light MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2003 Workshop Manual

200 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?When the low engine oil level warning lamp
does not go out after starting the engine,
or comes on while the engine is running
and at operating temperature, the engine
oil level has dropped to approximately the
minimum mark on the dipstick.When this occurs, the warning lamp will
first come on intermittently and then stay
on if the oil level drops further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive
to the nearest service station where the
engine oil should be topped to the “full”
mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
_
The red telescoping steering
column* warning lamp remains
lit after starting the engine.
The adjustable steering column is not locked
properly.

Lock the steering column
(page 34).
W
The yellow low windshield and
headlamp* washer system fluid
level warning lamp remains lit af-
ter starting the engine or lights
up while driving.
The fluid level has dropped to about
1/3 of
total reservoir capacity.

Add washer fluid (
page 179).
N
The yellow low engine oil level
warning lamp remains lit after
starting the engine or lights up
while driving.
The engine oil level is too low.

Check the engine oil level
(page 172) and add oil as required
(page 175).

If you must add engine oil frequently,
have the engine checked for possible
leaks.!The low engine oil level warning light
should not be ignored. Extended driv-
ing with the light illuminated could re-
sult in serious engine damage that is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

201 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
The fuel reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp:

lights up while driving
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 169).


blinks
The fuel cap is not closed tight.

Check the fuel cap.
A fuel system leak has been detected.

Have the fuel system checked as soon
as possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
B
The yellow low engine coolant
level warning lamp remains lit af-
ter starting the engine or lights
up while driving.
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 176).

If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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 light. Extended driving
with the light illuminated 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
engine damage.

202 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
#
The red charge indicator lamp
lights up while the engine is
running.
The battery was charged with a battery
charger or jump started.

Have the battery checked at a service
station.
The battery is no longer charging.
Possible causes:

alternator malfunctioning


one of the two poly-V-belts is broken

Stop immediately and check the
poly-V-belts.
If one is broken:

Do not continue to drive. Otherwise
the engine will overheat due to an in-
operative water pump which may re-
sult in damage to the engine. Notify
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is intact:

Drive immediately to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
2
The yellow brake pad wear indi-
cator lamp lights up while brak-
ing.
The brake pads have reached their wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon
as possible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technican
at the intervals specified in the Service
booklet.

203 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
.
The yellow exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp lights up while
applying the brake and stays on
until the engine is turned off.
One of the brake lights is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
.
The yellow exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp remains lit after
starting the engine or lights up
while driving.
One of the following lights is malfunctioning:

parking lamp


tail lamp


stop lamp


low beam head lamp

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 221).
iAdditional lighting equipment, if not
properly installed (e.g. auxiliary head-
lamps etc.), could cause the failure in-
dicator monitoring unit to malfunction.
We therefore recommend that an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center install
such equipment for you.
iIf an exterior lamp fails, the indicator
lamp will come on only when that lamp
is switched on.

204 Practical hintsWhat to do if …?Additional indicators in the speedometer displayDisplay
Possible cause
Suggested solution
9
Perform minor service (A) (
page 185).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
´
Perform major service (B) (
page 185).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
9
1000
Perform service (A) or (B) after calculated
distance remaining in miles (km)
(page 185).
For example: Service in 1000 miles (km).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
š
10
Perform service (A) or (B) after calculated
remaining time in days (
page 185).
For example: Service in 10 days.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
Á
î
The
Start
message lights up in
addition to the
Error
message.
The immobilizer is not operational.

Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA),
or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

205 Practical hints
What to do if …?
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
7
The indicator lamp lights up.
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on the
passenger seat. Therefore the front passen-
ger airbag is switched off.
The system is malfunctioning when there is
no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on the
passenger seat.

Have the system checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
7
The indicator lamp does not light
up when a BabySmart
TM child
seat is properly installed on the
front passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure that there is nothing be-
tween seat cushion and child seat and
check installation of the child seat.

If the light remains out, have the sys-
tem checked as soon as possible by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint
to transport children on the passen-
ger seat until the system has been
repaired.

221 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment (
page 226).
Bulbs Front lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn
signal lamps
LED
2
Low beam
H7 (55 W)
Xenon*
D2R-35 W
3
Parking, standing
and turn signal lamp
2375 NA
4
High beam
H7 (55 W)
5
Fog lamp
HB4 (55 W)
6
Side marker lamp
W5W

222 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsRear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Use only 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Have the LEDs and bulbs for the follow-
ing lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Additional turn signals in the
exterior rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Xenon* lamps


Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
7
Brake lamp
1154 / 32 cp
8
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
9
Backup lamp
1154 / 32 cp
10
Turn signal lamp
1156 NA
11
Tail, parking, stand-
ing and side marker
lamp
67 / 4 cp
12
License plate lamps
C5W
13
Rear fog lamp,
driver’s side
1155 / 32 cp
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow the lamp to cool down before
changing a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

223 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Low and high beam headlamps (Halo-
gen headlamps only)
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 171).
1Headlamp cover with locking tab

Push down locking tab at top and end
of headlamp cover1 and remove.2Electrical connector for low beam
headlamp bulb
3Electrical connector for high beam
headlamp bulb

Pull off electrical connector2 or3.

Unhook clamping ring and pull out the
bulb together with clamping ring.

Remove bulb.

Insert new bulb so that bulb sits prop-
erly in cutouts of bulb socket.

Mount clamping ring and reinstall.

Plug electrical connector onto the bulb.

Reinstall headlamp cover1.Low and high beam headlamps (Xenon*
headlamps only)
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the xenon head-
lamp. Because of high voltage in xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
ommend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.

224 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsParking, standing and turn signal lamp
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 171).
1Release opening

Insert the screwdriver from the vehicle
tool kit into release opening1.

Press the top of the screwdriver toward
the middle of the vehicle and toward
the rear.
The turn signal lamp will be lifted out.

Pull the turn signal lamp slightly out of
its mounting.

Pull off the electrical connector from
the turn signal lamp.
You can now take the turn signal lamp
completely out of its mounting.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

Plug electrical connector back into the
turn signal lamp.2Guides
3Tabs

Slide the turn signal lamp with tabs3
into guides2 and press it toward the
rear into the mounting until it engages.