steering MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2005 Repair Manual

333 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the maintenance service data information
The maintenance service indicator shows
the maintenance service type (letters
A-H)
in the multifunction display approximately
one month before the maintenance service
appointment is due in miles or km (dis-
tance criterion) or in days (time criterion).
This maintenance service type is based on
the maintenance service items to be car-
ried out. The maintenance service items
are described in the Maintenance Booklet.
The maintenance service items to be car-
ried out under the corresponding mainte-
nance service type can be displayed in the
multifunction display.Calling up the service item menu

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
Make sure the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 122).

Press buttonjork repeatedly
on the multifunction steering wheel un-
til the maintenance service
indicator9 appears in the multi-
function display (
page 118).

Press and hold reset
buttonJ(
page 24) for about
five seconds.
The
Service menu
appears in the multi-
function display.

Select the
Items
menu with
button+or-.

Press buttonÿ.
The maintenance service indicator now
displays the
Items
menu.

Press buttonè repeatedly until the
standard display menu appears in the
multifunction display (
page 122).
iThe maintenance service items to be
carried out are shown in this menu.
Please refer to the Maintenance Book-
let for a description of each mainte-
nance service item.

339 Operation
Vehicle care
Rear window cleaning
Clean the rear window with the hardtop
fully raised and closed.
Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care
should be used for regular cleaning of the
light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, us-
ing a soft bristle brush and a strong spray
of water.
Follow instructions on container.Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gearshift/gear se-
lector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly
or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or
mild detergent for delicate fabrics as a
washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moist-
ened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.Warning!
G
Do not clean the rear window with the hard-
top in a position other than the fully raised
and closed position. Otherwise, the hardtop
may move unexpectedly which may result in
personal injury to you or others.
iOnly use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage
the clear coat.

342 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during thebulb self-check when switching on ignition
(
page 35), have the respective bulb
checked and replaced if necessary.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp comes on
while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The BAS and
ESP are also switched off (see mes-
sages in display).
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.
If the ABS control unit is malfunction-
ing, other systems such as the
automatic transmission* may also be
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Read and observe the messages in
the display (
page 348).

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS has switched
off.
The battery might not be charged suf-
ficiently.

Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating*.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

350 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP and
the BAS are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

354 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display messages
Possible cause
Possible solution
Run Flat Indicator
inactive
The Run Flat Indicator is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Low pressure mode
Check tires
max. Speed 50 mph(Canada:max. Speed 80 km/h
)
The pressure is too low in one or
more tires.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers. Observe
the traffic situation around you.

Check and adjust the tire inflation pressure as re-
quired (
page 308).

If necessary, change the wheel (
page 388).

Reactivate the Run Flat Indicator after adjusting
the tire inflation pressure values (
page 284).
Check tires
Then reactivate
Run Flat Indicator
There was a warning message about
a loss in tire inflation pressure and
the Run Flat Indicator has not been
reactivated yet.

Make sure that the correct tire inflation pressure
is set for each tire.

Then reactivate the Run Flat Indicator.
Run Flat Indicator
unavailable
The Run Flat Indicator has been
switched off due to an error.

Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle.
You may lose control of the vehicle. Contin-
ued driving with a flat tire will cause exces-
sive heat build-up and possibly a fire.

388 Practical hintsFlat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead po-
sition.

Set the parking brake (
page 49).

Move the gear selector lever* toP
(manual transmission to first or reverse
gear).

Turn off the engine (
page 58).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
iOpen door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire are different from those of the
road wheels. As a result, the vehicle han-
dling characteristics change when driving
with a spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel with collapsible tire is for
temporary use only. When driving with spare
wheel with collapsible tire mounted, ensure
proper tire inflation pressure and do not ex-
ceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
with collapsible tire replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel with collapsible tire mount-
ed.

402 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on ignition and activate the
combination switch for the left or right
turn signal in the usual manner – only
the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 97).
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 86).
The vehicle should only be towed using
a properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or
tow rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or
suspension parts.

411 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
SLK 350
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4Power steering pump
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)
SLK 55 AMG
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Power steering pump
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley

422 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore, only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
SLK 350
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
SLK 55 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic transmission*
SLK 350
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
SLK 55 AMG
10.4 US qt (9.8 l)
Manual transmission
SLK 350
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
Rear axle
SLK 350
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
SLK 55 AMG
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
Power steering
SLK 350
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S)
SLK 55 AMG
1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 2.1oz (60g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4)
Cooling system
SLK 350
approx.11.2 US qt (10.2 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
SLK 55 AMG
approx. 11.7 US qt (11.1 l)

432 Technical termsCAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 323)
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.COMAND
(Co
ckpit Man
agement and
D
ata System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio,
CD changer and navigation system, as
well as other optional equipment (e.g.
telephone).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Curb weight
(
page 323)
DOT
(Department o
f Transportation)
(
page 323)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measurement for the inner friction (vis-
cosity) of the oil at different tempera-
tures. The higher the temperature an
oil can tolerate without becoming thin,
or the lower the temperature it can tol-
erate without becoming viscous, the
better the viscosity.
ESP
(Electronic S
tability Pr
ogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.