2 Contents
Interior lighting ............................. 112
Night security illumination ......... 112
Sun visors with Vanity Mirror ......113
Interior .............................................113
Cup holder and glove box ..............114
Storage compartments ...................115
Ashtrays ...........................................116
Coin Holder ......................................116
Lighter ..............................................117
Parcel net in passenger footwell ..118
Shelf behind roll bars .....................118
Cellular telephone ..........................118
Garage door opener ........................119
Retractable hardtop ....................... 122
Wind screen .................................... 127
Luggage cover ................................. 128
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 130
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 131
Maintenance ................................... 131Tele Aid ............................................132
Catalytic converter ........................ 140
Emission control ............................. 141
Steering lock .................................. 142
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 144
Manual transmission .................... 145
Automatic transmission ............... 147
Parking brake .................................156
Driving instructions .......................157
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........157
Drinking and driving .................157
Pedals ...........................................157
Power assistance .........................158
Brakes ...........................................158
Driving off ....................................159
Parking .........................................159
Tires ..............................................160
Snow chains ................................163
Winter driving instructions ......163
Block heater .................................165
Deep water ...................................165
Passenger compartment ............165
Traveling abroad .........................165Cruise control ................................. 166
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 169
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 171
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 173
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 177
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 179
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 182
On-board diagnostic system ..... 182
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 182
Brake warning lamp .................. 183
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp ............................. 184
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp .............................. 184
4 Contents
Changing batteries in
the remote control ....................236
Synchronizing
remote control ............................237
Raising hardtop manually ............238
Replacing wiper blade insert .......243
Antenna ...........................................244
Manual release
of fuel filler flap ........................244
Vehicle careCleaning and care of
the vehicle ..................................246
Power washer ..............................247
Paintwork, painted body
components .................................247
Tar stains .....................................247
Engine cleaning ..........................248
Vehicle washing .........................248
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................249
Window cleaning ........................249
Rear window cleaning ...............249
Wiper blades ...............................250Light alloy wheels ..................... 250
Instrument cluster ..................... 251
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 251
Cup holder .................................. 251
Hard plastic trim items ............. 251
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 251
Headliner and
shelf behind roll bars ................ 252
Upholstery .................................. 252
Seat belts ..................................... 252
Technical dataSpare parts service ....................... 254
Warranty coverage ........................ 254
Identification labels ...................... 255
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ........... 257
Technical data ................................ 260
Fuels, coolants,
lubricants etc. – capacities ..... 266
Engine oils ...................................... 268
Engine oil additives ...................... 268
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 268
Brake fluid ...................................... 268Premium unleaded gasoline ........269
Fuel requirements .........................269
Gasoline additives .........................270
Coolants ...........................................270
Consumer information ..................272
IndexIndex ................................................ 274
91 Climate control
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Air recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the
entry of annoying odors or dust into the vehicle’s
interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the vehicle’s interior.
To s el ect , p res s O button.
To cancel, press O button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated
air to fresh air
•after approximately 5 minutes at outside
temperatures below approximately 40°F (5°C),
•after approximately 30 minutes, at outside
temperatures above approximately 40°F (5°C),
•after approximately 5 minutes, if button S is
pressed.
At high outside temperatures, the system automatically
engages the recirculated air mode for approximately
30 minutes, thereby increasing the cooling capacity
performance. Press O button again to extend the
recirculated air mode.Residual engine heat utilization (REST)
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue
heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume is controlled automatically. Select
temperature for each side of the passenger
compartment. Set air distribution control switch to the
desired position.
To s e l e c t :
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or remove.
Press O button. Indicator lamp in the button lights
up.
This function selection will not activate if the battery
charge level is insufficient.
To c a n c e l :
Press O button. Indicator lamp in the button goes
out.
The system will automatically shut off
•if you turn key in steering lock to position 2,
•after approximately 30 minutes,
•if the battery voltage drops.
116 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
AshtraysBy touching the bottom of the cover (1) lightly, the
ashtray opens automatically.
To remove ashtray insert, pull ashtray past detent. Hold
left and right side (2) of insert and pull up.
To install ashtray insert, place it into ashtray frame and
push down to engage.
Coin holder
Open ashtray and fold down (3) cover plate (1).
yy
yy yy
yy
y
yy
yy
yy yy
yy yy
y y
y y
Wa r n i n g !
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. With the gear selector lever in position “N”
(manual transmission: in Neutral), turn off the
engine and set the parking brake. Otherwise the
vehicle might move as a result of unintended
contact with the gear selector lever.
142 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Steering lock
0The key can be withdrawn in this position only. The
steering is locked when the key is removed from the
steering lock. If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the locking mechanism to engage.
In vehicles equipped with automatic transmission,
the key can only be removed with the selector lever
in position “P”. After removing the key or with the
key in steering lock position 0, the selector lever is
locked in position “P”.1Steering is unlocked.
(If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow
the key to be turned clockwise to position 1.)
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For
detailed information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
3Starting position.
See page 144 for instructions on starting and turning off
the engine.
2
3
0
1
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause serious personal
injury.
149 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
only slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 156 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.
164 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a 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 266.
•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 199.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
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.
O t h e rw i s e , d e a d ly c a r b o n m on ox i d e ( CO ) ga s e s m ay
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.
179 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a 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 199.
2Coolant level
See “Adding coolant” on page 198.
3Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 197 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 79.
4Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 268.
Opening hood, see page 194.
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 230.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 81.