2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS coolant temperature

176 OperationEngine compartmentTransmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
SLK 230 Kompressor1Coolant expansion tank
2Float in the filler neck
Using a rag, turn the cap to the left to
the first detent position. Allow any ex-
cess pressure to escape.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if float2
can be seen at the top through the filler
neck.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
194°F (90°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately ½ turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.


269 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and recommended by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
SLK 230 Kompressor
6.1 US qt (5.5 l)
Recommended engine oils
SLK 320
SLK 32 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic transmission*
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10Manual transmission
SLK 230 Kompressor
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
2
2MB part no. 001 989 26 03 10
SLK 320
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)
Rear axle
1.4 US qt (1.3 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5oz (43g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4)
Cooling system
SLK 230 Kompressor
approx. 9.8 US qt (9.3 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
SLK 320
approx. 11.8USqt (11.2l)
SLK 32 AMG
approx. 15.3USqt (14.5l)

270 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
approx. 15.8 US gal (60.0 l)
approx. 2.1 US gal (8.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91 (Avg. of 96 RON / 86 MON)
Air conditioner system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning sys-
tem*
7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
MB Windshield washer concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate“S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshild Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available premixed
windshild washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (
page 275).

275 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Windshield and headlamp* washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp*
washer systems are supplied from the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
The windshield and headlamp* washer
fluid reservoir has a capacity of approxi-
mately 7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp* washer
fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to100 parts water
[40ml“S” to 1gallon (4l) water]
For temperatures below freezing, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
[40ml“S” to 1gallon (4l) solvent].
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts because it may burn.
You can be seriously burned.

288 IndexChild safety 60
Airbags 54
Infant and child restraint systems 57,
60
Cigarette lighter 143
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 192
Cup holder 191
Gear selector lever 191
Hard plastic trim items 191
Headliner 192
Instrument cluster 191
Leather upholstery 192
Light alloy wheels 191
Plastic and rubber parts 192
Rear window 190
Seat belts 192
Steering wheel 191
Windows 190
Windshield 45
Wiper blades 190
Cleaning*
Headlamps 100
Climate control 102
Adjusting air distribution 104
Adjusting air volume 104Air conditioning 106
Air recirculation mode 105
Deactivating the climate control
system 110
Defogging windshield 109
Defrosting 108
Reactivating the climate control
system 110
Rear window defroster 105
Residual heat utilization 107
Residual ventilation 107
Setting the temperature 104
Clock 21
Setting 90
Closing
Glove box 139
Hood 172
Retractable hardtop 215
Side windows 127
Trunk 77
Windows 127
Closing hardtop
In an emergency 215
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 192
Cockpit 18, 279Coin holder 142
Collapsible tire 279
Combination switch 84, 85
High beam flasher 44, 85
Turn signals 43
Windshield wipers 44
Consumer information 276
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 166
Coolant 176, 273
Adding 176, 177
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 273
Capacities 269
Checking level 176
Temperature 167
Temperature gauge 88
Coolant level
Checking 170, 176
Cruise control 136, 279
Canceling 137
Driving downhill 137
Driving uphill 137
Fine adjustment 138
Saving current speed 137
Setting speeds 138

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