2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class brake fluid

Authorizedworkshop
see Qualified specialist workshop
AUT O lights
Dis play message ............................ 227
see Lights
Aut oma tic car wash (care) ...............282
Automatic engine start (ECO start/
stop function) ....................................1 45
Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function) .......................... 144
Automatic headlamp mode .............. 108
Automatic transmission
Accelerator pedal position ............. 151
Automatic drive program ...............1 53
Changing gear ............................... 151
Display message ............................ 236
Driving tips ....................................1 51
Emergency running mode .............. 157
Engaging the park position ............ 149
Kickdown ....................................... 152
Manual drive program .................... 153
Manual drive program (vehicles
with Sports package AMG) ............ 155
Oil temperature (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ..... 208
Overview ........................................ 148
Problem (malfunction) ................... 157
Program selector button ................ 152
Pulling away ................................... 142
Releasing the parking lock man-
ually ............................................... 157
Selector lever ................................ 148
Starting the engine ........................ 142
Steering wheel paddle shifters ...... 152
Transmission position display ........ 149
Transmission positions .................. 151
Automatic transmission emer-
gency mode ....................................... 157
B
Backup lamp
Changing bulbs .............................. 117
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 62
Battery (SmartKey)
Checking .......................................... 75
Important safety notes .................... 75
Replacing ......................................... 75 Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 298
Display message ............................ 228
Important safety notes .................. 296
Jump starting ................................. 299
Overview ........................................ 296
Belt
see Seat belts
Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating ................. 203
Display message ............................ 231
Notes/function .............................. 188
Brake Assist
see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 218
Notes ............................................. 350
Brake force distribution
see EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 225
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 61
Adaptive Brake Assist ...................... 64
BAS .................................................. 62
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 350
Display message ............................ 212
EBD .................................................. 69
High-performance brake system .... 167
Important safety notes .................. 165
Maintenance .................................. 166
Parking brake ................................ 161
Riding tips ...................................... 165
Warning lamp ................................. 243
Breakdown
Where will I find...? ........................ 290
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting) ................................... 31
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs
Index5

Restraint systemDisplay message ............................ 220
Introduction ..................................... 40
Warning lamp ................................. 248
Warning lamp (function) ................... 41
Reverse gear
Engaging (automatic transmis-
sion) ............................................... 148
Reversible floor panel (trunk) .......... 256
Reversing feature
Side windows ................................... 83
Reversing lamps (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 226
Roadside Assistance (breakdown) .... 23
Roof
Display message ............................ 239
Important safety notes .................... 86
Opening/closing (with roof
switch) ............................................. 87
Opening/closing (with Smart-
Key) ................................................. 88
Overview .......................................... 86
Problem (malfunction) ..................... 93
Relocking ......................................... 88
Roof carrier ........................................ 256
Roof lining and carpets (cleaning
guidelines) ......................................... 288
Roof switch .......................................... 87
S
Safety
Children in the vehicle ..................... 57
Safety system
see Driving safety systems
Seat belts
Adjusting the driver's and front-
passenger seat belt ......................... 45
Cleaning ......................................... 287
Correct usage .................................. 43
Fastening ......................................... 44
Important safety guidelines ............. 42
Introduction ..................................... 42
Releasing ......................................... 45
Switching belt adjustment on/off
(on-board computer) ...................... 207
Warning lamp ................................. 242
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 ......................... 287
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/off .......... 100
Switching seat heating on/off ......... 99
Selector lever
Cleaning ......................................... 286
Sensors (cleaning instructions) ....... 285
Service menu (on-board com-
puter) .................................................. 204
Service message
see ASSYST PLUS
Service products
Brake fluid ..................................... 350
Coolant (engine) ............................ 350
Engine oil ....................................... 349
Fuel ................................................ 347
Important safety notes .................. 347
Refrigerant (air-conditioning sys-
tem) ............................................... 352
Washer fluid ................................... 351
Setting the air distribution ............... 130
Setting the airflow ............................ 130
Settings
Factory (on-board computer) ......... 207
On-board computer ....................... 204
SETUP (on-board computer) ............. 208
Side impact air bag ............................. 47
Side marker lamp
Changing bulbs (rea
r) .................... 116
Side marker lamp (display mes-
sage) ................................................... 226
Side windows
Cleaning ......................................... 284
Convenience closing feature ............ 85
Important safety information ........... 83
Opening/closing (all) ....................... 84
Index15

Two-way radioFrequencies ................................... 344
Installation ..................................... 344
Transmission output (maximum) .... 344
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
UnlockingEmergency unlocking ....................... 80
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 79
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles) ....... 208
V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor)........ 258
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 26
Data acquisition ............................... 27
Display message ............................ 236
Electronics ..................................... 344
Equipment ....................................... 22
Individual settings .......................... 204
Limited Warranty ............................. 26
Loading .......................................... 319
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 80
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 72
Lowering ........................................ 334
Maintenance .................................... 23
Parking for a long period ................ 163
Pulling away ................................... 142
Raising ........................................... 332
Reporting problems ......................... 26
Securing from rolling away ............ 331
Tow-starting ................................... 301
Towing away .................................. 301
Transporting .................................. 303
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 80
Unlocking (SmartKey) ...................... 72
Vehicle data ................................... 352
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data ....................................... 352
Vehicle dimensions ........................... 352
Vehicle emergency locking ................ 80Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate .............. 345
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 290
Video
Operating the DVD .........................2 01
VIN ...................................................... 345
W
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 243
Brakes ...........................................2 43
Check Engine ................................. 249
Coolant .......................................... 249
Distance warning ........................... 251
DISTRONIC PLUS ........................... 251
ESP
®.............................................. 245
ESP®OFF ....................................... 246
Fuel tank ........................................ 249
Overview .......................................... 32
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF ...............4 1
Reserv efuel .................................. .249
Restraint system ............................ 248
Seat belt ........................................ 242
SPORT handling mode ................... 246
Tire pressure monitor .................... 252
Warranty .............................................. 22
Washer fluid
Display message ............................ 239
Wheel and tire combinations
Tires ............................................... 337
Wheel bolt tightening torque ........... 334
Wheel chock ...................................... 331
Wheels
Changing a wheel .......................... 330
Checking ........................................ 309
Cleaning ......................................... 284
Emergency spare wheel ................. 339
General notes ................................ 335
Important safety notes .................. 308
Information on driving .................... 308
Interchanging/changing ................ 330
Mounting a new wheel ................... 334
Mounting a wheel .......................... 331
Overview ........................................ 308
Removing a wheel .......................... 333
Storing ...........................................3 30
Index19

Heavy and light loads
GWARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This increases the stopping distance and can even
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 rain
without 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.
RBrake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!The brake fluid level may be too low, if:
Rif the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and
Ryou hear a warning tone while the engine
is running
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 immedi-
ately. Consult a qualified specialist work-
shop to arrange this.
!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 brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-
ality of your brakes at regular intervals.
Information on BAS (Brake Assist)
(
Ypage 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
166Driving tips
Driving and parking

pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
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 (Mercedes-AMG vehicles)
The high-performance brake system is only
available on Mercedes-AMG vehicles.
The AMG brake systems are designed for
heavy loads. This may lead to noise when
braking. This will depend on:
RSpeed
RBraking force
RAmbient 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:
Ryou drive at low speeds.
Rthe 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:
Rlower your speed.
Ravoid ruts.
Ravoid sudden steering movements.
Rbrake 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.
Driving tips167
Driving and parking
Z

Display messagesPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
$(USA
only)
J(Canada
only)
Check Brake Fluid
Level
There is no tenough brak eflui din th ebrak eflui dreservoir .
In addition ,th e$ (USAonly) or J(Canada only) warnin g
lamp lights up in th einstrumen tcluster and awarnin gtone
sounds.
GWARNIN G
The brakin geffec tmay be impaired.
There is aris kof an accident.
XPull ove rand stop th evehicl esafely as soo nas possible, payin g
attention to roa dand traffic conditions. Do no tcontinue drivin g
under any circumstances.
XSecur eth evehicl eagainst rollin gaway (Ypage 160).
XConsult aqualified specialist workshop .
XDo notadd brak efluid. This does no tcorrec tth emalfunction .
#
Check Brake Pad
Wear
The brak epads/lining shav ereached their wear limit.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop .
G
Inoperative
Oneor mor emain features of th embrace system are malfunc -
tioning.
XHav eth embrace system checke dat aqualified specialist work-
shop.
PRE-SAFE Inopera‐
tiv eSee Opera‐
tor's Manual
Importan tfunction sof PRE-SAF E®havefailed. Al lother occupant
safet ysystems ,e.g. air bags ,remain available.
XVisit aqualified specialist workshop immediately.
218Display messages
On-board computer and displays

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.
XPull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
XSecure the vehicle against rolling away (Ypage 160).
XDo not add brake fluid. Adding more will not remedy the mal-
function.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
XObserve 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. Therefore, BAS (Brake Assist), COLLISION PREVENTION
ASSIST PLUS, ESP
®(Electronic Stability Program), PRE ‑SAFE®,
the HOLD function and hill start assist, for example, are also deac-
tivated.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
GWARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely affec-
ted. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can
increase.
If ESP
®is not operational, ESP®is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
XObserve the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
XDrive on carefully.
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic trans-
mission, will not be available.
Warning and indicator lamps243
On-board computer and displays
Z

XRinse thevehicl ewit hclean water and dry
thoroughly wit h achamois.
XDo no tlet th ecleaning agen tdry on th e
paintwork .
Whe nusin gth evehicl ein winter, remove all
trace sof roa dsalt deposit scarefully and as
soo nas possible.
Power washer s
GWARNING
The water je tfrom acircula rje tnozzle (dir t
blasters )can caus einvisible exterio rdamage
to th etires or chassi scomponents. Compo-
nent sdamaged in this way may fail unexpect-
edly. There is aris kof an accident.
Do no tuse powe rwashers wit hcircula rje t
nozzles to clean th evehicle. Hav edamaged
tires or chassi scomponent sreplaced imme-
diately.
!Always maintai n adistanc eof at least
11.8 in (30 cm)betwee nth evehicl e 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:
Rtires
Rdoor gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
Relectrical components
Rbattery
Rconnectors
Rlights
Rseals
Rtrim
Rventilation 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:
Rstickers
Rfilms
Rmagnetic 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.
XRemove dirt immediately, where possible,
while avoiding rubbing too hard.
XSoak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
XSoak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
XRemove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
XUse tar remover to remove tar stains.
XUse 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.
XUse a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to repair slight damage to
the paintwork quickly and provisionally.
Care283
Maintenance and care
Z