snow chains MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR 2002 R170 Owner's Manual

2 Contents
Interior lighting ............................. 112
Night security illumination ......... 112
Sun visors with Vanity Mirror ......113
Interior .............................................113
Cup holder and glove box ..............114
Storage compartments ...................115
Ashtrays ...........................................116
Coin Holder ......................................116
Lighter ..............................................117
Parcel net in passenger footwell ..118
Shelf behind roll bars .....................118
Cellular telephone ..........................118
Garage door opener ........................119
Retractable hardtop ....................... 122
Wind screen .................................... 127
Luggage cover ................................. 128
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 130
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 131
Maintenance ................................... 131Tele Aid ............................................132
Catalytic converter ........................ 140
Emission control ............................. 141
Steering lock .................................. 142
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 144
Manual transmission .................... 145
Automatic transmission ............... 147
Parking brake .................................156
Driving instructions .......................157
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........157
Drinking and driving .................157
Pedals ...........................................157
Power assistance .........................158
Brakes ...........................................158
Driving off ....................................159
Parking .........................................159
Tires ..............................................160
Snow chains ................................163
Winter driving instructions ......163
Block heater .................................165
Deep water ...................................165
Passenger compartment ............165
Traveling abroad .........................165Cruise control ................................. 166
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 169
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 171
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 173
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 177
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 179
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and
indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 182
On-board diagnostic system ..... 182
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 182
Brake warning lamp .................. 183
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp ............................. 184
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp .............................. 184

129 Contents - Driving
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of
radio transmitters ..................... 130
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 131
Maintenance ................................... 131
Tele Aid ........................................... 132
Catalytic converter ........................ 140
Emission control ............................ 141
Steering lock ................................... 142
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 144
Manual transmission .................... 145
Automatic transmission ............... 147
Parking brake ................................. 156Driving instructions .......................157
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........157
Drinking and driving .................157
Pedals ...........................................157
Power assistance .........................158
Brakes ...........................................158
Driving off ....................................159
Parking .........................................159
Tires ..............................................160
Snow chains ................................163
Winter driving instructions ......163
Block heater .................................165
Deep water ...................................165
Passenger compartment ............165
Traveling abroad .........................165Cruise control ................................. 166
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 169
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 171
Electronic stability program
(ESP) ........................................... 173
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 177
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 179

163 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Snow chains
Use only snow chains that are tested and recommended
by Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to advise you on this subject.
Chains should only be used on the rear wheels. Follow
the manufacturer’s mounting instructions.
Snow chains should only be driven on snow covered
roads at speeds not to exceed 30 mph (50 km / h).
Remove chains as soon as possible when driving on
roads without snow.
When driving with snow chains, press the ESP control
switch to OFF, see page 175.
Important!
Use of snow chains is not permissible with tire size
225 / 50 R 16, with the collapsible spare tire, or with tire
size 245 / 40 ZR 17 (Sport Package).Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy roads is to
drive sensibly and to avoid abrupt acceleration, braking
and steering maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding, move
selector lever to position “N” or in case of manual
transmission declutch. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can adversely affect braking
efficiency. Increased pedal force may become necessary
to produce the normal brake effect. We therefore
recommend depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn roads. This can
bring road salt impaired braking efficiency back to
normal. A prerequisite is, however, that this be done
without endangering other drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven on salt treated
roads, the braking efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed while observing the
safety rules in the previous paragraph.

164 Driving instructions
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
•Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE / CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 266.
•Check engine coolant anticorrosion / antifreeze
concentration.•Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 199.
•Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
•Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated radial-
ply tires and the legal speed limit.
Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and / or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Wa r n i n g !
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make sure
that snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe and
from around the vehicle with engine running.
O t h e rw i s e , d e a d ly c a r b o n m on ox i d e ( CO ) ga s e s m ay
enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness
and death.To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation, open a
window slightly on the side of the vehicle not
facing the wind.

174 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
The malfunction indicator lamp for the ESP is combined
with that of the BAS.
The yellow BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster and the yellow ESP warning
lampv in the speedometer dial come on with the
key in steering lock position 2. They should go out with
the engine running.
If the BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp comes on
continuously with the engine running, a malfunction
has been detected in either system. Only partial engine
output will be available.
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system functions in
the usual manner, but without BAS.
Have the BAS or ESP checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With the ABS malfunctioning, the ESP is also switched
off.Driving the vehicle with varied size tires will cause the
wheels to rotate at different speeds, therefore the ESP
may activate (yellow ESP warning lamp in speedometer
dial comes on). For this reason, all wheels, including the
spare wheel, must have the same tire size.
When testing the parking brake on a brake test
dynamometer, the engine must be shut off. Otherwise,
the ESP will immediately be engaged and will apply the
rear wheel brakes.
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
ESP is only achieved with Mercedes-Benz recommended
M+S rated radial-ply tires and / or snow chains.
Synchronizing ESP
If the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp may be illuminated with the engine
running.
Turn steering wheel completely to the left and then to
the right. The BAS / ESP malfunction indicator lamp
should go out.

175 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index ESP Control switch
ESP control switch located in center console.
1Press to switch ESP off
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, comes on.
2Press to switch ESP on
ESP warning lampv, located in speedometer
dial, goes out.To improve the vehicle’s traction when driving with
snow chains, or starting off in deep snow, sand or gravel,
switch off ESP by pressing the upper half (1) of the ESP
switch. The ESP warning lampv, located in the
speedometer dial, is continuously illuminated.
With the ESP system switched off, the engine torque
reduction feature is cancelled. Therefore, the enhanced
vehicle stability offered by ESP is unavailable.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.
A portion of the ESP system remains active, even with
the switch in the OFF position.
If one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin, the
brake is applied until the wheel regains sufficient
traction. The traction control engages at vehicle speeds
up to approximately 24 mph (40 km / h), and switches
off at 50 mph (80 km / h).
Wa r n i n g !
When the ESP warning lamp is illuminated
continuously, the ESP is switched off. Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing road
conditions.

261 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rims – Tires
2 Must not be used with snow chains.Model SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR
Except Sport PackageSLK 320
Except Sport Package
Rims and summer tires
Rims front axle
light alloy rims
Wheel offset7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Rims rear axle
light alloy rims
Wheel offset8 J x 16 H 2
1. 18 i n ( 3 0 m m )8 J x 16 H 2
1.18 in (30 mm)
Radial-ply tires
front axle
rear axle205 / 55 R 16 91 V
225 / 50 R 16 92 V
2
205 / 55 R 16 91 W
225 / 50 R 16 92 W
2

262 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
2 Must not be used with snow chains.
3 Also permissible: 225 / 45 R 17 91 Y
4 Also permissible: 245 / 40 R 17 91 Y
2
5 Also permissible: 225 / 45 ZR 17 91 Y
6 Also permissible: 245 / 40 ZR 17 91 Y
2
Model SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR /
SLK 320
Sport PackageSLK 32 AMG
Rims and summer tires
Rims front axle
light alloy rims
Wheel offset7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Rims rear axle
light alloy rims
Wheel offset8
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.34 in (34 mm)8
1/2 J x 17 H 2
1.34 in (34 mm)
Radial-ply tires
front axle
rear axle225 / 45 ZR 17
3
245 / 40 ZR 17
2, 4
225 / 45 R 17 91 Y
5
245 / 40 R 17 91 Y
2, 6

263 Technical data
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
2 Must not be used with snow chains.Model SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR SLK 320 SLK 32 AMG
Rims and winter tires
Rims (light alloy)
Wheel offset7 J x 16 H 2
1. 4 6 i n ( 3 7 m m )7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)7 J x 16 H 2
1.46 in (37 mm)
Radial-ply tires 205 / 55 R 16 91 H M+S 205 / 55 R 16 91 H M+S 205 / 55 R 16 91 H M+S
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset4
1/2 B x 15 H 2
0.47 in (12 mm)4
1/2 B x 16 H 2
0.47 in (12 mm)4
1/2 B x 16 H 2
0.47 in (12 mm)
Collapsible tire 165-15 89 P
2
165 / 70-16 92 P
2
165 / 70-16 92 P
2

281 Index
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
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