2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG tow

426 Practical hintsTowing 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 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 88) and the automatic central
locking (
page 101).
!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).

427 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
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 101).
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 88).
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.

428 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the ve-
hicle tool kit, located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor (
page 388).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.

Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(page 388).Front cover
1Cover in front bumper
Removing

Press mark on cover1.

Cover1 springs open at the top right
corner.

Pull at the protruding part of cover1
and fold cover down to reveal the
threaded hole for the towing eye bolt.
Do not disconnect cover1 from its
check strap.

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

Unscrew the towing eye bolt using the
lug wrench.

To reinstall cover1, tilt the marked
lower left corner towards the opening.

Maintaining its tilted position, insert
cover1 by applying the latches at the
top left and lower right corner into the
opening.

To close cover1, press on the diago-
nal opposite side of the marked corner
until it fully engages.
iThe gear selector lever* will remain
locked in positionP (vehicles with au-
tomatic transmission*) and the
SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch if the battery is disconnected or
discharged. See notes on the battery
(page 421) or on jump starting
(page 424).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of
gear selector lever, see (
page 396).
iMake sure the cover’s check strap
does not get caught when closing.

429 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Rear cover
1Cover in rear bumperRemoving

Press mark on cover1.

Cover1 springs open at the top.

Pull at the protruding part of cover1
and fold cover down to reveal the
threaded hole for the towing eye bolt.
Do not disconnect cover1 from its
check strap.

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

Unscrew the towing eye bolt using the
lug wrench.

To reinstall cover1, tilt the marked
lower edge towards the opening.

Maintaining its tilted position, insert
cover1 by applying the latches at the
marked lower edge into the opening.

To close cover1, press on the un-
marked top until it fully engages.iMake sure the cover’s check strap
does not get caught when closing.

465 Index
A
ABS 82, 457
Display message 370
Indicator lamp 362
Accessory weight 344
Accident 58
Adjusting (Getting started) 38
Air bags 65
BabySmart
TM
77, 457
Children 66
Front 70
Head-thorax 71, 459
Kneebag 70
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78
Safety guidelines 68
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control* 200
Climate control 187
Air conditioning refrigerant 451
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating*
(Seats) 105, 457
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 388,
415, 457Anticorrosion/antifreeze 454
Antilock brake system see ABS
Anti-theft systems 87
Alarm system 87
Immobilizer 87
Tow-away alarm 88
Ashtray 269
Aspect ratio 344
AUDIO menu (Control system) 129
Audio system 203
Audio and telephone*, operation 203
CD changer* 223
CD operation 219
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) 214
MP3 220
Operating and display elements 204
Auto-dimming* for rear view mirrors 174
Automatic climate control*
Air conditioning 200
Automatic mode, basic setting 194
Control panel 192
Deactivating 194
Overview 190Automatic locking
Control system 147
When driving 101
Automatic shift program* 163
Automatic transmission* 157
Automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) 313
Driving 53
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 172
Fluid level 313
Gear ranges 160
Gear selector lever 157
Gear selector lever (Unlocking
manually) 396
Gear shifting malfunctions 172
Gearshift pattern 51
Kickdown 162
Manual shifting 164
One-touch gearshifting 164
Program mode selector switch 163

473 Index
N
NAV* menu 132
Navigation system see NAV*
Neck-level heating see AIRSCARF* (Seats)
Night security illumination (Control
system) 145
Normal occupant weight 345
O
Occupant distribution 345
Occupant safety 64
Children 66, 75
Infant and child restraint systems 72,
75
Seat belts 47, 68, 71
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting* 164
Operating safety 16, 203
Operating vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings see Vehicle care
Outside temperature indicator 121, 129
Outside temperature/speed 138
Overhead control panel 30
Overspeed range 121, 460P
Paintwork see Vehicle care
Panic alarm 80
Parcel net (Storage compartment) 267
Parking 296
And locking 59
Parking aid see Parking position*
Parking brake 52, 59
Parking lamps 110, 401
Parking position* 108
Activation (Control system) 148
Exterior rear view mirrors 175
Parts service 434
Passenger air bag see Air bags
Passenger compartment 301
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 367
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Phone book see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 359
Poly-V-belt drive 437, 460
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 332
Power outlet 271
Power seat* see Seats
Power train 461Power washer see Vehicle care
Power windows 246
Operating rear side windows 248
Operating with retractable hardtop
switch 248
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 249
Synchronizing 251
Practical hints
Fuses 430
Lamps in instrument cluster 362
Spare wheel bolts 392
Towing vehicle 426
Vehicle jack 389
What to do if... 362
Premium unleaded gasoline 452
Problems
While driving 58
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 345
Program mode selector switch* 461
Automatic transmission* 163
PSI 345

477 Index
Removing wheel 415
Retreads 317
Rims and tires 439
Rotating 347
Run Flat Indicator* 329
Service life 318
Sizes 439
Snow chains 349
Spare wheel 391
Speed rating 298
Storing 319
Supplemental tire inflation pressure
information 304
Temperature 343
Traction 298
Tread depth 319, 348
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 297
Wear pattern 347
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Winter 348
Tools see Vehicle tool kit
Tow-away alarm see Anti-theft systems
Towing (Vehicle) 426
Traction 163, 346Transmission, display message 372
Transporting the vehicle 89
Traveling abroad 301
Tread 346
Tread depth 319, 348
Treadwear indicators 297, 346
Trip computer menu (Control
system) 149
Trunk 98
Cargo compartment cover 253
Lighting 118
Trunk lid emergency release 100
Trunk lid lock 395
Unlocking with SmartKey 96
Turn signals 55, 401
Additional in mirrors 401
TWI see Treadwear indicatorsU
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 346
Unlocking 34
Centrally from inside 102
In an emergency 280
With SmartKey 34
Upholstery
Cleaning 360
Useful features
Ashtray 269
Cigarette lighter 270
Cup holder 268
Floormat (Driver’s side only) 271
Garage door opener* 281
Heated steering wheel* 288
Parcel net 267
Power outlet 271
Storage compartments, interior 266
Tele Aid 273
Telephone* 272

478 IndexV
Valve extractor (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Vehicle
Battery 314, 421
Bulbs 401
Fuses 430
Individual settings (Control
system) 134
Jump starting 424
Lifting with jack 413
Locking 62
Proper use of 16
Towing 426
Unlocking/locking in an
emergency 394
Vehicle capacity weight 346
Vehicle care 353
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 389
Vehicle loading terminology 344
Vehicle status message memory menu
(Control system) 132
Vehicle tool kit 388
Collapsible wheel chock 390
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
VIN 436, 463W
Warning sounds
Anti-theft alarm system 87
Driver’s seat belt 71
Exterior lighting 61, 111
Maintenance service indicator 351
Panic alarm 80
Parking brake 53, 363
Tow-away alarm 88
Warranty coverage 435
Washing the vehicle see Vehicle care
Wear pattern (Tires) 347
Weights 448
Wheel bolts 392
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Wheel wrench (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Wheels see Tires
Wheels, tightening torque 419
Where will I find...? 388
Wind screen 259, 463
Windows see Power windowsWindshield
Washer fluid reservoir 315
Washer system 456
Windshield wipers 56
Replacing wiper blades 406
Wiper blades, cleaning 357
Winter driving 348
Instructions 299
Snow chains 349
Tires 348
Winter tires see Tires
Wood trims, cleaning 360