2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class towing

214 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Towing the vehicleThe rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the
passenger-side behind the grille in the bumper panel.
Grille removal for SLK 320 except Sport Package
version:
Hold left and right end of grille (1) and pull out.
Grille removal for SLK 230 except Sport Package
version:
Hold grille (2), fold it down and pull out firmly.
Grille installation for all except Sport Package version:
Position grille and press in securely.
Model SLK 320
except Sport PackageModel SLK 230
except Sport Package
1
2P88.20-2111-26

215 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Sport Package
G r il l e re m ova l f or S p or t Pa cka g e v e rs i on : P u l l on t op e n d
of grille simultaneously pushing apron (arrow) up.
Grille installation for Sport Package: Position bottom
end of grille and press in securely simultaneously
pushing apron (arrow) up.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
f lat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Front towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports. Rear towing with sling-
type equipment over bumpy roads will damage the
lower edge of the front bumper cover.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or f lat bed equipment, with key in
steering lock turned to position 0.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic
transmission: The vehicle may be towed with all wheels
on the ground and the selector lever in position “N” for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km / h). The key must be in steering
lock position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive f lange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
P88.00-2045-26
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort in necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

216 Towing the vehicle
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Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle doors lock if
the left front wheel as well as the right rear wheel are
turning at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
f lash er in u se, turn key in steering l ock to position 2 a nd
activate combination switch for left or right turn signal
in usual manner – only the selected turn signal will
operate. Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
Caution!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle raised, the
engine must be shut off (key in steering lock position 0
or 1). Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be engaged
and will apply the rear wheel brakes. Switch off the
tow-away alarm as well as the ESP, see page 37 and 170.

217 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Transmission selector lever, manually unlocking
In the case of power failure the transmission selector
lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. when towing the
vehicle.To do so, insert a pin (1), e.g. ball point pen, into the
covered opening below the position “D” of the shift
pattern. While pushing the pin down, move selector
lever from position “P”.
Af ter remova l of t he pin f rom th e opening , t he cover will
not close fully. Only after moving the selector lever to
positions “D+” and “D–” does the cover return to its
closed position.
P27.60-2101-26
1

267 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 51
Indicator lamp ........................................................... 180
SRS malfunction ......................................................... 54
Start lock-out .................................................................... 24
Malfunction lamp ...................................................... 185
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 142
Steering column, telescopic
Adjusting ...................................................................... 63
Warning lamp ............................................................ 182
Steering lock ................................................................... 140
Storage compartments ...................................................113
Armrest ........................................................................113
Center console ............................................................113
Glove box .....................................................................112
Trunk floor ................................................................. 196
Stowing things in the vehicle ...................................... 188
Sun visors ........................................................................ 111
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 51
Indicator lamp ........................................................... 180
SRS malfunction ......................................................... 54
Synchronizing remote control .....................................225
TTachometer ........................................................................ 74
Technical data ................................................................ 248
Electrical system .......................................................251
Main Dimensions ...................................................... 251
Rims – Tires .............................................................. 249
Weights ....................................................................... 251
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 130
Emergency calls ........................................................ 131
Information ................................................................ 134
Initiating an emergency call manually .................. 132
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 133
Telephones and two-way radio .....................................128
Telescoping steering column
Adjusting ......................................................................63
Warning lamp ............................................................ 182
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................129
Tires
Consumer information ............................................ 258
Driving instructions ................................................. 157
Rims and tires .......................................................... 249
Rotating wheels ......................................................... 199
Tire inflation pressure ............................................ 209
Tire replacement ....................................................... 198
Tire speed rating ....................................................... 159

268 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Tire traction ............................................................... 159
Winter driving instructions .................................... 160
Tow-away alarm ................................................................ 37
Towing the vehicle ......................................................... 214
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................................................. 217
Traveling abroad ............................................................ 162
Trip Odometer .................................................................. 74
Trunk ................................................................................. 33
Separately locked ........................................................ 33
Trunk lid
Emergency release ..................................................... 35
Release switch ............................................................. 33
Turn signal failure ........................................................... 81
Turn signals ...................................................................... 81
VVanity Mirror ................................................................... 111
Vehicle jack ..................................................................... 197
Vehicle tools .................................................................... 196
WWarranty Coverage ....................................................... 242
Washing the vehicle ..................................................... 236
What you should know at the gas station .................. 174
Wheels ............................................................................. 198
Changing ................................................................... 202
Light alloy wheels .................................................... 238
Rims and tires .......................................................... 249
Rotating ...................................................................... 199
Spare wheel ............................................................... 200
Where to find it ................................................................ 11
Wind screen ....................................................................125
Windshield and headlamp washer system ................ 195
Low fluid level warning lamp .................................. 183
Winter driving ................................................................ 161
Winter driving instructions .......................................... 160
Wiper blade
Replacing insert ........................................................231