2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS wiper blades

Contents
Practical hints................................. 341
What to do if … .................................. 342
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 342
Lamp in center console ................ 347
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 348
Where will I find...? ............................ 369
First aid kit ................................... 369
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack......... 369
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 371
Spare wheel bolts ........................ 373
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 374
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 374
Locking the vehicle ...................... 375
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ........... 376
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 377
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ...................................... 377
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 378
SmartKey ..................................... 379Replacing bulbs .................................. 380
Bulbs ............................................. 380
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 382
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 384
Replacing wiper blades....................... 386
Removing wiper blades ................. 386
Installing wiper blades .................. 387
Flat tire ............................................... 388
Preparing the vehicle .................... 388
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 388
Battery................................................ 396
Disconnecting the battery............. 397
Removing the battery.................... 397
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 397
Reconnecting the battery.............. 398
Jump starting ...................................... 399
Towing the vehicle .............................. 401
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 403
Fuses .................................................. 404
Aids for changing fuses................. 404
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 405
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 406
Technical data.................................. 407
Parts service ...................................... 408
Warranty coverage ............................. 409
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 409
Identification labels ............................ 410
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 411
SLK 350 ........................................ 411
SLK 55 AMG ................................. 411
Engine ................................................ 412
Rims and tires .................................... 413
Same size tires ............................. 414
Mixed size tires ............................. 416
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 418
Electrical system ................................ 419
Main Dimensions................................ 420
Weights .............................................. 421

54 Getting startedDriving
Intermittent wiping
Set combination switch to positionI.Single wipe

Press combination switch briefly in di-
rection of arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push combination switch in direction of
arrow2 past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 295).
!The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass and/or damage the wiper blades
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield.
Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
the presence of water sprayed on the
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when
the vehicle is at a standstill and a door
is opened.
Intermittent wiping will be continued
when

all doors are closed


the clutch pedal is depressed (vehi-
cles with manual transmission)


the gear selector lever is in
positionDorR (vehicles with auto-
matic transmission*)


287 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
The hood release is located on the driver
side under the instrument panel.
1Hood lock release lever

Pull hood lock release lever1 in direc-
tion of arrow.
The hood is unlocked.
2Lever for opening the hood

Push lever2 on the hood upward to
release hood.

With the hood released, lift the hood by
lifting it at the front edge.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield
wipers or hood, never open the hood if
the wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.


337 Operation
Vehicle care
To prevent damage to the antenna, un-
screw and remove antenna on left rear
side of vehicle before taking the vehicle
through a car wash. Note that without the
antenna on the left rear side of the vehicle
installed, the signaling range of the
SmartKey is considerably reduced. Hold
the SmartKey in close proximity towards
the antenna base when locking and un-
locking the vehicle.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the undercarriage, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the
wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, side makers, tail lamps,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and use only a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.Wiper blades

Switch on wipers and place them in a
vertical position.
For information on placing the wipers
in a vertical position, see “Replacing
wiper blades” (
page 386).
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.


338 OperationVehicle care
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.Window cleaning

Switch on wipers and place them in a
vertical position.
For information on placing the wipers
in a vertical position, see “Replacing
wiper blades” (
page 386).

Use a window cleaning solution on all
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blades. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.!Fold the windshield wipers back onto
the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
windshield wiper back. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
!The windshield wipers must be in a ver-
tical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could other-
wise damage the hood.Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the wiper blade. Otherwise, the
wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wipers back onto
the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
windshield wiper back. If released, the
force of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold onto the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.


341 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find...?
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Battery
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

386 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesRemoving wiper blades

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 53).

With wiper arms in vertical position,
turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.

Fold the wiper arms forward until they
engage.
1Wiper blade
2Cover
3Attachment
4Tab
5Removing

Press tabs4 together and tilt wiper
blade1 to detach tabs4 on both
recesses of attachment3.
Wiper blade1 is released on one end.

Maintaining its tilted position, slide
wiper blade1 out of attachment3 in
direction of arrow5.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch before replacing a wiper blade. Oth-
erwise, the motor could suddenly turn on
and cause injury.!To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward
when in the vertical position.

387 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Installing wiper blades
1Installing
2Tabs
3Attachment
4Guide tab
5Cover

Slide the wiper blade into
attachment3 in direction of
arrow1.

Make sure guide tab4 will be placed
under cover5 when fully inserting the
wiper blade into attachment3.

Let tabs2 latch in into both recesses
of attachment3.

Check if the wiper blade is securely
fastened.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield.
Make sure you hold on to the wiper arm
when folding it back.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arms are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are proper-
ly installed. Improperly installed wiper
blades may cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, you should have
this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.