engine MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2002 Owners Manual

268 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on
recommended brands is available in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow Service Booklet recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. They may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG lubricating oil
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil,
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing
the system‘s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will provide you with additional information.

269 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance,
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used,
follow these precautions:
•have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible,
•avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
•do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane
number and the Motor (M) octane number: [(R+M) / 2].
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3%
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor
pressure etc..

270 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
•warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking / pinging,
•misfire,
•power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion / antifreeze, which provides:
•corrosion protection,
•freeze protection,
•boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion / antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22 °F [- 30 °C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion /
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49 °F [- 45°C]),

271 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion / antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion /
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The
use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion / antifreeze coolant used
in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion /
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle: Mercedes-Benz
Anticorrosion / Antifreeze Agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion / antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F
(– 37°C)– 49°F
(– 45°C)
SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR 4.9 US qt
(4.7 l)5.4 US qt
(5.1 l)
SLK 320 5.9 US qt
(5.6 l)6.5 US qt
(6.1 l)
SLK 32 AMG 7.7 US qt
(7.3 l)8.5 US qt
(8.0 l)

275 Index
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cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Block heater .................................................................... 165
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 169
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 185
Brake fluid ...................................................................... 268
Brake pad wear indicator lamp .................................... 184
Brake warning lamp ...................................................... 183
Brake fluid low .......................................................... 183
Brakes ..................................................... 158, 169, 171, 173
Bulbs
See Replacing bulbs ................................................. 230
CCapacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. ............................... 266
Catalytic converter ........................................................ 140
CD changer installed ..................................................... 105
Cellular telephone ..........................................................118
Center console .................................................................. 18
Central locking switch .................................................... 30
Central locking system ................................................... 24
Automatic central locking ......................................... 31
Choosing global or selective mode ........................... 25
Emergency release for trunk lid ............................... 35
General notes ............................................................... 23Locking and unlocking ............................................... 25
Mechanical keys ..........................................................27
Remote control ............................................ 22, 24, 236
Vehicle keys ................................................................. 22
Changing wheels ........................................................... 207
Inflating the collapsible spare tire ......................... 212
Storing spare wheel in wheel well ......................... 213
Charge indicator lamp ................................................... 188
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp ................. 182
Check regularly and before a long trip ....................... 179
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator .................................... 79
Via oil dipstick ........................................................... 197
Child restraint ..................................................... 44, 51, 63
Child seat
See Infant and child restraint systems .................... 63
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 246
Climate control ................................................................. 86
Air Recirculation ......................................................... 91
Basic setting ................................................................. 88
Defogging windows ..................................................... 89
Defrosting .....................................................................89
Dust Filter .....................................................................92
Rear window defroster ............................................... 90
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) ................ 91
Special settings ........................................................... 89

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Clock, setting .................................................................... 76
Coin Holder ......................................................................116
Combination switch ........................................................ 83
Consumer information .................................................. 272
Control and operation of radio transmitters ............. 130
Coolant level
Adding coolant .......................................................... 198
Checking .................................................................... 198
Coolant temperature gauge ............................................ 75
Coolants ........................................................................... 270
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ......................... 271
Cruise control ................................................................. 166
Cup holder .......................................................................114
DDaytime running lamps .................................................. 82
Deep water
Driving instructions ................................................. 165
Display illumination ........................................................ 74
Doors .................................................................................. 28
Drinking and driving .................................................... 157
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel ............................................ 157
Driving instructions ...................................................... 157
Driving off ....................................................................... 159
EElectronic stability program (ESP) .............................. 173
Control switch ........................................................... 175
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 185
Synchronizing ........................................................... 174
Warning lamp ............................................................ 185
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132
Emergency release for trunk lid .................................... 35
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) .........................53
SRS indicator lamp ................................................... 184
Emergency unlocking in case of accident ...................32
Emission control ............................................................ 141
Emission control label .................................................. 256
Engine compartment ..................................................... 194
Engine oil additives ...................................................... 268
Engine oil consumption ..................................................80
Engine oil level
Checking .............................................................. 79, 197
Warning ...................................................................... 188
Engine oil level indicator ................................................ 79
Engine oils ..................................................................... 268
ESP (Electronic stability program) .............................. 173
Control switch ........................................................... 175
Malfunction indicator lamp ..................................... 185

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JJack (SLK 32 AMG only) ...............................................202
Jump starting ..................................................................222KKeys, changing batteries ...............................................236
Keys, vehicle ..................................................................... 22LLamps, exterior
Fog lamps .............................................................81, 234
Headlamps ..........................................81, 189, 231, 249
Parking lamps ............................................ 81, 231, 233
Replacing bulbs ......................................................... 230
Side marker lamp, front .....................................81, 235
Standing lamps ........................................... 81, 231, 233
Taillamps ............................................ 81, 189, 234, 249
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............................................ 257Lighter ............................................................................. 117
Limp Home Mode
(Automatic transmission) ........................................ 155
Locking and unlocking .................................................... 25
Low beams
See Combination switch ............................................83
Low engine coolant level warning ............................... 187
Luggage cover ................................................................. 128
MMaintenance ................................................................... 131
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster ......................................... 182
Manual locking/unlocking the doors ........................... 27
Manual transmission .................................................... 145
Mechanical keys ...............................................................27
Mirror, exterior, adjusting .............................................. 67
Mirror, exterior, rear view .............................................. 67
Mirror, inside, rear view .................................................66

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NNight security illumination ..........................................112OOn-board diagnostic system ......................................... 182
Operator’s manual ............................................................. 6
Outside temperature indicator ...................................... 75
Overhead control panel ................................................... 19PPanic button ...................................................................... 26
Parcel net in passenger footwell ..................................118
Parking ............................................................................ 159
Parking brake ............................... 156, 158, 159, 174, 183
Power assistance ............................................................ 158
Power seats ....................................................................... 38
Power windows ................................................................ 111
Express opening ........................................................ 111
Operate with hard top switch ................................. 122
Problems with your vehicle ........................................... 12
Product information .......................................................... 5
RRadio
See Radio mode ........................................................... 99
Radio and telephone ...................................................... 130
Radio transmitters ......................................................... 130
Rear view mirrors ............................................................ 66
Exterior ......................................................................... 67
Inside ............................................................................66
Rear window defroster .................................................... 90
Remote control ................................................................. 22
Battery replacement ................................................ 236
Synchronizing .......................................................... 237
Replacing bulbs ............................................................. 230
Replacing wiper blade insert ...................................... 243
Reporting safety defects ................................................. 13
Residual Engine Heat Utilization (REST) ..................... 91
Retractable hardtop .......................................................122
Roadside assistance ........................................................... 8
Roadside assistance call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132

281 Index
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SSafety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor and airbag ........... 61
Seat belts ........................................................................... 44
Fastening ...................................................................... 46
Seat belt nonusage warning system ........................ 45
Unfastening .................................................................. 48
Warning lamp ............................................................ 184
Seat belts and integrated restraint system .................. 44
Seats ................................................................................... 38
Power seats .................................................................. 38
Seat heater ................................................................... 42
Selective locking
See Central locking system ....................................... 24
Service indicator
See Flexible service system (FSS) ............................ 77
Setting the audio volume ................................................ 97
Shelf behind roll bars .....................................................118
Side marker lamp ..........................................................235
Snow chains .................................................................... 163
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 132
Spare parts service ........................................................ 254
Spare wheel .................................................................... 205
Spare wheel (except SLK 32 AMG) ............................. 200Special settings (Climate control) ................................. 89
SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 52
Indicator lamp ........................................................... 184
SRS malfunction ..........................................................55
Start lock-out .....................................................................23
Malfunction lamp ...................................................... 189
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 144
Steering column, telescopic
Adjusting ......................................................................65
Warning lamp ............................................................ 186
Steering lock ................................................................... 142
Storage box
Trunk floor ................................................................ 202
Storage compartments .................................................. 115
Armrest ....................................................................... 115
Center console ........................................................... 115
Glove box .................................................................... 114
Trunk floor ................................................................ 200
Stowing items in the vehicle ........................................ 192
Sun visors ........................................................................ 113
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 52
Indicator lamp ........................................................... 184
SRS malfunction ..........................................................55
Synchronizing remote control .................................... 237