2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS Phone

177 Operation
Engine compartment
TheI symbol flashes in the
speedometer display if a proper oil level
check cannot be performed.
If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
repeating check procedure.

If engine is not yet at normal operating
temperature, wait 30 minutes before
repeating check procedure.See the “Practical hints” section
(
page 199) if the low engine oil level
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
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
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iPerform the engine oil level check with
the dipstick if it cannot be completed
via the speedometer display
(page 177).
In this case we recommend that you
have the system checked at a
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf the: andI symbols are
continuously illuminated after pressing
button1 (
page 176) twice, and if
there is no change in the speedometer
display or the low engine oil level
warning lamp comes on, a malfunction
has occurred to the system.
Perform the engine oil level check with
the dipstick (page 177).
Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvi-
ous oil leaks are noted, drive to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to have the system checked.
iThe engine oil level can be checked by
either the oil dipstick or via the
speedometer display (SLK 320,
SLK 32 AMG only) in the instrument
cluster (
page 176). The amount of
engine oil needed is shown more
precisely in the speedometer display.

179 Operation
Engine compartment
Adding engine oil
SLK 230 Kompressor1Oil dipstick
2Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap2 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw filler cap2 back on filler neck.
SLK 320, SLK 32 AMG1Oil dipstick
2Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap2 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
!Only use approved engine oils. For a
listing of approved engine oils, refer to
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet in your vehicle literature port-
folio.
In addition, check the oil filler cap for
important information pertaining to the
engine oil needing to meet a specific
Mercedes-Benz specification (e.g. MB
229.5). If such information is printed
on the oil filler cap, only use an engine
oil from the list of approved engine oils
in the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet that meets the specifi-
cation indicated on the oil filler cap.
Using engine oils of other specification
may cause the FSS to incorrectly deter-
mine the next service interval and will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.


180 OperationEngine compartmentBe careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap2 back on filler neck.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 277) and (
page 279).
Transmission 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.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
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.


291 Technical terms
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the
road via the tires.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the body to uniquely
identify each vehicle produced.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.). Wind screen
Screen for deflecting wind from the ve-
hicle interior when the hardtop is low-
ered.
Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.

294 IndexAlarm
Audible 65, 71, 72
Canceling 71, 72
Visual 71
Alarm system
Anti-theft 71
Alignment bolt 246
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 287
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 282
Antiglare
Automatic 99
Antilock brake system (ABS) 287
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 71
Canceling alarm 71, 72
Disarming 71
Anti-theft systems 71
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Immobilizer 71
Tow-away alarm 72
Armrest
Storage compartment 141
Ashtray 142
ATF (automatic transmission fluid)* 180
Audio system 121Audio and telephone, operation 111
Button and soft key operation 115
Cassette mode 118
Operating and display elements 112
Operating safety 111
Operation 115
Radio mode 116
Switching off 115
Switching on 115
Telephone operation 125
Audio systems 111
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 99
Automatic central locking
Activating 80
Deactivating 80
Automatic lighting control
Deactivating 87
Automatic locking when driving 79
Automatic transmission 93
Accelerator position 98
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 98
Gear ranges 95Gear selector lever position 95
Gear shifting malfunctions 98
Kickdown 98
Manual shifting 94
One-touch gearshifting 94
Program mode selector switch 97
Selector lever position 93
Winter program mode 97
Automatic transmission*
Fluid level 180
Starting with 41
Transmission fluid 180
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 62
Compatible child seats 62, 287
Self-test 63
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 287
Backrest tilt 31
Backup lamps 227, 230
Bulbs 227
BAS 67, 287

300 IndexGlobal
Locking 75
Unlocking 75
Global Positioning System (GPS) 288
Glove box 19, 139
Closing 139
Opening 139
Good visibility 99
GPS 288
H
Hands-free microphone 25
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 196
Hazard warning flasher 86
Switching off 86
Switching on 86
Head restraints 81
Installing 81
Manual seats 32
Removing 81
Headlamp cleaning system 184Headlamps
Cleaning 194
Cleaning system 184
Cleaning system* 99
Refilling washer fluid 184
Switching off 48
Switching on 43
Washer fluid 283
Washer system 283
Xenon* 291
Headliner
Cleaning 197
Heated seats* 82
Height adjustment
Head restraints 32
Telescoping steering column* 34
High beam flasher 44, 85
High beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 226, 228
Switching on 85
High mounted brake lamp 227
Hood 174
Closing 175
Opening 174
Hydroplaning 165I
Identification labels 266
Certification label 266
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) 266
Ignition 29
Switching on 40, 41
Immobilizer 71
Activating 71
Deactivating 71
Infant and child restraint systems 60
Information
About service and warranty 8
Button for Tele Aid 149
Inside rear view mirror
Adjusting 35
Installing
Towing eye bolt 259
Wiper blades 234
Instrument cluster 20, 89, 288
Cleaning 196
Coolant temperature gauge 89
Illumination 89
Lamps in 207
Outside temperature indicator 91
Instruments and controls see Cockpit 18

302 Index
High beam flasher 85
High beams 85
Instrument cluster illumination 89
Interior 87
Low beam 83
Parking lamps 83
Rear fog lamp 84
Trunk 88
Limiting the gear range 95
Limp Home Mode 98
Lock buttons 289
Locking 47, 74
Centrally from inside 80
Driver’s door and trunk in an
emergency 217
Fuel filler flap 171
Global, Remote control 75
Loss of keys 76
Loss of Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 265
Low and high beam headlamps (Xenon*
headlamps only) 228Low beam headlamps
Replacing bulbs 226, 228
Lowering
Vehicle 248
Lubricants
Technical data 277
M
Main dimensions 275
Maintenance 10, 190
Manual operations
Fuel filler flap 219
Hardtop 221
Interior lighting control 88
Locking the driver’s door and
trunk 217
Unlocking the driver’s door 216
Unlocking the trunk 216
Unlocking transmission selector
lever 220
Manual seat
Adjusting 31
Adjusting backrest tilt 32
Adjusting head restraint height 32
Adjusting seat height 31
Seat fore and aft adjustment 31Manual transmission 92
Shifting into reverse 92
Starting with 40
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 25
Mirrors
Adjusting 35
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 99
Exterior rear view mirror 35
Inside rear view mirror 35
MON 171
MON (Motor Octane Number) 289
N
Night security illumination 88
O
Occupant safety 52
Airbags 53
Children and airbags 54
Children in the vehicle 60
Fastening the seat belt 37
Infant and child restraint systems 60
Seat belts 37, 55
Odometer, main 21

303 Index
Oil
Adding 179
Consumption 175
Dipstick 175
Oil dipstick 179
Viscosity 288
Oil level
Checking 172
One-touch gearshifting 94
Canceling gear range limit 94
Downshifting 94
Upshifting 94
Opening
Ashtray 142
Doors from the inside 77
Fuel filler flap 171
Fuel filler flap manually 219
Glove box 139
Hardtop in an emergency 221
Hood 174
Retractable hardtop 221
Side windows 128
Trunk 77
Windows 128Operating
Audio system 111
Radio transmitters 168
Safety 14
Telephone 111
Telephone* 125
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 11
Operating safety 14
Audio system 111
Operator’s Manual 8
Ornamental moldings 194
Outside temperature indicator 91
Overdue service 191
Overhead control panel 25
Overspeed range 289
P
Paintwork 193
Panic alarm 65
Panic button on remote control 65
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 141
Parking 47, 163Parking brake 42, 47
Engaging 47
Releasing 42
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 226, 227, 229
Switching on 83
Parts see Spare parts service 264
Passenger compartment 168
Inside rear view mirror 35
Interior lighting 87
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 141
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 52
Pedals 161
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 197
Playing
CDs 123
Poly-V-belt drive 289
Layout 267
Power assistance 162
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33