2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS ABS

350 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP and
the BAS are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.

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

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

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

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ESP
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ESP was deactivated because of a
malfunction.
The ABS might not be operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
unavailable
See Operator’s Manual
The self-diagnosis has not been com-
pleted.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP avail-
able.
The display will clear after driving a short dis-
tance at more than 12 mph (20 km/h).
The charging voltage has fallen below
ten volts. The ESP has switched off.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ESP avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
When the voltage is above this value again,
the ESP is operational again.

If necessary, have the generator and bat-
tery checked.

371 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to ad-
ditionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plate upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate

Tilt both plates upward1.

Fold the lower plate outward2.

Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.
Spare wheel with collapsible tire
The spare wheel is stored in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
1Spare wheel
2Vehicle tool kit (under collapsible tire,
together with wheel bolts for spare
wheel with collapsible tire)
3Retaining screw
Loosen retaining screw3by turning it
counterclockwise.

Remove spare wheel1.

Take off the wheel bolts for spare
wheel1.

386 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesRemoving wiper blades

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 53).

With wiper arms in vertical position,
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.

Fold the wiper arms forward until they
engage.
1Wiper blade
2Cover
3Attachment
4Tab
5Removing

Press tabs4 together and tilt wiper
blade1 to detach tabs4 on both
recesses of attachment3.
Wiper blade1 is released on one end.

Maintaining its tilted position, slide
wiper blade1 out of attachment3 in
direction of arrow5.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch before replacing a wiper blade. Oth-
erwise, the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.!To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward
when in the vertical position.

387 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Installing wiper blades
1Installing
2Tabs
3Attachment
4Guide tab
5Cover

Slide the wiper blade into
attachment3 in direction of
arrow1.

Make sure guide tab4 will be placed
under cover5 when fully inserting the
wiper blade into attachment3.

Let tabs2 latch in into both recesses
of attachment3.

Check if the wiper blade is securely
fastened.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield.
Make sure you hold on to the wiper arm
when folding it back.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arms are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are proper-
ly installed. Improperly installed wiper
blades may cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, you should have
this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

413 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!
Only use tires which have been specifi-
cally developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to pro-
vide best possible performance in con-
junction with the driving safety
systems on your vehicle such as ABS or
ESP. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by
finding the following on the tire’s side-
wall:

MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal
equipment tires


MOE = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal
E
xtended (tires with limited run-flat
characteristics) original equipment
tires
Using tires other than those approved
by Mercedes-Benz may result in dam-
age that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor information on driving with
MOExtended tires*, see
“MOExtendedsystem” (
page 312).
!Using tires other than those approved
by Mercedes-Benz can have detrimen-
tal effects, such as

poor handling characteristics


increased noise


increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and dif-
ferent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle may be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A placard with
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have sup-
plemental tire inflation pressure infor-
mation for driving at high speeds
(page 307) or for vehicle loads less
than the maximum loaded vehicle con-
dition. If such information is provided,
it can be found on the placard located
on the inside of the fuel filler flap. The
tire inflation pressure should be
checked regularly and should only be
adjusted on cold tires. Follow tire
manufacturer’s maintenance recom-
mendation included with vehicle.

424 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System (U.S. vehi-
cles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or changing
of oil and oil filter at change intervals long-
er than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Please follow Maintenance System (U.S.
vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles) recom-
mendations for scheduled oil changes.
Failure to do so will result in engine dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine. Damage or
malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special
PAG lubricating oil are used in the air con-
ditioning system. Never use R-12 (CFC) or
mineral-based lubricating oil, otherwise
damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency. Therefore, the brake fluid
must be replaced every two years, prefera-
bly in the spring. Only brake fluid approved
by Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.

431 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.
Accessory weight
(
page 323)
Air pressure
(page 323)
AIRSCARF neck-level heating
AIRSCARF neck-level heating provides
the surrounding area of the occupants’
necks with a heated air stream flowing
from openings in the head restraints.
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.
Aspect ratio
(page 323)BabySmart
TM1
air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special
system-compatible child restraint seat
is installed on the passenger seat.
The system will automatically
deactivate the passenger front air bag
when such a seat is properly installed
(the 75indicator lamp
located in the center console comes
on).
BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front air bag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Bar
(
page 323)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.
Bead
(
page 323)
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer 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.
1BabySmart
TM
is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.