2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS brake fluid

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

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.

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.

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.

246 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying
climatic conditions, but also by air polution, road salt,
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel,
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint
damage. Frequent washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base rustproofing in the body cavities which will last for
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz
because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled
recommendations which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow
the instructions on the particular container.
Always open your vehicle’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your vehicle.

253 Contents - Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
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 ......266Engine oils ...................................... 268
Engine oil additives ...................... 268
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 268
Brake fluid ...................................... 268
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 269
Fuel requirements ........................ 269
Gasoline additives ......................... 270
Coolants .......................................... 270
Consumer information ................. 272