Page 422 of 473

421 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 equipment
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.
Use the towing eyes.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (
page 91) and
the automatic central locking (
page 102).
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 brake
system
there is a malfunction in the power
supply or in the vehicle’s electrical
system
as that will be necessary to adequately
control 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,
remove SmartKey from starter switch and
reinsert.
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever* must be in
positionN (manual transmission: gear shift lever
in neutral position) and the engine must be shut
off (SmartKey in starter switch position0or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever* must be in
positionN (manual transmission: gear shift lever
in neutral position) and the SmartKey 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 distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
Page 435 of 473

434 Technical data
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:
MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system*” (
page 414).
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit
dimensional variations and different tire defor-
mation characteristics that could cause them to
come into contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be
the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 313) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 313). If such information is provided, it
can be found on the placard located on the in-
side of the fuel filler flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory
equipment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Performance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more information.
Page 436 of 473
435 Technical data
Rims and tires
Same size tires
ModelSLK 280SLK 280
SLK 280 (Appearance Package*)
SLK 350
SLK 350 (Appearance Package*)
Rims (light alloy)7Jx16H27.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset1.34 in (34 mm)1.42 in (36 mm)
Winter tires1,2
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.
205/55 R16 91H M+S.225/45 R17 91H M+S.
Rims (light alloy) –7.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset –1.42 in (36 mm)
Winter tires*1,2,3
3Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.
–225/45 R17 91H M+S.MOExtended
Page 438 of 473
437 Technical data
Rims and tires
Mixed size tires
ModelSLK 280SLK 280*
SLK 280 (Appearance Package*)
SLK 350
SLK 350 (Appearance Package*)
Front axle:
Rims (light alloy)7Jx16 H27.5 J x 17 H2
Wheel offset1.34 in (34 mm)1.42 in (36 mm)
Summer tires1205/55 R16 91V225/45 R17 91W
or
225/45 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
Rear axle:
Rims (light alloy)8J x16 H28.5 J x17 H2
Wheel offset1.18 in (30 mm)1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires1,3225/50 R16 92V245/40 R17 91W
or
245/40 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
1Radial-ply tires2Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.3Must not be used with snow chains.
Page 439 of 473
438 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelSLK 280 (Sport Package*)
SLK 350 (Sport Package*)SLK 55 AMG
SLK 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
Front axle:
AMG rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 17 H27.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires1,3
1Radial-ply tires
225/45 ZR17 91Y
or
225/45 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
2Must be used in conjunction with Run Flat Indicator* only.
225/40 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
Rear axle:
AMG rims (light alloy)8.5 J x17 H28.5 J x18 H2
Wheel offset1.18 in (30 mm)1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires1,3
3Must not be used with snow chains.
245/40 ZR17 91Y
or
245/40 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
Page 457 of 473

456 Index
E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44, 147
Electric air pump
Inflating collapsible tire 411
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 401
Vehicle tool kit 382
Electrical system (Technical data) 440
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call (911) 233
Emergency call system 262
Tele Aid* 263
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission* (Limp-Home
Mode) 167
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Retractable hardtop 390
Selector lever*, unlocking
manually 389
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 101
Unlocking/locking the vehicle 387Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 289
Information label 431
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram 431
Engine
Cleaning 339
Compartment 294
Malfunction indicator lamp 27, 349
Number 431
Poly-V-belt layout 432
Starting 51
Tachometer 119
Technical data 433
Turning off 61Engine oil 296, 445
Adding 299
Additives 445
Checking level (Control system) 296
Checking level (Dipstick) 298
Consumption 296
Messages in the multifunction
display 297, 372–373
ESP®84, 86
Messages in the multifunction
display 358, 359
Warning lamp 350
ETD 79
Safety guidelines 68
Warning and indicator lamps 353
Exterior lamp switch 109
Exterior lighting
Lamps 393
Replacing bulbs 393
Exterior rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Page 461 of 473

460 Index
Manual transmission 153
Driving 53
Gearshift pattern 51
Starting with SmartKey 51
Maximum inflation pressure 329
Maximum load rating 328
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 328
Mechanical key see SmartKey
Memory function* 107
Menus see Control system menus
Messages in the multifunction display see
Multifunction display messages
Mirror lamp* see Sun visors
Mirrors 168
Additional turn signals 394
Adjusting 46
Antiglare position 168
Auto-dimming* 169
Exterior rear view mirrors 46
Interior rear view mirror 46Mobile phone see Telephone*
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 317, 414
MON 292, 447
Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3 210
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction display messages 356
ABS 358
Air bags 361–364
Battery, Vehicle 366
Brake fluid 367
Brakes 367
Bulbs 375–380
Coolant 368–370
Cruise control 358
Doors 371
Engine oil 372–373
ESP
®358, 359Passenger front air bag 363
Fuel 374
Hood 375
Maintenance service indicator 334
Parking brake 366
Retractable hardtop 374, 381
Run Flat Indicator* 365
Seat belt 381
SmartKey 375
SRS 360
Symbol messages 366
Telephone* 381
Text messages 358
Transmission 360
Trunk lid 381
Vehicle status message memory 135
Washer fluid 381
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 122
Heating* 276
Page 464 of 473

463 Index
Remote door unlock with Tele Aid* 269
Reporting, safety defects 18
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button (Instrument cluster) 27
Residual engine heat utilization see REST
REST
Automatic climate control* 192
Climate control 181
Restraint systems
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 79
Seat belts 64, 76
Retractable hardtop 240
Locking after raising/lowering 242
Opening and closing 240
Operating manually 390
Problems when operating 242
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 244
Wind screen* 246Reverse gear position
Automatic transmission* 155, 157
Manual transmission 154
Rims 329, 434
Roadside Assistance 12, 265
RON 292, 447
Roof rack 251
Rubber parts, cleaning 342
Run Flat Indicator* 315
S
Safety belts see Seat belts
Safety defects, reporting 18
Safety, occupant 64
Satellite radio* (USA only) 134
Seat belt force limiter 79
Seat belts 64, 76
Cleaning 343
Fastening 48
Proper use of 50
Release button 49
Safety guidelines 68
Warning lamp 351–352Seating capacity 308
Seats 104
Adjusting 39
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44
Head restraint height 42
Heating* 104
Power seats* 41
Selective setting see SmartKey
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Selector lever* lock 52
Self-test
OCS 75
Service
Information 12
Maintenance Booklet 12
Service and warranty
Booklet 429
Information 10
Service life (Tires) 305