maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class 2014 R172 Owner's Manual

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
We urge you to read this Operator's Manual
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving. For your own safety
and a longer vehicle life, follow the
instructions and warning notices in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in damage
to the vehicle or personal injury to you or
others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to follow
instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-
Benz Limited Warranty.
The equipment or product designation of your
vehicle may vary depending on:
R Model
R Order
R Country specification
R Availability
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right
to introduce changes in the following areas:
R Design
R Equipment
R Technical features
The equipment in your vehicle may therefore
differ from that shown in the descriptions and
illustrations.
The following are integral components of the
vehicle:
R Operator's Manual
R Maintenance Booklet
R Equipment-dependent supplements
Keep printed copies of the documents in the
vehicle at all times. If you sell the vehicle,
always pass the documents on to the new
owner.
The technical documentation team at
Daimler AG wishes you safe and pleasant
motoring.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company
1725845081É1725845081iËÍ

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 20 At a glance
........................................... 27 Safety
................................................... 37 Opening and closing
...........................69 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
....95 Lights and windshield wipers
..........107 Climate control
................................. 121 Driving and parking
..........................137 On-board computer and displays
....191 Stowage and features
......................253 Maintenance and care
......................273 Breakdown assistance
.....................287 Wheels and tires
............................... 305 Technical data
................................... 341 Contents
3

Automatic engine switch-off (ECO
start/stop function)
..........................144
Automatic headlamp mode ..............109
Automatic transmission Accelerator pedal position .............150
Automatic drive program ...............152
Changing gea r............................... 150
Display message ............................ 235
Driving tips .................................... 150
Emergency running mode ..............156
Kickdown ....................................... 151
Manual drive program ....................152
Manual drive program (vehicles
with Sports package AMG) ............153
Overview ........................................ 149
Problem (malfunction) ...................156
Program selector button ................151
Pulling away ................................... 142
Releasing the parking lock
manually ........................................ 156
Selector lever ................................ 149
Starting the engine ........................142
Steering wheel paddle shifters ......152
Transmission position displa y........ 149
Transmission positions ..................150
Automatic transmission
emergency mode ............................... 156 B
Backup lamp Changing bulbs .............................. 117
BAS (Brake Assist System) .................60
BAS PLUS (Brake Assist System
PLUS) .................................................... 60
Battery (SmartKey) Checking .......................................... 73
Important safety notes ....................73
Replacing ......................................... 73
Battery (vehicle)
Charging ........................................ 296
Display message ............................ 226
Important safety notes ..................294
Jump starting ................................. 298
Overview ........................................ 294Blind Spot Assist
Activating/deactivating .................201
Display message ............................ 229
Notes/function .............................. 187
Bottle holder ...................................... 257
Brake Assist see BAS (Brake Assist System)
Brake fluid
Display message ............................ 216
Notes ............................................. 347
Brake lamps
Display message ............................ 222
Brakes
ABS .................................................. 59
BAS .................................................. 60
BAS PLUS ........................................ 60
Brake fluid (notes) .........................347
Display message ............................ 211
Driving tips .................................... 164
High-performance brake system ....165
Important safety notes ..................164
Maintenance .................................. 165
Parking brake ................................ 160
Warning lamp ................................. 242
Breakdown
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Bulbs
see Replacing bulbs C
California Important notice for retail
customers and lessees ....................22
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Carpets .......................................... 285
Car wash ........................................ 280
Display ........................................... 284
Exhaust pipe .................................. 283
Exterior lights ................................ 283
Gear or selector lever ....................284
Interior ........................................... 284
Matte finish ................................... 282 Index
5

Tire size (data)
............................... 333
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity, speed rating .................... 322
Tire tread ....................................... 307
Tire tread (definition) .....................327
Total load limit (definition) .............328
Traction ......................................... 321
Traction (definition) .......................328
Tread wea r..................................... 321
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards ...................................... 320
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (definition) ....................326
Unladen weight (definition) ............327
Wear indicator (definition) .............328
Wheel rim (definition) ....................326
see Flat tire
Towing
Important safety guidelines ...........300
Installing the towing eye ................301
Removing the towing eye ...............301
With the rear axle raised ................302
Towing away
With both axles on the ground .......302
Tow-starting
Emergency engine starting ............303
Important safety notes ..................300
Installing the towing eye ................301
Removing the towing eye ...............301
Transmission
Selector lever ................................ 149
see Automatic transmission
see Manual transmission
Transporting the vehicle ..................302
Trim pieces (cleaning instructions) .284
Trip computer (on-board computer) 195
Trip odometer Calling up ....................................... 195
Resetting (on-board computer) ......196
Trunk
Emergency release ..........................81
Important safety notes ....................79
Locking separately ...........................81
Opening/closing (manually from
outside) ............................................ 80
Opening (automatically from
outside) ............................................ 80
Overview .......................................... 79Trunk lid
Display message ............................ 236
Opening/closing .............................. 79
Opening dimensions ......................350
Trunk load (maximum) ......................350
Trunk partition Display message ............................ 237
General notes .................................. 88
Opening/closing .............................. 89
Turn signals
Changing bulbs (front) ...................117
Display message ............................ 221
Switching on/off ........................... 110
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate U
Unlocking Emergency unlocking .......................78
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 77 V
Vanity mirror (in the sun visor) ........258
Vehicle Correct use ...................................... 25
Data acquisition ............................... 26
Display message ............................ 235
Equipment ....................................... 21
Individual settings ..........................202
Limited Warranty ............................. 25
Loading .......................................... 317
Locking (in an emergency) ...............78
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 70
Lowering ........................................ 332
Maintenance .................................... 22
Parking for a long period ................ 162
Pulling away ................................... 142
Raising ........................................... 330
Reporting problems .........................25
Securing from rolling away ............329
Towing away .................................. 300
Tow-starting ................................... 300
Transporting .................................. 302
Unlocking (in an emergency) ...........78 18
Index

Have aftermarket accessories installed at
a qualified specialist workshop.
You could jeopardize the operating safety of
your vehicle if you use parts, tires and wheels
as well as accessories relevant to safety
which have not been approved by Mercedes.
This could lead to malfunctions in safety-
relevant systems, e.g. the brake system. Use
only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of
equal quality. Only use tires, wheels and
accessories that have been specifically
approved for your vehicle.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject to
strict quality control. Every part has been
specifically developed, manufactured or
selected for and adapted to Mercedes-Benz
vehicles. Only genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
should therefore be used.
More than 300,000 different genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts are available for
Mercedes-Benz models.
All authorized Mercedes-Benz Centers
maintain a supply of genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts for necessary service and repair work.
In addition, strategically located parts
delivery centers provide quick and reliable
parts service.
Always specify the vehicle identification
number (VIN) (Y page 342) and the engine
number (Y page 343) when ordering genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts. Operator's Manual
Vehicle equipment
This Operator's Manual describes all models
and all standard and optional equipment of
your vehicle available at the time of going to
print. Country-specific differences are
possible. Bear in mind that your vehicle may
not feature all functions described here. This
also applies to safety-relevant systems and
functions. The equipment in your vehicle may
therefore differ from that shown in the
descriptions and illustrations. The original purchase agreement lists all
systems installed in your vehicle.
Should you have any questions concerning
equipment and operation, please consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Operator's Manual and Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and should
be kept in the vehicle. Service and vehicle operation
Service and literature
Your vehicle is covered under the terms of the
warranties printed in the Service and
Warranty Information booklet. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
exchange or repair any defective parts
originally installed in the vehicle in
accordance with the terms of the following
warranties:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission Systems Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island and Vermont Emission
Control Systems Warranty
R State warranty enforcement laws (lemon
laws) Introduction
21 Z

Information for customers in
California
Under California law you may be entitled to a
replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the
purchase price or lease price, if after a
reasonable number of repair attempts
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its
authorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or
malfunctions in the vehicle that are covered
by its express warranty. During the period of
18 months from original delivery of the
vehicle or the accumulation of 18,000 miles
(approximately 29,000 km) on the odometer
of the vehicle, whichever occurs first, a
reasonable number of repair attempts is
presumed for a retail buyer or lessee if one or
more of the following occurs:
(1) the same substantial defect or malfunction results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that defect
or malfunction has been subject to repair
two or more times, and you have directly
notified Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC in
writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or malfunction of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have directly
notified us in writing of the need for its
repair, or
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of the same or different substantial
defects or malfunctions for a cumulative
total of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes
all the necessary maintenance work which
should be done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty
Booklet with you when you bring the vehicle
to an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The
service advisor will record every service for
you in the Service and Warranty Booklet. Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program offers technical help in the event of
a breakdown. Calls to the toll-free Roadside
Assistance Hotline are answered by our
agents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)
(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program brochure (USA) or the "Roadside
Assistance" section in the Service and
Warranty booklet (Canada). You will find both
in your vehicle literature portfolio. Change of address or change of
ownership
In the event of a change of address, please
send us the "Notification of Address Change"
in the Service and Guarantee booklet or
simply call the Mercedes-Benz Customer
Assistance Center (USA) at the hotline
number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372 )or
Customer Service Center (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in
contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave the
entire literature in the vehicle so that it is
available to the next owner. 22
Introduction

If you have purchased a used car, please send
us the "Notification of Used Car Purchase" in
the Service and Guarantee booklet or simply
call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (USA) at the hotline number
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) or
Customer Service (Canada) at
1-800-387-0100. Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R unleaded fuel for vehicles with a catalytic
converter may not be available. Leaded fuel
may cause damage to the catalytic
converter.
R the fuel may have a considerably lower
octane rating. Unsuitable fuel can cause
engine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available
for delivery in Europe through our European
Delivery Program. For details, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to
one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9 Operating safety
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If you do not have the prescribed service/
maintenance work or any required repairs
carried out, this can result in malfunctions or
system failures. There is a risk of an accident.
Always have the prescribed service/
maintenance work as well as any required
repairs carried out at a qualified specialist
workshop. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
Modifications to electronic components, their
software as well as wiring can impair their
function and/or the function of other
networked components. In particular,
systems relevant to safety could also be
affected. As a result, these may no longer
function as intended and/or jeopardize the
operating safety of the vehicle. There is an
increased risk of an accident and injury.
Never tamper with the wiring as well as
electronic components or their software. You
should have all work to electrical and
electronic equipment carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
! There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
R the vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a high
curb or an unpaved road
R you drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g.
a curb or a hole in the road
R a heavy object strikes the undercarriage
or parts of the chassis. Introduction
23 Z

qualifications to correctly carry out the work
required on your vehicle. This is especially the
case for work relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance
Booklet.
Always have the following work carried out at
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
R work relevant to safety
R service and maintenance work
R repair work
R alterations, installation work and
modifications
R work on electronic components Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or
others could fail to recognize certain dangers.
Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when
driving your vehicle:
R the safety notes in this manual
R the Technical Data section in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R laws and safety standards pertaining to
motor vehicles Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your
vehicle, particularly one that you believe may
affect its safe operation, we urge you to
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the problem diagnosed
and rectified. If the problem is not resolved to
your satisfaction, please discuss the problem
again with a Mercedes-Benz Center or
contact us at one of the following addresses.
In the USA
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350 In Canada
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Reporting safety defects
USA only:
The following text is published as required of
manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S.
Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the
"National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
of 1966".
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-888-327-4236(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go
to http://www.safercar.gov; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from
http://www.safercar.gov Limited Warranty
! Follow the instructions in this manual
about the proper operation of your vehicle
as well as about possible vehicle damage.
Damage to your vehicle that arises from
culpable contraventions against these
instructions is not covered either by the Introduction
25 Z

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 24).Overview of climate control systems
Important safety notes
Observe the settings recommended on the
following pages. The windows could
otherwise fog up.
To prevent the windows from fogging up:
R switch off climate control only briefly
R switch on air-recirculation mode only
briefly
R switch on the cooling with air
dehumidification function
R switch on the defrost windshield function
briefly, if required
Climate control regulates the temperature
and the humidity in the vehicle interior and
filters undesirable substances out of the air.
Climate control can only be operated when
the engine is running. Optimum operation is
only achieved with the side windows and roof
closed.
The residual heat function can only be
activated or deactivated with the ignition
switched off (Y page 133).
i When the weather is warm, ventilate the
vehicle for a brief period. This will speed up
the cooling process and the desired vehicle
interior temperature will be reached more
quickly. i
The integrated filter can filter out most
particles of dust, and completely filters out
pollen. A clogged filter reduces the amount
of air supplied to the vehicle interior. For
this reason, you should always observe the
interval for replacing the filter, which is
specified in the Maintenance Booklet. As it
depends on environmental conditions, e.g.
heavy air pollution, the interval may be
shorter than stated in the Maintenance
Booklet. 122
Overview of climate control systemsClimate control

During braking:
R
a warning tone sounds
R the Release Parking Brake Release Parking Brake message
appears
R the red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged. Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
X Connecting a trickle charger.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop.
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
six weeks, the vehicle may suffer damage as
a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice. Driving tips
General notes
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving. G
WARNING
If you operate mobile communication
equipment while driving, you will be
distracted from traffic conditions. You could
also lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk
of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are driving. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers
a distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per
second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel:
R
The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
R Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
R Observe the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or in the service
interval display. Have all the maintenance
work carried in accordance with Daimler
AG regulations.
Fuel consumption also increases when
driving in cold weather, in stop-start traffic
and in hilly terrain.
Drinking and driving G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can 162
Driving
tipsDriving an d parking