2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK300 engine

G
Warning!
If the exterior lamp switch is set to Ã, the
headlamps will not automatically come on
under foggy conditions.
To
minimize risk to you and to others, activate
headlamps by turning exterior lamp switch to
L when driving or when traffic and/or
ambient lighting conditions require you to do
so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position à to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from à to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.
X Switching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position Ã.
The following lamps come on and go out
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light with the SmartKey in starter switch
position 1:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps will also come on and turn off
automatically.
Canada

only: High-beam headlamps are only
available with the exterior lamp switch in
position L.
Daytime running lamp mode In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode is
mandatory

and therefore in a constant mode.
In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default. X
Activate the daytime running lamp mode
using the control system, see “Switching
daytime

running lamp mode on or off (USA
only)” (Y page 106).
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
$ or Ã.
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps come on.
In low ambient lighting conditions, the
following lamps will come on additionally:
R
Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
With the daytime running lamp mode
activated
and the engine running, you cannot
switch off the low-beam headlamps manually.
Canada only
With the exterior lamp switch in position
$ or Ã, you cannot switch on the
high-beam headlamps.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
X For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch

to position L to permit activation
of the high-beam headlamps.
When the engine is running, and you
R shift from a driving position to neutral
position N or park position P with the
vehicle at a standstill (vehicles with
automatic transmission), the low-beam
headlamps will go out with a delay of
3 minutes
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
T, the low-beam headlamps, the tail
and

parking lamps, the license plate lamps
and the side marker lamps come on
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
(Y page 71). 72
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USA only
With the exterior lamp switch in position
$ or
Ã, you cannot switch on the high-
beam headlamps.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
X For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch to position L to permit activation
of the high-beam headlamps.
When the engine is running, and you turn the
exterior lamp switch to position T or
L, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
(Y page 71).
Fog lamps Fog lamps cannot be switched on with the
exterior lamp switch in position Ã.
G
Warning!
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position à to L with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from à to L will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions may
result in an accident.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps
and/or the low-beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low-beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding permissible lamp operation.
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
T or L (Y page 71).
X Switching on front fog lamps: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to first stop.
The green indicator lamp N in the
exterior lamp switch comes on. X
Switching on rear fog lamp: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to second stop.
The rear fog lamp, the front fog lamps, the
green N and the yellow indicator lamp
R in the exterior lamp switch come on.
X Switching off front fog lamps/rear fog
lamp: Push in the exterior lamp switch to
its stop.
Locator lighting and night security
illumination Locator lighting and night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Switching locator
lighting on or off” (Y page 106) and
“Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off” (Y page 107). Combination switch
Turn signals
X
Press the combination switch in direction
of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp ! or # in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automatically
after major steering wheel movements. Lighting
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To signal minor directional changes:
X
Press the combination switch only to the
point of resistance in direction of
arrow ; or ? and release.
The corresponding turn signal lamps will
flash three times.
High beam X
Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L (Y page 71).
X Switching on: Push the combination
switch in direction of arrow :.
The high-beam headlamp indicator lamp
K in the instrument cluster comes on.
X Switching off: Pull the combination switch
in direction of arrow = to its original
position.
i Also note the information on high-beam
headlamps with activated automatic
headlamp mode (Y page 71) or the daytime
running lamp mode ( Y page 72).
High-beam flasher X
Switching on: Pull the combination switch
briefly in direction of arrow =.Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be switched
on at all times, even with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
The hazard warning flasher comes on
automatically when an air bag deploys. X
Switching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch :.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
i With the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either
left or right turn, only the respective left or
right turn signals will operate when the
ignition is switched on.
X Switching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch : again.
i If the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch : to switch it off. Headlamp cleaning system
The headlamps will be cleaned with a high-
pressure water jet automatically when the
engine is running and you have
R switched on the headlamps
and
R the windshield wipers have wiped the
windshield with washer fluid five times
The counter resets when you switch off the
headlamps.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” ( Y page 196).74
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Corner-illuminating front fog lamps
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only operate
R in low ambient lighting conditions
R at vehicle speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h)
R with the front fog lamps switched off
R when the engine is running
Switching on X
Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L or Ã.
or
X Activate the daytime running lamp mode
(Y page 72).
X Switch on the left or right turn signal,
depending on whether you are turning left
or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on. If
you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
other direction, the corner-illuminating
front fog lamp on the side of the turn signal
comes on.
or
X Turn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
Driving forward: The front fog lamp on the
side of your steering direction comes on.
Driving in reverse: The front fog lamp
opposite to your steering direction comes
on.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
come on automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal. If the corner-illuminating
front fog lamps came on automatically, they
will also go out automatically depending on
the steering angle and vehicle speed. The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
temporarily come on on both sides of the
vehicle if you turn the steering wheel in one
direction and then again in the other direction
shortly thereafter.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp
remains lit for a short time only. It then goes
out automatically.
Switching off
X
Switch off the left or right turn signal.
or
X Steer straight ahead.
i There may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps go out. Interior lighting
:
c Interior lighting on/off
; q Automatic control on/off
= p Right reading lamp on/off
? p Left reading lamp on/off
Automatic control X
Activating: Press switch q.
The interior lighting comes on in darkness,
when you
R
unlock the vehicle
R remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch ( Interior Lighting Delayed Lighting
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Shut-off must be switched on
(Y page 107))
R open a door
The interior lighting goes out after a short
time.
i If a door remains open, the interior lamps
go out automatically after approximately
5 minutes when the SmartKey is removed
or in starter switch position 0.
X Deactivating: Press switch q.
Manual control !
An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switched on for an
extended period of time with the engine
turned off could result in a discharged
battery.
X Switching interior lighting on/off: Press
switch c.
i The footwell lighting is switched on and
off simultaneously with the manual control.
The standard reading lamps are located to the
left and right of the overhead control panel.
Reading lamps as part of the interior lighting
package are located on the lower edge of the
interior rear view mirror.
X Switching reading lamps on/off: Press
respective switch p.
Emergency lighting The interior lighting comes on automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
Switching off:
X
Press switch q.
or
X Press hazard warning flasher switch
(Y page 74). Wipers
Notes
! Do not operate the wipers when the
windshield is dry. Dust that accumulates on
a windshield might scratch the glass and/
or damage the wiper blades when wiping
occurs on a dry windshield. If it is necessary
to operate the wipers in dry weather
conditions, always operate the wipers with
washer fluid. Windshield wipers
X Observe notes on page (Y page 76).
Switching on/off Combination switch
1
0 Windshield wipers off
2 I Intermittent wiping
3 II Normal wiper speed
4 III Fast wiper speed
A í Single wipe/ î Wiping with
washer fluid
X Switch on the ignition.
X Turn the combination switch to the desired
position, depending on the intensity of the
rain.
Intermittent wiping Only switch on intermittent wiping under wet
weather conditions or in the presence of
precipitation.76
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Closing when a door window is blocked
G
Warning!
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
and be seriously or even fatally injured when
closing a door window with greater force or
without automatic reversal function.
If the upward movement of a door window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the
door window will stop and open slightly.
X Immediately after the door window has
stopped because it was blocked, pull and
hold
the respective switch upward until the
door window is fully closed.
The door window closes with greater force.
If the door window is blocked again and opens
slightly:
X Immediately after the door window was
blocked, pull and hold the respective
switch

upward until the door window is fully
closed.
The door window closes without automatic
reversal function. G
Warning!
Pulling and holding the switch to close the
door window immediately after it had been
blocked

two times will cause the door window
to close without any reversal function for as
long as you hold the switch.
Opening and closing the rear side
windows when the hardtop is closed X
Opening: Open the door window.
X Press switch : or ; again.
The corresponding rear side window will
open completely.
X Closing: Close the door window.
X Pull and hold switch : or ;.
The
corresponding rear side window moves
upward until you release the switch. Synchronizing power windows
The windows must be synchronized after the
battery has been disconnected or if the
windows cannot be fully closed (express
operation).
Each window must be synchronized
separately.
X Close all doors.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Pull and hold switch : or ; (Y page 78)
until the respective window is closed.
The window opens again slightly.
X Pull and hold the respective switch once
more immediately until the window is
closed completely.
X Hold the respective switch for
approximately 1 second.
The window is synchronized. Driving and parking
Safety notes
G
Warning!
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets

in the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between or
under the pedals. You could then no longer
brake or accelerate. This could lead to
accidents and injury. 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. Driving and parking
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Starting the engine
G
Warning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Manual transmission Gearshift pattern for manual transmission
k
Reverse gear
1 to 6 Forward gears
For more information, see “Manual
transmission” (Y page 84).
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Make sure the manual transmission is in
the neutral position (no gear selected).
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be started
due to the integrated safety interlock. Automatic transmission Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
j
Park position with gear selector lever lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral position
h Drive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (Y page 85).
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
Starting X
Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 (Y page 61) and hold until the
engine starts.
i Vehicles with automatic transmission:
You can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 and release it again immediately.
The engine then starts automatically.
Starting difficulties !
Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked.
X To unlock, remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch and reinsert. 80
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The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
X
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and repeat the starting
procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
X Get a jump start (Y page 283).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The starter has been exposed to excessive
temperatures.
X Let the starter cool for about 2 minutes.
X Repeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance. Driving off
G
Warning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result
in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
! Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service life of the engine. This is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! If an acoustic warning sounds and the
message Release Parking Brake
appears in the multifunction display when
driving off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
! Avoid

spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
i Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking function engages
and the locking knobs in the doors move
down.
The automatic central locking function can
be switched off ( Y page 108).
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
! Only shift the manual transmission into
reverse

gear R when the vehicle is stopped.
Otherwise the manual transmission could
be damaged.
X Shift the manual transmission into 1st
gear
or reverse gear R.
X If engaged, release the parking brake.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Simultaneously slowly release the clutch
pedal

and carefully depress the accelerator
pedal. Driving and parking
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