2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class ECO mode

133 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds), will initiate a call to
a Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
Tele Aid system will transmit data generating the
vehicle identification number, model, color and location
(subject to availability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. The nature of the need for assistance can
then be described. The Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance dispatcher will
either dispatch a qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or
arrange to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as labor and/
or towing charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance manual for more information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•Sign and Drive services: Serv ices su ch as jump sta rt,
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a f lat tire
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle
data.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system self-check
after turning key in steering lock to position 2 (together
with the “SOS” button and the Information
button¡).
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an automatic “SOS” signal and cannot make
voice contact with the vehicle occupants.

134 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
See system self-check on page 130 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button is illuminated continuously and there was
no voic e connec tion to th e Response Cente r establ ish ed,
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an Roadside
Assistance call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone network
is not available).
Information button ¡
Located below the center armrest cover is the
Information button¡. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds), will initiate a call to
t h e C l i e n t A s s ista n c e C e nt e r. T h e b u t to n w il l f l a sh w h i l e
the call is in progress. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Client Assistance
Center representative and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or
Mercedes-Benz USA products and services is available
to you.For more details concerning Tele Aid, please visit
www.mbusa.com and use your ID and password, sent to
you separately, to learn more (USA only).
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Information button¡
remains illuminated in red for approximately
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning
key in steering lock to position 2 (together with the
“SOS” button and the Roadside Assistance button).
See system self-check on page 130 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information button¡ is
illuminated continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center established, then the
Tele Aid system could not initiate an Information call
(e.g. the relevant cellular phone network is not
ava il ab l e ) .

135 Tele Aid
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
If the indicator lamps do not start flashing after
pressing one of the buttons or remain illuminated (in
red) at any time, the Tele Aid system has detected a fault
or the service is not currently active, and may not
initiate a call. Visit your Mercedes-Benz Center and
h ave t he system checked or contac t t he Response Center
at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada) as soon as possible.
Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following
priority.
•Automatic emergency – First priority
•Manual emergency – Second priority
•Roadside assistance – Third priority
•Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard,
and the appropriate indicator lamp will f lash. If certain
information such as vehicle identification number or
client information is not available, the operator may
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmission is
completed. Once a call is concluded, a chirp will be
heard and the appropriate indicator lamp will stop
f lashing. The audio system operation will resume.
Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until
the call is concluded and this can only be completed by
a Response Center or Client Assistance Center
representative.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio
system is muted and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle
must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call.

152 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
WWinter / Wet (snow and ice) mode
Press switch on symbol “W”. The vehicle starts
out in 2nd gear, except with selector lever in 1st
gear, or with accelerator pedal in kick-down
position.
The “W” mode helps to improve traction and
driving stability of the vehicle.
The gear shifting process occurs at lower vehicle
and engine speeds than in the “S” program mode.
Caution!
Never change the program mode when the selector lever
is out of position “P”. It could result in a change of
driving characteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Important!
Always be certain of the program mode selected since
the vehicle driving characteristics change with the
selection of the program mode.
Dependent on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” and the gear selector lever in
position “R”, the ratio of power transmission changes.Emergency Operation
(Limp Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens, or the transmission no
longer shifts, the transmission is most likely operating
in Limp Home Mode which engages when there is a
malfunction of the transmission. This condition may be
accompanied by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster coming on.
In this mode only the 2nd gear or reverse gear can be
activated.
To engage 2nd gear or reverse:
1.Stop the vehicle.
2.Move selector lever to position “P”.
3.Turn off the engine.
4.Wait approximately 10 seconds.
5.Restart the engine.
6.Move sel ector lever to position “D” (for 2nd gear), or
move selector lever to position “R” (for reverse gear).
Have the transmission checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

198 Tires, wheels
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.Tire replacement
Tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires must be
of the correct size and type. For dimensions, see
page 249.
We recommend that you break in new tires for
approximately 60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.
It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, see page 249.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.

252 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. – capacities
Veh icle c omponents and t heir respec tive lub rica nts mu st ma tch . T herefore u se only brands tested and rec omm end ed
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter SLK 230
SLK 3206.1 US qt (5.5 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission 8.5 US qt (8.0 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Manual transmission SLK 230
SLK 3201.6 US qt (1.5 l)
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)Transmission oil
Rear axle 1.4 US qt (1.3 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 1.5 oz (43 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake f luid (DOT 4)
Cooling system SLK 230
SLK 320approx. 9.8 US qt (9.3 l)
a p p r ox . 11.8 U S q t ( 11.2 l )MB Anticorrosion / antifreeze

257 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
h eat transfer ca pa bil ity of th e sol ution. Therefore, d o not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion /
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The
use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such e ng ines b e specif ica lly formul ated to protec t th e
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion /
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
Anticorrosion / Antifreeze Agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR 4.9 US qt
(4.7 l)5.4 US qt
(5.1 l)
SLK 320 5.9 US qt
(5.6 l)6.5 US qt
(6.2 l)