2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class tow

187 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 188
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 188
Fuses ................................................ 188
Hood ................................................. 190
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 192
Checking engine oil level ............. 193
Coolant level ................................... 194
Adding coolant ........................... 194
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ........................... 195
Air pump, spare wheel,
vehicle tools, storage
compartment ............................. 196Vehicle jack .....................................197
Wheels .............................................198
Tire replacement ........................198
Rotating wheels ..........................199
Spare wheel .................................... 200
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 201
Changing wheels ........................... 202
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ..................................... 207
Storing spare wheel
in wheel well .............................. 208
Tire inflation pressure ................. 209
Battery ..............................................210
Jump starting ..................................212
Towing the vehicle .........................214Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking .................. 217
Exterior lamps ................................ 218
Headlamp assembly ................... 219
Taillamp assemblies ..................222
Changing batteries
in the remote control ................224
Synchronizing
remote control ............................225
Emergency engine
shut-down ..................................226
Raising hardtop manually ............226
Replacing wiper blade insert ....... 231
Antenna ...........................................232
Manual release of
fuel filler flap .............................232

188 First aid kit
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the left side panel of the
trunk.
Stowing things in the vehicleFuses
Before replacing a blown fuse, determine the cause of
the short circuit.
Spare fuses are supplied inside the main and auxiliary
fuse boxes. Observe amperage and color of fuse.
A special fuse puller is supplied with the vehicle tools.
Always use a new fuse for replacement. Never attempt to
repair or bridge a blown fuse.
After replacing a blown fuse, close fuse box cover.
A fu se ch art ca n be fou nd insid e t he correspond ing f use
box cover.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible.

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
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
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

221 Exterior lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Parking, standing and turn signal lamp
(2357 NA [28.5 / 8.3W / 30 / 2.2 cp] bulb)
Open hood.
Insert screwdriver (supplied in vehicle tool kit) into hole
for release lever (5). Move screwdriver sideways toward
radiator and then rearward. Remove the released lamp
assembly.
Twist bulb socket (1) counterclockwise and pull out.
Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Reinstall bulb socket.
To reinstall lamp assembly, slide its tabs (6) into
guides (7), continue to push lamp in until it engages in
lock.
5
1
P82.10-2353-26
P82.10-2354-26
7
6
7
6

223 Exterior lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Side marker lamp, front
(5 W / 4 cp bulb)
Carefully slide lamp towards front (arrow), and remove
back end first from bumper.
Turn bulb socket with bulb counterclockwise and pull
out. Push bulb into socket, turn counterclockwise and
remove.Insert new bulb in socket, push in and twist clockwise.
Insert bulb socket with bulb in lamp and twist
clockwise.
To reinstall lamp, set back end of lamp into bumper and
let front end snap into place.
High mounted stop lamp,
Additional turn signals on the exterior mirror
The high mounted stop lamp (3rd brake lamp) and the
additional turn signals on the exterior mirrors are
equipped with LEDs.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center if a malfunction occurs.
P82.10-2477-26