2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS reset

Contents
Tele Aid ........................................ 144
Garage door opener ..................... 153
Operation......................................... 159
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 160
Driving instructions............................ 161
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 161
Drinking and driving ..................... 161
Pedals .......................................... 161
Power assistance ......................... 162
Brakes .......................................... 162
Driving off .................................... 163
Parking......................................... 163
Tires ............................................. 164
Hydroplaning................................ 165
Tire traction ................................. 165
Tire speed rating .......................... 166
Winter driving instructions ........... 167
Standing water ............................. 168
Passenger compartment .............. 168
Driving abroad.............................. 168
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 168
Catalytic converter....................... 169
Emission control .......................... 170Coolant temperature..................... 170
At the gas station ............................... 171
Refueling....................................... 171
Check regularly and before a
long trip ........................................ 172
Engine compartment .......................... 174
Hood ............................................. 174
Engine oil ...................................... 175
Transmission fluid level................. 180
Coolant ......................................... 180
Battery .......................................... 183
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*.......... 184
Tires and wheels................................. 185
Important guidelines ..................... 185
Life of tire ..................................... 186
Direction of rotation...................... 186
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 186
Rotating wheels ............................ 187
Winter driving ..................................... 188
Winter tires ................................... 188
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 189
Snow chains.................................. 189
Maintenance....................................... 190
Clearing the service indicator ....... 190
Service term exceeded ................. 191Calling up the service indicator .... 191
Resetting the service indicator ..... 191
Vehicle care ....................................... 192
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 192
Practical hints.................................. 199
What to do if … ................................... 200
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 200
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display .................... 210
Lamp in center console ................ 211
Where will I find ...? ............................ 212
First aid kit.................................... 212
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack ......... 212
Spare wheel (SLK 230
Kompressor, SLK 320) .................. 213
TIREFIT kit (SLK 32 AMG only) ...... 214
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 216
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 216
Locking the vehicle ....................... 217
Changing batteries in remote
control .......................................... 218
Synchronizing remote control ....... 219
Fuel filler flap ................................ 219

21 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Left indicator lamps
with:W
Low windshield
washer and head
lamp washer* sys-
tem fluid level warn-
ing lamp
206
/
Low engine coolant
level warning lamp
207
N
Low engine oil level
warning lamp
206
1
Supplemental Re-
straint System
(SRS) indicator
lamp
52,
203
2
Brake pad wear in-
dicator lamp
209
?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
205
_
Telescoping steer-
ing column warning
lamp
206
Item
Page
2
Display with:D
Coolant tempera-
ture gauge
89
A
Fuel gauge
207
Outside temperature
indicator
91
3
Knob for:

Instrument cluster illu-
mination
89


Resetting trip odome-
ter
90


Activating Flexible Ser-
vice System (FSS) indi-
cator
190
Item
Page
4
Speedometer with:L
Left turn signal indi-
cator lamp
K
Right turn signal in-
dicator lamp
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
68,
200
Trip odometer
90
Main odometer
5
Knob for:

Setting clock
91
6
Tachometer with:Selector lever position
41, 90
Clock
91

55 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning device and
airbag
iAirbags are designed to activate only in
certain frontal (front airbags) impacts,
or side (side impact airbags) impacts
which exceed preset thresholds.
Only during these types of impacts, if of
sufficient severity to meet the deploy-
ment thresholds, will they provide their
supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should al-
ways wear their seat belts. Otherwise it
is not possible for the airbags to pro-
vide their supplemental protection.
In cases of other frontal impacts, an-
gled impacts, roll-overs, other side im-
pacts, rear collisions, or other
accidents the airbags will not be acti-
vated. The driver and passengers will
then be protected by the fastened seat
belts.
We caution you not to rely on the pres-
ence of the airbags in order to avoid
wearing your seat belt.
Your vehicle was originally equipped
with airbags that are designed to acti-
vate in certain impacts exceeding a
preset threshold to reduce the poten-
tial and severity of injury. It is important
to your safety and that of your passen-
gers that you replace deployed airbags
and repair any malfunctioning airbags
to ensure the vehicle will continue to
provide supplemental crash protection
for occupants.Warning!
G


Damaged seat belts or belts that were
highly stressed in an accident must be
replaced and their anchoring points
must also be checked. Use only belts in-
stalled or supplied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


Airbags and emergency tensioning de-
vices (ETDs) are designed to function on
a one-time only basis. An airbag or ETD
that was activated must be replaced.


No modifications of any kind may be
made to any components or wiring of
the SRS. This includes changing or re-
moving any component or part of the
SRS, the installation of additional trim
material, badges etc. over the steering
wheel hub, passenger airbag cover, door
trim panels, or door frame trims, and in-
stallation of additional electrical/elec-
tronic equipment on or near SRS
components and wiring. Keep area be-
tween airbags and occupants free from
objects (e.g. packages, purses, umbrel-
las, etc.).


Do not pass belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.


Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the belts.


56 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
When you sell your vehicle, we strongly
urge you to give notice to the subsequent
owner that it is equipped with an SRS by
alerting them to the applicable section in
the Operator’s Manual.
1Driver airbag
2Passenger airbag
3Side impact airbagsFront airbags
Driver and passenger airbags are de-
ployed:


in the event of a frontal impact


if impact exceeds a preset deployment
threshold


independently of the side impact air-
bags
The airbags will not deploy in impacts
which do not exceed the system’s deploy-
ment thresholds. You will then be protect-
ed by the fastened seat belts.
The passenger airbag will only be deployed
if:


the passenger seat is occupied


the7indicator lamp in the center
console is not lit (
page 62).


the impact exceeds a preset deploy-
ment threshold


An airbag system component within the
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag
has inflated. Do not touch.


Improper work on the system, including
incorrect installation and removal, can
lead to possible injury through an unin-
tended activation of the SRS.


In addition, through improper work
there is a risk of rendering the SRS inop-
erative or causing unintended airbag de-
ployment. Work on the SRS must
therefore only be performed by qualified
technicians. Contact your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


For your protection and the protection
of others, when scrapping the airbag
unit or emergency tensioning device,
our safety instructions must be fol-
lowed. These instructions are available
from your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Given the considerable deployment
speed and the textile structure of the
airbags, there is the possibility of abra-
sions or other injuries resulting from air-
bag deployment.


57 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Side impact airbags
The side impact airbags are deployed:

on the impacted side of the vehicle


in impacts exceeding a preset deploy-
ment threshold


independently of the front airbags
The side impact airbags will not deploy in
impacts which do not exceed the system’s
deployment threshold.
The passenger side impact airbag will only
be deployed if the system senses that the
passenger seat is occupied.
Seat belts
When the engine is started, the seat belt
non-usage warning lamp < illuminates
to remind you and your passengers to fas-
ten your seat belts. If the driver's seat belt
is not fastened before the engine is start-
ed, the seat belt non-usage warning lamp
< illuminates and a warning chime
sounds for approximately six seconds
when the engine is started.
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in
most states and all Canadian provinces.
Even where this is not the case, all vehicle
occupants should have their seat belts fas-
tened whenever the vehicle is in motion.
Information on fastening seat belts is
found in the “Getting started” section
(page 37).
!Do not place objects heavier than
20 lbs (9 kg) on the passenger seat.
This could cause the front or side im-
pact airbag on the passenger side to
deploy in a crash which exceeds the
system’s deployment threshold.
iFor information on infants and children
traveling with you in the vehicle and re-
straint systems for infants and chil-
dren, see “Children in the vehicle”
(page 60).

59 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Warning!
G
USE SEAT BELTS PROPERLY

Seat belts can only work when used
properly. Never wear seat belts in any
other way than as described in this sec-
tion, as that could result in serious inju-
ries in case of an accident.


Each occupant should wear their seat
belt at all times, because seat belts help
reduce the likelihood of and potential
severity of injuries in accidents, includ-
ing rollovers. The integrated restraint
system includes SRS (driver airbag, pas-
senger airbag, side impact airbags, ETD
(seat belt emergency tensioning device),
and driver knee bolster. The system is
designed to enhance the protection of-
fered to properly belted occupants in
certain frontal (front airbags) and side
(side impact airbags) impacts which ex-
ceed preset deployment thresholds.


Never wear the shoulder belt under your
arm, against your neck or off your shoul-
der. In a crash, your body would move
too far forward. That would increase the
chance of head and neck injuries. The
belt would also apply too much force to
the ribs or abdomen, which could se-
verely injure internal organs such as
your liver or spleen.


Never wear belts over rigid or breakable
objects in or on your clothing, such as
eyeglasses, pens, keys, etc., as these
might cause injuries.


Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips and not across the abdo-
men. If the belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries
in a crash.


Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Do not fasten a seat
belt around a person and another per-
son or other objects.


Belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you wouldn’t have the full width
of the belt to manage impact forces. The
twisted belt against your body could
cause injuries.


Pregnant women should also use a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible
on the hips to avoid any possible pres-
sure on the abdomen.


Never place your feet on the instrument
panel or on the seat. Always keep both
feet on the floor in front of the seat.

60 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyEmergency tensioning device (ETD)
The seat belts are equipped with
emergency tensioning devices.
The ETD is designed to activate in the fol-
lowing cases when the seat belts are fas-
tened:

in frontal or rear-end impacts exceed-
ing a preset severity level


if the restraint systems are operational
and functioning correctly, see 1 in-
dicator lamp (
page 52).
In an impact, emergency tensioning devic-
es remove slack from the belts in such a
way that the seat belts fit more snugly
against the body.
Children in the vehicle
If an infant or child is traveling with you in
the vehicle:

Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and
size of the child and recommended for
use by Mercedes-Benz.


Ensure the infant or child is properly se-
cured by a belt at all times while the ve-
hicle is in motion.
Infant and child restraint seats and infor-
mation on choosing an appropriate re-
straint system can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Infant and child restraint systems
Use only a BabySmart
TM compatible child
restraint for the passenger seat in this
vehicle.
We recommend all infants and children be
properly restrained at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
Warning!
G
An emergency tensioning device (ETD) that
was activated must be replaced.
When disposing of the emergency tension-
ing device, our safety instructions must be
followed. These are available at your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.!Do not place objects heavier than
20 lbs (9 kg) on the passenger seat.
This could cause the front or side im-
pact airbag on the passenger side to
deploy in a crash which exceeds the
system's deployment threshold.

79 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk automatically lock
when the ignition is switched on and the
left front wheel turns at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.Information on towing the vehicle can be
found in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 199).
The switch is located on the upper center
console.
Central locking switch1Locking
2Unlocking
iOpening the trunk from the inside will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:

Press buttonŒor‹on the
key.


Insert the key in the steering lock
and turn it to position 2.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact ex-
ceeds a preset threshold.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking when the vehicle

is pushed or towed


is on a test stand