2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG warning

ECO start/stop function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the ECO symbol appear sinthe
multifunction 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.T he vehicle may begin moving. There is
a risk of an accident.
To prevent the vehicle from pulling away
unintentionally, only remove your foot from
the brake pedal if you want to drive on.
Do not leave the vehicle until you have
switched off the ignition and secured the
vehicle to prevent it from rolling away.
! Always switch the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
General notes The ECO start/stop function is only available
for the SLK 55 AMG.
The ECO start/stop function is only available
in drive program C.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
The system is operational if all conditions for
automatic engine switch-off have been
fulfilled (Y page 135) and the 000Esymbol 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
display. In addition, the
Stop/Start inactive message is shown in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display.
If the ECO start/stop function is deactivated
(Y page 136), the 000Esymbol and the
Stop/Start active or
Stop/Start inactive message are not shown.
i If automatic cylinder shut-off is active in
drive program C, the number of active
cylinders 4is also shown in the 000E
symbol. This means that the engine is
operating with four cylinders.
If cylinder shut-off is not active, the engine
will operate with all eight cylinders. In this
case, the number of active cylinders 8is
shown in the 000Esymbol.
Automatic engine switch-off 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.
The engine is only switched off if:
R the vehicle is at a standstill.
R the outside temperature is within the range
which is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R no engine-relevant diagnostics are active.
R the front door is closed and the seat belt is
fastened.
i You can still activate the HOLD function
when the vehicle is stationary, even 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 Driving
135Driving and parking Z

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

Manual transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The movement of the pedals must not be
impaired in any way .Do not keep any objects
in the driver's footwell. Make sure that
floormats or carpets are correctly secured
and that there is sufficient clearance for the
pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of one
another. G
WARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. 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. G
WARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the manual
transmission into the 1stgear or reverse R.
The vehicle could otherwise roll away, which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury. Gear lever
Gear lever
0010
Reverse gear
0005 to000E
Forward gears !
When shifting between 5thand 6thgear,
you should always push the gear lever all
the way to the right. You could otherwise
shift unintentionally into 3rdor4th gear
and damage the transmission.
If you shift down at too high a speed
(transmission braking), this can cause the
engine to overrev, leading to engine
damage.
Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by
using the clutch pedal. There is otherwise
a risk of damaging the clutch. Engaging reverse gear
! Only shift into reverse gear Rwhen the
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could
damage the transmission.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Move the gear lever firmly to the left
beyond the point of resistance and then
forwards. Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The
recommended gear is shown in the
multifunction display. X
Shift gear according to gearshift
recommendation 0002shown in the Manual transmission
139Driving and parking Z

multifunction display of the instrument
cluster.
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position Por
neutral position Nif the engine speed is
highe rthan 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. G
WARNING
Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone
only will shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position Nautomatically.
Always shift the automatic transmission into
park position Pbefore turning off the engine.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions Selector lever
0013
Park position with selector lever lock
0010 Reverse gear
0011 Neutral
0012 Drive
Transmission position and drive
program display 0002
Transmission position display
0003 Drive program display
The current position of the selector lever is
shown by the indicators next to the selector
lever.
The indicators light up when the SmartKey is
inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators
go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock. 140
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Vehicles for USA (excep tAMG
vehicles): fully depress the accelerator
pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Vehicles for Canada and AMG vehicles:
depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Working on the vehicle G
WARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electronic parking brake and shift the
automatic transmission into park position P.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could resul tinanaccident and/or serious
personal injury. Program selecto
rbutton
General information The progra
mselecto rbutton allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics. Example: program selector button
In AMG vehicles, drive program
Eis called
drive program C. E
Economy
C Controlled
Efficiency Comfortable, economical
driving
S
Sport Sporty driving style
M
Manual Manual gear shifting
i
For further information on the automatic
drive program, see (Y page 143).
Only change from automatic drive program
E or Sto manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
X Press program selector button 0002
repeatedly until the lette rfor the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display.
i When the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic
drive program E(drive program Cin AMG
vehicles).
i AMG vehicles: when in drive program C
and with a small load demand, e.g. in city
traffic or on a country road, the engine will
automatically only operate with four
cylinders. This reduces fuel consumption.
Cylinder shut-of fis inactive in drive
programs Sand M, so that the engine will
operate with all eight cylinders. Steering wheel paddle shifters
0002
Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
0003 Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter 142
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0001 Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least 10seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. Releasing the parking lock manually
In the event of an electrical malfunction, it is
possible to release the selector lever lock
manually to move it out of position P, e.g. if
you wish to tow the vehicle away. !
Do not use any sharp-edged objects to
remove the selector lever gaiter from the
center console. This could damage the
selector lever gaiter. X
Apply the electric parking brake.
X Press the frame of selector level gaiter 0002
together somewhat on the side edge at the
back and hold with one hand 0003.
X With the other hand, pry off the frame of
selector level gaiter 0002with a flat, blunt
object (e.g. a screwdriver wrapped in cloth)
at rear edge 0023, pulling it up and out at the
same time.
X Press release buttons 0022down and
simultaneously move the selector lever out
of position P.
The selector lever can now be moved freely
until it is returned to position P. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury. 146
RefuelingDriving 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

X
Completely insert the fille rneck of the fuel
pump nozzle into the tank and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
i Do not add any more fuel after the pump
stops filling for the first time. Otherwise,
fuel may leak out.
Closing X
Replace the cap on the filler necka nd turn
clockwise until it engages audibly.
X Close fuel fille rflap 0002.
i If you drive with the fuel filler cap open,
reserve fuel warning lamp 0010flashes .In
addition, the 000ECheck Engine warning
lamp may light up. Amessage appears in
the multifunction display (Y page 219).
For further information on warning and
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster,
see (Y page 234). 148
RefuelingDriving and parking