2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-CLASS ROADSTER engine

Problems with the rear window defroster
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The indicator lamp on the¤ button
flashes. The rear win-
dow defroster has
deactivated prema-
turely or cannot be acti- vated.The on-board voltage is too low because too many electrical con-sumers are switched on.
X Switch off any consumers that are not required, e.g. reading
lamps, interior lighting or the seat heating.
When the battery is sufficiently charged, the rear window
defroster can be activated again.
The roof is open.
X Close the roof.
When the roof is closed, the rear window defroster can be acti-
vated again.
Activating/deactivating air-recircula-
tion mode
General notes
If you switch on air-recirculation mode, the
windows can fog up more quickly, in particu-
lar at low temperatures. Only use air-recircu-
lation mode briefly to prevent the windows
from fogging up.
Activating/deactivating
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 139).
X To activate: press thegbutton.
The indicator lamp in the gbutton lights
up.
iAir-recirculation mode is automatically
activated at high levels of pollution (dual-
zone automatic climate control only) or at
high outside temperatures. When air-recir-
culation mode is activated automatically,
the indicator lamp in the gbutton is not
lit. Outside air is added after about
30 minutes.
X To deactivate: press thegbutton.
The indicator lamp in the gbutton goes
out.
iAir-recirculation mode deactivates auto-
matically:
R after approximately five minutes at out-
side temperatures below approximately
41 ‡ (5 †)
R after approximately five minutes if cool-
ing with air dehumidification is deactiva-
ted
R after approximately 30 minutes at out-
side temperatures above approximately
41 ‡ (5 †) if the "Cooling with air dehu-
midification" function is activated
Activating/deactivating the residual
heat function
General notes
The residual heat function is only available on
vehicles for Canada.
It is possible to make use of the residual heat
of the engine to continue heating the station- ary vehicle for up to 30 minutesafter the
engine has been switched off. The heating
time depends on the set interior temperature.
Depending on the equipment level, the con-
trol panel has either the Ìbutton or the
Á button.
Operating the climate control systems133
Climate control

Switching on/off
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock or remove it ( Ypage 139).
X To activate: press theÌorÁ but-
ton.
The indicator lamp in the ÌorÁ
button lights up.
iThe blower will run at a low speed regard-
less of the airflow setting.
iIf you activate the residual heat function
at high temperatures, only the ventilation
will be activated. The blower runs at
medium speed.
X To deactivate: press theÌorÁ
button.
The indicator lamp in the ÌorÁ
button goes out.
Residual heat is deactivated automatically: R after approximately 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops
Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Very hot or very cold air can flow from the air
vents. This could result in burns or frostbite in the immediate vicinity of the air vents. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that all vehicle occupants always
maintain a sufficient distance to the air out-
lets. If necessary, redirect the airflow to
another area of the vehicle interior.
GWARNING
When AIRSCARF is switched on, very hot air
can flow from the vents in the head restraints. This could result in burns in the immediate
vicinity of the air vents. There is a risk of injury.
Reduce the heater output before it becomes
too hot. In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
R keep the air inlet grille on the hood and in
the engine compartment on the front-
passenger side free of blockages, such as
ice, snow or leaves.
R never cover the air vents or air intake grilles
in the vehicle interior.
iYou can move the adjusters for the air
vents vertically or horizontally to set the
direction of the airflow.
iFor optimal climate control in the vehicle,
open the air vents completely and set the
adjusters to the central position.
Setting the center air vents
X To open the center air vents: turn the
adjuster in one of center air vents :coun-
ter-clockwise.
X To close the center air vents: turn the
adjuster in one of center air vents :clock-
wise until it engages.
134Setting the air vents
Climate control

Useful information
iThis Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional equip- ment of your vehicle available at the time of
publication of the Operator's Manual.
Country-specific differences are possible.
Please note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all features described. This
also applies to safety-related systems and
functions.
iRead the information on qualified special-
ist workshops ( Ypage 25).
Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes
The sensor system of some driving and driv-
ing safety systems adjusts automatically
while a certain distance is being driven after
the vehicle has been delivered or after
repairs. Full system effectiveness is not
reached until the end of this teach-in proce-dure.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after sev-
eral hundred kilometers of driving. Compen-
sate for this by applying greater force to the
brake pedal.
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R You should therefore drive at varying vehi-
cle and engine speeds for the first
1,000 miles (1,500 km).
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full throt-
tle, during this period. R
Change gear in good time, before the tach-
ometer needle is Ôof the way to the red
area of the tachometer.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
Vehicles with automatic transmission: R Try to avoid depressing the accelerator
pedal beyond the point of resistance (kick-
down).
R Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km),
drive in program C.
After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can
increase the engine speed gradually and bring the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG vehi- cles: R Do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 km).
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
R Change gear in good time.
iYou should also observe these notes on
breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive train on your vehicle have been replaced.
iAlways observe the respective speed lim-
its.
AMG vehicles with self-locking rear
axle differential
Your vehicle is equipped with a self-locking
differential on the rear axle. To protect the
differential on the rear axle, carry out an oil
change after a breaking-in phase of
2,000 miles (3,000 km). This oil change pro-
longs the service life of the differential. Have the oil change carried out at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends that you use an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center for this purpose.
138Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Driving and parking

Driving
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict thepedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle is
jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use loose floormats and do not place floormats on
top of one another.
GWARNING
Unsuitable footwear can hinder correct usage of the pedals, e.g.:
R shoes with thick soles
R shoes with high heels
R slippers
There is a risk of an accident.
Wear suitable footwear to ensure correct
usage of the pedals.
GWARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect, for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
GWARNING
If the parking brake has not been fully
released when driving, the parking brake can:
R overheat and cause a fire
R lose its hold function.
There is a risk of fire and an accident. Release
the parking brake fully before driving off.
!Do not warm up the engine with the vehi-
cle stationary. Drive off immediately. Avoid high engine speeds and driving at full throt-
tle until the engine has reached its operat-
ing temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
!AMG vehicles: at low engine oil temper-
atures below 68 ‡ (+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 iscold.
Key positions
SmartKey
gTo remove the SmartKey
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the transmission to position P
1Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers
2Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3To start the engine
iThe SmartKey can be turned in the igni-
tion lock even if it is not the correct Smart-
Driving139
Driving and parking
Z

Key for the vehicle. The ignition is not
switched on. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO
General notes
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS- GO start function and a detachable Start/
Stop button.
The Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in the
vehicle.
When you insert the Start/Stop button into
the ignition lock, the system needs approx-
imately two seconds recognition time. You
can then use the Start/Stop button.
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.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts immedi-
ately.
A check which periodically establishes a radio connection between the vehicle and the
SmartKey determines whether a valid Smart-Key is in the vehicle. This occurs, for example,
when starting the engine.
To start the vehicle without actively using the
SmartKey:
R the Start/Stop button must be inserted in
the ignition lock.
R the SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
R the vehicle must not be locked with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO ( Ypage 73).
Do not keep the SmartKey:
R with electronic devices, e.g. a mobile
phone or another SmartKey.
R with metallic objects, e.g. coins or metalfoil.
R inside metallic objects, e.g. a metal case.
This can impair the functionality of the KEY-
LESS-GO key.
iThe engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for approximately
three seconds. This function operates inde-
pendently of the ECO start/stop automatic
engine switch-off function.
Key positions with KEYLESS-GO
:Start/Stop button
;Ignition lock
As soon as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light up. Further information on situations where
an indicator lamp either fails to go out after
starting the engine or lights up while driving( Y page 246).
If Start/Stop button :has not yet been
pressed, this corresponds to the SmartKey
being removed from the ignition.
X To switch on the power supply: press
Start/Stop button :once.
The power supply is switched on. You can
now activate the windshield wipers, for
example.
iIf you then open the driver's door when in
this position, the power supply is deactiva-
ted.
X To switch on the ignition: press Start/
Stop button :twice.
The ignition is switched on.
iThe ignition is switched off when:
R the driver's door is opened and
R you press Start/Stop button :once
when in this position
140Driving
Driving and parking

=Start/Stop button USA
?Start/Stop button Canada
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 SmartKey.
X Remove Start/Stop button :from ignition
lock ;.
iYou do not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. You should, however,
always take the SmartKey with you when
leaving the vehicle. As long as the Smart-
Key is in the vehicle:
R the vehicle can be started using the
Start/Stop button
R the electrically powered equipment can
be operated
Starting the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle, they could:
R open the doors, thus endangering other
people or road users.
R get out and disrupt traffic.
R operate the vehicle's equipment.
Additionally, children could set the vehicle in
motion if, for example, they:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of park
position P or shift manual transmission into
neutral.
R start the engine.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never leave children or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep the SmartKey out of
reach of children.
GWARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. Thereis a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces with-
out sufficient ventilation.
GWARNING
Flammable materials introduced through
environmental influence or by animals can
ignite if in contact with the exhaust system orparts of the engine that heat up. There is a risk
of fire.
Carry out regular checks to make sure that
there are no flammable foreign materials in
the engine compartment or in the exhaust
system.
!Do not depress the accelerator when
starting the engine.
Driving141
Driving and parking
Z

iAMG vehicles:the exhaust flap of the
exhaust system will be checked after every cold start. A resulting noise can be heard
during this process.
iDuring a cold start, the engine runs at
higher speeds to enable the catalytic con-
verter to reach its operating temperature.
The sound of the engine may change during this time.
Manual transmission
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
X Shift to neutral N.
iYou 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.
iYou can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
Starting procedure with the SmartKey
X
Turn the SmartKey to position 3in the igni-
tion lock ( Ypage 139) and release it as
soon as the engine is running.
iTo start the engine using the SmartKey
instead of KEYLESS-GO, pull the Start/
Stop button out of the ignition lock.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine
iThe Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle manually without inserting
the SmartKey into the ignition lock. The
Start/Stop button must be inserted in the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in
the vehicle. This mode for starting the
engine operates independently of the ECO
start/stop automatic engine start function. X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Press the Start/Stop button ( Ypage 140)
once.
The engine starts.
Pulling away
Manual transmission
!Change gear in good time and avoid spin-
ning the wheels. You could otherwise dam-
age the vehicle.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Shift to either first gear or reverse gear R.
X Release the electric parking brake(Y page 162).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Slowly release the clutch pedal and gently
depress the accelerator pedal.
iFollow the shift recommendations in the
multifunction display for an economical
driving style ( Ypage 151).
iThe 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 ( Ypage 206).
Automatic transmission
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
142Driving
Driving and pa rking

iIt is only possible to shift the transmission
from position Pto the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the shift 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 ( Ypage 162) is
automatically released.
The red F(USA only) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument clus-
ter goes out.
iThe 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 ( Ypage 206).
iUpshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill start assist
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 footfrom the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and to depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll.
GWARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no lon-
ger brake your vehicle and it could roll away.
There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist. X
Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
The vehicle is then held for about a second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist is not active 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 N.
R the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning.
ECO start/stop function
Introduction
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is stop-
ped under certain conditions.
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.
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving. There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
Driving143
Driving and parking
Z