MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2000 Owners Manual

SLK
Operator’s Manual

SLK 230 Kompressor
SLK 320

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our prod uct is a de monstration of you r tru st in our company na me. Fu rt her, it exemplif ies you r desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
•Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
•Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
•Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 5
Operator’s manual ............................. 6
Where to find it ................................ 11
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 13Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 16
Center console .............................. 18
Overhead control panel ............... 19OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 22
Remote control with
folding master key ...................... 22
Start lock-out .................................... 24
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 24
Central locking system ................... 25
Remote control ............................. 25
Panic button .................................. 27
Doors .................................................. 28Central locking switch .................... 30
Automatic central locking ...............31
Emergency unlocking in
case of accident .......................... 32
Trunk ................................................. 33
Emergency release
for trunk lid ................................. 35
Antitheft alarm system ................... 35
Tow-away alarm ............................... 37
Seats .................................................. 38
Seat heater ........................................ 42
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 44
Seat belts .......................................... 44
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 45
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 50
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child
seat installed .................................51
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................51
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 52Airbags .............................................. 52
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................... 59
Infant and child
restraint systems ......................... 61
Adjusting telescoping
steering column .......................... 63
Rear view mirrors ............................ 64
Instrument cluster ........................... 68
Flexible service
system (FSS) ................................ 75
Checking engine oil level ............... 77
Engine oil consumption .................. 78
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 79
Headlamp cleaning system ............ 80
Combination switch ........................ 81
Hazard warning flasher
switch ............................................ 83
Climate control ................................. 84
Rear window defroster .................... 88
Audio and telephone,
operation ...................................... 91

2 Contents
Power windows ............................... 109
Interior lighting ..............................110
Night security illumination ..........110
Sun visors with Vanity Mirror ......111
Interior .............................................111
Cup holder and glove box ............. 112
Storage compartments ...................113
Ashtrays ...........................................114
Coin Holder ......................................114
Lighter ..............................................115
Parcel net in
passenger footwell .....................116
Shelf behind roll bars .....................116
Cellular telephone ..........................116
Garage door opener ........................117
Retractable hardtop ....................... 120
Wind screen .................................... 125
Luggage cover ................................. 126
DrivingControl and operation
of radio transmitters ................ 128
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 129
Maintenance .................................. 129
Tele Aid ............................................130
Catalytic converter .........................138
Emission control .............................139
Steering lock .................................. 140
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 142
Manual transmission .................... 143
Automatic transmission ............... 144
Parking brake .................................153
Driving instructions .......................154
Drive sensibly – Save Fuel ........154
Drinking and driving .................154
Pedals ...........................................154Power assistance ........................ 155
Brakes .......................................... 155
Driving off ................................... 156
Parking ........................................ 156
Tires ............................................. 157
Snow chains ................................ 160
Winter driving instructions ...... 160
Block heater ................................ 162
Deep water .................................. 162
Passenger compartment ........... 162
Traveling abroad ........................ 162
Cruise control ................................. 163
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 166
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 168
Electronic stability
program (ESP) ........................... 170
What you should know
at the gas station ....................... 174
Check regularly and
before a long trip ...................... 176

3 Contents
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster ......................................... 178
On-board diagnostic system ..... 178
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 178
Brake warning lamp .................. 179
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp ............................. 180
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp .............................. 180
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS)
indicator lamp ............................. 180
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning .................... 181
Electronic stability
program (ESP) —
warning lamp .............................. 181
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 181
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 182Telescoping steering
column warning lamp ................182
Low engine coolant level
warning lamp ..............................183
Low windshield and
headlamp washer system
f luid level warning lamp ...........183
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................184
Charge indicator lamp ...............184
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp .............................185
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) ..........185
Malfunction and indicator
lamp in the center console .......185
AIRBAG OFF
indicator lamp .............................185
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ......................................188
Stowing things
in the vehicle .............................188Fuses ................................................ 188
Hood ................................................. 190
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 192
Checking engine oil level ............. 193
Coolant level ................................... 194
Adding coolant ........................... 194
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........ 195
Air pump, spare wheel,
vehicle tools,
storage compartment ................ 196
Vehicle jack ..................................... 197
Wheels ............................................. 198
Tire replacement ........................ 198
Rotating wheels .......................... 199
Spare wheel ....................................200
Spare wheel bolts ....................... 201
Changing wheels ...........................202
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire .....................................207
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well ...................................208
Tire inflation pressure ..................209

4 Contents
Battery ............................................. 210
Jump starting .................................. 212
Towing the vehicle ......................... 214
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 217
Exterior lamps ................................ 218
Headlamp assembly ................... 219
Taillamp assemblies ..................222
Changing batteries in the
remote control ...........................224
Synchronizing
remote control ............................225
Emergency engine shut-down .....226
Raising hardtop manually ............226
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 231
Antenna ...........................................232
Manual release of
fuel filler flap .............................232
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................234
Power washer ..............................235Paintwork, painted body
components ................................ 235
Tar stains .................................... 235
Engine cleaning ......................... 236
Vehicle washing ......................... 236
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 237
Window cleaning ....................... 237
Rear window cleaning .............. 237
Wiper blades .............................. 238
Light alloy wheels ..................... 238
Instrument cluster ..................... 238
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 239
Cup holder .................................. 239
Hard plastic trim items ............. 239
Plastic and rubber parts ........... 239
Headliner and shelf
behind roll bars .......................... 239
Upholstery .................................. 239
Seat belts ..................................... 240
Technical data
Spare parts service ........................242
Warranty coverage .........................242
Identification labels ......................243
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............245
Technical data ................................248
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
etc. – capacities .........................252
Engine oils ......................................254
Engine oil additives .......................254
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........254
Brake fluid ......................................254
Premium unleaded gasoline ........255
Fuel requirements .........................255
Gasoline additives .........................256
Coolants ...........................................256
Consumer information ..................258IndexIndex ................................................260

5 IntroductionProduct information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories
explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible
for them, even if in individual cases an official approval or authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.
Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on
permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.

6 Introduction
Operator’s manual
This Operator’s Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize
yourself with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings
contained in this manual. Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations
for optional equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment,
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:
•New Car Limited Warranty,
•Emission System Warranty,
•Emission Performance Warranty,
•California, Massachusetts, and Vermont Emission Control System Warranty
(California, Massachusetts, and Vermont only),
•State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws).

7 IntroductionImportant notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC or its authorized Mercedes-Benz Center fails to conform the vehicle to its express warranties
after a reasonable number of repair attempts during the period of one year or 12 000 miles from original delivery of
the vehicle. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed for a retail buyer (1) if the vehicle is out of service by
reason of repair of substantial nonconformities for a cumulative total of more than 30 calendar days or (2) the same
substantial non-conformity has been subject to repair four or more times and you have at least once directly
notifi ed us in w ri ting of the need to repair th e non-c onform ity and have gi ven us an opportunity to perform t he
repair ourselves. Notifications should be sent to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Regional Office listed in the
Service and Warranty Information Booklet.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
service. The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.