2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS height

171 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
1Hood release

Pull hood release1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked.
2Lever for opening the hood

Push lever2 on the hood upwards.

Open the hood (do not pull up on the
lever) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wip-
ers or hood, never open the hood if the
wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.

172 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1ft (30cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.

267 Technical data
Main Dimensions
Main Dimensions
Model
SLK 230 Kompressor, SLK 320
SLK 32 AMG
Overall vehicle length
157.9 in (4010 mm)
157.9 in (4010 mm)
Overall vehicle width
67.5 in (1715 mm)
67.5 in (1715 mm)
Overall vehicle height
50.4 in (1279 mm)
50.4 in (1279 mm)
Wheelbase
94.5 in (2400 mm)
94.5 in (2400 mm)
Track, front
58.6 in (1488 mm)
58.6 in (1488 mm)
Track, rear
58.5 in (1485 mm)
58.2 in (1477 mm)

285 Index
A
ABS 22, 66, 279
ABS control 67
Malfunction indicator lamp 196
Warning lamp 196
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission* 98
Accident
In case of 46
Activating
Air conditioning 107
Air recirculation mode 105
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Climate control 103
ESP 70
Exterior headlamps 43
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Ignition 29
Immobilizer 71
Rear window defroster 105
Residual heat 107
Seat heater* 81
Tow-away alarm 72
Windshield wipers 44Activating automatic central locking 79
Adding
Coolant 176, 177
Engine oil 175
Additional turn signals 221
Adjusting 30
Air distribution 104
Air volume 104
Backrest tilt 32, 33
Exterior rear view mirror 35
Head restraint height 32
Inside rear view mirror 35
Instrument cluster illumination 88
Manual seat 31
Mirrors 35
Seat cushion tilt 33
Seat fore and aft adjustment 31, 33
Seat height 31, 33
Seats 30
Telescoping steering column* 34
Adjusting headlamp aim
Horizontal headlamp aim 227
Vertical headlamp aim 226
Air conditioning 106
Activating 107
Deactivating 106Air conditioning refrigerant 271
Air distribution
Adjusting 104
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 181
Air recirculation mode 105
Activating 105
Deactivating 105
Air volume
Adjusting 104
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 205
Airbags 53
BabySmart airbag deactivation
system 279
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 62
Children 54
Front 56
Passenger 56
Safety guidelines 55
Side impact 57
Alarm
Audible 65, 71
Canceling 71
Visual 71

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

295 Index
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 222, 224
Switching on 83
Parts see Spare parts service 256
Passenger compartment 165
Inside rear view mirror 35
Interior lighting 86
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 141
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 52
Pedals 159
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 192
Playing
CDs 122
Poly-V-belt drive 281
Layout 259
Power assistance 160
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33
Adjusting seat height 33
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Power train 281
Power washer 188Power windows 127
Side windows 127
Stopping windows 128
Synchronizing 128
Practical hints
First aid kit 206
Fuses 253
Lamp in center console 205
Lamps in instrument cluster 194
Spare wheel 207
Spare wheel bolts 207
TIREFIT 208, 209
Towing the vehicle 249, 251, 252
Vehicle tool kit 206
Premium unleaded gasoline 272
Problems
While driving 45
With vehicle 15
Product information 7
Program mode selector switch 281
Automatic transmission* 97
R
Radio mode 116
Radio see Radio mode
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 166Rapid seat heating*
Switching on 81
Rear fog lamp 222
Bulb 222
Switching on 84
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 225
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 99
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Cleaning 190
Rear window defroster 105
Activating 105
Deactivating 105
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 246
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 271
Regular checks 170
Reinstalling vehicle battery 246

298 IndexSpare fuses 253
Spare parts service 256
Spare wheel 207
Bolts 207
Mounting 238
Speed
Saving current 137
Speed settings
Cruise control 138
Speedometer 21
SRS 59, 282
Indicator lamp 197
Standing lamps 83
Replacing bulbs 221, 222, 224
Standing water
Driving instructions 165
Starting difficulties 41
Starting position 29
Starting the engine 40
Steering column
Height adjustment 34
Length adjustment 34
Steering lock 19, 29
Positions 29
Steering wheel
Adjustment 34Cleaning 191
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 152
Storage compartments 140
Armrest 141
Center console 140
Glove box 139
Sun visors 101
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 282
Switching off
Audio system 115
Engine 48
ESP 70
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 48
Seat heating* 81
Switching on
Audio system 115
ESP 70
Front fog lamps 84
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Rapid seat heating* 81
Rear fog lamp 84Seat heating* 81
Windshield wipers 44
Synchronizing
Power windows 128
Synchronizing the remote control 213
T
Tachometer 21, 89
Displaying gear range 95
Overspeed range 89
Tail lamps
Cleaning 189
Replacing bulbs 222, 225
Tar stains 188
Technical data 271
Brake fluid 271
Coolant 269
Coolants 273
Electrical system 266
Engine 260
Engine oil 271
Engine oil additives 271
Fuel requirements 272
Fuels 269
Gasoline additives 272
Lubricants 269
Main dimensions 267