2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 door

429 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 389).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.
Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(
page 389).
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 422) or “Jump starting” (page 426).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of gear
selector lever, see (
page 396).

433 Practical hints
Fuses
Fuse box in passenger compartment
1Fuse box cover
Opening
Open the driver’s door.
Insert flat, blunt object as a lever into
recess on the edge of cover1 at the
position indicated by the arrow.
Loosen cover1 from dashboard using
the lever.
Pull cover1 out and remove.Closing
Attach cover1 in the front.
Fold cover1 in until it engages.
Fuse box in engine compartment
The fuse box is located in the engine com-
partment on the driver’s side.
1Fuse box
2Clamp
3Fuse box cover
Opening
Open the hood (page 294).
With a dry cloth, remove any moisture
from the fuse box.
Release clamps2.
Remove fuse box cover3.
Closing
Make sure the sealing rubber is
properly positioned.
Press fuse box cover3 down and
secure with clamps2.
!Do not use sharp objects such as a
screw driver to open fuse box cover1 in the
dashboard, as this could damage it.
!Fuse box cover3 must be properly
positioned as described to prevent moisture or
dirt from entering the fuse box and possibly
impairing fuse operation.

438 Technical data
Identification labels
1Certification label (on driver’s door
B-pillar)
The V
ehicle Identification Number (VIN)
can be found in the following locations:

on the certification label

on the center tunnel, under a carpet
cover behind the passenger seat
(
page 439)

on the lower edge of the windshield
(
page 439)
Example certification label (U.S. vehicles)
2VIN
3Paintwork code
Example certification label
(Canada vehicles)
2VIN
3Paintwork code
iData shown on certification label are for
illustration purposes only. These data are
specific to each vehicle and may vary from data
shown in the illustration. Refer to certification
label on vehicle for actual data specific to your
vehicle.

442 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 421).
!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.

462 Index
Digital speedometer 128
Dimensions, Vehicle 449
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (Tires) 307
Display text see Messages in the multi-
function display
Displays
Digital speedometer 128
Maintenance service indicator 337
Multifunction display 121
Outside temperature 128
Symbol messages 371
Text messages 362
Vehicle status message memory 135
Vehicle status messages 360
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 149
Door
Control panel 34
Entry lamps 117
Locking in an emergency 395
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 94
Opening from inside 98
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Unlocking in an emergency 394
DOT 331Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 279
Driver’s air bag see Air bags
Driving 53
Abroad 287
Accelerator position 159
Automatic transmission* 53
Driving off 282
Fuel saving 279
Hydroplaning 284
In winter 286
Instructions 48, 279
Kickdown 159
Manual transmission 53
Standing water 287
Tires 283
Driving safety systems 84
ABS 84
BAS 86
Electronic traction system 88
ESP
®86
Driving systems
Cruise control 248
Driving tips 159E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44, 147
Electric air pump
Inflating collapsible tire 418
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 408
Vehicle tool kit 389
Electrical system (Technical data) 448
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call (911) 233
Emergency call system 262
Tele Aid* 264
Emergency, In case of
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 348–357
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission* (Limp-Home
Mode) 167
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Retractable hardtop 397
Selector lever*, unlocking
manually 396
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 102
Unlocking/locking the vehicle 394

464 Index
G
Garage door opener* 270
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 331
Gear range
Automatic transmission 160
Limiting 160
Shifting into optimal 163, 165
Gear selector lever 155
Gearshift pattern 155
Position 156, 157
Shifting procedure 156
Gear selector lever one-touch gearshifting
Automatic transmission 162
Global locking/unlocking see SmartKey
Glove box 253
Good visibility 168
GPS 90, 91
Tele Aid system* 262
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GSM network phones (Telephone*) 219
GVW 331
GVWR 332H
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 345
Hazard warning flasher 115, 116
Head restraint height (Seats) 42
Headlamps
Bi-Xenon* 401
Cleaning system* 168, 301, 458
Night security illumination
(Control system) 144
Switching off 61
Switching on 55
Headliner, cleaning 345
Head-thorax air bag 70
Heating
Seats* 104
Steering wheel* 276
High beam
Flasher 113
Headlamps 55, 113
Headlamps, bulbs 401
High beam headlamps 109
High mounted brake lamp 402
High-performance brake system 281
Hood 294
Horn 25
Hydroplaning 284I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition (Position in starter switch) 37
Immobilizer see Anti-theft systems
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Instrument cluster 27, 118
Clock 120
Lamps, indicator and warning 348
Overview 26
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior rear view mirror see Mirrors
Intermittent/interval wiping see
Windshield wipers
J
Jack (Vehicle tool kit) 389
Lifting vehicle 414
Lowering vehicle 420
Jump starting 426
K
Key, Mechanical
Valet locking 101
Kickdown 159
Kilopascal 332
Knee bag see Air bags

465 Index
L
Labels 438
Lamp in center console 358
Lamps in instrument cluster 348
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 348, 349
Battery (SmartKey) 97
Brakes 350
CHECK ENGINE 351
ESP
®87, 352
Fuel reserve 355
Instrument cluster 356
Passenger front air bag off 74, 358
Seat belts 353–354
SRS 65, 355
Language in multifunction display (Control
system) 139
Layout of poly-V-belt drive 440
License plate lamps 402
Light alloy wheels
Cleaning 344
Technical data 442
Lighter see Cigarette lighterLighting 109
Combination switch 113
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* 114
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Door entry lamps 117
Exterior lamp switch 109
Exterior lamps, cleaning 343
Fog lamps 112
Footwell lighting* 117
Hazard warning flasher 115
Headlamp mode,
automatic/manual 110
High beam 113
High beam flasher 113
Individual settings (Control
system) 143
Instrument cluster illumination 118
Interior lighting 116
Low beam headlamps 109
Night security illumination (Control
system) 144
Reading lamps 117
Standing lamps 109
Trunk 116Limp-home mode 167
Loading 252, 307, 331
Locator lighting (Control system) 144
Locking
And parking 59
Centrally (Control system) 146
Centrally from inside 103
Locking knob (Doors) 98
Locking the vehicle 62
Long trip, checking before 292
Loss of
Service and Warranty Booklet 437
SmartKey or mechanical key 98
Low beam headlamps 109, 401
Lubricants, technical data 451
Luggage cover 32, 241
M
Main dimensions 449
Maintenance service indicator (Control
system) 337
Maintenance System 337
Manual seat see Seats
Manual shift program* 165
Deactivating 167

466 Index
Manual transmission 153
Driving 53
Gearshift pattern 51
Starting with SmartKey 51
Maximum inflation pressure 332
Maximum load rating 332
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 332
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 401
Adjusting 46
Antiglare position 168
Auto-dimming* 168
Exterior rear view mirrors 46
Interior rear view mirror 46
Mobile phone see Telephone*
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 321, 421
MON 292, 455Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3 210
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction display messages 360
ABS 362
Air bags 365–368
Battery, Vehicle 372
Brake fluid 373
Brakes 373
Bulbs 381–386
Coolant 374–376
Cruise control 362
Doors 371
Engine oil 377–379
ESP
®362, 363
Fuel 379
Hood 371
Low tire pressure 387
Maintenance service indicator 337
Parking brake 372
Passenger front air bag 367
Retractable hardtop 380, 388
Run Flat Indicator* 369
SmartKey 381SRS 364
Symbol messages 371
Telephone* 388
Text messages 362
Tire Pressure Monitoring System 370
Transmission 364
Trunk lid 371
Vehicle status message memory 135
Washer fluid 388
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 122
Heating* 276
N
Navigation system* 135
Neck-level heating see AIRSCARF*
Neutral gear position
Automatic transmission* 155, 157
Manual transmission 154
Night security illumination (Control
system) 144
Normal occupant weight 332
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 438