvent / antifreeze, depending on ambient 
temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water)
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and 
commercially available premixed windshield washer 
solvent / antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).
1
P82.35-2051-26