2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS Owners Manual

257 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
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 brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.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 79).
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.

258 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
Towing eye
SLK 230 Kompressor except Sport
Package*, SLK 320 except Sport
Package*
The rear towing eye is located at the right,
below the bumper.
The front towing eye is located on the pas-
senger-side behind the grille in the bumper
panel.
1Grille SLK 320
except Sport Package*
2Grille SLK 230 Kompressor
except Sport Package*Removing grille SLK 320

Hold left and right end of grille1 and
pull out firmly.
Installing grille SLK 320

Position grille1 and press securely.
The grille should audibly snap into
place.
Removing grille SLK 230 Kompressor

Hold grille2, fold it down and pull out
firmly.
Installing grille SLK 230 Kompressor

Position grille2 and press securely.
The grille should audibly snap into
place.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 251) or on jump
starting (
page 254).
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Manual unlocking of transmission se-
lector lever (page 220).

259 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
SLK 32 AMG, Sport Package*
The rear towing eye is located at the right,
below the bumper.
SLK 32 AMG and Sport Package are fitted
with a towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is stored with the jack
in the trunk (
page 213).The threaded hole for the towing eye bolt
is located on the passenger-side behind
the grille in the bumper panel.
1Grille SLK 32 AMG, Sport Package*Removing grille

Hold grille1 (arrow) and pull forward.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk.

Screw towing eye bolt into its stop and
tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt with wheel
wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in trunk.
Installing grille

Position grille1 and press securely
The grille should audibly snap into
place.

260 Practical hintsFuses
FusesA special fuse extractor is supplied with
the vehicle tool kit in the trunk.
Spare fuses are supplied inside the corre-
sponding fuse box.
The fuse chart is printed on the cover of
the corresponding fuse box.
The amperages of the fuses are also given
there.
Main fuse box
The main fuse box is located in the engine
compartment on the left hand side.
The main fuse box contains fuses for
interior consumers.
1Main fuse boxOpening

Release clamp (arrow) and lift fuse box
cover1.

Remove fuse box cover.
Closing

Fit fuse box cover1 back into the rear
clamp.

Close fuse box cover until the clamp
engages.
iOnly install fuses that have been tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz and
that have the specified amperage rat-
ing.
Never attempt to repair or bridge a
blown fuse. Have the cause determined
and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

261 Practical hintsFuses
Auxiliary fuse box
The auxiliary fuse box is located on the left
hand side of the exterior lamp switch.
The auxiliary fuse box contains fuses for
lights.
1Auxiliary fuse boxOpening

Turn locks (arrows) using a coin and
remove fuse box cover1.
Closing

Reinstall fuse box cover1 and turn
locks using a coin.

262

263 Technical data
Spare parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and Tires
Electrical system
Main Dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Consumer information

264 Technical dataSpare parts service
The “Technical data” section provides the
necessary technical data for your vehicle.
Spare parts service
All authorized Mercedes-Benz Centers
maintain a stock of genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts required for mainte-
nance and repair work. In addition, strate-
gically located parts distribution centers
provide quick and reliable parts service.
More than 300 000 different spare parts
for Mercedes-Benz models are available.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject-
ed to stringent quality inspections. Each
part has been specifically developed, man-
ufactured or selected for and adapted to
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Therefore, genuine Mercedes-Benz parts
original spare parts should be installed.
!The use of non-genuine Mercedes-Benz
parts and accessories not authorized
by Mercedes-Benz could damage the
vehicle, which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty, or
could compromise the vehicle’s dura-
bility or safety.