2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class length

64 Adjusting telescoping steering column
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Adjusting telescoping steering column
Unlocking:
Pull handle (1) out to its stop. The indicator lamp,
located in the instrument cluster, comes on.
Adjusting:
To lengthen or shorten the steering column, pull out or
push in steering wheel.
Locking:
Push handle (1) in until it engages. The indicator lamp,
located in the instrument cluster, goes out.Important!
With the key in steering lock position 2, the indicator
lamp in the instrument cluster comes on. It should go
out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, the adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.
Do not drive the vehicle until you have properly locked
the steering column.
AUDIO
TEL
AUDIO
TEL

1
AUDIO
TEL
AUDIO
TEL
P46.15-2031-26
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving. The
telescoping adjustment must be locked while
driving. Adjusting the steering wheel while
driving, or driving without the telescoping
adjustment locked could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

120 Retractable hardtop
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Retractable hardtop
Important!
A minimum clearance height of 5
1/2 ft. (1.65 m) and an
additional 10 in (25 cm) length behind the vehicle is
required to lower or raise the hardtop.
Th e add itional space is requ ired since th e roof moves u p
and the trunk lid back during raising and lowering
operations.
The raising or lowering operations can only be started
with the luggage cover and trunk lid closed.
The raising or lowering procedure is immediately
interrupted by releasing the hardtop switch.
Do not operate the roof while a roof luggage carrier is
installed.To prevent damage to hardtop or luggage / cargo when
lowering the roof:
•load trunk only to the height of the luggage cover,
•do not permit luggage / cargo to raise the closed
luggage cover,
•do not load anything on top of the luggage cover,
•do not place anything on shelf behind roll bars.
Note:
To prevent the hardtop from being lowered
unintentionally while a roof luggage carrier is installed,
keep luggage cover in trunk in the open position.
Wa r n i n g !
Before operating the switch for the retractable
hardtop make sure that no persons due to
inattention are injured by the moving parts
(retractable roof, roof frame, and trunk lid).Hands must never be placed near the roof frame,
upper windshield area, hardtop, shelf behind roll
bars, or trunk lid while the retractable hardtop is
being raised or lowered. Serious personal injury
may occur.

150 Automatic transmission
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Gear ranges:
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.Upshift through 2nd gear only. For driving in
mountainous regions or under extreme operating
conditions. This gear selection will allow use of
the engine’s braking power when descending
steep grades.
Use this position, which makes maximum use of
the engine’s braking effect, while descending
very steep or lengthy downgrades and only at
speeds below 40 mph (60 km / h).

160 Driving instructions
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Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km / h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, see page 172.
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire size
225 / 50 R 16, with th e col lapsib le spa re tire, or with tire
size 245 / 40 ZR 17 (Sport Package).Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N” or in case of manual
transmission declutch. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.
If t he veh icle is pa rked af te r b eing driven on sal t trea ted
road s, th e braking ef f ic iency should be tested as soon a s
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.

210 Battery
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If a tire constantly loses air, it should be inspected for
damage.
The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition. Spare tire will age and become worn over
time even if never used, and thus should be inspected
and replaced when necessary.Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the engine
compartment.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc.. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
cloth ing. In c ase it does, im mediately f lush affected
area with water and seek medical help.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc..

212 Battery
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Jump startingImportant!
A discharged battery can freeze at approximately +14°F
(–10°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen ba ttery can resul t in exploding , cau sing persona l
injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
•Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or
approximately 2 AWG
•Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If th e battery is discha rged, th e eng ine shoul d be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the engine compartment.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.Never lean over batteri es wh ile connec ting or jump
starting, you might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
cloth ing. In c ase it does, imm edi ately f lu sh af fec ted
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc..Read all instructions before proceeding.

251 Technical data
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We i g h t s (see certification tag)Main Dimensions SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR SLK 320
Generator (alternator) 14 V / 90 A 14 V / 115 A
Starter motor 12V / 1.1 kW 12V / 1.7 kW
Battery 12V / 74 Ah 12V / 74 Ah
Spark plugs
Electrode gap
Tightening torqueBosch F 7 KTCR
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)Bosch F 8 DPER
Beru 14 FGH 8 DPUR X 2
NGK PFR 5-11
0.039 in (1.0 mm)
15 – 22 ft.lb (20 – 30 Nm)
Trunk load max.220 lb (100 kg) Overall vehicle length 157.9 in (4010 mm)
Overall vehicle width 67.5 in (1715 mm)
Overall height 50.4 in (1279 mm)
Wheel base 94.5 in (2400 mm)
Track, front 58.6 in (1488 mm)
Track, rear 58.5 in (1485 mm)