engine MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2005 Manual Online

295 Operation
Engine compartment
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*
The windshield washer reservoir is located
on the passenger side of the engine com-
partment.SLK 350 (example)1Washer fluid reservoir cap
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system* is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approx. 7.4 US qt (7 l).
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clean
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.

296 OperationEngine compartmentDuring all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Premix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.
Pull cap upward using latch until it
opens.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze, de-
pending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could re-
sult in damage to the washer sys-
tem/reservoir.

Push cap down until it engages.For more information, see “Windshield
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system*” (
page 429).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.

327 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Checking anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Adding of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning* system. Add
MB Concentrate “S” to a pre-mixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for temperatures
below freezing point (
page 429).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure the engine can be started, even at
low ambient temperatures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4.0 mm) on all four wheels for
the winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Using winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP in winter
operation.
For safe handling, make sure all mounted
winter tires are of the same make and have
the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires mounted to your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your ve-
hicle, you must place a notice to this effect
where it will be seen by the driver. Such no-
tices are available at your tire dealer or any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!When scraping ice or snow from the
rear window, be careful not to damage
the sealing strip or apertures along the
side of the window.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth under
1/6 in
(4 mm) must be replaced. They are no long-
er suitable for winter operation.

329 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
In the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing, and caring for your vehicle.
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Maintenance Booklet at the times
called for by the maintenance service indi-
cator display.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times/mileage will result in ve-
hicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The maintenance service indicator will no-
tify you when your next maintenance ser-
vice is due.
Starting approximately one month before
maintenance service is due, one of the fol-
lowing messages will appear in the multi-
function display while you are driving or
when you switch on the ignition (example
service A):
Service A in XXXXX miles (km)
Service A in XXX days
Service A in X day
Carry out service AThe maintenance services will be indicated
by showing a service type A through
type H in the multifunction display.
Types A through H are classified based on
estimated time needed to perform the
maintenance service, ranging:
from
Service A(approx. one hour)
toService H(approx. eight hours)When the service type appears, you can
use the vehicle’s control system to view a
list of service items (1-13) that need to be
performed at the called for maintenance
service type (
page 333).
iVehicles equipped with FSS (F
lexible
S
ervice S
ystem) only (Canada
vehicles): The interval between mainte-
nance 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 maintenance
services.

330 OperationMaintenanceClearing the maintenance service indicator
The maintenance service indicator is auto-
matically cleared after 30 seconds.
You can also clear it yourself.
Press reset buttonJ(
page 24) for
clearing the maintenance service indi-
cator.
The maintenance service indicator is
cleared and the standard display menu
appears in the multifunction display
(
page 122).
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the multifunction
display:Service A exceeded by XXXXX miles (km)
Service A exceeded by XXX days
Service A exceeded by X dayIn addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.Calling up the maintenance service
indicator
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
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).
iIf the battery is disconnected, the days
of disconnection will not be included in
the count shown by the maintenance
service indicator. To arrive at the true
maintenance service deadline, you will
need to subtract these days from the
days shown in the maintenance service
indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance ser-
vice indicator with the engine oil level
indicator:.

331 Operation
Maintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator re-
set. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the main-
tenance service indicator in the mainte-
nance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
Setting the date for special works
You can enter appointments for exhaust
gas analysis and general inspection using
the maintenance system.
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
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.
iIf the maintenance service indicator
was inadvertently reset, have an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance
service has been performed. Resetting
the system without performing the
proper maintenance service as called
for by the maintenance service indica-
tor will result in engine damage and/or
other vehicle damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


336 OperationVehicle carePaintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”, normally
every three to five months, depending on
climate and washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick
for quick and provisional repairs of minor
paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehi-
cle doors, etc.).Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to
the engine compartment after every en-
gine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lu-
bricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.

343 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
;
3
(USA only)
(Canada only)
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while driv-
ing and you hear a warning
sound.
You are driving with the parking brake
set.

Release the parking brake
(page 49).
The red brake warning
lamp comes on while driv-
ing.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot
engine parts and the brake fluid catching
fire. You can be seriously burned.
!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.

344 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
?
±
(USA only)
(Canada only)
The yellow 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 ex-
cessive 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 system. It allows the accu-
rate identification of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left area of the
footwell near the hood release.
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refueling start, turn off and restart the
engine three or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.
Additionally you see
the message
Check
gas cap
See Operator’s
Manual
in the multi-
function display.
A loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaking.

Check the fuel cap (
page 284).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.

346 Practical hintsWhat to do if …4
The yellow fuel reserve warning lamp
flashes after starting the engine.
The fuel cap is not closed properly.

Close the fuel cap.
<
The red seat belt telltale comes on
after starting the engine and with all
doors closed.
The seat belt telltale reminds you
and your passenger to fasten your
seat belts.

Fasten your seat belts.
For more information, see “Seat belts”
(page 69).
1
The red SRS indicator lamp comes
on while driving.
There is a malfunction in the re-
straint systems. The air bags or
emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) could deploy unexpectedly or
fail to deploy in an accident.

Drive with added caution to the nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
Warning!
G
In the event that a malfunction of the SRS is
indicated as outlined above, the SRS may
not be operational. For your safety, we
strongly recommend that you visit an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately to have the system checked;
otherwise the SRS may not be activated
when needed in an accident, which could re-
sult in serious or fatal injury, or it might de-
ploy unexpectedly and unnecessarily which
could also result in an accident and/or
injury to you or to others.