2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG alarm

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.

439 Index
A
ABS 80
Braking 80
Description 431
Display message 350
Emergency brake maneuver 80
Indicator lamp 342
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 159
Accessory weight 323
Accident 55
Adjusting (Getting started) 37
Air bags 63
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 75
BabySmartTM air bag deactivation
system, description 431
BabySmartTM compatible child
seat 74
BabySmartTM self-test 76
Children 64
Front 68
Head-thorax 69
Head-thorax, description 433
Kneebag 68Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 76
Safety guidelines 66
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control 188
Climate control 178
Air conditioning refrigerant 424
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating
(Seats) 102
Description 431
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 369,
391
Description 431
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 427
Antilock brake system see ABS
Anti-theft systems 85
Activating 86
Alarm system 85
Canceling alarm 86
Canceling alarm (Tow-away) 87
Deactivating 86
Immobilizer 85
Tow-away alarm 86
Transporting the vehicle 87Ashtray 253
Aspect ratio 323
AUDIO menu (Control system) 123
Audio system 191
Adjusting balance 196
Adjusting sound functions 195
Adjusting volume 195
Audio and telephone, operation 191
Button and soft key operation 194
CD changer 209
CD operation 207
Introduction to satellite radio
(USA only) 202
Operating and display elements 192
Operating safety 191
Operation 194
Radio operation 197
Returning sound functions to factory
settings 196
Returning volume distribution to
factory settings 197
Switching on/off 194
Telephone muting 197
Telephone operation 216
Weather band 201

451 Index
O
Occupant distribution 324
Occupant safety 62
Air bags 63
Children and air bags 64
Children in the vehicle 73
Fastening the seat belts 44
Infant and child restraint
systems 69, 73
Seat belts 44, 66, 69
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 154
Canceling gear range limit 154
Downshifting 154
Upshifting 154
Operating safety 16
Audio system 191
Operating vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operation
Refueling 284
Regular checks 285
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings see Vehicle careOutside temperature indicator
Display (Control system) 116, 123
Display mode (Control system) 131
Outside temperature/speed
Mode (Control system) 132
Overhead control panel, overview 30
Overspeed range
Description 434
Tachometer 115P
Paintwork see Vehicle care
Panic alarm 78
Panic button on SmartKey 78
Parcel net (Storage compartment) 251
Parking 276
And locking 56
Parking aid see Parking position
Parking brake 49, 56
Parking lamps 106, 381
Parking position
Activation (Control system) 144
Exterior rear view mirrors 169
Parking position (Memory function) 105
Parts service 408
Passenger air bag see Air bags
Passenger compartment 281
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 347
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 273
Phone book see Telephone
Poly-V-belt drive
Description 434
Layout 411

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

458 IndexW
Warning sounds
Anti-theft alarm system 85
Driver’s seat belt 69
Exterior lighting 58, 107
Maintenance service indicator 330
Panic alarm 78
Parking brake 50, 343
Tow-away alarm 86
Warranty coverage 409
Washing the vehicle see Vehicle care
Wear pattern (Tires) 326
Weights 421
Wheel bolts 373
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Wheel wrench (Vehicle tool kit) 369
Wheels see Tires
Wheels, tightening torque 395
Where will I find...? 369
Wind screen 243
Description 437
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Washer fluid reservoir 295
Washer system 429Windshield wipers 53
Intermittent wiping 54
Intermittent/interval wiping 53
Replacing wiper blades 386
Single wipe 54
Wiper blades, cleaning 337
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 54
Winter driving 327
Instructions 279
Snow chains 328
Tires 327
Winter tires see Tires
Wiper blades, replacing 386
Wiping and washing see Windshield
wipers
Wood trims, cleaning 340