checking oil MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32AMG 2003 R170 Owner's Manual

Contents
Pedals .......................................... 159
Power assistance ......................... 160
Brakes .......................................... 160
Driving off .................................... 161
Parking ......................................... 161
Tires ............................................. 162
Hydroplaning................................ 163
Tire traction ................................. 163
Tire speed rating .......................... 163
Winter driving instructions ........... 164
Standing water ............................. 165
Passenger compartment .............. 165
Driving abroad.............................. 165
Control and operation
of radio transmitter ...................... 166
Catalytic converter....................... 166
Emission control .......................... 167
Coolant temperature .................... 167
At the gas station .............................. 169
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 170
Engine compartment ......................... 171
Hood ............................................ 171
Engine oil ..................................... 172
Transmission fluid level ................ 176
Coolant ........................................ 176Battery .......................................... 178
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system*.......... 179
Tires and wheels................................. 180
Important guidelines ..................... 180
Life of tire ..................................... 181
Direction of rotation...................... 181
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 181
Rotating wheels ............................ 182
Winter driving ..................................... 183
Winter tires ................................... 183
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 184
Snow chains.................................. 184
Maintenance....................................... 185
Clearing the service indicator ....... 185
Service term exceeded ................. 186
Calling up the service indicator..... 186
Resetting the service indicator ..... 186
Vehicle care........................................ 187
Cleaning and care of vehicle ......... 187
Practical hints.................................. 193
What to do if ...................................... 194
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 194Additional indicators in the
speedometer display .................... 204
Lamp in center console ................ 205
Where will I find ...? ............................ 206
First aid kit.................................... 206
Vehicle tool kit.............................. 206
Unlocking/locking in an emergency... 210
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 210
Locking the vehicle ....................... 211
Changing batteries
in remote control .......................... 212
Synchronizing remote control ....... 213
Fuel filler flap ................................ 213
Manually unlocking the
transmission selector lever ........... 214
Opening/closing in an emergency ..... 215
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ....................................... 215
Replacing bulbs .................................. 221
Bulbs............................................. 221
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 223
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 225
Adjusting headlamp aim
(Halogen headlamps only) ............ 226
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 228
Removing ...................................... 228

172 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1ft (30cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.

181 Operation
Tires and wheels
Life of tire
The service life of a tire is dependent upon
varying factors including but not limited to:

Driving style


Tire pressure


Distance driven
Direction of rotation
Unidirectional tires offer added advantag-
es, such as better aquaplaning perfor-
mance. To benefit, however, you must
ensure that the tires rotate in the direction
specified.
An arrow on the sidewall indicates the in-
tended direction of tire rotation.Checking tire inflation pressureCorrect the tire pressure only when tires
are cold.
Regularly check your tire pressure at inter-
vals of no more than 14 days.
If the tires are warm, you should only cor-
rect the tire pressure if it is too low for cur-
rent operating conditions.
A table on the fuel filler flap lists the spec-
ified tire inflation pressures for warm and
cold tires as well as for various operating
conditions.
Warning!
G
Tires and spare tire should be replaced after
six years, regardless of the remaining tread.!Keep unmounted tires in a cool, dry
place with as little exposure to light as
possible. Protect tires from contact
with oil, grease and gasoline.
Warning!
G
If the tire pressure repeatedly drops:

Check the tires for punctures from for-
eign objects.


Check to see whether air is leaking from
the valves or from around the rim.
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
max. values or inflate tires below the
min. values listed in the fuel filler flap.

287 Index
Battery discharged
Jump starting 247
Battery, vehicle 178, 245
Charging 246
Disconnecting 246
Reconnecting 246
Reinstalling 246
Removing 246
Block heater 184
Bolts
For spare wheel 207
Brake assist system (BAS) 279
Brake fluid 170, 271
Brake lamp bulbs 222
Brake lamp, high mounted 222
Brakes 160
Warning lamp 198
Break-in period 158
Bulbs, replacing 221
Additional turn signals 221
Backup lamps 222
Brake lamps 222
Fog lamps 221
Front lamps 221
High beam 221
High mounted brake lamp 222License plate lamps 222, 226
Low beam 221
Parking lamps 221, 222, 224
Rear fog lamp 222
Rear fog lamps 225
Side marker lamps 221, 225
Standing lamps 221, 222, 224
Tail lamp assemblies 222, 225
Turn signal lamps 221, 222
Xenon* headlamps 223
Button
Audio system 115
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 279
California
Important notice 9
Calling up
Service indicator 186
CAN system 279
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 269
Cargo area see Cargo compartment 77
Cargo compartment
Trunk 77
Casette mode
Playing cassettes 118Catalytic converter 166
CD changer* 120, 209
CD mode 120
Center console 23
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 205
Lower part 24
Storage compartment 140
Upper part 23
Central locking
From inside 80
Unlocking from inside 80
Certification label 258
Changing CDs 120
Charging
Vehicle battery 246
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 199
Checking
Coolant level 170, 176
Oil level 170, 172
Tire inflation pressure 170
Vehicle lighting 170
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator 173
Via oil dipstick 173

290 IndexEmergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 147
With Tele Aid 146
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 98
Emergency operations
Closing hardtop 215
Opening hardtop 215
Remote door unlock 151
Unlocking the vehicle 210
Emergency release for trunk lid 78
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 60, 280
Emission control 167
Emission control label 258
Engine
Compartment 171
Starting with automatic
transmission* 41
Starting with manual
transmission 40
Starting with the key 40, 41
Technical data 260
Turning off with the key 48
Engine cleaning 189
Engine compartment 171Hood 171
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 21,
199
Engine number 280
Engine oil 172, 271
Adding 175
Additives 271
Checking level 172
Consumption 172
Filler neck 175
Viscosity 280
Engine oil level see Oil level 170
ESP 22, 68, 280
Switching off 70
Switching on 70
Warning lamp 194
ETD 280
Safety guidelines 55
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 60
Exterior lamp switch 83
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 35
F
Fastening the seat belts 37
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 138First aid kit 206
Flat tire 229
Lowering the vehicle 242
Mounting the spare wheel 238
Preparing the vehicle 229
Spare wheel 207
TIREFIT 208, 209
Flexible Service System (FSS) 185, 280
Fog lamp, rear 84, 222
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 221
Fog lamps, front
Replacing bulbs 222
Switching on 84
Front airbags 56
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 223
Switching on 83
Front seats
Heater* 81
FSS (Flexible Service System) 185, 280

294 IndexManual transmission 91
Shifting into reverse 92
Starting with 40
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 25
Mirrors
Adjusting 35
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 99
Exterior rear view mirror 35
Inside rear view mirror 35
MON 169
MON (Motor Octane Number) 281
N
Night security illumination 87
O
Occupant safety 52
Airbags 53
Children and airbags 54
Children in the vehicle 60
Fastening the seat belt 37
Infant and child restraint systems 60
Seat belts 37, 55
Odometer, main 21
OilAdding 175
Checking level 172
Consumption 172
Dipstick 172
Filler neck 175
Viscosity 280
Oil level
Checking 170
One-touch gearshifting 94
Canceling gear range limit 94
Downshifting 94
Upshifting 94
Opening
Ashtray 142
Doors from the inside 78
Fuel filler flap 169
Fuel filler flap manually 213
Glove box 139
Hardtop in an emergency 215
Hood 171
Retractable hardtop 215
Side windows 127
Trunk 77
Windows 127
Operating
Audio system 111Garage door opener 155
Integrated remote control 155
Radio transmitters 166
Safety 14
Telephone 111
Telephone* 123
Vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 11
Operating safety 14
Audio system 111
Operator’s Manual 8
Ornamental moldings 189
Outside temperature indicator 90
Overdue service 186
Overhead control panel 25
Overspeed range 281
P
Paintwork 188
Panic alarm 65
Panic button on remote control 65
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 141
Parking 47, 161
Parking brake 42, 47
Engaging 47
Releasing 42