2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS Owners Manual

198 Coolant level
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Coolant level
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground and the engine stopped.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold.
Adding coolant
If coolant has to be added, a 50/50 mixture of water and
MB anticorrosion / antifreeze should be added. Refill
coolant until the float in the reservoir reaches and
closes the filler opening. Anticorrosion / antifreeze, see page 270. The drain plugs for the cooling system are
located on the right side of the engine block and at the
bottom of the radiator.
P20.20-2052-26
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid possible serious burns or injury:
• Use extreme caution when opening the hood if
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking
from the cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F
(90°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.
• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.

199 Windshield and headlamp washer system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Windshield and headlamp washer system
1Windshield and headlamp washer fluid reservoir
Capacity approximately 7.4 US qt (7.0 l)
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or concentrate
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water)
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).
1
P82.35-2051-26

200 Air pump, spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage compartment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Air pump, spare wheel, vehicle tools, storage
compartment (except SLK 32 AMG)1Vehicle tools
2Wheel bolt wrench
3Spare wheel and wheel bolts
4Air pump (electric. 12 V), Bolts for spare wheel rim
5Ve h i c l e j a c k
Raise roof, open luggage cover, and move aside trunk
floor.
To remove air pump:
Unbuckle strap and remove air pump from holder.
To remove spare wheel:
First remove air pump, then turn pump holder
counterclockwise and remove spare wheel.
To store spare wheel:
Place spare wheel in wheel well and secure it with
pump holder. Turn pump holder clockwise to its stop.
Reinstall air pump.
P58.10-2025-27
43
2
15

201 Vehicle jack
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Ve h i c l e j a c k (except SLK 32 AMG)
1Jack base
2Handle
3Pin
See illustration for proper storage of jack.
Before storing the jack in its holder in the spare wheel
well, lower jack arm and fold in handle and pin.
1
0
456max. 6 min
A 170 584 01 38 AIR COMPRESSOR 23
Mercedes-Benz2
3
2 1
12,5 bar
36 psi1
0 23
4
5
620PSI
BAR40
60
80LUFTPRESSER 1
2
P58.10-2019-261
2
3
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
vehicle at the jack tubes built into either side of the
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from the area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parking brake while the vehicle is
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.

202 Storage box, TIREFIT-Kit, air pump, vehicle tools
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and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Storage box, TIREFIT-Kit, air pump, vehicle tools
(SLK 32 AMG only)
The storage box is located below the trunk floor.1Electric Air pump
2TIREFIT-Kit
3Vehicle tool kit, Jack
Lift trunk floor cover.
Open storage box cover.
Notes:
The vehicle tool kit and tire wrench are located under
the rug on the right side.
To use TIREFIT and air pump, see page 214
2
1
P58.10-2026-273

203 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.Tire replacement
Tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires must be
of the correct size and type. For dimensions, see
page 261.
We recommend that you break in new tires for
approximately 60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.
It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, see page 261.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.

204 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Rotating wheels
Wheel rotation applies only when winter tires are
mounted on all four wheels.
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and
damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims for
damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see
page 219.

205 Tires, wheels
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Spare wheel
Important!
SLK 230 Kompressor:
The spare wheel rim size is 4
1/2 B x 15 H 2 with
inflatable, collapsible tire, size 165-15 89 P.
SLK 320:
The spare wheel rim size is 4
1/2 B x 16 H 2 with
inflatable, collapsible tire, size 165/70-16 92 P.
You should inflate the spare tire using the supplied air
pump.
Note:
The model SLK 32 AMG is equipped with TIREFIT,
see page 214.In the case of a flat tire, you may temporarily use the
spare wheel, while observing the following restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
•Do not operate vehicle with more than one
collapsible spare wheel / tire mounted.
For additional information, see page 261.