2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 steering

200 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 68)
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 68).
If the ESP cannot be turned back on, have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possi-
ble.

201 Practical hints
What 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.

202 Practical hintsWhat 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.

Synchronize the ESP. With vehicle sta-
tionary and the engine running, turn
the steering wheel completely to the
left and then to the right to synchro-
nize 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.
!When synchronizing the ESP, make
sure you can turn the steering wheel in
both directions as far as it will go with-
out the wheels hitting any objects, e.g.
a road curb.

206 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 184).
N
The yellow low engine oil level
warning lamp remains lit after
starting the engine or comes on
while driving.
The engine oil level has sunk to the minimum
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 175) and add oil as required
(page 179).

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.

216 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
3Driver’s door lock
Remove protective cap3 from driv-
er’s door lock.

Unl ock t he door wi th the ke y. T o do s o,
push key into the lock until it stops and
turn it to the left1.Unlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of 5.97 ft
(1.82 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the remote control, open the trunk using
the key.
The lock is located next to the recessed
handle.
1Unlocking in an emergency
2Handle
iUnlocking your vehicle with the key will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:

Press buttonŒor‹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.

217 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency

Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1 and hold it in this
position.

Pull trunk lid handle2 and lift the
trunk lid.
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
lid.

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 216).

Lock the trunk, if necessary with the
key. To do so, push key into the trunk
lid lock until it stops and turn it to the
right.
!Always make sure there is sufficient
overhead clearance. iUnlocking your vehicle with the key will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the follow-
ing:

Press buttonŒ or‹on the
key.


Insert the key in the steering lock
and turn it to position 2.

219 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 resynchronized.
Aim transmitter eye at vehicle and
briefly press transmit buttonŒ
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.
1Release knob
2Cover

Open the trunk lid.

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

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

221 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 130) 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 128).

Set parking brake (
page 47).

Remove key from steering lock
(page 29).

Open trunk lid (
page 78).

Remove CD changer (
page 122).

Open the right side trim panel in the
trunk. Remove cover, if necessary.
!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.
iIf your CD changer holder does not
have the fasteners 1 as shown under
“Installing and removing the CD chang-
er*” (
page 122), your vehicle may be
equipped with a non-factory installed
CD changer holder. The holder then
does not need to be removed as there
should be enough room between the
CD changer holder and the right side
trim panel in the trunk to remove the
cover and gain access to the screw for
hydraulic pump should you need to
raise the retractable hardtop manually.