2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-CLASS ROADSTER Owners Manual

Towing and tow-starting
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you tow the vehicle, you must use a rigid
towing bar if:
R the engine is not running.
R there is a brake system malfunction.
R there is a malfunction in the power supply
or the vehicle's electrical system.
The power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will need more
force to steer and brake, you may have to
depress the brake pedal with maximum force.
Before towing away, make sure that the
steering can be moved and is not locked.
If you tow or tow-start another vehicle, its
weight must not exceed the maximum
permissible gross vehicle weight of your
vehicle.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
! The vehicle can be towed a maximum of
30 miles (50km). The towing speed of
30 mph (50 km/h) must not be exceeded.
If the vehicle has to be towed more than
30 miles ( 50km), the entire vehicle must be
raised and transported.
! Make sure that the electric parking brake
is released. If the electric parking brake is
faulty, visit a qualified specialist workshop.
! Only secure the tow rope or tow bar at the
towing eyes. Otherwise, the vehicle could
be damaged.
! Do not use the towing eye for recovery,
as this could damage the vehicle. If in
doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
! Drive slowly and smoothly when towing.
Excessive tractive power could otherwise
damage the vehicles.
! Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
This could damage the vehicle.
! On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, use the
SmartKey instead of the Start/Stop
button. Turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock and shift the automatic
transmission to N. Then, turn the SmartKey
back to 0 and leave it in the ignition lock.
When towing a vehicle with an automatic
transmission, the transmission must be in
position N.
The battery must be connected and charged.
Otherwise, you:
R cannot turn the SmartKey to position 2 in
the ignition lock
R cannot shift the transmission to position
N on vehicles with automatic transmission
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
release the selector lever lock manually to
move it out of position P(Y page 146).
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
( Y page 75) You could otherwise be locked
out when pushing or towing the vehicle.
Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye
XRemove the towing eye from the vehicle
tool kit ( Y page 274).GWARNING
The exhaust tail pipe may be hot. You could
burn yourself if you touch the tail pipe. Be
particularly careful when removing the rear
cover.
The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are at the
front and at the rear, under the covers.
Towing and tow-starting287Breakdown assistanceZ

XPress the mark on cover : inwards in the
direction of the arrow.XTake cover : off the opening.XScrew the towing eye in clockwise to the
stop and tighten it.
Removing the towing eye
XLoosen the towing eye and unscrew it.XAttach cover : to the bumper and press
until it engages.XPlace the towing eye in the vehicle tool kit.
Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions ( Y page 287).
! The ignition must be switched off if you
are towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could
otherwise damage the brake system.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
( Y page 108).XTurn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.XWhen leaving the vehicle, take the
SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO key with you.
Towing a vehicle with both axles on
the ground
When having your vehicle towed, observe the
important safety notes ( Y page 287).
GWARNING
The power assistance for the steering and the
brake force booster do not work when the
engine is not running. You will then need
much more effort to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your style of driving
accordingly.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
( Y page 108).
i
When towing with the hazard warning
lamps switched on, use the combination
switch as usual to signal a change of
direction. In this case, only the turn signals
for the desired direction flash. When the
combination switch is reset, the hazard
warning lamps start flashing again.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.XVehicles with manual transmission:
depress the clutch pedal.XShift to neutral.
or
XVehicles with automatic transmission:
shift the automatic transmission to
position N.XRelease the brake pedal.XRelease the parking brake.288Towing and tow-startingBreakdown assistance

Transporting the vehicle
The towing eye can be used to pull the vehicle
onto a trailer or transporter for transporting
purposes.XVehicles with manual transmission:
shift to neutral.XVehicles with automatic transmission:
turn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XMove the selector lever to N.
As soon as the vehicle is loaded:
XPrevent the vehicle from rolling away by
applying the parking brake.XVehicles with manual transmission:
shift to first gear or reverse gear.XVehicles with automatic transmission:
move the selector lever to P.XTurn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove the SmartKey
from the ignition lock.XSecure the vehicle.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicle
such as axle or steering components.
Otherwise, the vehicle could be damaged.
Tow-starting (emergency starting)
When tow-starting your vehicle, it is
important that you follow the safety
instructions ( Y page 287).
! Vehicles with automatic transmission
must not be started by tow-starting. This
could otherwise damage the transmission.
For further information on "Jump-starting"
see ( Y page 285).
Before tow-starting the following conditions
must be fulfilled:
R the battery is connected.
R the engine has cooled down.
R the catalytic converter has cooled down.
XSwitch on the hazard warning lamps
( Y page 108).XInstall the towing eye ( Y page 287).XSecure the rigid towing bar or the towing
rope.XDepress and hold the brake pedal.XTurn the SmartKey to position 2 in the
ignition lock.XDepress the clutch pedal and keep it
depressed.XShift to neutral.XRelease the brake pedal.XTow-start the vehicle.XShift to second gear.XRelease the clutch pedal slowly; do not
depress the accelerator pedal while doing
so.
The engine is started.XDepress the clutch pedal and shift to
neutral.XStop at a suitable place.XDepress the parking brake.XRemove the rigid towing bar or towing rope.XRemove the towing eye ( Y page 288).XSwitch off the hazard warning lamps.
Fuses
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and that have the
correct fuse rating for the systems
concerned. Do not attempt to repair or bridge
faulty fuses. Using fuses that have not been
approved or attempting to repair or bridge
faulty fuses could cause the fuse to be
overloaded and result in a fire. Have the cause
traced and rectified at a qualified specialist
workshop.
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the
Fuses289Breakdown assistanceZ

components on the circuit and their functions
stop operating.
Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses of
the same rating, which you can recognize by
the color and value. The fuse ratings are listed
in the fuse allocation chart.
If a newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct fuse rating for the system
concerned. Otherwise, components or
systems could be damaged.
Before changing a fuse
XPark the vehicle and apply the electric
parking brake.XSwitch off all electrical consumers.XRemove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R fuse box in the engine compartment on the
left-hand side of the vehicle, when viewed
in the direction of travel
R fuse box in the trunk behind the partition
trim
The fuse allocation chart is located in the
vehicle tool kit ( Y page 274) in the stowage
compartment under the trunk floor.
Fuse box in the engine compartment
XMake sure that the windshield wipers are
turned off.GWARNING
Make sure that the windshield wipers are
switched off and that the SmartKey is
removed from the ignition lock before you
open the cover of the fuse box. Otherwise, the
windshield wipers and the wiper rods above
the cover could be set in motion. This could
lead to you or others being injured by the
wiper rods.XOpen the hood ( Y page 260).XRemove any existing moisture from the
fuse box using a dry cloth.XTo open: open clamps :.XRemove fuse box cover ; forwards.
!
Make sure that no moisture can enter the
fuse box when the cover is open.
XTo close: check whether the rubber seal is
lying correctly in cover ;.XInsert cover ; at the rear of the fuse box
into the retainer.XFold down cover ; and close clamps :.
!
The cover must be seated properly,
otherwise moisture or dirt could impair the
function of the fuses.
XClose the hood ( Y page 261).
Fuse box in the trunk
The fuse box is located in the trunk behind the
partition covering.
XOpen the trunk ( Y page 77).290FusesBreakdown assistance

XTo open: release cover : on the right and
left-hand sides with a flat object.XOpen cover : downwards in the direction
of the arrow.Fuses291Breakdown assistanceZ

292

Useful information ............................294
Important safety notes ....................294
Operation ........................................... 294
Winter operation ............................... 296
Tire pressure ..................................... 297
Loading the vehicle ..........................304
Maximum load rating .......................307
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards .......................................... 307
Tire labeling ....................................... 309
Definition of terms for tires and
loading ............................................... 312
Changing a wheel ............................. 315
Wheel and tire combinations ...........316293Wheels and tires

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops ( Y page 23).
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If wheels and tires of the wrong size are used,
the wheel brakes or suspension components
may be damaged. There is a risk of accident.
Always replace wheels and tires with those
that fulfill the specifications of the original
part (designation, manufacturer, model).
GWARNING
A flat tire severely impairs the driving,
steering and braking characteristics of the
vehicle. There is a risk of accident.
Tires without run-flat characteristics:
R do not drive with a flat tire.
R immediately replace the flat tire with your
emergency spare wheel or spare wheel, or
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Tires with run-flat characteristics:
R pay attention to the information and
warning notices on MOExtended tires (tires
with run-flat characteristics).
Accessories that are not approved for your
vehicle by Mercedes-Benz or are not being
used correctly can impair the operating
safety.
Before purchasing and using non-approved
accessories, visit a qualified specialist
workshop and inquire about:
R suitability
R legal stipulations
R factory recommendations
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be found
in the "Wheel/tire combinations" section
( Y page 316).
Information on air pressure for the tires on
your vehicle can be found:
R on the vehicle's Tire and Loading
Information placard on the B-pillar
R on the tire pressure label on the fuel filler
flap
R in the "Tire pressure" section
Pay special attention to the country-specific
requirements for tire approval. These
requirements can stipulate a specific tire type
for your vehicle. Furthermore, the use of
certain tire types in certain regions and areas
of operation can be highly beneficial. You can
find further information regarding tires at
specialist tire retailers, at qualified specialist
workshops or at any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
i Further information on wheels and tires
can be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop.
Operation
Notes on driving
R If the vehicle is heavily laden, check the tire
pressures and correct them if necessary.
R When parking your vehicle, make sure that
the tires do not get deformed by the curb
or other obstacles. If it is necessary to drive
over curbs, speed humps or similar
elevations, try to do so slowly and at an
obtuse angle. Otherwise, the tires,
particularly the sidewalls, can get
damaged.
294OperationWheels and tires