2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS steering wheel

229 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Your vehicle is equipped with a TIREFIT kit
(SLK 32 AMG only) (
page 208) or a
spare wheel with collapsible tire
(SLK 230 Kompressor and SLK 320 only)
(
page 207).
You can identify which TIREFIT kit
(SLK 32 AMG only) you have as follows:


The TIREFIT container of kit 1 is a
squeeze container.


The TIREFIT container of kit 2 is a rigid
container and includes a flange for filler
hose (outlet) and air hose (inlet).
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the selector lever toP (manual
transmission to first or reverse gear.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1
Small tire punctures, only those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).
The TIREFIT kit stored in the trunk
(page 208) contains the TIREFIT
container, a filler hose, a valve stem tool,
a valve core and a sticker.

Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed from the tire.

Attach the sticker where it will be easily
seen by the driver on the instrument
cluster.
Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT away from sparks, open flame
or heat source.
Do not smoke.
Warning!
G
TIREFIT is a limited repair device. TIREFIT
cannot be used for:

cuts or punctures larger than approx.
0.16 in (4 mm)


on a flat tire, or a damaged wheel


tire damage caused by driving with ex-
tremely low tire pressure
Do not drive the vehicle under such circum-
stances.
Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center for assistance or call Roadside Assis-
tance.

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.


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.

269 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore use only
brands tested and recommended by us.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
SLK 230 Kompressor
6.1 US qt (5.5 l)
Recommended engine oils
SLK 320
SLK 32 AMG
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Automatic transmission*
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10Manual transmission
SLK 230 Kompressor
1.6 US qt (1.5 l)
MB Manual Transmission Oil
2
2MB part no. 001 989 26 03 10
SLK 320
1.9 US qt (1.8 l)
Rear axle
1.4 US qt (1.3 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid
Front wheel hubs
approx. 1.5oz (43g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
0.5 US qt (0.5 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4)
Cooling system
SLK 230 Kompressor
approx. 9.8 US qt (9.3 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent
SLK 320
approx. 11.8USqt (11.2l)
SLK 32 AMG
approx. 15.3USqt (14.5l)

288 IndexChild safety 60
Airbags 54
Infant and child restraint systems 57,
60
Cigarette lighter 143
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 192
Cup holder 191
Gear selector lever 191
Hard plastic trim items 191
Headliner 192
Instrument cluster 191
Leather upholstery 192
Light alloy wheels 191
Plastic and rubber parts 192
Rear window 190
Seat belts 192
Steering wheel 191
Windows 190
Windshield 45
Wiper blades 190
Cleaning*
Headlamps 100
Climate control 102
Adjusting air distribution 104
Adjusting air volume 104Air conditioning 106
Air recirculation mode 105
Deactivating the climate control
system 110
Defogging windshield 109
Defrosting 108
Reactivating the climate control
system 110
Rear window defroster 105
Residual heat utilization 107
Residual ventilation 107
Setting the temperature 104
Clock 21
Setting 90
Closing
Glove box 139
Hood 172
Retractable hardtop 215
Side windows 127
Trunk 77
Windows 127
Closing hardtop
In an emergency 215
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 192
Cockpit 18, 279Coin holder 142
Collapsible tire 279
Combination switch 84, 85
High beam flasher 44, 85
Turn signals 43
Windshield wipers 44
Consumer information 276
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 166
Coolant 176, 273
Adding 176, 177
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 273
Capacities 269
Checking level 176
Temperature 167
Temperature gauge 88
Coolant level
Checking 170, 176
Cruise control 136, 279
Canceling 137
Driving downhill 137
Driving uphill 137
Fine adjustment 138
Saving current speed 137
Setting speeds 138

298 IndexSpare fuses 253
Spare parts service 256
Spare wheel 207
Bolts 207
Mounting 238
Speed
Saving current 137
Speed settings
Cruise control 138
Speedometer 21
SRS 59, 282
Indicator lamp 197
Standing lamps 83
Replacing bulbs 221, 222, 224
Standing water
Driving instructions 165
Starting difficulties 41
Starting position 29
Starting the engine 40
Steering column
Height adjustment 34
Length adjustment 34
Steering lock 19, 29
Positions 29
Steering wheel
Adjustment 34Cleaning 191
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 152
Storage compartments 140
Armrest 141
Center console 140
Glove box 139
Sun visors 101
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 282
Switching off
Audio system 115
Engine 48
ESP 70
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 48
Seat heating* 81
Switching on
Audio system 115
ESP 70
Front fog lamps 84
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Rapid seat heating* 81
Rear fog lamp 84Seat heating* 81
Windshield wipers 44
Synchronizing
Power windows 128
Synchronizing the remote control 213
T
Tachometer 21, 89
Displaying gear range 95
Overspeed range 89
Tail lamps
Cleaning 189
Replacing bulbs 222, 225
Tar stains 188
Technical data 271
Brake fluid 271
Coolant 269
Coolants 273
Electrical system 266
Engine 260
Engine oil 271
Engine oil additives 271
Fuel requirements 272
Fuels 269
Gasoline additives 272
Lubricants 269
Main dimensions 267

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

300 IndexTrunk lid emergency release 78
Trunk see Cargo compartment 77
Turn signal lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 222
Turn signals 43
Additional in mirrors 221
Cleaning lenses 189
Front bulbs 221, 224
Indicator lamps 21
Rear bulbs 222, 225
Turning off
Engine 48
U
Unlocking 28, 74
Centrally from inside 80
Driver’s door in an emergency 210
Fuel filler flap 169
Global 75
In an emergency 210
Selective settings 75
Transmission selector lever
manually 214
Trunk in an emergency 210
Vehicle in an emergency 151
With the remote control 28
Upgrade signalsTele Aid 150
Uphill driving
Cruise control 137
Upshifting 94
Useful features 139
Ashtray 142
Cigarette lighter 143
Garage door opener 152
Interior storage spaces 139
Tele Aid 144
Telephone* 143
V
Vehicle
Battery 245
Locking 23
Lowering 242
Proper use of 14
Towing 249, 251, 252
Unlocking 23
Unlocking in an emergency 210
Vehicle battery 245
Vehicle care 187
Cloth upholstery 192
Cup holder 191
Engine cleaning 189
Gear selector lever 191Hard plastic trim items 191
Headlamps 189
Instrument cluster 191
Leather upholstery 192
Light alloy wheels 191
Ornamental moldings 189
Paintwork 188
Plastic and rubber parts 192
Power washer 188
Rear window cleaning 190
Seat belts 192
Steering wheel 191
Tail lamps 189
Tar stains 188
Turn signals 189
Vehicle washing 189
Window cleaning 190
Wiper blades 190
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 258
Vehicle lighting
Checking 170
Vehicle tool kit 206
Alignment bolt 206
Spare fuses 206
Special fuse puller 206
Towing eye bolt 206