2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS Owners Manual

249 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 214).
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. Air hose2 and
union nut3 can become hot duration
inflation.

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 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.

Turn pump holder clockwise to its stop.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended 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.


251 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.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries,
see “Battery” (
page 183).
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.

252 Practical hintsBatteryDisconnecting the battery
Depress parking brake firmly or move
gear selector lever to positionP (man-
ual transmission to Neutral).

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Remove key from steering lock.

Open the hood (
page 174).

Disconnect the battery negative lead.

Remove the cover2 from the positive
terminal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw on the swivel bar.

Remove the swivel bar.

Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling battery
Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover2.

Connect the negative lead.
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the key
in the steering lock


automatic transmission: the gear selec-
tor lever will remain locked in positionP
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
!Never invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.

253 Practical hints
Battery
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):

Set the clock (
page 91).


Resynchronize the ESP
(page 202).


Re-enter the radio code (see radio
operating instructions).


Resynchronize side windows
(page 129).

254 Practical hintsJump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle‘s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Use only jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, 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 very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the battery installed in the engine
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If engine does not run after several un-
successful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

255 Practical hints
Jump starting
The battery is located on the right side of
the engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission to Neutral).

Open the hood.

Connect positive terminals1 and2
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery1
first.1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Negative terminal of discharged
battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Start engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals3 and4
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery4
first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now again turn on the electrical
consumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 of the
batteries and then from positive
terminals1 and2.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries.
!Never invert the terminal connections.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start vehicle.

256 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing the vehicleMercedes-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 79).
!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:
gear shift lever in neutral position) 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.