2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS service indicator

185 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.1Knob
2Display in the speedometer
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, the type of service is indi-
cated in the speedometer display2:
9
Minor service (A)
´
Major service (B)Depending on operating conditions
throughout the year, one of the following
service symbols is also shown:
9
1000 Calculated distance remain-
ing, e. g. service in
1000 miles (km)
š
10 Calculated remaining time in
days, e. g. service in 10 days
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after 10 seconds when you switch
on the ignition or when reaching the ser-
vice treshold while driving. You can also
clear it yourself.
Press knob1.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

186 OperationMaintenanceService term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
service term:

the
9
or
´
appears in the
display2 for 30 seconds and a signal
sounds after switching on the ignition.


it is preceeded by a “-” (minus symbol)
The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
Calling up the service indicator
Within 1 second press knob1
(page 185) twice.
The service symbol and the service
deadline appear in the display2.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on and immediately
press knob1 (
page 185) twice with-
in 1 second.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed.

Within 10 seconds turn key in steering
lock to position0.

Press and hold knob1 while turning
key in steering lock to position2 again.
The present status for days and dis-
tance is displayed once more.
Continue to hold knob1 until you hear
a signal.

Release knob1.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the Mer-
cedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator
:
.

199 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the passenger
compartment near the engine hood
release.
The fuel cap is not closed tight.

Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling, start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp
blinks for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.

202 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
The red charge indicator lamp
lights up while the engine is
running.
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.

Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


one of the two poly-V-belts is broken

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belts.
If one is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
2
The yellow brake pad wear indi-
cator lamp lights up while brak-
ing.
The brake pads have reached their wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technican
at the intervals specified in the Service
booklet.

204 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Additional indicators in the speedometer displayDisplay
Possible cause
Suggested solution
9
Perform minor service (A) (
page 185).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
´
Perform major service (B) (
page 185).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
9
1000
Perform service (A) or (B) after calculated
distance remaining in miles (km)
(page 185).
For example: Service in 1000 miles (km).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
š
10
Perform service (A) or (B) after calculated
remaining time in days (
page 185).
For example: Service in 10 days.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
Á
î
The
Start
message lights up in
addition to the
Error
message.
The immobilizer is not operational.

Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA),
or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

279 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the passenger seat. The sys-
tem will automatically deactivate the
passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp
7
in the center console lights
up). See your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.

280 Technical termsEngine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts. ->SRS
FSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the speedometer
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.

287 Index
Battery discharged
Jump starting 247
Battery, vehicle 178, 245
Charging 246
Disconnecting 246
Reconnecting 246
Reinstalling 246
Removing 246
Block heater 184
Bolts
For spare wheel 207
Brake assist system (BAS) 279
Brake fluid 170, 271
Brake lamp bulbs 222
Brake lamp, high mounted 222
Brakes 160
Warning lamp 198
Break-in period 158
Bulbs, replacing 221
Additional turn signals 221
Backup lamps 222
Brake lamps 222
Fog lamps 221
Front lamps 221
High beam 221
High mounted brake lamp 222License plate lamps 222, 226
Low beam 221
Parking lamps 221, 222, 224
Rear fog lamp 222
Rear fog lamps 225
Side marker lamps 221, 225
Standing lamps 221, 222, 224
Tail lamp assemblies 222, 225
Turn signal lamps 221, 222
Xenon* headlamps 223
Button
Audio system 115
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 279
California
Important notice 9
Calling up
Service indicator 186
CAN system 279
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 269
Cargo area see Cargo compartment 77
Cargo compartment
Trunk 77
Casette mode
Playing cassettes 118Catalytic converter 166
CD changer* 120, 209
CD mode 120
Center console 23
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 205
Lower part 24
Storage compartment 140
Upper part 23
Central locking
From inside 80
Unlocking from inside 80
Certification label 258
Changing CDs 120
Charging
Vehicle battery 246
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 199
Checking
Coolant level 170, 176
Oil level 170, 172
Tire inflation pressure 170
Vehicle lighting 170
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator 173
Via oil dipstick 173