service MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2004 Owner's Guide

190 OperationMaintenance
MaintenanceWe strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (Flexible Service System).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.1Knob
2Display in the speedometer
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, the type of service is indi-
cated in the speedometer display2:
9Minor service (A)
´Major service (B)
Depending on operating conditions
throughout the year, one of the following
service symbols is also shown:
9 1000 Calculated distance remain-
ing, e. g. service in
1000 miles (km)š 10 Calculated remaining time in
days, e. g. service in 10 days
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared

after ten seconds when you switch on
the ignition or when reaching the
service threshold while driving


after 30 seconds, once the suggested
service term has passed
You can also clear it yourself.

Press knob1.iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

191 Operation
Maintenance
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested
service term:

the9 or´ appears in the
display2 for 30 seconds and a signal
sounds after switching on the ignition.


it is preceded by a “-” (minus symbol)
The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
Calling up the service indicator
Within one second press knob1
(page 190) twice.
The service symbol and the service
deadline appear in the display2.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on (key in steering lock
position 2) and immediately press
knob1 (
page 190) twice within
1 second.
The present status for days or distance
is displayed.

Within ten seconds turn key in steering
lock to position0.

Press and hold knob1 while turning
key in steering lock to position2 again.
The present status for days and dis-
tance is displayed once more.
Continue to hold knob1 until you
hear a signal.

Release knob1.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.
iIf the service indicator was inadvertent-
ly reset, have a Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the Mer-
cedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the service indica-
tor. To arrive at the true service dead-
line, you will need to subtract these
days from the days shown in the ser-
vice indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator:.

205 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
The yellow “CHECK ENGINE”
malfunction indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel management system


The ignition system


The emission control system


Systems which affect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.

Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics sys-
tem. It allows the accurate identifica-
tion of system malfunctions through
the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the passenger
compartment near the engine hood
release.
The fuel cap is not closed tight.

Check the fuel cap.
Your gas tank is empty.

After refuelling, start the engine three
or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do
not need to have your vehicle checked.
<
The red seat belt warning lamp il-
luminates for a brief period after
starting the engine.
The warning lamp reminds you to fasten seat
belts.

Fasten your seat belt.

206 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 184).
N
The yellow low engine oil level
warning lamp remains lit after
starting the engine or comes on
while driving.
The engine oil level has sunk to the minimum
level.

Check the engine oil level
(page 175) and add oil as required
(page 179).

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.

208 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


broken poly-V-belt

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.
Adjust driving to be consistent with
reduced braking responsiveness.

209 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
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.
.
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 lamps is malfunctioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 226).
.
The yellow exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp remains lit after
starting the engine or lights up
while driving.
One of the following lamps is malfunctioning:

parking lamp


tail lamp


brake lamp


low beam head lamp

Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(page 226).
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.
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.

210 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Additional indicators in the speedometer displayDisplay
Possible cause
Suggested solution
9
Perform minor service (A) (
page 190).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
´
Perform major service (B) (
page 190).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center to perform service.
9
1000
Perform service (A) or (B) after calculated
distance remaining in miles (km)
(page 190).
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 190).
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).

251 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right-hand side.
1Battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries,
see “Battery” (
page 183).
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the steering lock. Other-
wise the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely dam-
aged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.

263 Technical data
Spare parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and Tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Consumer information

264 Technical dataSpare parts service
The “Technical data” section provides the
necessary technical data for your vehicle.
Spare parts service
All authorized Mercedes-Benz Centers
maintain a stock of genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts required for mainte-
nance and repair work. In addition, strate-
gically located parts distribution centers
provide quick and reliable parts service.
More than 300 000 different spare parts
for Mercedes-Benz models are available.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject-
ed to stringent quality inspections. Each
part has been specifically developed, man-
ufactured or selected for and adapted to
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Therefore, genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
original spare parts should be installed.
!The use of non-genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts and accessories not authorized
by Mercedes-Benz could damage the
vehicle, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty, or
could compromise the vehicle’s dura-
bility or safety.