251 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing eye
SLK 230 Kompressor except Sport
Package*, SLK 320 except Sport
Package*
The rear towing eye is located at the right,
below the bumper.
The front towing eye is located on the pas-
senger-side behind the grille in the bumper
panel.
1Grille SLK 320
except Sport Package*
2Grille SLK 230 Kompressor
except Sport Package*Removing grille SLK 320
Hold left and right end of grille1 and
pull out firmly.
Installing grille SLK 320
Position grille1 and press securely.
The grille should audibly snap into
place.
Removing grille SLK 230 Kompressor
Hold grille2, fold it down and pull out
firmly.
Installing grille SLK 230 Kompressor
Position grille2 and press securely.
The grille should audibly snap into
place.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 245) or on jump
starting (
page 247).
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Manual unlocking of transmission se-
lector lever (page 214).
282 Technical termsRetractable hardtop
Hardtop that can be opened and closed
at the push of a button and stored in
the trunk.
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the transmission selector le-
ver from being moved out of positionP
without key turned and brake pedal de-
pressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.
Tele Aid System
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
viding that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIREFIT
Accessory for emergency and tempo-
rary tire repair. The TIREFIT kit consists
of a container with sealant material, a
filler hose, a valve stem tool, a valve in-
sert, and an air compressor.
286 IndexAlarm system
Anti-theft 71
Alignment bolt 240
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 279
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 274
Antiglare
Automatic 99
Antilock brake system (ABS) 279
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 71
Canceling alarm 71
Disarming 71
Anti-theft systems 71
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Immobilizer 71
Tow-away alarm 72
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning 163
Armrest
Storage compartment 141
Ashtray 142
ATF (automatic transmission fluid)* 176
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation 111
Button and soft key operation 115
Cassette mode 118
CD mode 120Operating and display elements 112
Operating safety 111
Operation 115
Radio mode 116
Switching off 115
Switching on 115
Telephone operation 123
Audio systems 111
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 99
Automatic central locking
Activating 79
Deactivating 79
Factory setting 78
Individual setting 79
Automatic lighting control
Activating 86
Deactivating 86
Automatic locking when driving 78
Automatic transmission* 93
Accelerator position 98
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 98
Fluid level 176
Gear ranges 95
Gear selector lever position 96Gear shifting malfunctions 98
Kickdown 98
Manual shifting 94
One-touch gearshifting 94
Program mode selector switch 97
Selector lever position 93
Starting with 41
Transmission fluid 176
Winter program mode 97
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 62
Compatible child seats 62, 279
Self-test 63
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 279
Backrest tilt 31
Backup lamps 222, 225
Bulbs 222
BAS 68, 279
BAS/ESP
Malfunction indicator lamp 194
Batteries, Remote control
Check lamp 75
Batteries, remote control
Changing 212
290 IndexEmergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 147
With Tele Aid 146
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 98
Emergency operations
Closing hardtop 215
Opening hardtop 215
Remote door unlock 151
Unlocking the vehicle 210
Emergency release for trunk lid 78
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 60, 280
Emission control 167
Emission control label 258
Engine
Compartment 171
Starting with automatic
transmission* 41
Starting with manual
transmission 40
Starting with the key 40, 41
Technical data 260
Turning off with the key 48
Engine cleaning 189
Engine compartment 171Hood 171
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 21,
199
Engine number 280
Engine oil 172, 271
Adding 175
Additives 271
Checking level 172
Consumption 172
Filler neck 175
Viscosity 280
Engine oil level see Oil level 170
ESP 22, 68, 280
Switching off 70
Switching on 70
Warning lamp 194
ETD 280
Safety guidelines 55
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 60
Exterior lamp switch 83
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 35
F
Fastening the seat belts 37
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 138First aid kit 206
Flat tire 229
Lowering the vehicle 242
Mounting the spare wheel 238
Preparing the vehicle 229
Spare wheel 207
TIREFIT 208, 209
Flexible Service System (FSS) 185, 280
Fog lamp, rear 84, 222
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 221
Fog lamps, front
Replacing bulbs 222
Switching on 84
Front airbags 56
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 223
Switching on 83
Front seats
Heater* 81
FSS (Flexible Service System) 185, 280
292 IndexHeadliner
Cleaning 192
Heated seats* 81
Height adjustment
Head restraints 32
Telescoping steering column* 34
High beam flasher 44, 85
High beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 223
Switching on 85
High mounted brake lamp 222
Hood 171
Closing 172
Opening 171
Hydroplaning 163
I
Identification labels 258
Certification label 258
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) 258
Ignition 29
Switching on 40, 41
Immobilizer 71
Activating 71
Deactivating 71
Infant and child restraint systems 60Information
About service and warranty 8
Button for Tele Aid 149
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 35
Installing
Towing eye bolt 252
Wiper blades 228
Instrument cluster 20, 88, 280
Cleaning 191
Coolant temperature gauge 88
Illumination 88
Lamps in 201
Outside temperature indicator 90
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 18
Integrated remote control
Canadian programming 154
Erasing memory 155
Hand-held transmitter 153
Operating 155
Rolling code programming 154
Interior lighting 86
Activating automatic control 86
Automatic control 86
Deactivating automatic control 86
Manual control 87Manual operation 87
Interior storage spaces 139
Cup holder 140
Glove box 139
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 141
Storage compartment in armrest 141
Storage compartment in center
console 140
J
Jack 206
Jump starting 247
K
Key 210
Positions in steering lock 29
Remote control 74
Starting the engine 40, 41
Key positions in steering lock 29
Key, Remote control
Loss of 77
Keys 74
Kickdown 98, 280
L
Labels, identification 258
Lamp bulbs, exterior 221
293 Index
Lamps, exterior
Front 221
Rear 222
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 196
Airbag Off 56
Battery (Remote control) 75
Brakes 198
CHECK ENGINE 199
Engine diagnostics 199
ESP 194
Fuel reserve 201
Instrument cluster 201
Seat belts 199
Service indicator 185
SRS 52
Turn signals 21
Lamps, malfunction indicator
BAS/ESP 194
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 259
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 192
License plate lamps
Replacing bulbs 222, 226
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 191Technical data 262
Lighter see Cigarette lighter 143
Lighting 83
Combination switch 85
Daytime running lamp mode 83
Exterior lamp switch 83
Front fog lamps 84
High beam flasher 85
High beams 85
Instrument cluster illumination 88
Interior 86
Low beam 83
Parking lamps 83
Rear fog lamp 84
Trunk 87
Limiting the gear range 95
Limp Home Mode 98
Lock buttons 281
Locking 47, 74
Centrally from inside 80
Driver’s door and trunk in an
emergency 211
Fuel filler flap 169
Global, Remote control 75
Loss of keys 77
Loss of Service and Warranty Information Booklet 257
Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 223
Lowering
Vehicle 242
Lubricants
Technical data 269
M
Main dimensions 267
Maintenance 10, 185
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 213
Hardtop 215
Interior lighting control 87
Locking the driver’s door and
trunk 211
Unlocking the driver’s door 210
Unlocking the trunk 210
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 214
Manual seat
Adjusting 31
Adjusting backrest tilt 32
Adjusting head restraint height 32
Adjusting seat height 31
Seat fore and aft adjustment 31
296 IndexRemote control
Battery check lamp 75
Changing batteries 212
Checking the batteries 76
Global locking 75
Key 74
Restoring to factory setting 75
Selective setting 75
Unlocking with 28
Remote control with folding key
Locking and unlocking 74
Remote control, key
Factory setting 75
Global unlocking 75
Remote controls
Integrated 153
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid 151
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 281
Removing
Vehicle battery 246
Wheel 240
Wiper blade insert 228
Wiper blades 228
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 225Brake lamp bulbs 225
Bulbs 221
Front lamp bulbs 223
Front turn signal bulbs 223
Fuses 253
High beam bulbs 223
License plate lamp bulbs 226
Low beam bulbs 223
Parking lamp bulbs 224
Rear fog lamp bulbs 225
Rear lamp bulbs 222, 225
Rear turn signal bulbs 225
Side marker lamp bulbs 225
Standing lamp bulbs 224
Wiper blades 228
Replacing, Bulbs
Xenon* headlamps 223
Reporting
Safety defects 16
Resetting
Service indicator (FSS) 186
Trip odometer 89
Residual heat utilization 107, 281
Residual ventilation 107
REST (Residual engine heat
utilization) 281Restraint system 281
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems 60
Retractable hardtop 129, 282
Closing 132, 215
Locking after raising/lowering 133
Opening 131, 215
Problems when operating 133
Reverse (manual transmission)
Shifting into 92
Rims 261
Roadside assistance 10
Tele Aid 148
Roll bar 282
Rolling code programming 154
RON 169
RON (Research Octane Number) 282
Rotating wheels 182
Rubber parts
Cleaning 192
S
Safety
Occupant 52
Safety belts see Seat belts 37
Safety defects
Reporting 16
297 Index
Safety systems
Driving 66
Saving current speed 137
Seat belts 57
Cleaning 192
Fastening 37
Proper use of 39, 59
Safety guidelines 55
Warning lamp 199
Seat heater*
Switching off 81
Switching on 81
Seats 81
Adjusting 30
Heater* 81
Manual 31
Rapid seat heating* 81
Selector lever 21
Lock 41
Position (automatic
transmission*) 21, 93
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 63
Tele Aid* 145
ServiceCalling up the service indicator 186
Major service (Service B) 185
Minor service (Service A) 185
Overdue 186
Spare parts 256
Types 186
When due 185
Service (maintenance) 185
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 257
Service and warranty information 8
Service indicator 185
Calling up 186
Clearing 185, 186
Service life (tires) 181
Service System see FSS 185
Setting
Clock 90
Cruise control 137
Higher speed in cruise control 138
Lower speed in cruise control 138
Slower speed in cruise control 138
Speed in cruise control 138
Temperature (interior) 104
Settings
Factory, Remote control 75Selective 75
Shelf behind roll bar 141
Shift lock 282
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 96
Gearshift lever 91
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission*) 94
Into reverse (manual
transmission) 92
Side impact airbags 57
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 222, 225
Side windows
Automatic opening 127
Cleaning 190
Closing 127
Opening 127
Opening fully 127
Synchronizing power windows 128
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 45
Single wipe 45
Snow chains 184
Soft keys
Audio system 115