2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class service indicator

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.

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
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

263 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Engine oil level ................................................................. 77
Engine oils ......................................................................254
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............................. 170
Control switch ........................................................... 172
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 181
Synchronizing ........................................................... 171
Warning lamp ............................................................ 181
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) ......................... 52
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 180
Exterior lamp failure indicator .................................... 185
Exterior lamp switch ....................................................... 79
Exterior lamps ................................................................ 218
Additional turn signals on the exterior mirror ....223
Headlamp assembly ................................................. 219
High mounted stop lamp .........................................223
Low and high beam ..................................................220
Parking lamps .................................................. 221, 222
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 218
Side marker lamp, front ...........................................223
Standing lamps ................................................. 221, 222
Taillamp assemblies .................................................222
Turn signal lamps ............................................ 221, 222
FFirst aid kit ...................................................................... 188
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 75
FSS indicator lamp .............................................. 71, 185
Fuel
Gasoline additives .................................................... 256
Premium unleaded gasoline .................. 174, 253, 255
Fuel cap placement warning ........................................ 181
Fuel filler f lap
Manual release ......................................................... 232
Fuel requirements ........................................................ 255
Fuel reserve warning ..................................................... 181
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities .............. 252
Fuses, electrical .............................................................. 188GGarage door opener ....................................................... 117
Gasoline
Additives .................................................................... 256
Fuel requirements ................................................... 255
Premium unleaded .................................................. 255
General notes on the central locking system .............. 24
Glove box ......................................................................... 112

266 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
RRadio and telephone ...................................................... 128
Radio transmitters ......................................................... 128
Rear view mirrors ............................................................ 64
Exterior ......................................................................... 65
Inside ............................................................................ 64
Rear window defroster .................................................... 88
Remote control ................................................................. 22
Battery replacement .................................................224
Synchronizing ...........................................................225
Replacing bulbs .............................................................. 218
Replacing wiper blade insert ....................................... 231
Reporting safety defects ................................................. 13
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) ..................... 89
Retractable hardtop ....................................................... 120
Roadside assistance ........................................................... 8
Roadside assistance call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 130
SSafety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor and airbag ................................59
Seat belts ........................................................................... 44
Fastening ......................................................................46
Seat belt nonusage warning system .........................45
Unfastening .................................................................. 48
Warning lamp ............................................................ 180
Seat belts and integrated restraint system .................. 44
Seats ...................................................................................38
Power seats .................................................................. 38
Seat heater ...................................................................42
Service indicator
See Flexible service system (FSS) ............................ 75
Setting the audio volume ................................................95
Shelf behind roll bars .................................................... 116
Side marker lamp .......................................................... 223
Snow chains .................................................................... 160
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 130
Spare parts service ....................................................... 242
Spare wheel ........................................................... 196, 200
Special settings (Climate control) ................................. 87