2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS run flat

238 Practical hintsFlat tire
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a
new TIREFIT kit.

Bring used TIREFIT materials to an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
proper disposal.

Replace your TIREFIT container every
four years. Replacement containers are
available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Mounting the spare wheel
More information on spare wheels with
collapsible tires can be found in the “Tech-
nical data” section (
page 265).Preparing the vehicle
Prepare the vehicle as described under
“Preparing the vehicle” on page
(
page 229).

Turn pump holder counterclockwise to
loosen (
page 207).

Take the spare wheel out of wheel well.
Lifting the vehicle

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away
by blocking wheels with wheel chocks
(not included) or other sizable objects.
When changing wheel on a level surface:

Place one chock in front of and one be-
hind the wheel that is diagonally oppo-
site to the wheel being changed.
When changing wheel on a hill:

Place chocks on the downhill side
blocking both wheels of the other axle.

Take the vehicle tool kit and the jack
out of the trunk.
Warning!
G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not designed
to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel are dif-
ferent from those of the road wheels. As a
result, the vehicle handling characteristics
change when driving with a spare wheel
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel is for temporary use only.
When driving with spare wheel mounted, en-
sure proper tire pressure and do not exceed
vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
replaced with a regular road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel mounted.


241 Practical hints
Flat tire

Remove the wheel.

Take the spare tire out of the trunk.
Mounting the new wheel
Wheel bolts1 Wheel bolt for

wheel rim size 7Jx16 H2 and 8Jx16 H2


AMG wheel rim size 7
1⁄2Jx17 H2 and
8
1⁄2Jx17 H2


spare wheel rim size 4
1⁄2Bx16 H2
2 Wheel bolt for


spare wheel rim size 4
1⁄2Bx15 H2
(located with electric air pump)

Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.

Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.

Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.

Inflate the spare tire using the electric
air pump (
page 243).
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting spare wheel rim size
41⁄2Bx15 H2.
The use of any wheel bolts other than
wheel bolts2 for spare wheel rim size
4
1⁄2Bx15 H2 can cause physical dam-
age to the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Be sure to use original length wheel bolts
when remounting the original wheel after it
has been repaired.
Warning!
G
Inflate spare wheel with collapsible tire only
after the wheel is properly mounted.!To avoid paint damage, place wheel flat
against hub and hold it there while in-
stalling first wheel bolt.


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.


244 Practical hintsFlat tire

Detach the electric air pump.

Reinstall tire valve cap.

Stow the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the air
pump back in the trunk.

Close the trunk lid.Storing collapsible spare wheel in
wheel well
Before you can store the spare wheel with
collapsible tire in the wheel well you have
to release the air pressure of the tire.

Unscrew valve stem removal tool,
which is part of the valve cap, from tire
valve.

Using the valve stem removal tool,
open tire valve slightly by turning the
tire valve insert counterclockwise to
release air pressure.

When the air pressure has been re-
leased, remove tire valve insert (pro-
tect it from dirt and sand) using the
previously removed tire valve cap.

Once all air is out of the tire, and the
tire has collapsed to its original shape,
reinstall the tire valve insert and valve
cap.

Place spare wheel in wheel well and
secure it with the pump holder.

Tu rn pu m p hold er cl ockwi se to its st op.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible injury when unscrewing
air pump filler hose from tire valve after in-
flating the tire, use a rag since the tire valve
could be hot.

287 Index
Battery discharged
Jump starting 247
Battery, vehicle 178, 245
Charging 246
Disconnecting 246
Reconnecting 246
Reinstalling 246
Removing 246
Block heater 184
Bolts
For spare wheel 207
Brake assist system (BAS) 279
Brake fluid 170, 271
Brake lamp bulbs 222
Brake lamp, high mounted 222
Brakes 160
Warning lamp 198
Break-in period 158
Bulbs, replacing 221
Additional turn signals 221
Backup lamps 222
Brake lamps 222
Fog lamps 221
Front lamps 221
High beam 221
High mounted brake lamp 222License plate lamps 222, 226
Low beam 221
Parking lamps 221, 222, 224
Rear fog lamp 222
Rear fog lamps 225
Side marker lamps 221, 225
Standing lamps 221, 222, 224
Tail lamp assemblies 222, 225
Turn signal lamps 221, 222
Xenon* headlamps 223
Button
Audio system 115
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 279
California
Important notice 9
Calling up
Service indicator 186
CAN system 279
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 269
Cargo area see Cargo compartment 77
Cargo compartment
Trunk 77
Casette mode
Playing cassettes 118Catalytic converter 166
CD changer* 120, 209
CD mode 120
Center console 23
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 205
Lower part 24
Storage compartment 140
Upper part 23
Central locking
From inside 80
Unlocking from inside 80
Certification label 258
Changing CDs 120
Charging
Vehicle battery 246
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 199
Checking
Coolant level 170, 176
Oil level 170, 172
Tire inflation pressure 170
Vehicle lighting 170
Checking engine oil level
Via engine oil level indicator 173
Via oil dipstick 173

290 IndexEmergency calls
Initiating an emergency call 147
With Tele Aid 146
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 98
Emergency operations
Closing hardtop 215
Opening hardtop 215
Remote door unlock 151
Unlocking the vehicle 210
Emergency release for trunk lid 78
Emergency tensioning device see
ETD 60, 280
Emission control 167
Emission control label 258
Engine
Compartment 171
Starting with automatic
transmission* 41
Starting with manual
transmission 40
Starting with the key 40, 41
Technical data 260
Turning off with the key 48
Engine cleaning 189
Engine compartment 171Hood 171
Engine malfunction indicator lamp 21,
199
Engine number 280
Engine oil 172, 271
Adding 175
Additives 271
Checking level 172
Consumption 172
Filler neck 175
Viscosity 280
Engine oil level see Oil level 170
ESP 22, 68, 280
Switching off 70
Switching on 70
Warning lamp 194
ETD 280
Safety guidelines 55
ETD (Emergency tensioning device) 60
Exterior lamp switch 83
Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting 35
F
Fastening the seat belts 37
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 138First aid kit 206
Flat tire 229
Lowering the vehicle 242
Mounting the spare wheel 238
Preparing the vehicle 229
Spare wheel 207
TIREFIT 208, 209
Flexible Service System (FSS) 185, 280
Fog lamp, rear 84, 222
Fog lamps
Replacing bulbs 221
Fog lamps, front
Replacing bulbs 222
Switching on 84
Front airbags 56
Front lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 223
Switching on 83
Front seats
Heater* 81
FSS (Flexible Service System) 185, 280

299 Index
Premium unleaded gasoline 272
Rims and tires 261
Weights 268
Windshield and headlamp washer*
system 270, 275
Tele Aid 144
Emergency calls 146
Information 149
Initiating an emergency call
manually 147
Remote door unlock 151
Roadside assistance 148
Stolen vehicle tracking services 152
System self-check 145
Tele Aid System 145
Upgrade signals 150
Tele Aid System 282
Telephone* 143
Hands-free microphone 25
Operation 123
Telescoping steering column*
Adjusting 34
Temperature
Grades of tires 277
Setting interior temperature 104
Tires 182Tightening torque 282
Tightening torque (Wheel bolts) 242
Tire inflation pressure 236
Checking 170, 181
Tire speed rating 163, 283
Tire traction 163
TIREFIT 282
TIREFIT kit
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 229, 234
TIREFIT kit 1 229
TIREFIT kit 2 234
TIREFIT-Kit
Adding TIREFIT 231
Inflating the tire 232
Preparing TIREFIT 230, 235
Tires 180, 261
Collapsible 279
Consumer information 276
Direction of rotation 181
Driving instructions 162
Retreads 180
Rims and tires 261
Service life 181
Temperature 182
Temperature grades 277
Tread depth 183Wear pattern 182
Winter 183
Tools 206
Tow-away alarm 23, 72
Arming 72
Disarming 72
Disarming for transport 72
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 252
Towing the vehicle 249, 251, 252
Tracking services
For stolen vehicle 152
Traction 97, 276, 283
Transmission see Automatic
transmission* 176
Transmission selector lever 214
Unlocking manually 214
Traveling abroad 165
Tread depth (tires) 183
Treadwear 276
Trip odometer
Resetting 89
Trunk
Closing 77
Lighting 87
Opening 77