Segment:
Compact Sports Car / Roadster
Target Audience:
Individuals seeking a premium, stylish, and fun-to-drive convertible with German engineering.
Key Competitors:
BMW Z3, Porsche Boxster, Audi TT Roadster, Mazda Miata (MX-5)
Signature Feature:
Vario-Roof (retractable hardtop) system, Kompressor (supercharged) engine for enhanced performance
Design Philosophy:
Compact, agile, driver-focused roadster with distinctive styling and Mercedes-Benz build quality.
Primary Coverage:
Owner's Operation and Maintenance
Additional Coverage:
Basic Maintenance, Specifications, Safety Features, Troubleshooting
Estimated Page Count:
Approximately 250-350 pages (typical for this model year and type)
Engine:
Engine overview, operation, basic troubleshooting, fluid capacities, oil specifications
Instrument Cluster:
Indicator lamps, warning signals, gauge interpretation, multi-function display (if equipped)
Climate Control:
Operation of HVAC system, manual and automatic climate control functions, air recirculation
Lighting:
Headlight operation, fog lights, interior lighting, exterior lighting controls
Driver Controls:
Steering wheel controls, gear selector operation, parking brake, pedal placement
Locks And Security:
Central locking system, remote key fob operation, anti-theft alarm system, immobilizer
Seating And Safety:
Seat adjustments, headrest adjustment, seatbelt operation, airbag system overview, child seat installation
Driving:
Starting and stopping the engine, shifting gears, braking, parking, operating in different conditions
Customer Assistance:
Contact information for roadside assistance, dealership network, warranty information
Cleaning:
Exterior care (washing, waxing), interior cleaning recommendations, upholstery care
Engine Compartment:
Identification of key components, fluid level checks, basic checks before driving
Maintenance And Specs:
Scheduled maintenance, fluid types and capacities, tire pressure, general specifications
Fuel Information:
Recommended fuel type and octane rating, fuel filler operation
Accessories:
Information on factory-installed accessories and their operation
Basic Maintenance:
Checking engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid levels, tire pressure checks, bulb replacement guidance
Troubleshooting Basic:
Interpreting dashboard warning lights, basic operational issues
Depth:
Owner-level operational and basic maintenance information. Not a repair manual, but provides crucial ownership details.
Searchable:
Likely searchable if properly indexed from original document
Quality:
Digital reproduction of factory original, quality dependent on scan or digital source
Binding:
Not Applicable (Digital Format)
Paper:
Not Applicable (Digital Format)
Configuration:
Inline-4 Cylinder
Displacement:
2.3 Liters (2295 cc)
Aspiration:
Supercharged (Kompressor)
Horsepower:
192 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
201 lb-ft @ 2500 rpm
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Recommended Octane:
91-93 Octane (Premium Unleaded)
Engine Oil Type:
Mobil 1 0W-40 Synthetic (or equivalent meeting MB 229.3 spec)
Engine Oil Capacity:
Approximately 5.8 US quarts (5.5 Liters) with filter
Air Filter Part Number:
Commonly A 111 094 02 04 or equivalent aftermarket
Transmission Type:
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Transmission Type:
5-Speed Automatic Transmission (with TouchShift)
Automatic Features:
TouchShift manual shifting mode
Automatic Transmission Fluid Type:
MB 236.10 Specification (e.g., Shell ATF 134, Mobil ATF 134)
Manual Transmission Fluid Type:
MB 235.10 or equivalent (e.g., Pentosin MTF 2.1)
Length:
Approx. 157.3 inches (3995 mm)
Width:
Approx. 67.7 inches (1720 mm)
Height:
Approx. 50.9 inches (1293 mm)
Curb Weight:
Approx. 2950-3100 lbs (1338-1406 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Approx. 3858 lbs (1750 kg)
NHTSA Front Impact Driver:
4 Stars (as per available data for the era)
NHTSA Front Impact Passenger:
4 Stars (as per available data for the era)
Traction Control:
Standard (ASR - Acceleration Slip Regulation)
Brake Assist:
Standard (BAS - Brake Assist System)
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags, side airbags
Rollover Protection:
Pop-up roll bars integrated behind the seats
Seatbelts:
Pretensioning seatbelts with force limiters
Audio System:
Factory AM/FM/CD player, optional Bose sound system
Navigation:
Optional COMAND 2.0 (or similar) navigation system available on some models.
Cruise Control:
Standard cruise control
Stability Control:
Standard ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
Phone Integration:
Optional dealer-installed or aftermarket phone kits, UHI connector may be present
Oil Change Interval:
Every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first (using synthetic oil)
Major Service Interval:
Typically around 30,000 miles or 3 years for spark plugs, filters, and inspections.
Coolant Type:
MB 325.0 or 326.0 specification (typically a G05 type coolant, blue/green)
Brake Fluid Type:
DOT 4 (Mercedes-Benz Specification 331.0)
Common Issues Owner Level:
Vario-roof hydraulic leaks or pump issues, MAF sensor issues, ignition coil failures, rust on wheel wells/rockers.
Common Issues Owner Level
Maintenance Awareness:
Regular fluid checks, timely oil changes, and attention to warning lights are critical.
Brand Focus:
Long history of luxury vehicles, innovation, and performance engineering.
First Generation:
R170, introduced in 1996, evolving through the 2000 model year.
Key Updates For 2000:
Often saw minor cosmetic and feature refinements. The SLK230 Kompressor was a core offering.
Manufacturing Location:
Bremen, Germany
