2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK 230 KOMPRESSOR key

215 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Raising retractable hardtop manually
If the retractable hardtop cannot be closed
automatically, make certain that all points
listed under the “Retractable hardtop” sec-
tion (
page 129) were observed.
If the automatic operation still does not
function properly, you can close the re-
tractable hardtop manually.
This procedure should be performed with
great care by two persons.

Open doors or lower windows
(page 127).

Set parking brake (
page 47).

Remove key from steering lock
(page 29).

Open trunk lid (
page 77).

Open the right side trim panel in the
trunk.1Screw of hydraulic pump
2Control cable, right
3Hex-socket wrench

Remove hex-socket wrench3 from
cover.

Using wrench3 turn screw1 of the
hydraulic pump counterclockwise as
far as it will go.
!Manually closing the retractable hard-
top is a complicated and technically de-
manding procedure. Close the
retractable hardtop manually in emer-
gency cases only. Otherwise, visit an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G


It is important that a second person
helps you. Otherwise, you could become
trapped or injured.


Remove any wristwatches or jewelry
such as rings or bracelets. Otherwise,
they could get caught in the vehicle
mechanism, causing personal injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle.


Always use the grips provided. Other-
wise you could injure yourself.


228 Practical hintsReplacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper bladesRemoving
Fold the wiper arm forward.

Press safety tab down1.

Push wiper blade downward2 and re-
move.Replacing wiper blade insert

Place wiper blade on firm support.

Press down both tabs.

Slide (in direction of arrow) the wiper
blade insert out of the retainer claws.

Slide (in direction of arrow) the new
wiper blade insert into retainer claws
until tabs are engaged.
Installing
Slide wiper blade onto wiper arm until
it locks in place.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove key from steer-
ing lock before replacing a wiper blade, oth-
erwise the motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arm is folded forward.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make certain that the wiper blades are
properly installed. Improperly installed
wiper blades may cause windshield
damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

232 Practical hintsFlat tireInflating the tire
1Flap
2Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
3Union nut
4Electrical plug

Open flap1 on air pump.

Pull out electrical plug4 and air hose
with pressure gauge2.

Screw union nut3 with air hose2 on to
the tire valve.

Insert electrical plug4 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.

Turn key in steering lock to position1
(page 29).

PressI on the electric air pump switch.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.
After 5 minutes, the pressure gauge must
display at least 26 psi (1.8 bar). The air
hose and the union nut can become hot
during inflation. Please exercise appropri-
ate caution.

If this tire pressure is not attained, turn
off the electric air pump, detach the air
hose from the tire valve, and again
drive vehicle back and forth very slowly
approximately 30 ft (10 m).
This serves to better distribute the
TIREFIT sealant material inside the tire.

Inflate the tire again.

Press0 on the electric air pump
switch.

Turn key in steering lock to position0.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.
Warning!
G
Observe safety instructions on air pump la-
bel.
!Do not exceed the maximum pressure
of 36 psi (2.5 bar).
!Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than eight minutes without in-
terruption. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again af-
ter it has cooled off.


236 Practical hintsFlat tire
Unscrew the valve cap from tire
valve7.

Screw filler hose10 onto tire valve7.

Insert electrical plug4 into vehicle cig-
arette lighter socket.

Turn key in steering lock to position1
(page 29).

PressI on electric air pump switch8.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.After 5 minutes, the pressure gauge must
display at least 26 psi (1.8 bar). The air
hose can become hot during inflation.
Please exercise appropriate caution.

If this tire pressure is not attained, turn
off the electric air pump, detach the fill-
er hose from the tire valve, and drive
vehicle back and forth very slowly ap-
proximately 30 ft (10 m).
This serves to better distribute the
TIREFIT sealant material inside the tire.

Unscrew the air pump’s air hose5 from
flange6 of the TIREFIT container.

Inflate the tire again.

After attaining a tire pressure of 26 psi
(1.8 bar), press0 on electric air pump
switch8.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

Turn key in steering lock to position0
(page 29).
!Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than eight minutes without in-
terruption. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again af-
ter it has cooled off.

Warning!
G
If a tire pressure of 26 psi (1.8 bar) is not at-
tained, tire is too severely damaged for
TIREFIT to provide a reliable tire repair.
In this case, TIREFIT cannot properly seal
the tire.
Do not drive the vehicle.
Contact the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
or call Roadside Assistance.

243 Practical hints
Flat tire

Before storing the jack in the trunk, it
should be fully collapsed, with pin and
handle folded in.
Inflating the collapsible spare tire

Take the electric air pump out of the
trunk (
page 207).
1Flap
2Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
3Union nut
4Electrical plug

Open flap1 on air pump.

Pull out electrical plug4 and air hose
with pressure gauge2.

Unscrew valve cap from spare wheel
tire valve.

Screw union nut3 with air hose2 on to
the tire valve.

Insert electrical plug4 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.

Turn key in steering lock to position1
(page 29).

PressI on the electric air pump switch.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.

Inflate the collapsible tire to around
36 psi (2.5 bar).This takes about 5 minutes for the col-
lapsible spare tire. Airhose2 and union
nut3 can become hot duration infla-
tion.

Press0 on the electric air pump
switch.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

Turn key in steering lock to position0.

If the tire pressure is above 36 psi
(2.5 bar) release excess tire pressure
using the vent screw.
Warning!
G
Observe instructions on air pump label.
!Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than 8 minutes without interrup-
tion. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again af-
ter it has cooled off.


245 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right-hand side.
1Battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the steering lock. Other-
wise the alternator and other electronic
components could be severely dam-
aged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof battery only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

y o u w i l l n o l o n g e r b e a b l e t o t u r n t h e k e y
in the steering lock


the selector lever will remain locked in
positionP

249 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start vehicle.!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 72) and the automatic central
locking (
page 78).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN (manual transmission:
gears disengaged) and the key must be
in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50
km/h).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.

250 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in starter switch position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from starter switch and reinsert.
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the braking and steer-
ing systems. In this case, it is important to
keep in mind that a considerably higher de-
gree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accord-
ingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 72).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 78).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.