2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK ROADSTER Owners Manual

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment
available to your vehicle at the time of pub-
lication of the Owner's Manual. Country-
specific deviations are possible. Please
note that your vehicle may not be equipped
with all features described. This also
applies to safety-relevan tsystems and
functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 22).Running-in notes
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
New brake pads/linings only have optimal
braking performance after several hundred
kilometres .Until then, compensate for this by
applying greate rforce to the brake pedal. This
also applies when brake pads/linings or
brake discs have been changed. The first 1,500 km
If you treat the engine with sufficient care
from the very start,y ou will be rewarded with
excellent performance for the remainder of
the engine's life.
R Drive at varying vehicle speeds and engine
speeds for the first 1,500 km.
R Avoid overstraining the vehicle during this
period, e.g. driving at full throttle.
R Change gear in good time, before the rev
counter needle is Ôof the way to the red
area of the rev counter.
R Do not shift down a gear manually in order
to brake. Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R
Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance (kick-
down).
R The shift ranges 3,2or 1should only be
engaged when driving slowly, e.g. when
driving in mountainous terrain.
After 1,500 km, you may gradually bring the
vehicle up to full road and engine speeds.
Additional running-in notes for AMG vehicles:
R do not drive at speeds above 140 km/hf or
the first 1,500 km.
R only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
i You should also observe these notes on
running in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced. AMG vehicles with rear axle locking
differential
Your vehicle is fitted with a self-locking dif-
ferential on the rear axle. Change the oil after
a running-in period of 3,000 km to improve
protection of the rear axle differential. This oil
change extends the service life of the differ-
ential. Have the oil change carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Do not place any objects in the driver's foot-
well. If you use a floormat or carpet in the
driver's footwell, make sure that it is correctly
secured and that there is sufficient clearance
for the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another.
Loose objects or the floormats could other-
wise get caught between the pedals if you
accelerate or brake suddenly. You will then 126
DrivingDriving and parking

not be able to brake, declutch or accelerate
as intended. This could lead to accidents and
injury. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery roa dsurface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause an
accident.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do no tuse
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only set the automatic transmission to the
respective drive positions when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. Otherwise, you could damage the
drive train.
! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil temper-
atures (below +20 †), the maximum
engine speed is restricted in order to pro-
tect the engine. To protect the engine and
maintain smooth engine operation, avoid
driving at full throttle when the engine is
cold. Key positions
Key g
To remove the key
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windscreen wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
If the key is at position 0in the ignition lock
for a longer period, it can no longer be turned
in the ignition lock. The steering is then
locked. To unlock it, remove the key and rein-
sert it into the ignition lock.
The steering wheel is locked when the key is
removed from the ignition lock.
i If the key does not belong to the vehicle
it can still be turned in the ignition lock.
However, the ignition will not be switched
on The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a key featuring an integrated KEYLESS-GO
function and a detachable Start/Stop button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted into
the ignition lock and the key must be in the
vehicle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
key positions in the ignition lock. This is only
the case if you are not depressing the brake
pedal. Driving
127Driving and parking Z

If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
X
Position 0: if Start/Stop button :has not
yet been pressed, this corresponds to the
key being removed from the ignition.
X Position 1: press Start/Stop button :.
You can now activate the windscree nwip-
ers, for example.
i If you the nopen the driver's door when in
this position, the power supply is deactiva-
ted.
X Position 2(ignition): press Start/Stop but-
ton :twice.
i If you press Start/Stop button :once
when in this position and the driver's door
is open, the power supply is deactivated
again.
Removing the Start/Stop button
You can remove the Start/Stop button from
the ignition lock and start the vehicle as nor-
mal using the key.
i You do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. X
Remove Start/Stop button :from ignition
lock ;.
i When you insert Start/Stop button :
into ignition lock ;, the system needs
approximately two seconds recognition
time before you can use Start/Stop but-
ton :. Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Never leave the engine running in enclosed
spaces. The exhaust gases contain carbon
monoxide. Inhaling exhaust fumes consti-
tutes a health hazard and could lead to loss
of consciousness or even death.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
General notes i
AMG vehicles: the exhaust flap of the
exhaust system will be checked after every
cold start .Aresulting noise can be heard
during this process.
i Vehicles with apetrol engine: the
engine runs at a highe rengine speed during
a cold start so that the catalytic converter
can reach operating temperature more
quickly. The sound of the engine may
change as a result. 128
DrivingDriving an
d parking

Manual transmission
X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
i You can only start the engine when the
clutch pedal is fully depressed.
Automatic transmission X
Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting procedure with the key i
To start the engine using the key instead
of KEYLESS-GO, pullt he Start/Stop button
out of the ignition lock.
X To start a petrol engine: turn the key to
position 3in the ignition lock
(Y page 127) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
X To startad iesel engine: turn the key to
position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 127).
The % preglow indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
X When the %preglow indicator lamp
goes out, tur nthe key to position 3
(Y page 127) and release it as soon as the
engine is running.
i You can start the engine without preglow
if the engine is warm.
i Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion: you can also use the touch-start func-
tion. To do this, turn the key to position 3
(Y page 127) and release it immediately.
The engine then starts automatically. Using KEYLESS-GO to startt
he engine G
WARNING
You rvehicle can be started using a valid KEY-
LESS-GO key. For this reason, children should
never be left unsupervised in the vehicle.
Always take the key with you when leaving the
vehicle, even if you are only leaving it for a
short time.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting
the key into the ignition lock. The key must
be in the vehicle and the Start/Stop button
must be inserted in the ignition lock. This
mode for starting the engine operates inde-
pendently of the ECO start/stop automatic
engine start function.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X To star tapetrol engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 127) once.
The engine starts.
X To start adiesel engine: press the Start/
Stop button (Y page 127) once.
Preglow is activated and the engine starts. Pulling away
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the electric parking brake
(Y page 147).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerato rpedal.
! Change gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. Otherwise, you could dam-
age the vehicle. Driving
129Driving and parking Z

i
Follow the shift recommendations in the
multifunction display for an economical
driving style (Y page 136).
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away .The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 193).
Automatic transmission i
It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the selector lever lock released.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The electric parking brake (Y page 147) is
automatically released.
i The vehicle locks centrally once you have
pulled away.T he locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic lock-
ing feature (Y page 193).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill starta ssist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal and depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when it is held by hill
start assist. After approximately one second,
hill start assist will no longer brake your vehi-
cle and it could roll away.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal.
i Once you have taken your foot off the
brake pedal, the vehicle is held for around
one second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or a
downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in position N.
R the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the ECO symbol appears in the multifunc-
tion display when the engine is switched off,
the engine was switched off automatically.
However, all vehicle systems remain active. If
you open the door, unfasten your seat belt or
remove your foot from the brake pedal, the
engine will automatically start .The vehicle
may begin moving. There is a risk of accident.
To prevent the vehicle from accidentally pull-
ing away, do not release the brake pedal until
you want to drive on.
Do not leave the vehicle until you have
switched off the ignition and secured the vehi-
cle to prevent it from rolling away.
! Always switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle. 130
DrivingDriving and parking

General notes
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving.
When pulling away again, the engine starts
automatically. The ECO start/stop function
thereby helps you to reduce the fuel con-
sumptio nand emissions of your vehicle.
All vehicles (except AM Gvehicles)
The ECO start/stop function is activated each
time the engine is switched on. The system is
operational if all conditions for automatic
engine switch-off have been fulfilled
(Y page 131) and the ¤symbol is shown
in the multifunction display.
If conditions for automatic engine switch-off
have not been fulfilled, the ¤symbol will
not be shown.
If the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
(Y page 132), the ¤symbol is not shown.
AMG vehicles
The ECO start/stop function is only available
in drive program C.
The ECO start/stop function is activated each
time the engine is switched on. The system is
operational if all conditions for automatic
engine switch-off have been fulfilled
(Y page 131) and the ¤symbol is shown
in the multifunction display. In addition, the
Stop/Start active message is shown in
the AMG menu in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are fulfilled, the border of the ECO
symbol disappears in the multifunction dis-
play. In addition, the Stop/Start inac‐tive message is shown in the AMG menu in
the multifunction display.
If the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
(Y page 132), the ¤symbol and the
Stop/Start active or
Stop/Start inac‐ tive message are not shown.
i If automatic cylinder shut-off is active in
drive program C, the active number of cyl-
inders 4is also shown in the ¤symbol. This means that the engine will only oper-
ate with four cylinders.
If cylinder shut-of fis not active, the engine
will operate with all eight cylinders. In this
case, the active number of cylinders 8is
shown in the ¤symbol.
Automatic engine switch-off The engine is only switched off if:
R
the vehicle is at a standstill.
R the outside temperature is within the range
that is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating temper-
ature.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windscreen is
not misted up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the bonnet is closed.
R there are no active engine-related diagno-
ses.
R the front door is closed and the seat belt is
fastened.
i You can also activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary if the engine
has been switched off automatically. It is
then not necessary to continue applying
the brakes during the automatic stop
phase. When you depress the accelerator
pedal, the engine starts automatically and
the braking effect of the HOLD function is
deactivated. Depress the accelerator pedal
carefully, as the engine must be started
first.
i If you shift the transmission from Rto D,
the ECO start/stop function is available
againo nce the ¤symbol reappears in
the multifunctio ndisplay.
i All vehicles (except AMG vehicles): the
engine can be switched off automatically a
maximum of three times in succession .The
automatic engine switch-off is then availa-
ble again after the ¤symbol appears in
the multifunction display. Driving
131Driving and parking Z

i
AMG vehicles: the engine can be
switched off automatically amaximum of
three times in succession .The automatic
engine switch-off is then available again
after the border of the ECO symbol appears
in the multifunction display.
Vehicles with manual transmission The ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically at low speeds.
X Brake the vehicle until it comes to a stand-
still.
X Engage neutral N(Ypage 136) (follow
gearshift instruction :to engage neutral
N, if necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
braked to a standstill and the brake remains
depressed with the transmission in position
D or N.
Automatic engine start The engine is started automatically if:
R
the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
by pressing the ECO button.
R you switch to drive program Sor M(AMG
vehicles).
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this. R
the system detects moisture on the wind-
screen when the air-conditioning system is
switched on.
R the battery's charge status is too low.
R the driver's seat belt is removed or the driv-
er's door is opened.
R you shift the transmission from position D
to R.
R you steer the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R depress the clutch pedal
R depress the accelerator pedal
! Only engage gear when the clutch pedal
is depressed.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
The engine is started automatically if you:
R release the brakes when in transmission
position Dor N, unless the HOLD function
is activated or
R engage reverse gear Ror
R depress the accelerator pedal
i Shifting the transmission to position P
does not start the engine.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function Example: ECO button
i
If indicator lamp ;is off, the ECO start/
stop function has been deactivated man-
ually or as the result of a malfunction. The 132
DrivingDriving and parking

engine will then not be switched off auto-
matically when the vehicle stops.
i The ECO start/stop function is activated
every time you restart the engine, and the
automatic transmission switches into auto-
matic drive program E(AMG vehicles: drive
program C).
Deactivating (except for AMG vehicles)
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ symbol in the multifunction display go
out.
Deactivating (AMG vehicles)
X Press button :in drive program C.
or
X Switch to drive program Sor M
(Y page 138).
Indicator lamp ;on button :and the
¤ symbol in the multifunction display go
out.
The Stop/Start active or
Stop/Start inactive message in the AMG menu in the
multifunction display goes out.
Activating (except for AMG vehicles)
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If all conditions
for automatic engine switch-off
(Y page 131)a re fulfilled, the ¤symbol
is show ninthe multifunction display.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 131) are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is not shown in the multifunc-
tion display. If this is the case, the ECO
start/stop function is not available.
Activating (AMG vehicles)
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. If drive pro-
gram Sor Mis active, the automatic trans-
mission switches to drive program C.
If all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off (Y page 131) are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is shown in the multifunction display. In addition, the
Stop/Start active message is shown in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions have been fulfilled for
automatic engine switch-off (Y page 131),
the Stop/Start inactive message is
shown in the AMG menu of the multifunc-
tion display and the border of the ECO sym-
bol disappears. If this is the case, the ECO
start/stop function is not available. Driving
133Driving and parking Z