2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS steering

194 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?
What to do if …?Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to
light up during the bulb self-check when turning the key in steering lock to
position2, have it checked and replaced if
necessary.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
v
The yellow ESP warning lamp
flashes while driving.
The ESP or traction control has come into op-
eration because of detected traction loss in
at least one tire.

When driving off apply as little throttle
as possible.

While driving, ease up on the acceler-
ator.

Adapt your speed and driving to the
prevailing road and weather condi-
tions.

Do not deactivate the ESP.
Exceptions: (
page 70)
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accidents.
¿
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ESP has detected a malfunction and
switched off. Risk of accident! Adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road con-
ditions.

Turn the ESP back on (
page 70).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possi-
ble.

195 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
¿
The yellow BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
The ESP is deactivated because of an inter-
rupted power supply. The ABS may still be
operational.

With vehicle stationary and the engine
running, turn the steering wheel com-
pletely to the left and then to the right
to synchronize the ESP.
The BAS has detected a malfunction and
switched off. The brake system is still func-
tioning normally but without the BAS avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the BAS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the BAS is operational again.

If necessary, have the alternator and
battery checked.

196 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS malfunction indi-
cator lamp and warning comes
on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and ESP are also
switched off. Both indicator lamps come on
with the engine running.
The brake system is still functioning normally
but without the ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels will lock during hard braking
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched off.

When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

If necessary, have the alternator and
battery checked.

200 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?When the low engine oil level warning lamp
does not go out after starting the engine,
or comes on while the engine is running
and at operating temperature, the engine
oil level has dropped to approximately the
minimum mark on the dipstick.When this occurs, the warning lamp will
first come on intermittently and then stay
on if the oil level drops further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive
to the nearest service station where the
engine oil should be topped to the “full”
mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
_
The red telescoping steering
column* warning lamp remains
lit after starting the engine.
The adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.

Lock the steering column
(page 34).
W
The yellow low windshield and
headlamp* washer system fluid
level warning lamp remains lit af-
ter starting the engine or lights
up while driving.
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3 of
total reservoir capacity.

Add washer fluid (
page 179).
N
The yellow low engine oil level
warning lamp remains lit after
starting the engine or lights up
while driving.
The engine oil level is too low.

Check the engine oil level
(page 172) and add oil as required
(page 175).

If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.!The low engine oil level warning light
should not be ignored. Extended driv-
ing with the light illuminated could re-
sult in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

210 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the vehicle
Unlocking the driver’s door
If you are unable to unlock the driver’s
door with the remote control, open the
door using the key as follows:
1Unlocking
2Locking
3Protective cap
Remove protective cap3 from driver’s
door lock.

Unlock the door wi th t he key . T o do so,
push key into the lock until it stops and
turn it to the left1.Unlocking the trunk
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the remote control, open the trunk using
the key as follows:
1Unlocked
2Neutral position
3Locked

Insert the key into the trunk lid lock
until it stops.

Turn the key counterclockwise to
position1.

Pull handle and lift the trunk lid
(page 77).
iUnlocking your vehicle with the key will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:

Press button
Œ
or
‹
on the
remote control.


Insert the key in the steering lock
and turn it to position1.
iUsing the key does not operate the
central locking system.

211 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the remote control, lock it with the key as
follows:
Close the passenger door and the
trunk.

Press the central locking switch in the
upper center console (
page 79).

Check to see whether the locking knob
on the passenger door is still visible. If
necessary, push it down manually.

Lock the driver’s door with the key. To
do so, push key into the lock until it
stops and turn it to the right2
(page 210).

Lock the trunk, if necessary with the
key. To do so, push key into the trunk
lid lock until it stops.
Turn the key clockwise to position3
(page 210).
!Do not place the key inside the trunk,
since the trunk is locked once its lid is
closed and the vehicle was previously
centrally locked.iUnlocking your vehicle with the key will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:

Press button
Œ
or
‹
on the
remote control.


Insert the key in the steering lock
and turn it to position1.
iUsing the key does not operate the
central locking system.

213 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Synchronizing remote control
If you are unable to lock or unlock the ve-
hicle with the remote control, the remote
control may have to be re synchronized.
Aim transmitter eye at vehicle and
briefly press transmit button
Œ

or
‹
twice.

Within approximately 30 seconds
insert key in steering lock and turn it to
position2 (
page 29).
The remote control should once again be
operational.
If the remote control is still malfunctioning,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Fuel filler flap
In case the central locking system does
not release the fuel filler flap, you can open
it manually.
Open the trunk.
1Release knob
2Cover

Open cover2 in the right side trunk
panel.
The cover is located behind the trunk
lid hinge.

Pull the release knob1 in direction of
arrow.
The fuel filler flap is opened simulta-
neously.

215 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Raising retractable hardtop manually
If the retractable hardtop cannot be closed
automatically, make certain that all points
listed under the “Retractable hardtop” sec-
tion (
page 129) were observed.
If the automatic operation still does not
function properly, you can close the re-
tractable hardtop manually.
This procedure should be performed with
great care by two persons.

Open doors or lower windows
(page 127).

Set parking brake (
page 47).

Remove key from steering lock
(page 29).

Open trunk lid (
page 77).

Open the right side trim panel in the
trunk.1Screw of hydraulic pump
2Control cable, right
3Hex-socket wrench

Remove hex-socket wrench3 from
cover.

Using wrench3 turn screw1 of the
hydraulic pump counterclockwise as
far as it will go.
!Manually closing the retractable hard-
top is a complicated and technically de-
manding procedure. Close the
retractable hardtop manually in emer-
gency cases only. Otherwise, visit an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G


It is important that a second person
helps you. Otherwise, you could become
trapped or injured.


Remove any wristwatches or jewelry
such as rings or bracelets. Otherwise,
they could get caught in the vehicle
mechanism, causing personal injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle.


Always use the grips provided. Other-
wise you could injure yourself.