2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS tow

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 7
Product information ................................ 7
Operator’s Manual .................................. 8
Service and warranty information ..... 8
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles ............. 9
Maintenance .................................. 10
Roadside Assistance ...................... 10
Change of address or ownership.... 10
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 11
Where to find it .................................... 12
Symbols ............................................... 13
Operating safety .................................. 14
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 14
Problems with your vehicle .................. 15
Reporting safety defects...................... 16
Reporting safety defects ................ 16At a glance......................................... 17
Cockpit ................................................ 18
Instrument cluster ............................... 20
Center console .................................... 23Upper part ...................................... 23
Lower Part ...................................... 24
Overhead control panel ........................ 25
Getting started................................... 27
Unlocking ............................................. 28
Unlocking with the remote control.. 28
Adjusting .............................................. 30
Seats............................................... 30
Telescoping steering column* ........ 34
Mirrors ............................................ 35
Driving .................................................. 37
Fastening the seat belts.................. 37
Starting the engine ......................... 40
Switching on headlamps ................. 43
Turn signals and high beam ............ 43
Windshield wipers ........................... 44
Problems while driving .................... 45
Parking and locking .............................. 47
Parking brake.................................. 47
Switching off headlamps................. 48
Turning off engine ........................... 48
Safety and Security........................... 51
Occupant safety ................................... 52
Airbags ........................................... 53
Seat belts ....................................... 57
Children in the vehicle .................... 60
Panic alarm .......................................... 65
Activating........................................ 65
Deactivating.................................... 65
Driving safety systems ......................... 66
ABS ................................................. 66
BAS ................................................. 68
ESP ................................................. 68
Anti-theft systems ................................ 71
Immobilizer ..................................... 71
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 71
Tow-away alarm .............................. 72Controls in detail................................ 73
Locking and unlocking.......................... 74
Keys ................................................ 74
Opening the trunk ........................... 77
Closing the trunk ............................ 77
Opening the doors from the inside . 78
Trunk lid emergency release ........... 78

Contents
Installing....................................... 228
Flat tire .............................................. 229
Preparing the vehicle.................... 229
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1 ..... 229
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2 ..... 234
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 238
Battery ............................................... 245
Disconnecting the battery ............ 246
Removing the battery ................... 246
Charging and reinstalling battery . 246
Reconnecting the battery ............. 246
Jump starting ..................................... 247
Towing the vehicle ............................. 249
Towing eye ................................... 251
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 252
Fuses ................................................. 253
Main fuse box ............................... 253
Auxiliary fuse box ......................... 254
Technical data.................................. 255
Spare parts service ............................ 256
Warranty coverage ............................. 257
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 257
Identification labels............................ 258Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 259
SLK 230 Kompressor ................... 259
SLK 320 ....................................... 259
SLK 32 AMG................................. 259
Engine................................................ 260
Rims and Tires ................................... 261
Same size tires ............................. 262
Mixed size tires ............................ 263
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 265
Electrical system ............................... 266
Main Dimensions ............................... 267
Weights.............................................. 268
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 269
Capacities .................................... 269
Engine oils.................................... 271
Engine oil additives ...................... 271
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 271
Brake fluid .................................... 271
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 272
Fuel requirements ........................ 272
Gasoline additives ........................ 272
Coolants....................................... 273
Windshield and headlamp*
washer system ............................. 275
Consumer information ....................... 276
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 276
Technical terms............................... 279Index................................................. 285

23 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Cup holder
140
2
Center air outlet adjust-
ment
102
Side air outlet adjustment
102
3
Climate control
102
Rear window defroster
105
4
Audio system
111
5
Seat heater* passenger
side
81
6
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
71
Tow-away alarm switch
72
7
Central locking switch
78
8
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
85
9
ESP control switch
70
10
Headlamp washer* switch
100
11
Seat heater* driver’s side
81

47 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Brake lever
2Release button
Pull up brake lever1 firmly.
When the engine is running, the indica-
tor lamp
;
(USA only) or
3
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
will be illuminated.
Warning!
G
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the key from the starter switch. The
vehicle cannot be steered when the key is
removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to stop or steer the vehi-
cle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Pull up the brake lever firmly.


Move the selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the key to steering lock position0
and remove.

48 Getting startedParking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
M

(
page 43).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 83).
Turning off engine 
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear).

Turn the key in the steering lock to
position0 (
page 29) and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Children could release the parking
brake and/or move the gear selector lever
from positionP, either of which could result
in an accident and/or serious injury.
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector
lever not fully engaged in positionP is dan-
gerous. Also, when parked on an incline,
positionP alone may not prevent your vehi-
cle from moving, possibly hitting people or
objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn front wheel
towards the road curb.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP (manual
transmission: first or reverse gear). iOn steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb.

69 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 194).
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ESP warning lamp
v
flashing in the
speedometer dial. In this case proceed as
follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible


While driving ease up on the accelerator


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
t i o n , t h e e n g i n e m u s t b e s h u t o f f ( k e y i n
steering lock position0 or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size.

71 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating

Removing the key from the steering
lock activates the immobilizer.
Deactivating


Inserting the key in the steering lock
deactivates the immobilizer.
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk


the hood.
The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle.Arming the alarm system
The alarm system is armed within approxi-
mately 10 seconds after locking the vehi-
cle. The indicator lamp in the switch for the
tow-away alarm (
page 72) will then
blink.
Disarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the remote con-
trol.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:

Insert the key in the steering lock.
or

Press the
Œ
or
‹
button.
iIn case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated,
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.

72 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsTow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lampThe switch is located on the center con-
sole.

Turn off the ignition and remove the
key.

Press upper half1 of the switch.
Indicator lamp2 in the switch lights up
briefly.

Lock your vehicle with the key or re-
mote control.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated,
and that necessary cellular service and
GPS coverage are available.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is turned on.