MERCEDES-BENZ SLK ROADSTER 2008 Owners Manual
Page 231 of 273
Flat tyre
228
X
Unscrew the centring pin.
X Tighten the last wheel bolt until it is finger-
tight .
Inflating the collapsible emergency
spare wheel* with the electric air pump G
Risk of accident
Pump up the collapsible emergency spare
wheel before lowering the vehicle, as yo u
could otherwise damage the wheel rim.
The electric air pump is located in the stow -
age well under the boot floor.
X Take the electric air pump out of the stow-
age well under the boot floor. 1
Flap
2 On/off switch 3
Electric connector with cable
4 Air pump hose with pressure gauge and
pressure release scre w
5 Union nut
X Open flap 1.
X Pull connector 3and air hose 4out of
the housing.
X Make sure that the pressure release screw
on the pressure gauge is closed.
X Remove the cap from the valve on the tyre.
X Screw union nut 5on air hose 4onto the
valve.
X Insert plug 3into the cigarette lighter
socket* (Y page 141 )or into a 12V socket
in your vehicle (Y page 141).
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in
the ignition lock .
X Press on/off switch 2on the electric air
pump to I.
The electric air pump is switched on. The
tyre is inflated.
X When a tyre pressure of 3.5 bar has been
reached, press 0on the electric air pump
switch.
The electric air pump is switched off. !
Do not operate the electric air pump for
longer than six minutes without a break.
Otherwise, it may overheat.
The air pump can be operated again once
it has cooled down.
If the tyre pressure is higher than 3.5 bar:
X Open the pressure release screw on the
pressure gauge until the tyre pressure is
correct.
X Disconnect the electric air pump and stow
it away .
Lowering the vehicle X
Lower the vehicle. To do this, turn the crank
of the jack anti-clockwise until the vehicle
is standing firmly on the ground again.
X Place the jack to one side. Practical advice
* optional
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Page 232 of 273
Flat tyre
2291
–5 Wheel bolts
X Tighten the wheel bolts evenly in a cross-
wise pattern in the sequence indica-
ted (1 to5 ). The tightening torque must
be 110 Nm. G
Risk of acciden
t
Have the tightening torque checked imme-
diately after a wheel is changed. The wheels
could work loose if they are not tightened
to a tightening torque of 110 Nm.
X Turn the jack back to its initial position and
store it and the rest of the vehicle tool kit
in the boot.
i If the roof is closed you can transport the
faulty wheel in the boot. A protective film is provided with the collapsible emergency
spare wheel.
X Pack the faulty wheel in the protective film
included with the collapsible emergency
spare wheel* and transport the wheel in
the boot .
i When you are driving with the collapsible
emergency spare wheel* fitted, the tyre
pressure loss warning system* cannot
function reliably.
Stowing a used collapsible emergency
spare wheel* If you wish to stow a used collapsible emer-
gency spare wheel* in the vehicle, you must
follow the steps below, otherwise you will not
be able to stow it. We recommend that this
work is carried out at a specialist workshop.
!
Only place the collapsible emergency
spare wheel* in the vehicle when it is dry.
Otherwise, moisture may remain in the
boot.
X Unscrew the valve cap from the valve .
X Remove the valve extractor from the vehi -
cle tool kit. X
Unscrew the valve insert from the valve and
release the air.
i Fully deflating the tyres can take a few
minutes.
X Screw the valve insert back into the valve .
X Screw the valve cap back on
X Put the protective film provided over the
collapsible emergency spare wheel*.
X Store the collapsible emergency spar e
wheel* in the spare wheel well under the
luggage compartment.
X Fasten the collapsible emergency spar e
wheel* in place through the protective film
using the screw. Practical advice
* optional
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Page 233 of 273
Battery
23
0 Battery
Notes on the battery
In order for the battery to achieve the maxi-
mum possible service life, it must always be
sufficiently charged.
Have the battery charge checked more fre-
quently if you use the vehicle mainly for short
trips or if you leave it standing idle for a
lengthy period.
To prevent damage from corrosion, only
replace the battery with one that has a central
ventilation cover.
Consult a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre if
you wish to leave your vehicle parked up for
a long period of time. G
Risk of injury
Comply with safety precautions and take
protective measures when handling batter-
ies. Risk of explosion
Fire, naked flames and
smoking are prohibited
when handling the bat-
tery. Avoid creating
sparks. Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid contact with the
skin, eyes or clothing
.
Wear suitable protective
clothing, in particular
gloves, an apron and a
face mask.
Immediately rinse acid
splashes off with clea n
water. Consult a doctor if
necessary. Wear eye protection
. Keep children away.
Observe this Owner's
Manual. H
Environmental not
e
Do not dispose of batteries with the house-
hold rubbish. Dispose of defective batteries
in an environmentally responsible manner.
Take them to a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre or a special collection point for ol
d
batteries. G
Risk of injury
Mercedes-Benz recommends that, for
safety reasons, you only use batteries
which have been tested and approved for
your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz. These bat-
teries provide increased impact protectio n
to prevent vehicle occupants from suffering
acid burns should the battery be damage d
in the event of an accident .
To prevent acid burns, observe the follow-
ing safety notes when handling batteries:
R Do not lean over batteries .
R Do not place any metal objects on a bat-
tery. You could otherwise cause a short
circuit and the battery's highly flammabl e
gas mixture could ignite.
R Make sure that you do not create elec-
trostatic charge, e.g. by wearing syn-
thetic clothing or as a result of friction on
fabrics. You should not therefore pull or
slide the battery over carpets or other
synthetic materials.
R Never touch the battery first. To dis-
charge a possible electrostatic charge, Practical advice
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Page 234 of 273
Battery
23
1 step out of the vehicle first and touch the
bodywork.
R Do not wipe the battery using a cloth. Th e
battery may explode as a result of elec-
trostatic charge or through the creation
of sparks .
! Switch the engine off and remove the key
before unscrewing or disconnecting the
terminal clamps from the battery. You may
otherwise destroy electronic components
such as the alternator.
Have the battery checked and, if neces-
sary, replaced at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service
Centre, every two years or at least every
20,000 km.
i Mercedes-Benz recommends that you
have all work involving the battery, e.g.
removing, charging and replacing, carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g.
a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Installation location of the battery Your vehicle is equipped with a battery in the
engine compartment. It is located on the front
bulkhead under the water tank on the right- hand side of the vehicle when viewed in the
direction of travel.
1
Battery
2 Negative terminal
3 Positive terminal Disconnecting the battery
! Always disconnect the battery in
the order described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electronics. 1
Water tank
2 Fastener
X Apply the handbrake and shift the selecto r
lever to position Pon vehicles with auto-
matic transmission*.
X Switch off all electrical consumers .
X Turn the key to position 0in the ignition
lock and remove it.
X Open the bonnet.
X Turn fasteners 2a quarter of a turn. Practical advice
* optional
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Page 235 of 273
Battery
23
2
X
Remove water tank 1.
X Remove the negative terminal clamp from
the battery.
X Remove the cover from the positive termi-
nal clamp.
X Remove the positive terminal clamp from
the battery.
X Disconnect the breather hose .Removing the battery
X Disconnect the battery (Y page 231).
X Loosen the bolt which holds the battery in
place.
X Remove the battery. Charging and fitting the batter
y G
Risk of injury
Only charge the installed battery with a bat-
tery charger which has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. These battery
chargers allow the battery to be charge d
while it is still installed. Otherwise, the vehi -
cle's electronic system may be damaged.
Only charge the battery in a well-ventilate d
area. As the battery is being charged, gases
can escape and generate minor explosions.
This may injure you and other persons or
cause damage to the paintwork or acid cor-
rosion on the vehicle .
You can obtain information about battery
chargers which allow the battery to be
charged when still installed from a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Ben z
Service Centre. G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of acid burns during the
charging process due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean ove r
the battery during the charging process.
! Only use battery chargers with a maxi-
mum charging voltage of 14.8 V. X
Charge the battery. Observe the notes in
the operating instructions for your battery
charger.
X Refit the charged battery.
To do this, follow the steps described in
"Removing the battery" (Y page 232) in
reverse order. G
Risk of injury
Battery acid is caustic. Avoid contact with
the skin, eyes or clothing . Reconnecting the battery
! Always reconnect the battery in the
sequence described below. Never swap the
terminal clamps. You may otherwise dam-
age the vehicle electronics.
X Switch off all electrical consumers .
X Connect the positive terminal clamp and
secure the cover .
X Connect the negative terminal clamp.
X Connect the breather hose. Make sure that
a cell cap is fitted between the battery and
the breather hose. Practical advice
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Page 236 of 273
Battery
23
3
i
If the battery power supply has been inter-
rupted (e.g. if it has been reconnected), you
must carry out the following tasks:
R Set the time (Y page 104).
R Reset the function for folding the exterio r
mirrors in/out automatically* by folding
the mirrors out once (Y page 66). Jump-starting
If your vehicle's battery is discharged, the
engine can be jump-started from another
vehicle or from an external battery using jump
leads.
Observe the following points:
R Jump-starting may only be performed when
the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
R Do not start the engine if the battery ha s
frozen. Thaw the battery out first.
R Jump-starting may only be performed from
batteries with a nominal voltage of 12V.
R Only use jump leads which are protected
against polarity reversal and which have a
sufficient cross-section and insulated ter-
minal clamps. i
Jump leads which are protected against
polarity reversal and further informatio n
about jump-starting can be obtained from
any Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts.
Never start the vehicle using a rapid battery
charger. G
Risk of injury
There is a risk of acid burns when jump -
starting a vehicle due to the gases which
escape from the battery. Do not lean over
the battery while the engine is being jump-
started. G
Risk of explosion
Gases escaping from the battery during
jump-starting may cause minor explosions.
Avoid creating sparks. Keep naked flames
away from the battery, and do not smoke .
Comply with safety precautions and tak e
protective measures when handling batter-
ies. You will find these under “Battery” in
the index .
X Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.
X Apply the handbrake. X
Manual transmission: engage neutral.
X Automatic transmission*: move the
selector lever to P.
X All vehicles: switch off all electric consum-
ers . 1
Positive terminal of donor batter y
2 Positive terminal on your vehicle
3 Negative terminal of donor battery
4 Earth point on your vehicl e
X Lift up the cover of positive terminal 2on
your vehicle.
X Connect positive terminal 2on your vehi-
cle to positive terminal 1of the donor
battery using the jump lead, connecting the
jump lead to your own battery first. Practical advice
* optional
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Page 237 of 273
Towing and tow-startin
g234
X
Start the engine of the donor vehicle and
run it at idling speed .
X Connect negative terminal 3of the donor
battery to earth point 4of your vehi-
cle using the jump lead, connecting the
jump lead to the donor battery first.
X Start the engine.
X Electrical consumers can be switched on
again. Do not switch the lights on however ,
as this will overload the battery.
X Remove the jump lead from eart h
point 4and negative terminal 3first,
then from positive terminal 2and positiv e
terminal 1, each time disconnecting from
the battery on your own vehicle first .
X Have the battery checked at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Towing and tow-starting
Points to remember
G
Risk of accident
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 malfunctio n
R the voltage supply or the vehicle's elec-
trical system is damage d
There is no power assistance for the steer-
ing when the engine is not running.
It is better to have the vehicle transported
than to have it towed.
When towing, observe the legal requirement s
in all countries concerned.
! When towing, pull away slowly and with-
out jerking. If the tractive power is too high,
the vehicles could be damaged. Do not use
the towing eye for recovery.
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
of 50 km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must
not be exceeded.
With towing distances over 50 km, the
entire vehicle needs to be lifted up and
transported. !
Only secure the tow cable or towing bar
to the towing eyes. You may otherwise
damage the vehicle.
R Vehicles with an automatic transmission*
must not be tow-started.
R If the engine does not start, try jump-start-
ing it (Y page 233).
R If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle ,
have it towed to the nearest qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Ben z
Service Centre.
R If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, it must only be towed with the rear
axle raised.
R The selector lever must be in position Non
vehicles with automatic transmission*.
R If you are towing the vehicle over a consid-
erable distance, this may only be done with
the rear axle raised.
R The ignition must be switched off if you are
towing the vehicle with the front/rear axle
raised. Intervention by ESP ®
could other-
wise damage the brake system.
R Before towing the vehicle, make sure that
the battery is connected and charged. Oth-
erwise : Practical advice
* optional
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Towing and tow-startin
g 235
-
You cannot switch on the ignition
- You cannot move the selector lever
to N(on vehicles with automatic trans-
mission*)
- You have no support when braking
i Switch off the automatic locking feature
before the vehicle is towed (Y page 105).
You could otherwise be locked out when
pushing or towing the vehicle. Fitting the towing eye
Opening the front cover The mountings for the removable towing eyes
are located in the bumpers. They are located
at the front and rear under the covers on the
right-hand side of the vehicle when viewed in
the direction of travel. 1
Cove r
X Press cover 1back in the direction of the
arrow.
X Take cover 1off the opening but do not
remove it. Opening the rear cover 1
Cove r
X Press cover 1back in the direction of the
arrow.
X Take cover 1off the opening but do not
remove it.
Securing the towing eye X
Take the towing eye and the wheel wrench
from the vehicle tool kit (Y page 172).
X Screw in the towing eye clockwise to the
stop .
X Insert the wheel wrench handle into the
towing eye and tighten. Practical advice
* optional
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Towing and tow-startin
g236 Towing the vehicle
! You may tow the vehicle for a maximum
of 50 km. A towing speed of 50 km/h must
not be exceeded.
With towing distances over 50 km, the
entire vehicle needs to be lifted up and
transported.
! The engine must be switched off (key in
ignition lock in position 0or position 1) if
the vehicle is being towed with the fron t
axle raised or if the parking brake is bein g
tested on a dynamometer. Intervention by
ESP ®
could otherwise damage the brake
system.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock .
X Shift to neutral .
Vehicles with automatic transmission *X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock .
X Move the selector lever to N. Tow-starting (emergency engine
starting )
Please note:
R Vehicles with an automatic transmission*
must not be tow-started.
R The battery must be connected.
R The engine and catalytic converter must be
cold.
R Avoid repeated and lengthy starting
attempts .
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock .
X Shift to neutral .
X Tow the vehicle or let it roll.
X Shift to a suitable gear and bring the clutch
pedal up slowly. Do not depress the accel-
erator pedal.
The engine is started. Removing the towing ey
e
X Take the wheel wrench from the vehicle
tool kit (Y page 172).
X Insert the wheel wrench handle into the
towing eye and turn it anti-clockwise.
X Unscrew the towing eye.
X Replace the cover and press it until it
engages.
X Return the towing eye and the whee l
wrench to the vehicle tool kit . Transporting the vehicle
The towing eyes can be used to pull the vehi-
cle onto a trailer or transporter for transport-
ing purposes.
! Only lash the vehicle down by the wheels
or wheel rims, not by parts of the vehicl e
such as axle or steering components. The
vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
Vehicles with manual transmission X
Shift to neutral . Practical advice
* optional
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Fuse
s 237
Vehicles with automatic transmission* X
Turn the key to position 2in the ignition
lock .
X Move the selector lever to N. Fuses
Notes on changing fuses
The fuses in your vehicle serve to close down
faulty circuits. If a fuse blows, all the compo -
nents on the circuit and their functions will
fail .
i Blown fuses must be replaced with fuses
of the same rating (which can be recog -
nised by the colour and amperage) and
which have the amperage specified in the
fuse allocation chart. A Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre will be happy to advise you. G
Risk of fire
Only use fuses that have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which have
the correct amperage for the system con-
cerned. Do not attempt to repair or bridge
faulty fuses. A circuit overload could other-
wise cause a fire. Have the cause trace d
and rectified at a qualified specialist work -
shop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
If the newly inserted fuse also blows, have the
cause traced and rectified at a qualified spe-
cialist workshop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. !
Only use fuses that have been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and which
have the correct amperage for the system
concerned. Otherwise, components or sys-
tems could be damaged.
The fuses are located in various fuse boxes:
R Main fuse box on the driver's side of the
dashboard
R Fuse box in the engine compartment on the
left-hand side of the vehicle
R Fuse box in the boot behind the partitio n
tri m
Fuse allocation chart The fuse allocation chart is in the main fus
e
box in the dashboard. The fuse amperage is
also indicated there. Practical advice
* optional
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