MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2007 R171 Owner's Manual

370 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
•The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.Observe the coolant temperature display
(
page 127).
If the coolant temperature is below 120°C,
you may continue driving to the nearest
specialist workshop.
Avoid heavy loads on the engine (e.g. by
driving uphill) as well as stop-and-go traffic.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
/Top up coolant
See Oper. ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 300).
Comply with all warnings while doing so.
If you have to add coolant frequently,
have the cooling system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with this message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty. Do not drive without sufficient
amount of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major engine
damage.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
±Display malfunction
Drive to workshopCertain electronic systems are un-
able to relay information to the con-
trol system. The following systems
may have failed:

Coolant temperature display

Tachometer

Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
JYou are driving with one or more
doors open.Close the doors.

372 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NCheck oil level
when next refuelingSLK 280 and SLK 350 only:
The engine oil level has dropped to
a critical level.Check the engine oil level (page 296) and
add engine oil as required (
page 299).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.
USA only:
Add 1 qt. engine oil
when next refueling
Canada only:
Add 1 liter engine oil
when next refueling
SLK 55 AMG only:
The engine oil level is too low.Add engine oil (page 299) and check the
engine oil level (
page 296).
Cannot measure
motor oil levelSLK 55 AMG only:
The measuring system is malfunc-
tioning.Have the measuring system checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

373 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Add 1 qt. (Canada:
1 liter) engine oil when next
refueling
(SLK 55 AMG) or Check oil
level when next refueling
(SLK 280,
SLK 350) appears while the engine is run-
ning and at operating temperature, the en-
gine oil level has dropped to approximately
the minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning will first
come on intermittently and then stay on if
the oil level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If no obvious oil
leaks are noted, drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should
be topped to the required level with an
approved engine oil. For information on
approved engine oils, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NEngine oil level
Reduce oil levelSLK 55 AMG only:
You have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damaging the
engine or the catalytic converter.Have oil siphoned or drained off.
Observe all legal requirements with respect
to its disposal.
Engine oil level
Stop, turn engine offThere is no oil in the engine. There
is a danger of engine damage.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Turn off the engine.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Add engine oil (page 299) and check the
engine oil level (
page 296).
!The engine oil level warnings should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

374 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
AReserve fuelThe fuel level has dropped below the
reserve mark.Refuel at the next gas station (page 291).
4Gas cap
is openA loss of pressure has been detected
in the fuel system. The fuel cap may
not be closed properly or the fuel
system may be leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 291).
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.
KRetractable roof
Open/Close completelyYou are driving with the retractable
hardtop not properly locked.Stop the vehicle in a safe location. Observe
the traffic situation around you.
Push the retractable hardtop switch forward
or rearward until the retractable hardtop is
completely closed or open (
page 240).
Retractable roof
being openedThe retractable hardtop is not com-
pletely opened or closed. The roof
hydraulics will start to lose pressure.Make sure the retractable hardtop is com-
pletely opened or closed (
page 240).
Retractable roof
locked
while vehicle is
movingYou have attempted to open the
retractable hardtop while driving.Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to
open the hardtop again.

375 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
OYou are driving with the hood open.Risk of accident!
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 59).
Close the hood (page 294).
IPlease
get a new keyThe SmartKey is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Remove keyYou have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
.3rd brake lampThe high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
AUTO-Light
inoperativeThe light sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automati-
cally.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
To switch off the headlamps (U.S. vehicles only):
In the control system, set lamp operation to
manual mode (
page 143).
Switch off headlamps using the exterior
lamp switch (
page 109).

376 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
.Brake-/tail lamp
leftThe left brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. This message will only appear if
a critical number of LEDs have
stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Brake-/tail lamp
rightThe right brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. This message will only appear if
a critical number of LEDs have
stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp
leftThe left front fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front foglamp
rightThe right front foglamp is malfunc-
tioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Rear foglamp
Auxiliary bulb onThe rear fog lamp on the driver’s
side is malfunctioning. A backup
bulb has been brought into use.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
High beam
leftThe left high beam lamp (halogen
headlamps)/high beam flasher
lamp (Bi-Xenon* headlamps) is
malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).

377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
.High beam
rightThe right high beam lamp (halogen
headlamps)/high beam flasher
lamp (Bi-Xenon* headlamps) is
malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
License plate lamp
leftThe left license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
License plate lamp
rightThe right license plate lamp is
malfunctioning.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
Reverse lamp
leftThe left backup lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
Reverse lamp
rightThe right backup lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
Low beam
leftThe left low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

378 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
.Low beam
rightThe right low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Parking lamp, front left
Auxiliary bulb onThe left front parking lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
Parking lamp, front right
Auxiliary bulb onThe right front parking lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.Replace the bulb as soon as
possible (
page 393).
Front left
marker lampThe left front side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Front right
marker lampThe right front side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Rear left
marker lampThe left rear side marker lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

379 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
.Rear right
marker lampThe right rear side marker lamp is
malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Tail lamp, left
Auxiliary bulb onThe left tail lamp is malfunctioning.
This message will only appear if a
critical number of LEDs have
stopped working. A backup bulb
has been brought into use.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Tail lamp, right
Auxiliary bulb onThe right tail lamp is malfunction-
ing. This message will only appear if
a critical number of LEDs have
stopped working. A backup bulb
has been brought into use.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
Turn off
lightsYou have removed the SmartKey
from the starter switch, opened the
driver’s door and left the headlamps
on.Switch off the headlamps (page 61).
Turn off lights or
remove keyThe exterior lamp switch is set to
positionU, and you have forgot-
ten to remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch. The parking
lamps remain switched on.Switch off the headlamps (page 61).
or
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.