MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-CLASS ROADSTER 2015 Owners Manual

Problems with the engine
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The engine does not start.The HOLD function or DISTRONIC PLUS is activated.
X Deactivate the HOLD function ( Ypage 180) or DISTRONIC
PLUS ( Ypage 171).
X Try to start the engine again.
The engine does not
start. The starter motor
can be heard.R
There is a malfunction in the engine electronics.
R There is a malfunction in the fuel supply.
X Turn the SmartKey back to position 0in the ignition lock before
attempting to start the engine again.
or
X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly until all indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster go out.
X Try to start the engine again ( Ypage 141). Avoid excessively
long and frequent attempts to start the engine as these will drain
the battery.
If the engine does not start after several attempts: X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine does not
start. You cannot hear
the starter motor.The on-board voltage is too low because the battery is too weak or
discharged.
X Jump-start the vehicle ( Ypage 303).
If the engine does not start despite attempts to jump-start it:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The starter motor was exposed to a thermal load that was too high.
X Allow the starter motor to cool down for approximately two minutes.
X Try to start the engine again.
If the engine still does not start:
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
The engine is not run-
ning smoothly and ismisfiring.There is a malfunction in the engine electronics or in a mechanical
component of the engine management system.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal slightly.
Otherwise, non-combusted fuel may get into the catalytic con-
verter and damage it.
X Have the cause rectified immediately at a qualified specialistworkshop.
Driving149
Driving and parking
Z

ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The coolant tempera-
ture gauge shows a
value above 248 ‡
(120 †). The coolant
warning lamp may also
be on and a warning
tone may sound.The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant to
cool down.
X Check the coolant level ( Ypage 283). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.
If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty. The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X At coolant temperatures below 248 ‡ (120 †), drive to the
nearest qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and start/stop traffic.
Manual transmission
Gear lever
!
Only engage gear when the clutch pedal is
depressed.
!When shifting between 5thand 6thgear,
you should always push the gear lever all
the way to the right. You could otherwise
shift unintentionally into 3rdor4th gear
and damage the transmission.
If you shift down at too high a speed (trans-
mission braking), this can cause the engine to overrev, leading to engine damage.
Never hold the vehicle stopped on a hill by
using the clutch pedal. There is otherwise a risk of damaging the clutch.
Gear lever k
Reverse gear
1 -6Forward gears
Engaging reverse gear
!
Only shift into reverse gear Rwhen the
vehicle is stationary. Otherwise, you could
damage the transmission.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Depress the clutch pedal fully.
X Shift to neutral N.
X Move the gear lever firmly to the left
beyond the point of resistance and thenforwards.
150Manual transmission
Driving and parking

iThe ECO start/stop function is not avail-
able when reverse gear is engaged.
Further information on the ECO start/stop function ( Ypage 144).
Shift recommendation
X
Shift gear according to gearshift recom- mendation :when shown in the multi-
function display of the instrument cluster.
The gearshift recommendations assist you in adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If the engine speed is above the idling speed
and you engage transmission position Dor R,
the vehicle could pull away suddenly. There is a risk of an accident.
When engaging transmission position Dor R,
always firmly depress the brake pedal and do not simultaneously accelerate.
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of an
accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parkingbrake.
Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions
Selector lever j
Park position with selector lever lock
kReverse gear
iNeutral
hDrive
Transmission position and drive pro-
gram display
:Transmission position display
;Drive program display
The current position of the selector lever is
shown by the indicators next to the selectorlever.
The indicators light up when the SmartKey is inserted into the ignition lock. The indicators go out when the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock.
Automatic transmission151
Driving and parking
Z

Transmission positions
BPark position
Do not shift the transmission into
positionP(Y page 151) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake when parking. Always apply the
electronic parking brake in addi-
tion to the parking lock in order to
secure the vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be removedif the transmission is in position P.
If the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock, the selector lever
is locked.
If the vehicle electronics are mal-
functioning, the selector lever may be locked in position P. Information
on manually releasing the parking
lock ( Ypage 158).
CReverse gear
Only shift the transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary.
ANeutral
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. Otherwise, the auto-
matic transmission could be dam-
aged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brake pedal will allow
you to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to posi-
tion Nif the vehicle is in danger of
skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
!Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train.
7Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Driving tips
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the indi- vidual gears automatically when it is in trans-
mission position D. This automatic gear shift-
ing behavior is determined by:
R the selected drive program ( Ypage 153)
R the position of the accelerator pedal (Y page 152)
R the road speed
Accelerator pedal position
Your style of driving influences how the auto-
matic transmission shifts gear:
R little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts
152Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

Double-clutch function
When shifting down, the double-clutch func-
tion is active regardless of the currently selec-
ted drive program. The double-clutch function reduces load change reactions and is condu-cive to a sporty driving style. The sound gen-
erated by the double-clutch function depends
on the drive program selected.
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
X Ease off the accelerator pedal once the
desired speed is reached.
The automatic transmission shifts back up.
Program selector button
General notes
Example: program selector button
X Press program selector button :repeat-
edly until the letter for the desired gearshift program appears in the multifunction dis- play.
The program selector button allows you to
choose between different driving character-
istics.
iFurther information about permanent
drive program M(Y page 155). As well as this permanent drive program
M,
you can also activate temporary drive pro-
gram M(Y page 154).
In AMG vehicles, drive program Eis called
drive program C.
E Economy
C Controlled
EfficiencyComfortable, economical
driving
S SportSporty driving style
M ManualManual gear shifting
Only change from automatic drive program E
or Sto manual drive program Mwhen the
vehicle is stationary.
iWhen the engine is started, the automatic
transmission always switches to automatic drive program E(drive program Cin AMG
vehicles).
iAMG vehicles: when in drive program C
and with a small load demand, the engine
will automatically only operate with four
cylinders. This is the case in city traffic or
on a country road, for example. This
reduces fuel consumption. Cylinder shut-
off is inactive in drive programs Sand M, so
that the engine will operate with all eight
cylinders.
iFor further information on the automatic
drive program, see ( Ypage 154).
Automatic transmission153
Driving and pa rking
Z

Steering wheel paddle shifters
:Left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
;Right-hand steering wheel paddle shifter
In the manual drive program, you can change
gear using the steering wheel paddle shifters or the selector lever ( Ypage 154).
Further information about permanent drive program M(Y page 155).
Further information about temporary driveprogram M(Y page 154).
iThe full range of functions for the steering
wheel paddle shifters is available only once
operating temperature has been reached.
iYou can only change gear with the steer-
ing wheel paddle shifters when the trans-
mission is in position D.
Automatic drive program
Automatic drive programs E and S
Drive program E(drive program Con MAG
vehicles) is characterized by the following: R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic transmission shifting upsooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully R
increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, forexample
R the automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program Sis characterized by the fol-
lowing:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting uplater
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic transmis-
sion shift points
Manual drive program M
General notes
In this drive program, you can briefly change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel pad-
dle shifters. The transmission must be in posi- tion D.
You can activate manual drive program Min
the Eand Sautomatic drive programs.
iAs well as temporary drive program M,
you can also activate permanent drive pro-
gram M(Y page 153).
Further information about permanent drive program M(Y page 155).
Activating
X Shift the transmission to position D.
X Pull the left or right steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Ypage 154).
Manual drive program Mis temporarily acti-
vated. The selected gear and Mappear in
the multifunction display.
154Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

UpshiftingX Briefly press the selector lever to the right towards D+.
or X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Ypage 154).
In cases where it is permissible, the auto-
matic transmission shifts up to the nextgear.
iIf the maximum engine speed on the cur-
rently engaged gear is reached and you
continue to accelerate, the automatic
transmission automatically shifts up in
order to prevent engine damage.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
X Shift to recommended gear ;according
to gearshift recommendation :when
shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
Downshifting X Briefly press the selector lever to the lefttowards D–.
or
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Ypage 154).
In cases where it is permissible, the auto-
matic transmission shifts down to the next
gear.
iFor maximum acceleration, push the
selector lever to the left or pull and hold the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the transmission shifts to the optimal gear
for the current speed.
iIf the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the auto-
matic transmission protects against engine damage by not shifting down.
iAutomatic down shifting occurs when
coasting.
Deactivating
If you have activated manual drive program M , it will remain active for a certain amount of
time. Under certain conditions the minimum
amount of time is extended, e.g. in the case of lateral acceleration, during an overrun phase
or when driving on steep terrain.
If manual drive program Mhas been deacti-
vated, the automatic transmission shifts into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected, i.e. Eor S.
You can also deactivate manual drive pro-gram Myourself:
X Pull on the right-hand steering wheel pad-
dle shifter and hold it in place ( Ypage 154).
or
X Use the lever to switch the transmission
position.
or
X Use the program selector button to change
the drive program ( Ypage 153).
Manual drive program Mis deactivated.
The automatic transmission switches into
the automatic drive program that was last
selected, i.e. Eor S.
Manual drive program
General information
In this drive program, you can permanently
change gear yourself by using the steering
wheel paddle shifters. The transmission must be in position D.
Automatic transmission155
Driving and parking
Z

iAs well as this permanent drive program
M , you can also activate temporary drive
program M(Y page 154).
Switching on the manual drive program
Manual drive program Mis different from
drive program Swith regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
Manual drive program Mcan be selected
using the program selector button. You can
change gear using the steering wheel paddle
shifters or the selector lever in manual drive
program Mif the transmission is in position D.
The selected gear appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
X Press the program selector button(Y page 153) repeatedly until Mappears in
the multifunction display.
Upshifting
X Briefly press the selector lever to the right
towards D+.
or X Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Ypage 154).
The automatic transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Shift recommendation
The gearshift recommendations assist you in
adopting an economical driving style. The rec- ommended gear is shown in the multifunction
display.
X Shift to recommended gear ;according
to gearshift recommendation :when shown in the multifunction display of the
instrument cluster.
AMG vehicles
!In manual drive program
M, the automatic
transmission does not shift up automati-
cally even when the engine limiting speed
for the current gear is reached. When the
engine limiting speed is reached, the fuel
supply is cut to prevent the engine from
overrevving. Always make sure that the
engine speed does not reach the red area of
the tachometer. There is otherwise a risk of
engine damage.
:Gear indicator
;Upshift indicator
Before the engine speed reaches the red area, an upshift indicator will be shown in the mul-
tifunction display. X If the color in the speedometer multifunc-
tion display changes to red and the
UPdis-
play message is shown, shift up a gear.
Downshifting
X Briefly press the selector lever to the left
towards D–.
or X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ( Ypage 154).
The automatic transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
iIf you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
156Automatic transmission
Driving an d parking

iFor maximum acceleration, push the
selector lever to the left or pull and hold the
left-hand steering wheel paddle shifter until the transmission shifts to the optimal gearfor the current speed.
Kickdown
You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The automatic transmission shifts to a
lower gear depending on the engine speed.
iAMG vehicles: it is not possible to use
kickdown in manual drive program M.
Switching off the manual drive program
X
Press the program selector button (Y page 153) repeatedly until E(C in AMG
vehicles) or Sappears in the multifunction
display.
Automatic transmission157
Driving and parking
Z

Problems with the transmission
ProblemPossible causes/consequences andMSolutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear.The transmission is losing oil.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop immediately.
The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear.The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into secondgear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
If D is selected, the transmission shifts into secondgear; ifRis
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, immediately.
Releasing the parking lock manually
!
Do not use any sharp-edged objects to
remove the selector lever gaiter from the
center console. This could damage the
selector lever gaiter.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
X Press the frame of selector level gaiter :
together somewhat on the side edge at the back and hold with one hand ;.
X With the other hand, pry off the frame of
selector level gaiter :with a flat, blunt
object (e.g. a screwdriver wrapped in cloth) at rear edge
=, pulling it up and out at the
same time.
X Press release button ?down and simul-
taneously move the selector lever out ofposition P.
The selector lever can now be moved freely
until it is returned to position P.
In the event of an electrical malfunction, it is
possible to release the selector lever lock
manually to move it out of position P. This is
the case, for example, if you wish to tow the
vehicle away.
Refueling
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and explo-sion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
158Refueling
Driving and parking