Vehicle Segment:
Compact luxury roadster/sports car.
Target Audience:
Enthusiasts and owners seeking to perform their own maintenance and repairs.
Competitors R171 Era:
BMW Z4, Porsche Boxster, Audi TT Roadster, Honda S2000.
Signature Feature:
Vario-roof retractable hardtop system.
Manual Value Proposition:
Provides professional-grade diagnostic and repair information for significant cost savings over dealership servicing.
Engine Mechanical:
Complete overhaul, rebuild procedures, component testing, timing systems, lubrication, cooling.
Engine Electrical:
Ignition systems, fuel injection systems (ME/MED series ECUs), engine control modules (ECM), sensors, actuators, wiring diagrams.
Transmission Manual:
Service, repair, troubleshooting for manual gearboxes (if applicable).
Transmission Automatic:
Service, repair, troubleshooting for automatic transmissions (e.g., 722.6 '7G-TRONIC'). Clutch packs, valve bodies, torque converters, transmission control module (TCM).
Suspension:
Front and rear suspension systems, shock absorbers, springs, control arms, bushings, wheel alignment specifications.
Steering:
Power steering system, steering rack, steering column, alignment.
Brakes:
Hydraulic system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP (Electronic Stability Program), SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control) on specific models, brake pads, rotors, calipers, bleeding procedures.
Electrical System:
12V battery system, charging system, lighting systems (headlights, taillights, interior), power windows, central locking, wipers, horn.
Body And Chassis:
Body panel removal and installation, structural components, corrosion protection, interior trim, convertible top mechanism (Vario-roof).
HVAC:
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, refrigerant recharge, component testing, climate control module.
Infotainment And Electronics:
Audio systems, navigation systems (COMAND), telematics, instrument cluster, diagnostics (OBD-II), CAN bus communication.
Maintenance Tasks:
Scheduled maintenance, oil changes, filter replacements, spark plug replacement, brake fluid flush, coolant flush, belt replacement.
Troubleshooting:
Diagnostic fault finding, common problems and solutions, error code interpretation.
Repair Procedures:
Step-by-step instructions for component replacement and repair across all systems.
Diagnostic Procedures:
Using diagnostic tools, interpreting sensor data, troubleshooting electrical faults.
Special Tools And Jigs:
Identification of specific tools required for certain tasks.
Depth Of Coverage:
Comprehensive, from basic maintenance to complete engine and transmission rebuilds.
Diagrams And Photos:
Hundreds of detailed photos and exploded diagrams for visual guidance.
Engine Options Available:
Likely includes 1.8L (SLK200 Kompressor), 2.0L (SLK280/SLK300), 3.5L (SLK350), and possibly AMG variants (SLK55 AMG).
Typical Horsepower Range:
163 hp (SLK200 Kompressor) to 360 hp (SLK55 AMG).
Typical Torque Range:
240 Nm (SLK200 Kompressor) to 510 Nm (SLK55 AMG).
Fuel Delivery:
Multi-point fuel injection (MPI), likely sequential electronic fuel injection.
Engine Management:
Bosch Motronic or similar advanced engine control units (ECU).
Supercharging:
Roots-type supercharger (Kompressor models) for enhanced low-end torque.
Valve Train:
Likely DOHC (Double Overhead Camshafts), 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing (VVT).
Standard Gearbox:
Likely 6-speed manual transmission for base models.
Optional Gearbox:
5-speed or 7-speed automatic transmission (e.g., 722.6 '7G-TRONIC') with manual shift mode (Tiptronic/Direct Select).
Transmission Control:
Electronic control units for automatic transmissions, managing gear selection, torque converter lock-up, and shift quality.
Automatic Transmission Fluid:
MB 236.14 (for 7G-TRONIC) or similar approved ATF.
Manual Transmission Fluid:
API GL-4 or GL-5 rated gear oil, specific viscosity grade per model.
Wheelbase:
Approximately 2430 mm (95.7 in).
Overall Length:
Approximately 4083 mm (160.8 in).
Overall Width:
Approximately 1782 mm (70.2 in).
Overall Height:
Approximately 1301 mm (51.2 in).
Curb Weight:
Varies by engine, approximately 1350-1550 kg (2976-3417 lbs).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Not specified, but typically around 1800-1900 kg.
NHTSA Ratings:
Likely good ratings due to Mercedes-Benz safety focus, though specific year NHTSA data for R171 may vary.
IIHS Ratings:
Likely good ratings in crashworthiness for its class.
ABS:
Standard Anti-lock Braking System.
Esp:
Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP), likely with integrated traction control.
Sbc:
Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) on some earlier models, requiring specific service procedures outlined in the manual.
Airbags:
Driver and passenger front airbags, side airbags, and potentially head/thorax airbags.
Roll Protection:
Integrated roll-over protection bars behind the headrests.
Seatbelts:
Pre-tensioning seatbelts with force limiters.
Audio System:
Various options including Audio 20, Audio 50 APS, and COMAND NTG 2.5 with CD/DVD changer, radio, and optional navigation.
Parking Assistance:
Optional Parktronic parking sensors (front and rear).
Lighting:
Optional Bi-Xenon headlights with active cornering illumination, automatic headlights.
Bluetooth:
Optional Bluetooth hands-free communication system (often via cradle or integrated module).
Diagnostics Protocol:
OBD-II (On-Board Diagnostics, Second Generation) compliant.
Oil Change Interval:
Typically every 15,000 km (9,300 miles) or 12 months, whichever comes first, under normal driving conditions (flexible service system ASYNT).
Major Service Interval:
Around 60,000 km (37,000 miles) or 36 months, including spark plugs, filters, and brake fluid.
Engine Oil:
MB 229.5 (e.g., SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic).
Coolant:
MB 325.0 or 326.0 (Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrate).
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 Plus (MB 331.0).
Common Problems:
Vario-roof hydraulic leaks/failures, O2 sensor issues, mass airflow sensor (MAF) problems, ignition coil failures, SBC system faults (on affected models), front control arm bushings.
Tmb Coverage:
Manual likely references Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) and recalls relevant to the covered years.
