2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK300 stop start

Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X SolutionsK Retractabl
e Roof
Operation
Please
Wait The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
X Start the engine. The hardtop drive system was shut down for safety reasons
after multiple, consecutive attempts to raise or lower the
hardtop.
After
about 10 minutes you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
X If the retractable hardtop still does not open or close
properly, have the hardtop system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. K Retractabl
e Roof
Lowering The retractable hardtop is not completely opened or closed.
The roof hydraulics will start to lose pressure.
X
Make sure the retractable hardtop is completely opened or
closed ( Y page 170). K Retractabl
e Roof
Operation
Only At
Standstill You have attempted to open the retractable hardtop while
driving.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to open the
hardtop again. K Retractabl
e Roof
Not
Opened/
Closed
Completely You are driving with the retractable hardtop not properly
locked.
X
Stop the vehicle in a safe location. Observe the traffic
situation around you.
X Push the retractable hardtop switch forward or rearward
until the retractable hardtop is completely closed or open
(Y page 170).
X If the retractable hardtop still does lock properly, have the
hardtop system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. J Trunk
Partition
Open You are trying to open or close the retractable hardtop even
though the luggage cover in the trunk is not closed and/or
properly engaged.
X
Close the luggage cover ( Y page 173).+ Remove Key You have forgotten to remove the SmartKey.
X
Remove the SmartKey from the starter switch. 246
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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!
Do not ignore the low engine coolant level warning. Extended driving with the message
and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount of coolant in the cooling system. The engine will
overheat causing major engine damage. Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions? Coolant
Stop,
turn
engine
off. The coolant is too hot.
X
Stop the vehicle immediately as soon as it is safe to do so.
X Turn off the engine immediately.
X Engage the parking brake.
X Only start the engine again after the message disappears.
You could otherwise damage the engine.
X Observe the coolant temperature in the multifunction
display.
X If the temperature rises again: Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
During severe operation conditions and stop-and-go city
traffic, the coolant temperature may rise close to 248‡
(120†). G
Warning!
Driving when your engine is overheated can cause some fluids which may have leaked into the
engine compartment to catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam

from an overheated engine can cause serious burns which can occur just by opening the
engine hood. Stay away from the engine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of the
vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle until the engine has cooled down.
! The engine should not be operated with the coolant temperature above 248‡ (120†).
Doing so may cause serious damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. 248
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Display messages
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsb Rear
Foglamp
Auxiliary
Bulb On The rear fog lamp is malfunctioning. A substitute bulb is being
used.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Switch
Off Lights You have removed the SmartKey from the starter switch,
opened the driver’s door and left the headlamps on.
X
Turn the exterior lamp switch to $ or Ã
(Y page 71). b Switch
off
lights or
remove key The exterior lamp switch is set to
à and you have forgotten
to remove the SmartKey from the starter switch. The parking
lamps remain switched on.
X Remove the SmartKey from the starter switch.
or
X Switch off the headlamps. b Tail
Lamp,
Left
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Tail
Lamp,
Right
Auxiliary
Bulb On The left or right tail lamp is malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if all LEDs have stopped working. A substitute
bulb is being used.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. b Rear Left
Turn
Signal
Auxiliary
Bulb On
or
Rear
Right
Turn
Signal
Auxiliary
Bulb On The left or right rear turn signal lamp is malfunctioning. A
substitute bulb is being used.
X
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. 254
Vehicle status messages in the multifunction display
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Safety systems
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions7
The red seat belt
telltale comes
on for a
maximum of
6 seconds after
starting the
engine. The seat belt telltale reminds you and your passenger to fasten
your seat belts before driving off.
X
Fasten your seat belts.
Regardless of whether the seat belts are fastened or not, the seat
belt telltale always comes on and remains lit for 6 seconds after
starting the engine. 7
The red seat belt
telltale comes
on. In addition
you hear a
warning chime
for a maximum
of 6 seconds
after
starting the
engine. You have forgotten to fasten your seat belt.
X
Fasten your seat belt.
The warning chime stops sounding. 7
The red seat belt
telltale comes
on while the
vehicle is
standing still
and

the engine is
running or while
driving. You and/or your passenger have forgotten to fasten your seat
belts.
X
Fasten your seat belts.
The seat belt telltale goes out. There are items placed on the passenger seat and therefore the
system senses the passenger seat as being occupied.
X
Remove the items from the passenger seat and put them in a
safe place.
The seat belt telltale goes out. 7
The red seat belt
telltale flashes
while driving. In
addition, an
intermittent
warning chime
sounds with
increasing
intensity. The vehicle’s speed once exceeded 15 mph (25 km/h) and you
and/or your passenger have forgotten to fasten your seat belts.
X
Fasten your seat belts.
The seat belt telltale goes out and the warning chime stops
sounding. There are items placed on the passenger seat and therefore the
system senses the passenger seat as being occupied.
X
Remove the items from the passenger seat and put them in a
safe place.
The seat belt telltale goes out and the warning chime stops
sounding. What to do if …
259
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i
After 60 seconds with an unfastened seat belt the warning chime stops sounding and the
seat belt telltale illuminates continuously. The seat belt telltale will only go out if both, the
driver and passenger’s seat belt are fastened, or the vehicle is standing still and a door is
opened. Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions+
The red SRS
indicator lamp
comes on while
driving. There is a malfunction in the restraint systems. The air bags or
Emergency

Tensioning Devices (ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly
or fail to activate in an accident.
X Drive with added caution to the nearest authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. G
Warning!
In the event a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated
as outlined above, the SRS may not
be operational.
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated

when needed in an accident, which
could result in serious or fatal injury, or it
might deploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily
which could also result in injury. Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutionsd
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The ESP
®
has been switched off.
Risk of accident!
When

the ESP ®
is switched off it will not stabilize the vehicle if the
system recognizes that the vehicle starts to skid or that a wheel
is spinning.
X Switch the ESP ®
back on.
Exceptions:
(Y page 50).
X If leaving the ESP ®
switched off, adapt your speed and driving
to the prevailing road and weather conditions.
X If the ESP ®
cannot be switched back on: Have the system
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible. d
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp
comes on while
the engine is
running. The ESP
®
is not operational due to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
X Read and observe additional messages that may appear in the
multifunction display.
X Continue driving with added caution. Wheels may lock during
hard braking, reducing steering capability.
X Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road and weather
conditions.
X Have the system checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible. 260
What to do if …
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G
Warning!
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the inflation
pressure recommended by the vehicle
manufacturer on the Tire and Loading
Information placard on the driver’s door B-
pillar
or the tire inflation pressure label on the
inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
or the tire inflation pressure label, you should
determine the proper tire inflation pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s
handling and stopping ability. Please note that
the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is the driver’s
responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached

the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate when
the system is not operating properly. The
TPMS malfunction indicator is combined with
the low tire pressure telltale. When the
system detects a malfunction, the telltale will
flash for approximately 1 minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will continue upon subsequent
vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction
exists. When the malfunction indicator is
illuminated, the system may not be able to
detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS to
continue to function properly. Lamp in center console
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
X Solutions04
The passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
illuminates and
remains illuminated
with the weight of a
typical adult or
someone larger than a
small individual on the
passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.
X
Have the system checked as soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Read and observe messages in the multifunction display and
follow corrective steps (Y page 236). What to do if …
263
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X
Press mark on cover : as indicated by the
arrow.
X Lift cover : off to reveal the threaded hole
for the towing eye bolt.
Fixing towing eye bolt Example illustration front bumper
X
Take the towing eye bolt and, if so
equipped, the wheel wrench from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 234).
X Screw towing eye bolt ; clockwise into
threaded hole to its stop.
X Insert wheel wrench into towing eye and
tighten towing eye bolt ; by turning it
clockwise.
or
X If your vehicle is not equipped with a wheel
wrench, use a suitable object to turn the
towing eye bolt. Removing towing eye bolt X
Loosen towing eye bolt ; by turning it
counterclockwise.
X Unscrew towing eye bolt ;.
X Reinstalling cover: Fit cover :
(Y page 286) and snap it into place.
X Store the towing eye bolt ; and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle tool kit. Towing with front axle raised
! The vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
X Make sure the ignition is switched on.
X With the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.
X Vehicles with manual transmission: Shift
the manual transmission into the neutral
position (no gear selected).
or
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: Shift
the automatic transmission into neutral
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X If engaged, release the parking brake.
X Switch off the automatic central locking
(Y page 108).
X Switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
X Switch on the hazard warning flasher
(Y page 74).
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically, the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the vehicle is being
towed with the front axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Towing the vehicle
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Towing with all wheels on the ground
G
Warning!
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow with
a tow bar if:
R the engine will not run
R there is a malfunction in the brake system
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position 2.
If the SmartKey is left in the starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert. G
Warning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
X Make sure the ignition is switched on.
X With the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.
X Vehicles with manual transmission: Shift
the manual transmission into the neutral
position (no gear selected).
or
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: Shift
the automatic transmission into neutral
position N.
X Release the brake pedal.
X If engaged, release the parking brake.
X Switch on the hazard warning flasher
(Y page 74). !
The vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
i While being towed with the hazard
warning

flasher in use, use the combination
switch in the usual manner to signal turns.
Only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again. Fuses
Introduction
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating. G
Warning!
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with
the specified amperage for the system in
question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a fire,
and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the cause
determined and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
A blown fuse must be replaced by an
appropriate spare fuse (recognizable by its
color or the fuse rating given on the fuse) of
the amperage recommended in the fuse
chart. Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad
to advise you on this subject.
i In case of a blown fuse contact Roadside
Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have the
cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The fuse chart is located in the fuse box in the
passenger compartment. The fuse chart 288
Fuses
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