2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-CLASS ROADSTER ABS

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!÷
Inoperative See
Oper. ManualGRisk of accident
ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
The $ (USA only)/ J (Canada only), ÷, å
and ! warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.÷
Currently
Unavailable See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are temporarily
unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
The self-diagnosis function might not be complete, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XCarefully drive a short distance on a suitable stretch of road,
making slight steering movements at a speed above 12 mph
(20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Display messages201On-board computer and displaysZ

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions÷
Inoperative See
Operator's ManualGRisk of accident
ESP ®
, BAS, the HOLD function and hill start assist are unavailable
due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷ and å warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.T !
÷
Inoperative See
Operator's Manual GRisk of accident
EBD (electronic brake force distribution), ABS, ESP ®
, BAS, the
HOLD function and hill start assist are unavailable due to a
malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the ÷, å and ! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop immediately.#
Check Brake Pad
WearThe brake pads/linings have reached their wear limit.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.F (USA
only) ! (Canada
only)
Release Parking
BrakeThe red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds. A condition for automatic
release of the electric parking brake is not fulfilled ( Y page 150).
You are driving with the electric parking brake applied.XRelease the electric parking brake manually.The red F (USA only)/ ! (Canada only) indicator lamp
flashes and a warning tone sounds.
You are making an emergency stop using the electric parking
brake ( Y page 150).202Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.GRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a malfunction.
BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function and hill start
assist are therefore also deactivated, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.GRisk of accident
ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP ®
, EBD
(electronic brake force distribution), PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function, hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for
example.
Self-diagnosis is not yet complete or the on-board voltage may be
insufficient, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XCarefully drive a short distance on a suitable stretch of road,
making slight steering movements at a speed above 12 mph
(20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.230Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument clusterOn-board computer and displays

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds.GRisk of accident
EBD is faulty. Therefore, ABS, BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function and hill start assist are
unavailable, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.$ (USA only)
J (Canada only)
֌!
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP ®
and ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running.GRisk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are faulty. Therefore, BAS, BAS PLUS, EBD, PRE-
SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function and hill start assist are also
unavailable, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.÷
The yellow ESP ®
warning lamp flashes
while the vehicle is in
motion.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
Cruise control or DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated.
XWhen pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.XEase off the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.XDo not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions, see: ( Y page 58).Warning and indicator lamps in the instrument cluster231On-board computer and displaysZ

RDo not drive with tires which have too little
tread depth, as this significantly reduces
the traction on wet roads (hydroplaning).
R Replace the tires after six years at the
latest, regardless of wear. This also applies
to the spare wheel/emergency spare
wheel.
The service life of tires depends on the
following factors amongst other things:
R driving style
R tire pressure
R distance covered
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties)
MOExtended tires (tires with run-flat
properties) allow you to continue driving your
vehicle even if one or more tires are entirely
deflated.
MOExtended tires may be used only in
conjunction with the activated tire pressure
loss warning system or the activated tire
pressure monitoring system and only on
wheels specifically tested by Mercedes-Benz.
Notes on driving with MOExtended tires in the
event of a flat tire can be found in the
"Breakdown assistance" section
( Y page 281).
Winter operation
Please bear the following in mind
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Changing a wheel"
section ( Y page 315).
Driving with summer tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), the
elasticity of summer tires and therefore also
the traction and braking capability are
reduced considerably. Mount M+S tires on
your vehicle. Using summer tires at very cold
temperatures could cause cracks to form,
thereby damaging the tires permanently.
Mercedes-Benz cannot accept responsibility
for this type of damage.
M+S tires
At temperatures below 45 ‡ (+7 †), use
winter tires or all-season tires. Both types of
tire are identified by the M+S marking.
Only winter tires bearing the i snowflake
symbol in addition to the M+S marking
provide the best possible grip in wintry road
conditions. Only these tires will allow driving
safety systems such as ABS and ESP ®
to
function optimally in winter. These tires have
been developed specifically for driving in
snow.
Use M+S tires of the same make and tread on
all wheels to maintain safe handling
characteristics.
GWARNING
M+S tires with a tire tread depth of less than
ã in (4 mm) are not suitable for use in winter
and do not provide sufficient traction. There
is a risk of an accident.
M+S tires with a tread depth of less than ã
in (4 mm) must be replaced immediately.
Always observe the maximum permissible
speed specified for the M+S tires you have
mounted.
When you have mounted M+S tires:
XCheck the tire pressures ( Y page 301).XVehicles for USA: restart the tire pressure
monitor ( Y page 301).
Drive no faster than 50 mph (80 km/h) with
the spare wheel or emergency spare wheel
mounted.
GWARNING
The wheel or tire size as well as the tire type
of the spare wheel or emergency spare wheel
and the wheel to be replaced may differ.
296Winter operationWheels and tires

! On vehicles equipped with a tire pressure
monitor, electronic components are
located in the wheel.
Tire-mounting tools should not be used
near the valve. This could damage the
electronic components.
Only have tires changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.
Direction of rotation
Tires with a specified direction of rotation
have additional benefits, e.g. if there is a risk
of hydroplaning. You will only gain these
benefits if the correct direction of rotation is
maintained.
An arrow on the sidewall of the tire indicates
its correct direction of rotation.
You may mount a spare wheel/emergency
spare wheel against the direction of rotation.
Observe the time restriction on use as well as
the speed limit specified on the spare wheel/
emergency spare wheel.
Storing wheels
Store wheels that are not being used in a cool,
dry and preferably dark place. Protect the
tires from oil, grease, gasoline and diesel.
Cleaning the wheels
GWARNING
Do not use power washers with circular-jet
nozzles (dirt grinders) to clean your vehicle, in
particular the tires. You could otherwise
damage the tires and cause an accident.
Wheel and tire combinations
Please bear the following in mind
! For safety reasons, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you only use tires and
wheels which have been approved by
Mercedes-Benz specifically for your
vehicle.
These tires have been specially adapted for
use with the control systems, such as ABS
or ESP ®
, and are marked as follows:
R MO = Mercedes-Benz Original
R MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires featuring run-flat characteristics)
R MO1 = Mercedes-Benz Original (only
certain AMG tires)
Mercedes-Benz Original Extended tires
may only be used on wheels that have been
specifically approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Only use tires, wheels or accessories
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Certain characteristics, e.g. handling,
vehicle noise emissions or fuel
consumption, may otherwise be adversely
affected. In addition, when driving with a
load, tire dimension variations could cause
the tires to come into contact with the
bodywork and axle components. This could
result in damage to the tires or the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz accepts no liability for
damage resulting from the use of tires,
wheels or accessories other than those
tested and approved.
Information on tires, wheels and approved
combinations can be obtained from any
qualified specialist workshop.
i The recommended pressures for various
operating conditions can be found:
R on the Tire and Loading Information
placard with the recommended tire
pressures on the B-pillar on the driver's
side
R in the tire pressure table on the inside of
the fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire
pressures under various operating
conditions ( Y page 297).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only
when the tires are cold. Comply with the
maintenance recommendations of the tire316Wheel and tire combinationsWheels and tires

Filling capacities
The following values refer to an oil change
including the oil filter.
ModelCapacitySLK 2505.8 US qt (5.5 l)SLK 3506.9 US qt (6.5 l)SLK 55 AMG10.0 US qt (9.5 l) 24
Additives
!
Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity
Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of a fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity,
this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE (viscosity)
classification suitable for the prevailing
outside temperatures. The table shows you
which SAE classifications are to be used. The
low-temperature characteristics of engine
oils can deteriorate significantly, e.g. as a
result of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It is
therefore strongly recommended that you
carry out regular oil changes using an
approved engine oil with the appropriate SAE
classification.
Brake fluidGWARNING
Over a period of time, the brake fluid absorbs
moisture from the air; this lowers its boiling
point.
If the boiling point of the brake fluid is too low,
vapor pockets may form in the brake system
when the brakes are applied hard (e.g. when
driving downhill). This would impair braking
efficiency.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
regular intervals. The brake fluid change
intervals can be found in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Information about approved brake fluid
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
Coolant
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Antifreeze is highly flammable. Fire, naked
flames and smoking are prohibited when
handling antifreeze.
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot
engine parts, it may ignite and you could burn
yourself. Do not spill any antifreeze on hot
engine parts.
! Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreeze protection. You
could otherwise damage the engine.
Further information on coolants can be
found in the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products, MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1, e.g. on the
Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Or
contact a qualified specialist workshop.
24 Including external oil cooler.Service products and filling capacities327Technical dataZ