2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 towing

390 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
1Collapsible wheel chock
2Vehicle jack
3Protective wrap
4Alignment bolt
5Towing eye bolt
6Wheel wrench
7Valve extractor
8Electric air pumpVehicles with TIREFIT*
1TIREFIT kit
2Vehicle jack
3Collapsible wheel chock
4Towing eye bolt
5Alignment bolt
6Wheel wrench
7Valve extractor
8Electric air pump
Open the trunk (page 99).
Lift up trunk floor.Vehicle jack
Warning!G
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking
up the vehicle at the jack take-up brackets
built into both sides of the vehicle. To help
avoid personal injury, use the jack only to lift
the vehicle during a wheel change. Never
get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by the jack. Keep hands and feet away from
the area under the lifted vehicle. Always
firmly set parking brake and block wheels
before raising vehicle with jack.
Do not disengage parking brake while the
vehicle is raised. Be certain that the jack is
always vertical (plumb line) when in use,
especially on hills. Always try to use the jack
on level surface. Make sure the jack arm is
fully seated in the jack take-up bracket. Al-
ways lower the vehicle onto sufficient
capacity jackstands before working under
the vehicle.


428 Practical hints
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
This is 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).

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).

430 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 wheel wrench.Installing
Unscrew the towing eye bolt using the
wheel 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.

431 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 wheel wrench.Installing
Unscrew the towing eye bolt using the
wheel 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.

467 Index
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 332
Occupant safety 64
OCS 71
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74
Seat belts 48, 68
SRS 64
OCS 71
Self-test 75
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting
Gear selector lever 162
Steering wheel gearshift
control* 163
Operating safety 16, 193
Operating vehicle outside the USA and
Canada 13
Operator’s Manual 10
Ornamental moldings see Vehicle care
Outside temperature indicator 119, 128
Outside temperature/speed 140
Overhead control panel 31
Overspeed range 119P
Paintwork code 438
Paintwork see Vehicle care
Panic alarm 83
Parcel net (Storage compartment) 254
Parking 59, 282
Parking brake 53, 59
Parking lamps 109, 401
Parts service 436
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see Pas-
senger front air bag off indicator lamp
Passenger air bag see Air bags
Passenger compartment 287
Passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 365–368
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 74, 358
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Phone book see Telephone*
Plastic parts, cleaning 345
Poly-V-belt drive 440
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 320
Power outlet 257
Power seat* see SeatsPower washer see Vehicle care
Power windows 235
Operating rear side windows 237
Operating with retractable hardtop
switch 237
Summer opening/convenience
closing* 238
Synchronizing 239
Practical hints
Fuses 432
Lamps in instrument cluster 348
Spare wheel bolts 393
Towing vehicle 428
Vehicle jack 390
What to do if... 348
Premium unleaded gasoline 454
Problems
While driving 58
With vehicle 17
Product information 9
Production options weight 332
Program mode see Automatic transmis-
sion, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 161
PSI 332

471 Index
Tire ply composition and material
used 333
Tire speed rating 323, 333
Tire terminology 331
TIREFIT*
Instructions for use 408
Vehicle tool kit 389, 390
Tires 304, 442
Cleaning 306
Direction of rotation 307
Driving instructions 283
Flat tire 408
Important guidelines 304
Inflating with air pump 418
Low tire pressure telltale 356
MOExtended* 442
Mounting wheel 416
Removing wheel 416
Retreads 304
Rims and tires 442
Rotating 334
Run Flat Indicator* 315
Service life 305Sizes 442
Snow chains 336
Spare wheel 392, 447
Speed rating 285
Storing 306
Temperature 330
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
(TPMS)*, (USA only) 317
TPMS malfunction telltale 356
Traction 284
Tread depth 306, 335
Treadwear indicators (TWI) 283
Wear pattern 334
Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 389
Winter 335
Tools see Vehicle tool kit
Tow-away alarm see Anti-theft systems
Towing (Vehicle) 428
TPMS (USA only) 317
Traction 88, 333
Transmission
Messages in the multifunction
display 364
Transmission see Automatic transmis-
sion* or Manual Transmission
Transporting the vehicle 92Traveling abroad 287
Tread 333
Tread depth 306, 335
Treadwear indicators 283, 333
Trip computer menu (Control
system) 148
Trunk 99
Lighting 116
Luggage cover 241
Trunk lid emergency release 102
Trunk lid lock 395
Valet locking 101
Turn signals 55, 401
Additional in mirrors 401
TWI see Treadwear indicators
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 333
Unlocking 36
Centrally from inside 103
In an emergency 269
With SmartKey 36
Upholstery
Cleaning 346

472 Index
Useful features
Ashtray 255
Cigarette lighter 256
Cup holder 255
Floormat (Driver’s side only) 258
Garage door opener* 270
Heated steering wheel* 276
Parcel net 254
Power outlet 257
Storage compartments, interior 253
Tele Aid* 262
V
Vehicle
Battery 302, 422
Bulbs 400
Fuses 432
Individual settings (Control
system) 136
Jump starting 426
Lifting with jack 414
Locking 62
Proper use of 16
Towing 428
Unlocking/locking in an
emergency 394Vehicle capacity weight 333
Vehicle care 340
Chrome-plated exhaust tip 346
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle jack 390
Vehicle loading terminology 331
Vehicle status message memory menu
(Control system) 135
Vehicle tool kit 32, 389
Collapsible wheel chock 391
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
VIN 439
W
Warning sounds
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Exterior lighting 62, 98, 109
Maintenance service indicator 338
Panic alarm 83
Parking brake 53, 350
Seat belts 78, 353, 354
Tow-away alarm 91
Warranty coverage 437
Washing the vehicle see Vehicle care
Wear pattern (Tires) 334
Weights 450
Wheel bolts 393Wheel chock (Vehicle tool kit) 389
Wheel wrench (Vehicle tool kit) 389
Wheels
Tightening torque 420
Wheels see Tires
Where will I find...? 389
Wind screen* 246
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Washer fluid reservoir 301
Washer system 458
Windshield wipers 56
Replacing wiper blades 406
Wiper blades, cleaning 343
Winter driving 335
Instructions 286
Snow chains 336
Tires 335
Winter tires 335
Wood trims
Cleaning 346