2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS run flat

170 OperationAt the gas station
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.

Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system*
More information on filling up the res-
ervoir can be found in the “Operation”
section (
page 179).
2Brake fluid
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 271).
3Coolant level
More information on coolant can be
found in the “Operation” section
(page 176).
4Engine oil level
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Operation” section
(page 172).
Opening hood (
page 171).Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). More information on
coolant can be found in the “Operation”
section (
page 176).
Exterior lamp switch (
page 83).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, refer
to page (
page 221) in the “Practical
hints” section.
Exterior lamp switch (
page 83).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
can be found in the “Operation” section
(
page 181).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the
?
lamp to
illuminate.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 199).

219 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
3Hex-socket wrench
10Protective cap
11Screw for the retractable hardtop lock-
ing mechanism
Take off protective cap10 on the inner
side of the retractable hardtop.

Turn the retractable hardtop’s locking
mechanism screw11 with hex-socket
wrench3 clockwise as far as it will go.
The screw will be difficult to turn.
The clasp will open and the retractable
hardtop will engage audibly.

Turn the retractable hardtop’s locking
mechanism screw11 with hex-socket
wrench3 counterclockwise as far as it
will go.
The retractable hardtop will be locked.

Put protective cap10 back into the
opening and press down on it firmly.

Place flat hands near edges (arrows)
and close trunk lid.

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.

230 Practical hintsFlat tirePreparing TIREFIT
Take the TIREFIT kit out of the trunk
(page 208).
1Filler hose
2TIREFIT container

Shake contents of TIREFIT container2.

Screw hose1 on to TIREFIT
container2.
TIREFIT is now ready for use.
Warning!
G
Take care not to allow the contents of
T I R E F I T t o c o m e i n c o n t a c t w i t h h a i r , e y e s o r
clothing. TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swal-
lowed or absorbed through the skin. It caus-
es skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT,
change clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.
Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.

231 Practical hints
Flat tire
Adding TIREFIT
1Valve stem
2Valve stem tool
3TIREFIT container
4Filler hose
5Filler hose plug
6Tire valve core
Unscrew the valve cap from valve1.

Remove tire valve core6 from valve
stem1 using valve stem tool2. Keep
tire valve core6 clean and dry.

Remove plug5 from end of hose4.

Push hose4 onto valve stem1.

Hold TIREFIT container3 upside down
(hose down) and squeeze firmly several
times until entire contents of the con-
tainer are in tire.

Pull hose4 off and screw tire valve
core6 tightly into the valve stem1
using valve stem tool2.

Reinstall valve cap on valve stem1.

Install plug5 onto end of hose4.

Drive the vehicle back and forth very
slowly approximately 30 ft (10 m).
This distributes the TIREFIT sealant
material inside the tire.

Take the electric air pump out of the
trunk (
page 208).
iIf the removed tire valve core is dirty,
use the spare tire valve core stored
with the valve stem tool.
iIf sealant has leaked out, let it dry. You
can then peel it off.

233 Practical hints
Flat tire

Detach the electric air pump.

Reinstall tire valve cap.

Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the air
pump back into the trunk.

Close the trunk lid.

Drive away immediately.
The TIREFIT sealant will distribute itself
evenly inside the tire.

After driving vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check tire pressure using
the pressure gauge on the air pump.
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.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.
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
If tire pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the road-
way and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside Assis-
tance.
If tire pressure is at least 20 psi (1.3 bar), in-
flate tire to correct pressure (see label on
fuel filler flap), and drive vehicle to nearest
tire repair facility to have tire repaired or re-
placed.
Recommended duration of use: 300 miles
(500 km) at 50 mph (80 km / h) with the
recommended tire pressure.


235 Practical hints
Flat tire

Take the TIREFIT kit out of the trunk
(page 208).

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.Preparing TIREFIT
1TIREFIT container
2Flap
3Notch
4Electrical plug
5Air hose
6Flange

Open flap2 on the electric air pump.

Pull plug4 and air hose5 out of the
pump housing.

Screw the air pump’s air hose5 onto
flange6 of the TIREFIT container.

Stick TIREFIT container1 upside down
into notch3 of the electric air pump.7Tire valve
8Electric air pump switch
9Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
10Filler hose
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.
Warning!
G
Observe safety instructions on air pump la-
bel.iIf sealant has leaked out, let it dry. You
can then peel it off.

237 Practical hints
Flat tire

Detach the electric air pump.
The air hose may still be hot. Please ex-
ercise appropriate caution.

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

Close the trunk lid.

Drive away immediately.
The TIREFIT sealant will distribute itself
evenly inside the tire.

After driving vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check tire pressure using
the pressure gauge on the air pump.
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
If tire pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the road-
way and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside Assis-
tance.
I f ti re pre s su re is a t l ea s t 2 0 ps i (1 .3 bar ), in -
flate tire to correct pressure (see label on
fuel filler flap), and drive vehicle to nearest
tire repair facility to have tire repaired or re-
placed.
Recommended duration of use:
300 miles (500 km) at 50 mph (80 km / h)
with the recommended tire pressure.
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.