2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-CLASS ROADSTER brake fluid

AUTO lightsDisplay message ............................ 228
see Lights
Automatic car wash (care) ...............286
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) ................................... .146
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 144
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 108
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 152
Automatic drive program .............. .154
Changing gear ............................... 152
Display message ............................ 238
Driving tips ................................... .152
Emergency running mode .............. 158
Kickdown ....................................... 153
Manual drive program .................... 154
Manual drive program (vehicles
with Sports package AMG) ............ 155
Overview ........................................ 151
Problem (malfunction) ................... 158
Program selector button ................ 153
Pulling away ................................... 142
Releasing the parking lock man-
ually ............................................... 158
Selector lever ................................ 151
Starting the engine ........................ 142
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 154
Transmission position displa y........ 151
Transmission positions .................. 152
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 158
B
Backup lamp
Changing bulb s.............................. 117
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 62
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 62
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 75
Important safety notes .................... 74
Replacing ......................................... 75
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 301
Display message ............................ 229 Important safety notes .................. 299
Jump starting ................................. 303
Overview ........................................ 299
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 203
Display message ............................ 232
Notes/function .............................. 189
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 219
Notes ............................................. 352
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 226
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
BAS .................................................. 62
BAS PLUS ........................................ 62
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 352
Display message ............................ 213
EBD .................................................. 66
High-performance brake system .... 168
Important safety notes .................. 166
Maintenance .................................. 167
Parking brake ................................ 162
Riding tips ...................................... 166
Warning lamp ................................. 246
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 31
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
C
CaliforniaImportant notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 23
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Index5

Trunk lid ...........................................81
Reversing lamps (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 227
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 23
Roof
Display messag e............................ 241
Important safety notes .................... 87
Opening/closing (with roof
switch) ............................................. 88
Opening/closing (with Smart-
Key) ................................................. 89
Overview .......................................... 87
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 94
Relocking ......................................... 89
Roof carrier ........................................ 260
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 292
Roof switch .......................................... 88
S
Safety
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) ............................................... 49
Safety system
see Driving safety systems
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt ......................... 45
Cleaning ......................................... 291
Correct usage .................................. 43
Fastening ......................................... 44
Important safety guidelines ............. 42
Introduction ..................................... 42
Releasing ......................................... 44
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ...................... 207
Warning lamp ................................. 244
Warning lamp (function) ................... 45
Seats
Adjusting (electrically) ..................... 98
Adjusting (manually) ........................ 98
Adjusting the 4-way lumbar sup-
port .................................................. 99
Adjusting the head restraint ............ 98
Cleaning the cover ......................... 291
Correct driver's seat position ........... 96
Important safety notes .................... 97 Overview .......................................... 97
Seat heating problem .................... 100
Storing settings (memory func-
tion) ............................................... 106
Switching AIRSCARF on/of
f.......... 100
Switching seat heating on/of f......... 99
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 290
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 289
Service menu (on-board com- puter) .................................................. 204
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 352
Coolant (engine) ............................ 352
Engine oil ....................................... 351
Fuel ................................................ 350
Important safety notes .................. 349
Refrigerant (air-conditioning sys-
tem) ............................................... 354
Washer fluid ................................... 353
Setting the air distribution ............... 130
Setting the airflow ............................ 130
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 208
On-board compute r....................... 204
SETUP (on-board computer) ............. 209
Side impact air bag ............................. 47
Side marker lamp
Changing bulbs (rear) .................... 116
Side marker lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 227
Side windows
Cleaning ......................................... 288
Convenience closing feature ............ 85
Important safety information ........... 83
Opening/closing (all) ....................... 84
Opening/closing (front) ................... 84
Overview .......................................... 83
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 87
Resetting ......................................... 86
SmartKey
Changing the battery ....................... 75
Changing the programming ............. 73
Checking the battery ....................... 75
Convenience opening feature .......... 85
Display message ............................ 242
Door central locking/unlocking ....... 72
Index15

Equipment ....................................... 22
Individual settings .......................... 204
Limited Warranty ............................. 26
Loading .......................................... 323
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 80
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 72
Lowering ........................................ 338
Maintenance .................................... 23
Parking for a long period ................ 164
Pulling away ................................... 142
Raising ........................................... 336
Reporting problems .........................26
Securing from rolling away ............ 335
Tow-starting ................................... 305
Towing away .................................. 305
Transporting .................................. 307
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 80
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 72
Vehicle data ................................... 355
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 355
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 355
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 80
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 348
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 294
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 201
VIN ...................................................... 348
W
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 246 Brake s........................................... 246
Check Engine ................................. 252
Coolant .......................................... 252
Distance warning ........................... 254
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 254 ESP ®
.............................................. 248
ESP ®
OFF ....................................... 249
Fuel tank ........................................ 252
Overview .......................................... 32
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ............... 41
Reserve fue l................................... 252
Restraint system ............................ 251 Seat belt ........................................ 244
SPORT handling mod
e................... 249
Tire pressure monitor .................... 255
Warranty .............................................. 22
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 242
Wheel and tire combination
see Tires
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 338
Wheel chock ...................................... 335
Wheels
Changing a whee l.......................... 334
Checking ........................................ 313
Cleaning ......................................... 288
Emergency spare wheel ................. 343
General notes ................................ 339
Important safety notes .................. 312
Information on driving .................... 312
Interchanging/changing ................ 334
Mounting a new whee l................... 338
Mounting a whee l.......................... 335
Overview ........................................ 312
Removing a whee l.......................... 337
Storing ........................................... 334
Tightening torque ........................... 338
Wheel size/tire size ....................... 339
Wind screen
Inserting and removing .................... 90
Preparing for installation .................. 90
see AIRGUIDE
Windows
see Side windows
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 131
Windshield washer fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshield washer system
Adding washer fluid ....................... 283
Notes ............................................. 353
Windshield wipers
Display message ............................ 242
Problem (malfunction) ................... 120
Replacing the wiper blades ............ 118
Switching on/of f........................... 117
Winter driving
Important safety notes .................. 314
Slippery road surfaces ................... 168
Snow chains .................................. 315
Index19

cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
!Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy load, do not stop the vehicle immediately, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air- flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rainwithout braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion from the brakes when braking for the first time. This may also occur after the vehicle has
been washed or driven through deep water.
You then have to depress the brake pedal
more firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the vehi-
cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads
If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R Brake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a warn- ing tone while the engine is running, the
brake fluid level may be too low. Observe
additional warning messages in the multi-
function display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due tobrake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!As the ESP ®
system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition must be
switched off (SmartKey in position 0or 1in
the ignition lock) if the electric parking
brake is being tested on a brake dynamom-
eter (maximum 10 seconds).
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a quali-
fied specialist workshop. Have this work car- ried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Have the brake pads replaced and the brake
fluid renewed at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen- ter.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-ality of your brakes at regular intervals. To do so, depress the brake pedal firmly when driv-
ing at a high speed. This improves the grip of
the brake pads.
A description of Brake Assist (BAS): ( Y page 62)
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
have brake pads/linings installed on your
vehicle which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
Driving tips167
Driving and parking
Z

of an equivalent quality could affect your vehi-cle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use brake fluid that has been specially
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,
or which corresponds to an equivalent quality standard. Brake fluid which has not been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or
which is not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety.
High performance and ceramic brake
system for AMG vehicles
The high-performance brake system is only
available on AMG vehicles.
The AMG brake systems are designed for
heavy loads. This may lead to noise when
braking. This will depend on: R speed
R braking force
R ambient conditions, e.g. 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 driv-
ing style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all circum-
stances. An aggressive driving style will lead
to high wear. You can obtain more informa-
tion on this from a qualified specialist work-shop.
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. Keep this in mind, and adapt
your driving and braking accordingly during
this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in corre-
spondingly high brake wear. Observe the
brake system warning lamp in the instrument
cluster and note any brake status messages
in the multifunction display. Especially for
high performance driving, it is important to maintain and have the brake system checked
regularly.
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 may occur,
you must drive in the following manner:
R lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R avoid sudden steering movements.
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 compo-
nents in the engine or the automatic trans- mission. Water can also be drawn in by the engine's air suction nozzles and this can
cause engine damage.
Winter driving
GWARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine brak-
ing on a slippery road surface.
168Driving tips
Driving and parking

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
F(USA
only)
!(Canada
only)
ParkingBrakeInopZ
erative
The yellow !warning lamp lights up. The red F(USA
only)/ !(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes for about ten
seconds after the electric parking brake has been applied or
released. It then goes out or remains lit.
The electric parking brake is malfunctioning, e.g. because of over-
voltage or undervoltage.
X Remove the cause for the overvoltage or undervoltage, e.g. by
charging the battery or restarting the engine.
X Engage or release the electric parking brake.
If it remains impossible to apply or release the electric parking
brake:
X Switch off the ignition and turn it back on.
X Engage or release the electric parking brake.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be released: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
If the electric parking brake still cannot be applied: X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
The yellow !warning lamp lights up and the red F(USA
only)/ !(Canada only) indicator lamp flashes.
It is not possible to apply the electric parking brake manually.
X Vehicles with manual transmission: engage first gear.
X Vehicles with automatic transmission: shift the transmission
to position P.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
$(USA
only)
J(Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
In addition, the $(USA only)/ J(Canada only) warning
lamp lights up in the instrument cluster and a warning tone
sounds.
GWARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 161).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Do not add brake fluid. This does not correct the malfunction.
Display messages219
On-board computer and displays
Z

Safety systems
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
$(USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on while the engine is run-
ning. A warning tone
also sounds.There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
GWARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away ( Ypage 161).
X Do not add brake fluid. Adding more will not remedy the mal-
function.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
!
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a malfunc-
tion. BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program), PRE

When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
Power washers
GWARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damageto the tires or chassis components. Compo-
nents damaged in this way may fail unexpect-edly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced imme-diately.
!Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
!Do not use high-pressure cleaners if the
tank recess is open while you clean it. This
can cause damage to the seals or other
components.
Cleaning the paintwork
!Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected by corrosion and damage caused by inade-
quate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
X Remove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint surface, use the paint care products recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
This is the case approximately every three to
five months, depending on the climate con-
ditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or if
the paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
X Use a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to repair slight damage to
the paintwork quickly and provisionally.
Care287
Maintenance and care
Z