2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS towing

401 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-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 the SmartKey in the starter
switch in 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 86) and the automatic central
locking (
page 97).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch
position0or1). 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 gear selector lever*
must be in positionN (manual trans-
mission: gear shift lever in neutral posi-
tion) and the SmartKey must be in
starter switch position1.
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).

402 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
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.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
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,
switch on ignition 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 SmartKey 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.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 97).
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 86).
The vehicle should only be towed using
a properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or
tow rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or
suspension parts.

403 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the ve-
hicle tool kit, located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor (
page 369).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.

Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(page 369).1Cover in front bumper
2Cover in rear bumper

Press mark on corresponding cover1
or2 in direction of arrow for folding
down.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
Do not remove cover completely.

Screw towing eye bolt in to its end stop
and tighten with lug wrench.

For removing towing eye bolt and rein-
stalling cover, follow the previously de-
scribed steps in reverse order.
iThe gear selector lever* will remain
locked in positionP (vehicles with au-
tomatic transmission*) and the Smart-
Key will not turn in the starter switch if
the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged. See notes on the battery
(page 396) or on jump starting
(page 399).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of
transmission selector lever, see
(page 376).
iWhen closing the cover, insert the
latches first and gently press on the
opposite side until the cover fully en-
gages.
Make sure the cover’s check strap
does not get caught when closing.

452 IndexPotential problems associated with
underinflated and overinflated
tires 311
Power assistance 273
Power seat see Seats
Power train, description 435
Power washer see Vehicle care
Power windows 232
Express-open/-close 233
Opening and closing 232
Operating rear side windows 234
Operating with retractable hardtop
switch 234
Stopping windows 234
Summer opening/convenience
closing 235
Synchronizing 236
Practical hints
Fuses 404
Lamps in instrument cluster 342
Spare wheel bolts 373
Towing vehicle 401
Vehicle jack 370
What to do if... 342
Premium unleaded gasoline 425Problems
Accident 55
Coolant too hot 55
Misfiring 55
Running erratically 55
While driving 55
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 324
Program mode selector switch
Automatic transmission 158
Description 435
PSI 324R
Radio
Operation (Audio system) 197
Operation (Control system) 123
Satellite (USA only) 124
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 281
Range (Distance to empty,
Control system) 146
Reading lamps 114
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 171
Recommended inflation pressure 324
Recovery services for stolen vehicle 264
Refrigerant (Air conditioning) 424
Refueling 284
Regular checks 285
Remote
Door unlock with Tele Aid 263
Remote control see SmartKey
Removing
Vehicle tool kit 369
Reporting, safety defects 18
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button (Instrument cluster) 25

456 IndexTire
Vehicle maximum load on 325
Tire and Loading Information 301
Tire and loading terminology 323
Tire care and maintenance 298
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure
Air pressure 323
Checking 306, 308
Tire inflation pressure see the placard
on the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 298
Tire load rating 325
Tire ply composition and material
used 325
Tire speed rating 315, 325
Tire terminology 323
Tires 297, 413
Cleaning 299
Collapsible (Spare wheel) 432
Direction of rotation 300
Driving instructions 277
Flat tire 388
Important guidelines 297
Inflating with air pump 393MOExtended system 312
Mounting wheel 391
Removing wheel 391
Retreads 297
Rims and tires 413
Rotating 326
Run Flat Indicator 308
Service life 298
Sizes 413
Snow chains 328
Spare wheel 371
Speed rating 278
Storing 299
Supplemental tire inflation pressure
information 284
Temperature 307, 322
Traction 278
Tread depth 299, 327
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 277
Wear pattern 326
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Winter 327
Tools see Vehicle tool kit
Tow-away alarm see Anti-theft systems
Towing (Vehicle) 401Towing eye bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Traction 158, 325
Transmission, display message 353
Transporting the vehicle see Anti-theft
systems
Traveling abroad 281
Tread 325
Tread depth 299
Tread depth (Tires) 327
Treadwear indicators 325
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 277
Trip computer menu
(Control system) 144
Trip odometer (Control system) 116
Trunk 95
Lighting 113
Luggage cover 238
Trunk lid emergency release 96
Trunk lid lock 375
Unlocking in an emergency 375
Unlocking with SmartKey 93
Turn signals 52, 381
Additional in mirrors 381
TWI see Treadwear indicators

457 Index
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 325
Unlocking 34
Centrally from inside 97
In an emergency 263
With SmartKey 34
Upgrade scenario (Tele Aid) 262
Upshifting 154
Useful features
Ashtray 253
Cigarette lighter 254
Cup holder 252
Electrical outlet 254
Floormat (Driver’s side only) 255
Garage door opener 264
Heated steering wheel 270
Parcel net 251
Storage compartments, interior 250
Tele Aid 257
Telephone 256V
Valve extractor (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Vehicle
Battery 294, 396
Battery, charging 397
Bulbs 380
Fuses 404
Individual settings
(Control system) 127
Jump starting 399
Lifting with jack 389
Lowering with jack 395
Proper use of 16
Towing 401
Unlocking in an emergency 374
Vehicle capacity weight 325
Vehicle care 334
Cup holder 339
Engine cleaning 336
Exterior lamps 337
Gearshift/gear selector lever 339
Hard plastic trim items 340
Headliner 340
Instrument cluster 339
Light alloy wheels 339Ornamental moldings 337
Paintwork 336
Plastic and rubber parts 340
Power washer 335
Rear window 339
Seat belts 340
Steering wheel 339
Tar stains 335
Upholstery 340
Washing 334, 336
Window cleaning 338
Wiper blades 337
Wood trims 340
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 370
Vehicle loading terminology 323
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 325
Vehicle status message memory menu
(Control system) 126
Vehicle tool kit 369
Collapsible wheel chock 371
Removing 369
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
VIN 410
Description 437