2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK ROADSTER towing

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 20 At
ag lance ........................................... 25 Safety
................................................... 37 Opening and closing
...........................65 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
....87 Lights and windscreen wipers
...........99 Climate control
................................. 113 Driving and parking
..........................125 On-board computer and displays
....177 Stowing and features
.......................235 Maintenance and care
......................247 Breakdown assistance
.....................259 Wheels and tyres
.............................. 285 Technical data
................................... 299 Contents
3

Automatic headlamp mode
..............101
Automatic transmission Accelerator pedal position .............138
Automatic drive program ...............139
Changing gea r............................... 137
Display message ............................ 220
Driving tips .................................... 138
Emergency running mode ..............142
Kickdow n....................................... 138
Manual drive program ....................140
Problem (fault) ............................... 142
Progra mselecto rbutton ................ 138
Pulling away ................................... 130
Releasing the parking lock man-
ually ............................................... 142
Selector leve r................................ 137
Shift range s................................... 139
Starting the engine ........................129
Steering wheel gearshift paddle s... 139
Transmission position displa y........ 137
Transmission positions ..................137
Automatic transmission emer-
gency running mode .........................142 B
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................54
Basic settings see Settings
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 54
Battery (key) Checking .......................................... 69
Important safety notes ....................68
Replacing ......................................... 69
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 275
Connecting .................................... 275
Disconnecting ................................ 274
Display message ............................ 212
Important safety notes ..................273
Jump starting ................................. 277
Location ......................................... 274
Removing/fitting ........................... 275
Belt
see Seat belt
Belt force limiters (activation) ...........39Belt tensioner
Activation ......................................... 39
Function .......................................... .46
Bonnet
Active bonne t(pedestrian protec-
tion )............................................... 248
Closing .......................................... .249
Display message ............................ 220
Opening ......................................... 248
Boot
Emergency release ..........................75
Important safety notes ....................73
Opening (automatically from out-
side) ................................................ .74
Boo tlid
Display message ............................ 220
Opening/closing .............................. 73
Opening dimensions ......................311
Boot separator
Display message ............................ 220
General notes .................................. 80
Opening/closing .............................. 81
Bottle holder ...................................... 239
Brake Assist System see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 206
Notes ............................................. 308
Brake lamps
Adaptive .......................................... .56
Display message ............................ 209
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 54
BAS .................................................. 54
BAS PLUS ........................................ 54
Brake fluid (notes) .........................308
Display message ............................ 200
Driving tips .................................... 148
High-performance brake system ....149
Important safety notes ..................148
Parking brake ................................ 147
Warning lamp ................................. 226
Breakdown
see Flat tyre
see Towing away/tow-starting
Bulbs
see Changing bulbs Index
5

Running-in tips ..............................
.126
Snow chains .................................. 289
Symmetrical dipped bea m............. 100
Tyr egrip ........................................ 150
Wet road surface ........................... 149
DVD audio (on-board computer) ......186
Dynamic handling package Function/notes ............................. 164 E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................194
Function/notes ................................ 93
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ............................. 93
Function/notes ................................ 93
Switching on/off ........................... 194
EBD (electronic brake force distri-
bution)
Display message ............................ 202
Function/notes ................................ 59
ECO start/stop function
Deactivating/activating .................132
General information .......................131
Important safety notes ..................130
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Electronic Brake force Distribution
see EBD (Electronic Brake force
Distribution)
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electroni cStability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Emergenc ykey
Unlocking the driver's door ..............73
Emergency key element
Function/notes ................................ 68
Locking vehicle ................................ 73
Emergency release
Driver's door .................................... 73Emergency spare wheel
Inflating the collapsible spare
wheel ............................................. 270
Notes/data .................................... 297
Storage location ............................ 262
Stowing .......................................... 262
Emergency unlocking
Boot ................................................. 75
Vehicle ............................................. 73
Engine
Display message ............................ 211
ECO start/stop function ................130
Engine number ............................... 303
Jump-starting ................................. 277
Running irregularl y......................... 134
Starting problems ..........................134
Starting the engine with the key ....129
Starting with KEYLESS GO .............129
Stopping ........................................ 146
Tow-starting (vehicle) ..................... 281
Warning lamp (engine diagnos-
tics) ............................................... 231
Engine electronics
Notes ............................................. 301
Problem (fault) ............................... 134
Engine oil
Additives ........................................ 308
Checking the oil level ..................... 250
Checking the oil level using the
dipstick .......................................... 250
Display message ............................ 212
Filling capacity ............................... 307
Notes about oil grades ................... 307
Notes on oil level/consumption ....250
Temperature (on-board computer) .195
Topping up ..................................... 250
Viscosity ........................................ 308
Environmental protection
Note ................................................ .20
Returning an end-of-life vehicle .......20
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Pro-
gram) AMG menu (on-board computer) ...196
Deactivating/activating (AMG
vehicles) .......................................... 57
Deactivating/activating (notes;
except AMG vehicles) ......................56
Display message ............................ 200 Index
9

Summer opening
see Convenience opening feature
Summer tyres .................................... 288
Sun visor ............................................ 240
Supplement Restraint System see SRS (Supplemental Restraint
System)
Surround lighting (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .192
Switching off the alarm (ATA) ............61 T
Tail lamps Display message ............................ 209
see Lights
Tank
see Fuel tank
Technical data
Notes ............................................. 300
Tyres/wheels ................................. 295
Vehicle data ................................... 310
Telephone
Accepting acall............................. 188
Display message ............................ 221
Menu (on-board computer) ............187
Number from the phone book ....... .188
Redialling ....................................... 188
Rejecting/ending acall................. 188
Telephone compartment ................237
Temperature
Coolant .......................................... 178
Coolant (on-board computer) ......... 195
Engine oil (on-board computer) ...... 195
Outside temperature ..................... .179
Setting (climate control) ................118
TEMPOMAT
Function/notes ............................. 151
Theft-deterrent system
ATA (Anti-Theft Alarm system) .........61
Immobiliser ...................................... 61
Time
see Separate Owner' smanual
Timing (RACETIMER) .........................196
TIREFIT kit .......................................... 263
Total distance recorder ....................183
Tow-away protection ..........................62Towing
Important safety notes ..................278
With the rear axle raised ................280
Towing away
Fitting the towing eye. ...................279
Removing the towing eye. ..............280
With both axles on the ground .......280
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............281
Fitting the towing eye. ...................279
Important safety notes ..................278
Removing the towing eye. ..............280
Transmission
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................281
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .258
Trip computer (on-board com-
puter) ................................................. .183
Trip meter Calling up ....................................... 183
Resetting (on-board computer) ......184
Trip odometer
see Trip meter
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................108
Switching on/off ........................... 103
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 301
Installatio n..................................... 301
Transmission output (maximum) .... 301
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
Tyre pressure
Calling up (on-board computer) .....292
Display message ............................ 217
Not reached (TIREFIT) ....................265
Pressure loss warning ....................291
Reached (TIREFIT) ..........................265
Recommended ............................... 289
Tyre pressure monitor
Function/notes ............................. 292
Restarting ...................................... 293
Warning lamp ................................. 233
Tyres
Checking ........................................ 287
Direction of rotatio n...................... 295 Index
17

Display message
............................ 217
Grip ................................................ 150
Important safety notes ..................286
Replacing ....................................... 294
Service life ..................................... 287
Storing ........................................... 295
Tyr esize (data) .............................. 295
Tyr etread ...................................... 287
see Flat tyre U
Unladen weight ................................. 310
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................73
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 72V
Vanity mirror (in sun visor) ..............240
Variable SPEEDTRONIC see SPEEDTRONIC
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 22
Data acquisition ............................... 23
Display message ............................ 220
Electronics ..................................... 301
Emergency unlocking .......................73
Equipment ....................................... 20
Implied warranty .............................. 23
Individua lsettings .......................... 190
Leaving parked up .........................148
Locking (in an emergency) ...............73
Locking (key )................................... 66
Lowering ........................................ 271
Pulling away ................................... 129
Raising ........................................... 268
Registration ..................................... 22
Towing away .................................. 278
Tow-starting ................................... 278
Transporting .................................. 281
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........73
Unlocking (key )................................ 66
Vehicle data ................................... 310
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle dimensions ...........................310Vehicle emergency locking
................73
Vehicle identification number see VIN
Vehicle identification plate ..............302
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 261
Vehicle weights ................................. 310
Vents see Air vents
Video (DVD) ........................................ 187
Video DVD (on-board computer) ......187
VIN ...................................................... 302 W
Warning and indicator lamps ABS ................................................ 226
Brakes ........................................... 226
Distance warning signa l................. 233
ESP ®
.............................................. 228
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 228
LIM (cruise control) ........................ 151
LIM (DISTRONIC PLUS) ..................157
LIM (variable SPEEDTRONIC) .........154
Overview .......................................... 30
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF ................49
Reserve fuel ................................... 231
Seat bel t........................................ 224
SRS ................................................ 230
Tyr ep ressure monitor ...................233
Warning triangle ................................ 260
Washer fluid Display message ............................ 222
Wheel bol ttightening torque ...........271
Wheel chock ...................................... 267
Wheeled draught stop see AIRGUIDE
Wheels
Changing/replacing .......................294
Changing awheel .......................... 266
Checking ........................................ 287
Cleaning ......................................... 255
Fitting awheel ............................... 270
Important safety notes ..................286
Removing awheel .......................... 269
Storing ........................................... 295
Tightening torque ........................... 271
Whee lsize/tyre size ...................... 29518
Index

system remains available with full brake
boosting effect and BAS.
Adaptive brake lamps
i Adaptive brake lamps are only available in
certain countries.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 50 km/h or if braking is assisted by BAS
or BAS PLUS, the brake lamps flash rapidly.
In this way, traffic travelling behind you is
warned in an even more noticeable manner.
If you brake sharply from a speed of more
than 70 km/h to a standstill, the hazard warn-
ing lamps are activated automatically. If the
brakes are applied again, the brake lamps
light up continuously. The hazard warning
lamps switch off automatically if you travel
faster than 10 km/h .You can also switch off
the hazard warning lamps using the hazard
warning switch button (Y page 103).ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes i
See the "Important safety notes" section
(Y page 53).
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilise the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or slip-
pery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilise the vehi-
cle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. G
WARNING
If the ÷ warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows: R
do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could go into a skid.
ESP ®
cannot reduce the risk of an accident if
you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics.
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the front/rear
axle raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could oth-
erwise damage the brake system.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ETS (Electronic Traction System) Traction control is part of ESP
®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels indi-
vidually if they spin. This enables you to pull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
example if the road surface is slippery on one
side.
Traction control remains active if you deacti-
vate ESP ®
. G
WARNING
Traction control cannot reduce the risk of an
accident if you drive too fast. Traction control
cannot override the laws of physics.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
i Vehicles with ECO start/stop function:
the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
comes to a stop. When pulling away again,
the engine starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its previously selected status. 56
Driving safety systemsSafety

Otherwise, you may fail to recognise dangers
in time, cause an accident and injure yourself
and others.
The radar sensor system is automatically
deactivated near radio telescope facilities
(Y page 312).
If you want DISTRONIC PLUS to assist you,
the radar sensor system must be activated
(Y page 194) and operational.
If there is no vehicle in front, DISTRONIC
PLUS operates in the same way as cruise
control in the speed range between
30 km/h and 200 km/h. If avehicle is driving
in front of you, DISTRONIC operates in the
speed range between 0km/h and
200 km/h.
Do not use DISTRONIC PLUS on roads with
steep gradients. G
WARNING
DISTRONIC PLUS brakes yourv ehicle up to a
maximum of 4 m/s 2
depending on its speed.
This corresponds to approximately 40% of
your vehicle's maximum braking power. You
must also apply the brakes yourself if this
braking power is not sufficient.
If DISTRONIC PLUS detects a risk of collision
with avehicle in front, an intermittent warning
tone sounds. In addition, the ·distance
warning lamp in the instrument cluster lights
up. Brake to avoid a collision.
Cruise control lever With the cruise control lever, you can operate
DISTRONIC PLUS and variable SPEED-
TRONIC.
The LIM indicator lamp on the cruise control
lever indicates which system you have selec-
ted:
R LIM indicator lamp off: DISTRONIC PLUS
is selected.
R LIM indicator lamp on: variable SPEED-
TRONIC is selected. :
To store the curren tspeed or a higher
speed
; To set the specified minimum distance
= LIM indicator lamp
? To store the curren tspeed or call up the
last stored speed
A To store the curren tspeed or a lower
speed
B To switch between DISTRONIC PLUS and
variable SPEEDTRONIC
C To deactivate DISTRONIC PLUS
Selecting DISTRONIC PLUS X
Check whether LIM indicator lamp =is off.
If it is off, DISTRONIC PLUS is already selec-
ted.
If it is not, press the cruise control lever in
the direction of arrow B.
LIM indicator lamp =in the cruise control
lever goes out. DISTRONIC PLUS is selec-
ted.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS, storing
and maintaining the current speed Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The vehicle can be braked when DISTRONIC
PLUS is activated. For this reason, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS if the vehicle is to be set in
motion by other means (e.g. in a car wash or
by towing). Driving systems
157Driving and parking Z

G
WARNING
The vehicle's brakes are applied when the
HOLD function is activated. For this reason,
deactivate the HOLD function if the vehicle is
to be set in motion by other means (e.g. in a
car wash or by towing).
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R you accelerate. On vehicles with automatic
transmission: only when the transmission
is in position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position Pon
vehicles with automatic transmission.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until ëdisappears
from the multifunction display.
R you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake. G
WARNING
Never get out of the vehicle when the HOLD
function is activated.
The HOLD function must never be operated
or deactivated by a passenger or from outside
the vehicle.
The HOLD function does not replace the elec-
tric parking brake and must not be used for
parking.
The braking effect of the HOLD function is
cancelled and the vehicle could roll away if:
R the HOLD function is deactivated by
depressing the accelerator peda lorthe
brake pedal.
R there is a malfunction in the system or an
interruption in the power supply, e.g. bat-
tery failure. R
the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses are tam-
pered with.
R the battery is disconnected.
If you leave the vehicle or park it, deactivate
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
The electric parking brake secures the vehicle
automatically if the HOLD function is activa-
ted and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R the bonnet is opened.
R a system fault occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
If the vehicle electronics are malfunctioning,
the multifunction display may also show a
warning message.
Brake immediately X
Immediately depress the brake pedal firmly
until the warning message in the multifunc-
tion display goes out. This deactivates the
HOLD function.
In vehicles with automatic transmission:
Select Park (P) .
X Move the selector lever to Pto prevent the
vehicle from rolling away.
The HOLD function is deactivated. The
warning message in the multifunction dis-
play disappears.
Ah orn will also sound at regular intervals if
the HOLD function is activated and you:
R switch the engine off, open the driver's
door and take off your seat belt
R open the bonnet
The sounding of the horn alerts you to the fact
that the vehicle has been parked while the
HOLD function is still activated. If you attempt
to lock the vehicle, the tone becomes louder. 166
Driving systemsDriving and parking