engine coolant MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2004 Owners Manual

Contents
Tele Aid ........................................ 144
Garage door opener ..................... 153
Operation......................................... 159
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 160
Driving instructions............................ 161
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 161
Drinking and driving ..................... 161
Pedals .......................................... 161
Power assistance ......................... 162
Brakes .......................................... 162
Driving off .................................... 163
Parking......................................... 163
Tires ............................................. 164
Hydroplaning................................ 165
Tire traction ................................. 165
Tire speed rating .......................... 166
Winter driving instructions ........... 167
Standing water ............................. 168
Passenger compartment .............. 168
Driving abroad.............................. 168
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 168
Catalytic converter....................... 169
Emission control .......................... 170Coolant temperature..................... 170
At the gas station ............................... 171
Refueling....................................... 171
Check regularly and before a
long trip ........................................ 172
Engine compartment .......................... 174
Hood ............................................. 174
Engine oil ...................................... 175
Transmission fluid level................. 180
Coolant ......................................... 180
Battery .......................................... 183
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*.......... 184
Tires and wheels................................. 185
Important guidelines ..................... 185
Life of tire ..................................... 186
Direction of rotation...................... 186
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 186
Rotating wheels ............................ 187
Winter driving ..................................... 188
Winter tires ................................... 188
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 189
Snow chains.................................. 189
Maintenance....................................... 190
Clearing the service indicator ....... 190
Service term exceeded ................. 191Calling up the service indicator .... 191
Resetting the service indicator ..... 191
Vehicle care ....................................... 192
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 192
Practical hints.................................. 199
What to do if … ................................... 200
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 200
Additional indicators in the
speedometer display .................... 210
Lamp in center console ................ 211
Where will I find ...? ............................ 212
First aid kit.................................... 212
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack ......... 212
Spare wheel (SLK 230
Kompressor, SLK 320) .................. 213
TIREFIT kit (SLK 32 AMG only) ...... 214
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 216
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 216
Locking the vehicle ....................... 217
Changing batteries in remote
control .......................................... 218
Synchronizing remote control ....... 219
Fuel filler flap ................................ 219

Contents
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever .......... 220
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 221
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ...................................... 221
Replacing bulbs ................................. 226
Bulbs ............................................ 226
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 228
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 230
Adjusting headlamp aim
(Halogen headlamps only) ............ 231
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 233
Removing wiper blades ................ 233
Installing wiper blades.................. 234
Flat tire .............................................. 235
Preparing the vehicle.................... 235
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1 ..... 235
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2 ..... 240
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 244
Battery ............................................... 251
Disconnecting the battery ............ 252
Removing the battery ................... 252
Charging and reinstalling battery . 252
Reconnecting the battery ............. 252
Jump starting ..................................... 254Towing the vehicle ............................. 256
Towing eye ................................... 258
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 259
Fuses ................................................. 260
Main fuse box............................... 260
Auxiliary fuse box ......................... 261
Technical data................................. 263
Spare parts service ............................ 264
Warranty coverage............................. 265
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 265
Identification labels ........................... 266
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 267
SLK 230 Kompressor ................... 267
SLK 320 ....................................... 267
SLK 32 AMG................................. 267
Engine................................................ 268
Rims and Tires ................................... 269
Same size tires ............................. 270
Mixed size tires ............................ 271
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 273
Electrical system ............................... 274
Main Dimensions ............................... 275
Weights.............................................. 276Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 277
Capacities .................................... 277
Engine oils ................................... 279
Engine oil additives ...................... 279
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 279
Brake fluid.................................... 279
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 280
Fuel requirements ........................ 280
Gasoline additives ........................ 280
Coolants ...................................... 281
Windshield washer system and
headlamp washer system* .......... 283
Consumer information ....................... 284
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 284
Technical terms............................... 287Index................................................. 293

21 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Left indicator lamps
with:W
Low windshield
washer and head
lamp washer* sys-
tem fluid level warn-
ing lamp
206
/
Low engine coolant
level warning lamp
207
N
Low engine oil level
warning lamp
206
1
Supplemental Re-
straint System
(SRS) indicator
lamp
52,
203
2
Brake pad wear in-
dicator lamp
209
?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
205
_
Telescoping steer-
ing column warning
lamp
206
Item
Page
2
Display with:D
Coolant tempera-
ture gauge
89
A
Fuel gauge
207
Outside temperature
indicator
91
3
Knob for:

Instrument cluster illu-
mination
89


Resetting trip odome-
ter
90


Activating Flexible Ser-
vice System (FSS) indi-
cator
190
Item
Page
4
Speedometer with:L
Left turn signal indi-
cator lamp
K
Right turn signal in-
dicator lamp
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
68,
200
Trip odometer
90
Main odometer
5
Knob for:

Setting clock
91
6
Tachometer with:Selector lever position
41, 90
Clock
91

46 Getting startedDrivingThe coolant temperature is over 248°F
(120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool down.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 180).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount

Start the engine in the usual manner.

89 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
A full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section of this manual (
page 20).
The instrument cluster is activated when
you


open the driver’s door


turn the key in steering lock to
position2 (
page 29)


press left knob3 (
page 20)
Instrument cluster illumination
Instrument lamps
To brighten illumination
Turn knob3 (
page 20) clockwise.
The instrument lamps will brighten.
To dim illumination

Turn knob3 counterclockwise.
The instrument lamps will dim.
Display illumination

Press knob3.
With key removed or in steering lock
position0 or1 (
page 29), the display
is illuminated for a short time.
Coolant temperature gauge
Under normal driving conditions, the cool-
ant temperature may rise to 248°F
(120°C). The coolant temperature may
climb to the red marking:

at high outside temperatures


during stop-and-go traffic


when driving on hilly terrain
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature in the red zone.
Doing so may cause serious engine dam-
age which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

170 OperationDriving instructionsEmission control
Certain engine systems serve to keep the
toxic components of the exhaust gases
within permissible legal limits.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments on the engine should, therefore,
be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing re-
quirements. For details refer to the Service
Booklet.
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant
temperature may rise to approx. 248°F
(120°C).The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.
Warning!
G


Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.


Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.

172 OperationAt the gas station
Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.

Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
More information on filling up the res-
ervoir can be found in the “Operation”
section (
page 184).
2Brake fluid3Coolant level
More information on coolant can be
found in the “Operation” section
(
page 180).
4Engine oil level
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Operation” section
(page 175).
Opening hood (
page 174).
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the? lamp to
illuminate.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 205).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, (
page 204).


175 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1ft (30cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Make sure the hood is fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled down. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Center.

180 OperationEngine compartmentBe careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw filler cap2 back on filler neck.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 277) and (
page 279).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
194°F (90°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately ½ turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.


181 Operation
Engine compartment
SLK 230 Kompressor1Coolant expansion tank
2Float in the filler neck
Using a rag, turn the cap to the left to
the first detent position. Allow any ex-
cess pressure to escape.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if float2
can be seen at the top through the filler
neck.

Add coolant as required.

Turn the cap back, past the first detent
position, as far as it will go.
More information on coolant can be found
in the “Technical data” section
(
page 281).
SLK 320, SLK 32 AMG1Coolant expansion tank
2Marker in the filler neck
Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
iThe drain plugs for the cooling system
are located on the right side of the en-
gine block and at the bottom of the ra-
diator.