2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 tow

419 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.

Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.

Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a higher voltage battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.

Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, as you could otherwise be
injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Do not tow-start vehicle.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a
battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it checked
at the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the
catalytic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still at-
tached to a battery.

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).

422 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 382).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.
Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(
page 382).
Front cover
1Cover in front bumper
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated 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 approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 102).
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 hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
iThe gear selector lever* will remain locked
in positionP (vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*) and the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch if the battery is disconnected or
discharged. For more information, see “Battery”
(
page 415) or “Jump starting” (page 419).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of gear
selector lever, see (
page 389).

423 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
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.Rear coverExample illustration (AMG vehicles and
vehicles with Sport Package* have a square
cover)
1Cover in rear bumperiMake sure the cover’s check strap does not
get caught when closing.

424 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Removing
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.

451 Index
A
ABS 84
Indicator lamp 346, 347
Messages in the multifunction
display 358
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 159
Accessory weight 327
Accident 58
Air bags 66
Children in the vehicle 79
Front 69
Head-thorax 70
Knee bag 70
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 71
Passenger 69
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74
Safety guidelines 68Air conditioning
Automatic climate control* 191
Climate control 180
Air conditioning refrigerant 445
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating* 105
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt
(Vehicle tool kit) 382, 409
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 449
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems 90
Alarm system 90
Immobilizer 90
Tow-away alarm 91
Ashtray 32, 255
Aspect ratio 327
Audio search function 146Audio system 193
Audio and telephone*, operation 193
CD changer* 212
CD operation 208
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) 203
MP3 210
Operating and display elements 194
Auto-dimming*, Rear view mirrors 169
Automatic central locking 102
Control system 146
Automatic climate control* 182
Air conditioning refrigerant 444
Air conditioning, Cooling 191
Air recirculation mode 189
Air vents 182, 187
Air volume 188
Automatic mode 186
Control panel 184

462 Index
Phone book see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 342
Poly-V-belt drive 432
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 317
Power outlet 257
Power seat* see Seats
Power washer see Vehicle care
Power windows 235
Operating rear side windows 237
Operating with retractable hardtop
switch 237
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 238
Synchronizing 239Practical hints
Fuses 425
Lamps in instrument cluster 346
Spare wheel bolts 386
Towing vehicle 421
Vehicle jack 383
What to do if... 346
Premium unleaded gasoline 446
Problems
While driving 58
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 329
Program mode see Automatic transmis-
sion, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 161
PSI 329R
RACETIMER see Control system menus,
AMG
Radio
Operation (Audio system) 199
Operation (Control system) 133
Satellite* (USA only) 134
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 287
Reading lamps 117
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 170
Recommended inflation pressure 329
Recovery services for stolen vehicle (Tele
Aid*) 269
Refrigerant (Air conditioning) 445
Refueling 291
Regular checks 292
Remote control see SmartKey

466 Index
Time and date synchronization with head
unit* (Control system) 141
TIN 329
Tire and Loading Information 308
Tire and loading terminology 327
Tire care and maintenance 305
Tire Identification Number see TIN
Tire inflation pressure 404
Air pressure 327
Checking 312, 314
Tire inspection 305
Tire load rating 329
Tire ply composition and material
used 329
Tire speed rating 320, 330
Tire terminology 327
TIREFIT*
Instructions for use 401
Vehicle tool kit 382, 383Tires 304, 434
Cleaning 306
Direction of rotation 307
Driving instructions 283
Flat tire 401
Important guidelines 304
Inflating with air pump 411
MOExtended* 434
Mounting wheel 409
Removing wheel 409
Retreads 304
Rims and tires 434
Rotating 330
Run Flat Indicator* 315
Service life 305
Sizes 434
Snow chains 333
Spare wheel 385
Speed rating 285Storing 306
Temperature 326
Traction 284
Tread depth 306, 332
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 283
Wear pattern 331
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 382
Winter 332
Tools see Vehicle tool kit
Tow-away alarm see Anti-theft systems
Towing (Vehicle) 421
Traction 88, 330
Transmission
Messages in the multifunction
display 360
Transmission see Automatic transmis-
sion* or Manual Transmission
Transporting the vehicle 92
Traveling abroad 287