MERCEDES-BENZ SLK230 2004 R171 Service Manual

41 Getting started
Driving
Automatic transmission*Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with selector lever lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral
DDrive position
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 93).Starting

Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Turn the key in the steering lock to
position3. Release when the engine is
firing regularly (
page 29).

Depress the brake pedal.
The selector lever lock is released.
For information on turning off the engine
(
page 48).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 92).Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:

Turn the key in steering lock to
position0 and repeat starting proce-
dure.
Remember that extended starting at-
tempts can drain the battery

Get a jump start (
page 254).
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts, there could be a mal-
function in the engine electronics or in the
fuel supply system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

42 Getting startedDrivingParking brake
1Brake lever
2Release button

Pull up slightly on brake lever1 and
press release button2.
Return brake lever1 down to its orig-
inal position.
The indicator lamp; (USA only)
or3 (Canada only) in the instru-
ment cluster goes out.
Driving

Move selector lever to positionD orR
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear)

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the auto-
matic central locking system engages
and the locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the automatic transmis-
sion shifts at a higher engine revolution.
This allows the catalytic converter to reach
its operating temperature earlier.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Children could release the parking
brake, which could result in an accident
and/or serious injury.
iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.

43 Getting started
Driving
Switching on headlampsExterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the switch toB.More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 83).
Turn signals and high beam
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Turn signals, right
2Turn signals, left
Press the combination switch up1 or
down2.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission: It is
dangerous to shift the selector lever out of
P
or
N if the engine speed is higher than idle
speed. If your foot is not firmly on the brake
pedal, the vehicle could accelerate quickly
forward or in reverse. You could lose control
of the vehicle and hit someone or some-
thing. Only shift into gear when the engine is
idling normally and when your right foot is
firmly on the brake pedal.!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.


44 Getting startedDrivingHigh beam
Push the combination switch forward.
The high beam symbolA in the
instrument cluster lights up.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 85).
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Switching on windshield wipers
2Single wipe
Make sure the ignition is switched on.Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed
iTo signal minor directional changes,
move combination switch to point of
resistance only and release. The turn
signal blinks three times.
iFast wiper speedIII goes to settingII
when the vehicle is standing still.


45 Getting started
Driving
Single wipe
Press combination switch briefly in the
direction of arrow2.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push switch in the direction of
arrow2 past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see "Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*"
(page 184).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers ( snow, etc. ), switch them off im-
mediately.

For safety reasons, withdraw the
key from the steering lock before
attempting to remove any block-
age.


Remove blockage.


Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch positionI,


set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed.


have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

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.

47 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Brake lever
2Release button
Pull up brake lever1 firmly.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the key from the starter switch. The
vehicle cannot be steered when the key is
removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. 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.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Pull up the brake lever firmly.


Move the selector lever to position
P
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the key to steering lock position
0
and remove.

48 Getting startedParking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
(page 43).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 83).
Turning off engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).

Turn the key in the steering lock to
position0 (
page 29) and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Children could release the parking
brake and/or move the gear selector lever
from positionP, either of which could result
in an accident and/or serious injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear).
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb.

49 Getting started
Parking and locking

Press the seat belt release button
(page 38).
Allow the retractor to completely rewind
the seat belt by guiding the latch plate.

After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button‹on the remote control
(page 28).
The turn signal lamps blink three times.
The locking knobs on the doors move
down.More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 74).
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
The key can only be removed from the
steering lock with the gear selector
lever in positionP.!With the key removed and the driver’s
door open, a warning sounds if the ve-
hicle’s exterior lamps (except standing
lamps) are not switched off.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

50