2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR Steering fluid

3 ContentsSupplemental 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 .............................. 187
Low 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) .......... 189Malfunction and indicator lamp
in the center console ................190
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....190
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) .............. 200
Ve h i c l e j a c k
(except SLK 32 AMG) .............. 201Storage 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 .................. 219
Battery .............................................220
Jump starting ..................................222
Towing the vehicle .........................224
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................229
Exterior lamps ................................230
Headlamp assembly ................... 231
Taillamp assemblies ..................234

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

72 Instrument cluster
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
High beam
ABS malfunction, see page 186
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged, see page 183
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged, see page 183
BAS malfunction, see page 185
ESP malfunction, see page 185
ESP warning lamp. Adjust driving to road
condition, see page 185
Fasten seat belts, see page 184
Fluid level for windshield and headlamp
washer system low, see page 187
Coolant level low, see page 187
Engine oil level low, see page 188Brake pads worn down, see page 184
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 188
Exterior lamp failure, see page 189
Telescoping steering column not locked,
see page 186
SRS malfunction, see page 184
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel
management system, emission control
system, systems which impact emissions, or
the fuel cap is not closed tight. In all cases,
we recommend that you have the
malfunction checked as soon as possible, see
page 182
ABS

85 Hazard warning flasher
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Windshield wipers smear
If the windshield wipers smear the windshield, even
during rain, activate the washer system as often as
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be
mixed in the correct ratio.
Blocked windshield wipers
If the windshield wipers become blocked (for example,
due to snow), switch off the wipers.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove
key from steering lock. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (key in steering lock
position 1).Hazard warning f lasher switch
The hazard warning flasher can be activated manually
via the switch located in the dashboard.
To activate hazard warning flasher, press switch once.
To deactivate, press switch again.
Note:
With the hazard warning flasher activated, the
combination switch in position for either left or right
turn, and the key in steering lock position 2, only the
respective left or right side turn signals will operate.

158 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power assistance
BrakesThe condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake fluid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
All checks and service work on the brake system should
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.

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

183 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index An on-board diagnostic connector is located in the
passenger compartment near the engine hood release,
allowing the accurate identification of system
malfunctions through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes.
Brake warning lamp
Except Canada
Canada only
With the key in steering lock position 2, the brake
warning lamp will come on. It should go out when the
engine is running.
The brake warning lamp will come on:
•when there is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir (engine running and parking brake
released), or
•when the parking brake is set (engine running).Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake fluid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don’t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.

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.