cooling MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2005 Owners Manual

55 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 293).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


Major assemblies


Fuel system


Engine mount

Start the engine in the usual manner.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.

For safety reasons, remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch
before attempting to remove any
blockage.


Remove blockage.


Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function
at all with combination switch in
positionI,


set combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed


have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center

173 Controls in detail
Climate control
The climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the interior through the air distribution
system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ±mode is selected
(page 175).
Item
1
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable left-side air vent
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Left center air vent, fixed
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable left center air
vents
5
Left center air vent, adjustable
6
Right center air vent, adjustable
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable right center air
vents
8
Right center air vent, fixed
9
Right side air vent, adjustable
a
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable right-side air vent
b
Climate control panel
Warning
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents in the footwell can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may cause burn or frost-
bite to unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient
distance between unprotected parts of the
body and the footwell air vents. If necessary
change the air flow using the air distribution
controls to direct the air away from the foot-
well air vents (
page 175).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.

178 Controls in detailClimate control
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Press air condition on/off switch°
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch° comes on.
iIf you press the air recirculation
switch, and keep it pressed
and no side window was operated
manually, the side windows will reopen
to their previous position.
iCondensation may drip from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the vehi-
cle will not be cooled when the weather con-
ditions are warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.

179 Controls in detail
Climate control
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press air condition on/off switch°
again (
page 175).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch° goes out.Maximum cooling

Turn thumbwheels4 and7 upwards
to the first stop (
page 173).
The fixed center air vents3 and8
and the adjustable air vents5 and6
are open.

For draft-free ventilation, move the
sliders for the center air vents5
and6 to the middle position
(page 173).

Turn thumbwheels1 anda for the
adjustable side air2 and9 vents to
the fully open position (
page 172).

Set air distribution control3 to
positiona (
page 176).
The air distribution directs the air
through the center and side air vents.

Set air volume control2 to position5
(page 176).
The ventilation operates with maximum
blower speed.

Turn temperature controls1 and4
completely counterclockwise to their
end stops (
page 175).
The lowest temperature for both sides
is set.
!If the indicator lamp on the air condi-
tion on/off switch° comes on
while driving and you cannot switch on
the air conditioning again by pressing
the air condition on/off switch°,
the air conditioning is losing refriger-
ant.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


183 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
The automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the automatic climate control sys-
tem in either the automatic or manual
mode. The system cools or heats the inte-
rior depending on the selected interior
temperature and the current outside tem-
perature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the interior through the air distribution
system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ±mode is selected
(
page 185).
Item
1
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable left-side air vent
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Left center air vent, fixed
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable left center air
vents
5
Left center air vent, adjustable
6
Cockpit air vent
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for cockpit air vent
8
Right center air vent, adjustable
9
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable right center air
vents
a
Right center air vent, fixed
b
Right side air vent, adjustable
c
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable right-side air vent
d
Automatic climate control panel
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold (de-
pending on the set temperature). This may
cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin
in the immediate area of the air vents. Al-
ways keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the footwell
air vents. If necessary change the air flow
using the air distribution controls to direct
the air away from the footwell air vents
(page 185).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.

188 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.

Press air condition on/off switch±
(page 185).
The indicator lamp on air condition
on/off switch± comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press air condition on/off switch±
(page 185).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch± goes out.
Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the air conditioning
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.iCondensation may drip from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the indicator lamp on the air condi-
tion on/off switch± comes on
while driving and you cannot switch on
the air conditioning again by pressing
the air condition on/off switch±,
the air conditioning is losing
refrigerant.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

195 Controls in detail
Audio system
Switching off
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or

Press
D
button.
Adjusting the volume

Turn rotary control of
E
button.
The volume will increase or decrease
depending on the direction turned.Adjusting sound functions
The bass and treble functions are called up
by pressing the O button.
Settings for bass and treble are stored
separately for the AM and FM wavebands,
weather band, CD mode and telephone
mode.
Bass

Press O button repeatedly until BASS
appears in the display.

Press
+ or
– soft key to increase or
decrease tone level accordingly.
or

Press
RES
soft key briefly to reset bass
tones to their center level.
The radio switches back to the
standard radio menu eight seconds
after the last soft key is pressed.
iShould excessively high temperatures
occur while the audio system is being
operated, the display will dim. If tem-
peratures continue to rise,
HIGH TEMP

will appear in the display, after which
the audio system will be switched off
for a cooling-down period.
iIf your vehicle equipment includes a
Mercedes-Benz specified mobile
telephone*, you can adjust its volume
separately from the volume of the
audio system while the telephone is
being used.

293 Operation
Engine compartment
Transmission fluid level*
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.
Coolant level
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately ½ turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene
glycol which may burn if it comes into
contact with hot engine parts.

358 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, engine off
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the mes-
sage disappears. You could otherwise dam-
age the engine.
/
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 293).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the hood. Stay away from the engine if you
see or hear steam coming from it. Turn off
the engine, get out of the vehicle and do not
stand near the vehicle until the engine has
cooled down.
The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
this message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major en-
gine damage.

422 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore, only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
SLK 350
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
SLK 55 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic transmission*
SLK 350
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
SLK 55 AMG
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
Manual transmission
SLK 350
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
SLK 350
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
SLK 55 AMG
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
Power steering
SLK 350
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
SLK 55 AMG
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1oz (60g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4)
Cooling system
SLK 350
approx.11.2 US qt (10.2 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
SLK 55 AMG
approx. 11.7 US qt (11.1 l)