2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS tow

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.


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.

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.

293 Index
A
ABS 22, 66, 287
Malfunction indicator lamp 201
Warning lamp 201
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 98
Accident
In case of 46
Activating
Air conditioning 107
Air recirculation mode 106
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Climate control 103
ESP 70
Exterior headlamps 43
Hazard warning flasher 86
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Ignition 29
Immobilizer 71
Rear window defroster 101
Residual heat 107
Seat heater* 82
Tow-away alarm 72
Windshield wipers 44Activating automatic central locking 80
Adding
Coolant 181
Engine oil 179
Additional turn signals 226
Adjusting 30
Air distribution 105
Air volume 105
Backrest tilt 32, 33
Exterior rear view mirror 35
Head restraint height 32
Inside rear view mirror 35
Instrument cluster illumination 89
Manual seat 31
Mirrors 35
Seat cushion tilt 33
Seat fore and aft adjustment 31, 33
Seat height 31, 33
Seats 30
Telescoping steering column* 34
Adjusting headlamp aim
Horizontal headlamp aim 232
Vertical headlamp aim 231
Air conditioning 106Activating 107
Deactivating 107
Air conditioning refrigerant 279
Air distribution
Adjusting 105
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 186
Air recirculation mode 106
Activating 106
Deactivating 106
Air volume
Adjusting 105
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 211
Airbags 53
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 287
BabySmartTM deactivation
system 62
Children 54
Front 56
Passenger 56
Safety guidelines 55
Side impact 57

294 IndexAlarm
Audible 65, 71, 72
Canceling 71, 72
Visual 71
Alarm system
Anti-theft 71
Alignment bolt 246
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 287
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 282
Antiglare
Automatic 99
Antilock brake system (ABS) 287
Anti-theft alarm system
Arming 71
Canceling alarm 71, 72
Disarming 71
Anti-theft systems 71
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Immobilizer 71
Tow-away alarm 72
Armrest
Storage compartment 141
Ashtray 142
ATF (automatic transmission fluid)* 180
Audio system 121Audio and telephone, operation 111
Button and soft key operation 115
Cassette mode 118
Operating and display elements 112
Operating safety 111
Operation 115
Radio mode 116
Switching off 115
Switching on 115
Telephone operation 125
Audio systems 111
Automatic antiglare for rear view
mirror 99
Automatic central locking
Activating 80
Deactivating 80
Automatic lighting control
Deactivating 87
Automatic locking when driving 79
Automatic transmission 93
Accelerator position 98
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 98
Gear ranges 95Gear selector lever position 95
Gear shifting malfunctions 98
Kickdown 98
Manual shifting 94
One-touch gearshifting 94
Program mode selector switch 97
Selector lever position 93
Winter program mode 97
Automatic transmission*
Fluid level 180
Starting with 41
Transmission fluid 180
B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 62
Compatible child seats 62, 287
Self-test 63
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 287
Backrest tilt 31
Backup lamps 227, 230
Bulbs 227
BAS 67, 287