2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 ESP

X
Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerato rpedal.
! Change gear in good time and avoid
spinning the wheels. You could otherwise
damage the vehicle.
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
locking feature (Y page 193).
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parkin gposition Por
neutral position Nif the engine speed is
higher than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
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 150) is
automatically released.
The red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. 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
locking feature .
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 to 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
vehicle 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 on
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. 134
DrivingDriving and parking

Problems with the engine
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard. R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Before attempting to start the engine again, turn the SmartKey
in the ignition back to position 0or press the Start/Stop button
repeatedly until all indicator lamps in the instrumen tcluster go
out.
X Try to start the engine again (Y page 132). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor. The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak
or discharged.
X
Jump-star tthe vehicle (Y page 285).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X
Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two
minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine is not
running smoothly and
is misfiring. There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X
Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic
converter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. The coolant
temperature gauge
shows a value above
248 ‡ (120 †). The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 262). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary. 138
DrivingDriving and parking

Transmission positions
0003
Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position
P(Ypage 149) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake
when parking. In addition to
engaging the parking lock, you
must always apply the parking
brake to secure the vehicle.
The SmartKey can onl ybe removed
if the transmission is in position P.
If the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock, the selector lever
is locked.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the selector lever
may be locked in position P. To
release the selector lever lock, see
"Releasing the parking lock
manually" (Y page 146). 0004
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0002
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position Nif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train. 0009
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available. Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D.This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program (Y page 142)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Double-clutch function When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces load change reactions and
is conducive to a sporty driving style. The
sound generated by the double-clutch
function depends on the drive program
selected. Automatic transmission
141Driving and parking Z

from overrevving, even if the shift range is
restricted.
Derestricting the shift range X
Briefly press the selector leve rto the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steerin gwheel paddle
shifter.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Press and hold the selector lever towards
D+ until Dis shown once more in the
multifunction display.
or
X Pull and hold the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter until Dis shown again in the
multifunction display.
The automatic transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Press the selector lever to the left towards
D– and hold it in position.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter and hold it in position.
The automatic transmission shifts to the
gear which allows optimum acceleration
and deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Switching on the manual drive program Manual drive program
Mis different from
drive program Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes. Manual drive program
Mcan be selected
using the program selector button. You can
change gears using the steering wheel paddle
shifters or the selector lever in manual drive
program Mif the transmission is in position
D.T he gear selected is shown in the
multifunction display.
X Press the program selector button
(Y page 142) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting X
Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or
X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 142).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Vehicles with AMG engines
! In manual drive program M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
Before the engine speed reaches the red area,
an upshift indicator will be shown in the AMG
menu of the multifunction display. 144
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline.
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging to your
health. G
WARNING
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge .This could cause the gasoline
to spray back out when removing the fuel
pump nozzle, which could cause personal
injury.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel
system and engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you
accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines.
Notify a qualified specialist workshop and
have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
Further information on fuel and on fuel grades
can be found in the "Fuel" section
(Y page 325). Refueling
Fuel filler flap 0002
Fuel filler flap
0003 To insert the fuel filler cap
0023 Tire pressure table
0022 Fuel type
The fuel filler flap is unlocked or locked
automatically when you open or close the
vehicle with the SmartKey or with KEYLESS-
GO.
The position of the fuel filler cap 0010is
displayed in the instrumentc luster.The arrow
next to the filling pump indicates the side of
the vehicle.
Opening X
Switch off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
X KEYLESS-GO: open the driver’s door.
This corresponds to SmartKey position 0:
"SmartKey removed".
The driver’s door can be closed again.
X Press the fuel filler flap in marked area 0002.
Fuel filler flap 0002swings up.
X Turn the fuel filler flap counter-clockwise
and remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder
bracket on the inside of filler flap 0003. Refueling
147Driving and parking Z

Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come to a complete stop. 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.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
Using the SmartKey
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
i The SmartKey can only be removed if the
transmission is in position P.
Using KEYLESS-GO
X Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 131).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrumen tcluster go out.
i When the driver's door is closed, this
corresponds to SmartKey position 1.When
the driver's door is open, it corresponds to
SmartKey position 0or "SmartKey
removed".
If you attempt to switch off the engine while
the selector lever is in a position other than
P, a message appears in the multifunction
display and you hear a tone. Electric parking brake
General information i
The electric parking brake performs a
function test at regular intervals while the
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P, either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. Applying/releasing manually
X
To apply: press handle 0002.
The red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
X To release: switch on the ignition.
X Pull handle 0002.
The red 0005(USA only) or 000A(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake cannot be
released unless the SmartKey is in position
1 in the ignition lock or if the ignition has 150
ParkingDriving and parking

Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
G
WARNING
The layer of salt on th ebrake discs and the
brake pads/linings may caus eadelay in the
braking effect, resulting in a significantly
longer braking distance, which could lead to
an accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully, without
putting other road users at risk, when you
are driving on salted roads. This helps to
remove any salt that may have started to
build up on the brake discs and the brake
pads/linings.
R maintain a greater distanc eto the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care.
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake discs.
Servicing the brakes !
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a
warning tone while the engine is running,
the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Consult a
qualified specialist workshop to arrange this.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
If brake pads or brake fluid other than those
recommended are used, the braking properties of the vehicle can be degraded to
an extentt
hat safe braking is substantially
impaired. This could result in an accident.
! As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (SmartKey in position
0 or 1in the ignition lock) if the electric
parking brake is being tested on a brake
dynamometer (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the
functionality of your brakes at regular
intervals. To do so, press firmly on the brake
pedal when driving at a high speed. This
improves the grip of the brake pads. G
WARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on (Y page 57).
High-performance brake system for
AMG vehicles The high-performance brake system is
installed only on the SLK 55 AMG.
G
WARNING
New vehicle brake pads and discs, and
replacement brake pads and discs may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until that
time, you may need to use increased brake
pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware
of this and adjust your driving and braking
accordingly during this break-in period.
Excessive high-demand braking will cause
correspondingly high brake wear. Please be
attentive to the brake warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and brake condition
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performance driving, it is 154
Driving tipsDriving and parking

important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly.
The high-performance brake system is
designed for heavy loads. This may lead to
noise when braking. This will depend on:
R speed
R braking force
R environmental conditions, such as
temperature and humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all
circumstances. An aggressive driving style
will lead to high wear. You can obtain further
information about this fro myour authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R you drive at low speeds.
R the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning can
occur, you must drive in the following
manner:
R lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment. This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage.
Winter driving
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the vehicle becomes trapped in snow,
ensure that snow is kept away from the
exhaust pipe and from around the vehicle as
long as the engine is running. Otherwise,
poisonous carbon monoxide (CO) may enter
the vehicle, resulting in loss of consciousness
and even death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open
a window slightly on the side of the vehicle
not facing the wind.
Have your vehicle winterproofed at a qualified
specialist workshop at the onset of winter.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 296).
Driving with summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 296).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. G
WARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle Driving tips
155Driving and parking
Z