Page 87 of 290
84 Combination switch
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
6Control for windshield wiper / washer system:
Push briefly 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 199.
6
7
P54.25-2303-26
Page 167 of 290

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.
Page 182 of 290
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.
Page 184 of 290

181 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 .............................. 184Supplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................184
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ....................185
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ................185
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................185
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................186
Telescoping steering column
warning lamp ..............................186
Low engine coolant level
warning lamp ..............................187Low windshield and headlamp
washer system fluid level
warning lamp .............................. 187
Low engine oil level
warning lamp .............................. 188
Charge indicator lamp ............... 188
Exterior lamp failure i
ndicator lamp .............................. 189
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) .......... 189
Malfunction and indicator lamp
in the center console ................ 190
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ..... 190
Page 190 of 290

187 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a 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 198.
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 199) 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 192 of 290

189 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a 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 exterior lamp fails, the indicator lamp will come 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 77.
FSS indicator (distance, Service B)
see page 77.
FSS indicator (days, Service A), see page 77.
FSS indicator (days, Service B), see page 77.
Start lock-out malfunction, see page 23.
Page 194 of 290

191 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 192
Stowing items in the vehicle ........ 192
Fuses ................................................ 192
Hood ................................................. 194
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 196
Checking engine oil level ............. 197
Coolant level ................................... 198
Adding coolant ........................... 198
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........ 199
Air pump, spare wheel,
vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(except SLK 32 AMG) ...............200Ve h i c l e j a c k
(except SLK 32 AMG) .............. 201
Storage box, TIREFIT-Kit,
air pump, Vehicle tools
(SLK 32 AMG only) .................. 202
Wheels ............................................ 203
Tire replacement ....................... 203
Rotating wheels ......................... 204
Spare wheel .................................... 205
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 206
Changing wheels ........................... 207
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ......................................212
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well ....................................213
TIREFIT ............................................214
Tire inflation pressure .................. 219Battery .............................................220
Jump starting ..................................222
Towing the vehicle .........................224
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................229
Exterior lamps ................................230
Headlamp assembly ................... 231
Taillamp assemblies ..................234
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
Page 202 of 290
199 Windshield and headlamp washer system
Te ch n i c a 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