light MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2002 Owner's Manual

124 Retractable hardtop
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
3. Slide hardtop switch back (1) and hold:
•The indicator lamp in the hardtop switch lights
up.
Note:
If indicator lamp blinks slowly, a malfunction
has occurred in the system.
If indicator lamp blinks rapidly, the trunk lid
and / or the luggage cover may be open, and need
to be closed.
•The door windows lower.
•The trunk lid opens rearward.
•The hardtop lowers into its storage
compartment, simultaneously the shelf behind
roll bars opens, and rear quarter windows lower.
•The shelf behind the roll bars closes.
•The trunk lid closes.
•The indicator lamp in the hardtop switch goes
out – the opening procedure is completed.If the hardtop switch is held or is released and slid back
again within approximately 30 seconds, the door
windows will close.
However, the door windows can also be closed / opened
later on. Slide hardtop switch twice forward / backward
and hold.
The rear quarter windows cannot be raised with the
hardtop lowered.
Notes:
For safety reasons, the hardtop cannot be lowered while
driving.
Lowering a wet hardtop can result in water reaching the
vehicle interior. The hardtop should be dry when
lowering it into the storage compartment.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible accidents, drive the vehicle
only with the hardtop either completely closed and
locked, or fully lowered into its storage
compartment.

125 Retractable hardtop
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Raising Hardtop
1. E n ga ge p a rk i n g b ra ke .
2. Turn key in steering lock to position 2.3. Slide hardtop switch forward (2) and hold:
•The indicator lamp in the hardtop switch lights
up.
Note:
If indicator lamp blinks slowly, a malfunction
has occurred in the system.
If indicator lamp blinks rapidly, the trunk lid
and / or the luggage cover may be open, and need
to be closed.
•The door windows lower.
•The trunk lid opens rearward.
•The hardtop is raised from its storage
compartment, simultaneously the shelf behind
roll bars opens and rear quarter windows close.
•The shelf behind the roll bars closes.
•The trunk lid closes, and the hardtop locks.
•The indicator lamp in the hardtop switch goes
out - the closing procedure is completed.
2
P77.39-2031-26

136 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
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See system self-check on page 132 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• is illuminated continuously and there was
no voice connection to the Response Center established,
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an Roadside
Assistance call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone network
is not available).
Information button ¡
Located below the center armrest cover is the
Information button¡. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds), will initiate a call to
the Client Assistance Center. The button will flash while
the call is in progress. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Client Assistance
Center representative and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or
Mercedes-Benz USA products and services is available
to you.For more details concerning Tele Aid, please visit
www.mbusa.com and use your ID and password, sent to
you separately, to learn more (USA only).
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Information button¡
remains illuminated in red for approximately
10 seconds during the system self-check after turning
key in steering lock to position 2 (together with the
“SOS” button and the Roadside Assistance button•).
See system self-check on page 132 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information button¡ is
illuminated continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center established, then the
Tele Aid system could not initiate an Information call
(e.g. the relevant cellular phone network is not
ava i l ab le ).

142 Steering lock
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Steering lock
0The key can be withdrawn in this position only. The
steering is locked when the key is removed from the
steering lock. If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the locking mechanism to engage.
In vehicles equipped with automatic transmission,
the key can only be removed with the selector lever
in position “P”. After removing the key or with the
key in steering lock position 0, the selector lever is
locked in position “P”.1Steering is unlocked.
(If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to allow
the key to be turned clockwise to position 1.)
Most electrical consumers can be operated. For
detailed information see respective subjects.
2Driving position.
3Starting position.
See page 144 for instructions on starting and turning off
the engine.
2
3
0
1
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of
vehicle equipment may cause serious personal
injury.

149 Automatic transmission
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
only slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS or traction system malfunction indicator lamp to
come on. Turn off and restart the engine to clear the
malfunction indication.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”, see page 156 for parking brake. When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the gear selector lever from position “P”, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

156 Parking brake
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Parking brakeTo engage, firmly pull up brake handle (1). When the
key is in steering lock position 2, the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster should come on brightly.
To release, slightly pull up handle while pushing lock
button (2), and guide lever downward to its stop. The
brake warning lamp in the instrument cluster should go
out.
A warning sounds, if you start to drive without having
released the parking brake.
Also see brake warning lamp on page 183.
P42.20-2052-27
2
1
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could release the parking brake, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

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.

166 Driving systems
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data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Cruise control
The cruise control allows you to drive in a more relaxed
manner, for example over long distances, as it
automatically maintains the set speed by actively
regulating the throttle setting.
Any given speed above approximately 20 mph
(30 km / h) can be maintained with the cruise control by
operating the lever.1Accelerate and set:
Lift lever briefly to set speed. Hold lever up to
accelerate.
2Decelerate and set:
Depress lever briefly to set speed.
Hold lever down to decelerate.
Normally the vehicle is accelerated to the desired
speed with the accelerator.
Speed is set by briefly pushing the lever to
position 1 or 2. The accelerator can then be
released.
The speed can be increased (e.g. for passing) by
using the accelerator. After the accelerator is
released, the previously set speed will be resumed
automatically.
If a set speed is to be increased or decreased
slightly, e. g. to adapt to the traffic f low, hold lever in
position 1 or 2 until the desired speed is reached, or
briefly tip the lever in the appropriate direction for
increases or decreases in 0.6 mph (1 km / h)
increments. When the lever is released, the newly
set speed remains.

171 Driving systems
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Antilock brake system (ABS)
Important!
The ABS improves steering control of the vehicle during
hard braking maneuvers.
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up above a
vehicle speed of approximately 5 mph (8 km / h)
independent of road surface conditions.At the instant one of the wheels is about to lock up, a
slight pulsation can be felt in the brake pedal,
indicating that the ABS is in the regulating mode. Keep
firm and steady pressure on the brake pedal while
experiencing the pulsation.
Continuous steady brake pedal pressure results in
applying the advantages of the ABS, namely braking
power and ability to steer the vehicle.
In the case of an emergency brake maneuver keep
continuous full pressure on the brake pedal. In this
manner only can the ABS be most effective.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will respond even
with light brake pedal pressure because of the
increased likelihood of locking wheels. The pulsating
brake pedal can be an indication of hazardous road
conditions and functions as a reminder to take extra
care while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping the brake
pedal defeats the purpose for ABS and significantly
reduces braking effectiveness.

179 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Check regularly and before a long trip
SLK 230 Kompressor shown1Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir, see page 199.
2Coolant level
See “Adding coolant” on page 198.
3Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 197 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 79.
4Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 268.
Opening hood, see page 194.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on
page 230.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 81.