MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2005 R171 Owner's Manual

331 Operation
Maintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator re-
set. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the main-
tenance service indicator in the mainte-
nance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
Setting the date for special works
You can enter appointments for exhaust
gas analysis and general inspection using
the maintenance system.
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
The standard display menu appears in
the multifunction display (page 122).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 118).

Press and hold reset
buttonJ(
page 24) for about
five seconds.
The
Service menu
appears in the multi-
function display.
iIf the maintenance service indicator
was inadvertently reset, have an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance
service has been performed. Resetting
the system without performing the
proper maintenance service as called
for by the maintenance service indica-
tor will result in engine damage and/or
other vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


332 OperationMaintenance
Select the
Addit. work
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Addit. work
menu.

Select the
Exh.-gasanalysis
or
General Inspection
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Next due date
menu.

Select
Month: a
nd
Year:
with
button+or-.

Press buttonkorj for setting
month and year.

Select
Confirm
with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The new date is set.

Press buttonè repeatedly until the
standard display menu appears in the
multifunction display (
page 122).
The maintenance system now recalculates
the values. You cannot call up the mainte-
nance service indicator or the service
menu during this time.


333 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the maintenance service data information
The maintenance service indicator shows
the maintenance service type (letters
A-H)
in the multifunction display approximately
one month before the maintenance service
appointment is due in miles or km (dis-
tance criterion) or in days (time criterion).
This maintenance service type is based on
the maintenance service items to be car-
ried out. The maintenance service items
are described in the Maintenance Booklet.
The maintenance service items to be car-
ried out under the corresponding mainte-
nance service type can be displayed in the
multifunction display.Calling up the service item menu

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 122).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 118).

Press and hold reset
buttonJ(
page 24) for about
five seconds.
The
Service menu
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
Items
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Items
menu.

Press buttonè repeatedly until the
standard display menu appears in the
multifunction display (
page 122).
iThe maintenance service items to be
carried out are shown in this menu.
Please refer to the Maintenance Book-
let for a description of each mainte-
nance service item.

334 OperationVehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
undercarriage and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the undercar-
riage of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a
thorough check is a washing of the under-
carriage followed by a thorough inspec-
tion. Damaged areas need to be
re-undercoated.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.

335 Operation
Vehicle care
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
We have selected car-care products and
compiled recommendations which are
specially matched to our vehicles and
which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved
car-care products at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products.Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning
the vehicle, always observe manufactur-
er’s operating instructions.
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.
!Never use a round nozzle to
power-wash tires. The intense jet of
water can result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving
across the surface. Do not aim directly
at electrical parts, electrical connec-
tors, seals, or other rubber parts.

336 OperationVehicle carePaintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”, normally
every three to five months, depending on
climate and washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick
for quick and provisional repairs of minor
paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehi-
cle doors, etc.).Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to
the engine compartment after every en-
gine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lu-
bricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.

337 Operation
Vehicle care
To prevent damage to the antenna, un-
screw and remove antenna on left rear
side of vehicle before taking the vehicle
through a car wash. Note that without the
antenna on the left rear side of the vehicle
installed, the signaling range of the
SmartKey is considerably reduced. Hold
the SmartKey in close proximity towards
the antenna base when locking and un-
locking the vehicle.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the undercarriage, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, side makers, tail lamps,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.Wiper blades

Switch on wipers and place them in a
vertical position.
For information on placing the wipers
in a vertical position, see “Replacing
wiper blades” (
page 386).
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.


338 OperationVehicle care
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.Window cleaning

Switch on wipers and place them in a
vertical position.
For information on placing the wipers
in a vertical position, see “Replacing
wiper blades” (
page 386).

Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wipers back onto
the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
windshield wiper back. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blade. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wipers back onto
the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
windshield wiper back. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold onto the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.


339 Operation
Vehicle care
Rear window cleaning
Clean the rear window with the hardtop
fully raised and closed.
Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow instructions on container.Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gearshift/gear se-
lector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.Warning!
G
Do not clean the rear window with the hard-
top in a position other than the fully raised
and closed position. Otherwise, the hardtop
may move unexpectedly which may result in
personal injury to you or others.
iOnly use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.

340 OperationVehicle careHard plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior
Care onto a soft lint-free cloth and apply
with light pressure.
Headliner
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive
dirt.
Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with
chemical cleaning agents. Use only clear,
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the
webbing at temperatures above 176°F
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing
clothing that have the tendency to give off
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration
will be prevented.
Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth
and dry thoroughly or clean with
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not
become wet.Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Wood trims
Dampen cloth using water and use damp
cloth to clean wood trims in your vehicle.
Do not use solvents like tar remover or
wheel cleaner nor polishes or waxes as
these may be abrasive. Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.