2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 brake

354 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inactive
The Run Flat Indicator is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Low pressure mode
Check tires
max. Speed 50 mph(Canada:max. Speed 80 km/h
)
The pressure is too low in one or
more tires.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Observe
the traffic situation around you.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as re-
quired (
page 308).

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 388).

Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 284).
Check tires
Then reactivate
Run Flat Indicator
There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator has not been
reactivated yet.

Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure
is set for each tire.

Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator.
Run Flat Indicator
unavailable
The Run Flat Indicator has been
switched off due to an error.

Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

355 Practical hints
What to do if …
Symbol messagesDisplay symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
#
Battery/Alternator
Visit workshop
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

Alternator malfunctioning


Broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake system
requires electrical energy and may
be operating with restricted capa-
bility. Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the stop-
ping distance is increased.

Stop immediately and check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Notify an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order:

Drive immediately to the nearest autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Adjust driv-
ing to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.

356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:!
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release parking brake (
page 49).
2
Brake wear
Visit workshop
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
3
Brake fluid
Visit workshop
There is insufficient brake fluid in
the reservoir.

Risk of accident! Stop the vehicle and notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with this message displayed can re-
sult in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately. Do not add brake flu-
id before checking the brake system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
3rd brake light
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Tail lamp / brake lamp
left
Back-up lamp on
The left tail lamp/brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.
A backup bulb has been brought
into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Tail lamp / brake lamp
right
Back-up lamp on
The right tail lamp/brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.
A backup bulb has been brought
into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Visit workshop
Brake lamp illumination is delayed
or lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, L
The left front fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Front foglamp, R
The right front foglamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.

370 Practical hintsWhere will I find...?Vehicle jackThe vehicle jack is located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
Storage position
Remove vehicle jack from its
compartment.

Push crank handle up.
Operational position
Turn crank handle clockwise until it
engages (operational position).
Before storing the vehicle jack in its
compartment:


It should be fully collapsed.


The handle must be folded in (storage
position).
Warning!
G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.

373 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire when observing the following
restrictions:

Do not exceed a vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).


Drive to the nearest tire repair facility
to have the flat tire repaired or
replaced as appropriate.


Do not operate vehicle with more than
one spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and tires”
(
page 413).
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for spare wheel with
collapsible tire (located in trunk with
vehicle tool kit)
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the spare wheel with
collapsible tire. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the
spare wheel with collapsible tire will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.

381 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Front lamps Rear lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn signal
lamp
LED
2
Turn signal lamp
PY 21 W
3
Halogen headlamp:
Low beam
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Low and high beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon* headlamps: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp. Do
not replace the Bi-Xenon* bulbs yourself. See an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
H7 (55 W)
D2S-35W
4
Front fog lamp
HB4 (51 W)
5
Parking and standing
lamp
W5W
6
Halogen headlamp:
High beam/high beam
flasher
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
High beam flasher
H7 (55 W)
H7 (55 W)
7
Side marker lamp
W5W
Lamp
Type
8
Rear fog lamp (driver’s
side only)
P21W
9
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
a
Tail, parking, standing,
side marker lamp and
brake lamp
LED
b
License plate lamps
C5W
c
Backup lamp
P21W
d
Turn signal lamp
P21W
iVehicles equipped with cornering fog
lamps*:
Front fog lamps use H7 (55 W) lamps.
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

382 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsNotes on bulb replacement

Only use 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:


Additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors


Bi-Xenon* lamps


Front fog lamps


High mounted brake lamp


Brake lamps


Front and rear side marker lamps


Parking/standing lamps in the tail
lamp assemblies
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM (
page 106).

Open the hood (
page 287) (except
for side marker lamps).
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.