MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class 2001 R170 Owner's Manual

198 Tires, wheels
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Wheels
Replace rims or tires with the same designation,
manufacturer and type as shown on the original part.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information on tested and recommended rims and tires
for summer and winter operation. They can also offer
advice concerning tire service and purchase.Tire replacement
Tires should be replaced in sets. Rims and tires must be
of the correct size and type. For dimensions, see
page 249.
We recommend that you break in new tires for
approximately 60 miles (100 km) at moderate speed.
It is imperative that the wheel mounting bolts be
fastened to a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb. (110 Nm)
whenever wheels are mounted.
For rim and tire specifications, see page 249.
Wa r n i n g !
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the tire tread
is badly worn, or if the tires have sustained
damage, replace them.When replacing rims, use only genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can result in
the bolts loosening and possibly an accident.

199 Tires, wheels
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Wheel rotation applies only when winter tires are
mounted on all four wheels.
The wheels can be rotated according to the degree of
tire wear while retaining the same direction of travel.
Rotating, however, should be carried out as
recommended by the tire manufacturer, before the
characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front
wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes
visible, as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate.
Important!
Unidirectional tires must always be mounted with arrow
on tire sidewall pointing in direction of vehicle forward
movement.Notes:
Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any time
you rotate the wheels or wash the vehicle underside.
The use of retread tires is not recommended. Retread
tires may adversely affect the handling characteristics
and safety of the vehicle.
Dented or bent rims can cause tire pressure loss and
dam age to t he tire bead s. For this reason, ch eck rims for
damage at regular intervals. The rim f langes must be
checked for wear before a tire is mounted. Remove
burrs, if any.
Check and ensure proper tire inflation pressure after
rotating the wheels. For tire inflation pressure see
page 209.

200 Tires, wheels
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Spare wheel
Important!
SLK 230 Kompressor:
The spare wheel rim size is 4
1/2 B x 15 H 2 with
inflatable, collapsible tire, size 165-15 89 P.
SLK 320:
The spare wheel rim size is 4
1/2 B x 16 H 2 with
inflatable, collapsible tire, size 165/70-16 92 P.
You should inf late the spare tire using the supplied air
pump.In the case of a f lat tire, you may temporarily use the
spare wheel, while observing the following restrictions:
•Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km / h).
•Drive to the nearest tire repair facility to have the
flat tire repaired or replaced as appropriate.
•Do not operate vehicle with more than one
collapsible spare wheel / tire mounted.
For additional information, see page 249.

201 Tires, wheels
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1Wheel bolt for wheel rim size 7 J x 16 H 2
and 8 J x 16 H 2
Wheel bolt for AMG wheel rim size 7
1/2 J x 17 H 2
and 8
1/2 J x 17 H 2
Wheel bolt for spare wheel rim size 4
1/2 B x 16 H 2
2Wheel bolt for spare wheel rim size 4
1/2 B x 15 H 2
(located with tire air pump)Note:
Wheel bolts (2) must be used when mounting spare
wheel rim size 4
1/2 B x 15 H 2.
21
P40.10-2154-26
Wa r n i n g !
Be su re to u se th e original lengt h wheel bolts wh en
remounting the original wheel after it has been
repaired.

202 Tires, wheels
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Changing wheelsMove vehicle to a level area which is a safe distance
from the roadway.
1.Set parking brake and turn on hazard warning
flasher.
2.Move selector lever to position “P” and turn off
engine (manual transmission to 1st or reverse gear).
3.Prevent vehicle from rolling away by blocking
wheels with wheel chocks (not supplied with
vehicle) or sizable wood block or stone. When
changing a wheel on a hill, place chocks on the
downhill side blocking both wheels of the other
axle. On a level road, place one chock in front of and
one behind the wheel that is diagonally opposite to
the wheel being changed.
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
veh icle at the jack tu bes bui lt into eith er si de of th e
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 th e 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 whi le th e vehic le is
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.

203 Tires, wheels
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index 4.Using the wrench, loosen but do not yet remove the
wheel bolts.5.Remove the protective cover from the jack support
tube opening by inserting the screwdriver (supplied
in the tool kit) in the opening and prying it out.
The tube openings are located directly behind the
front wheel housings and in front of the rear wheel
housings.

204 Tires, wheels
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6.Holding the jack, unfold pin (1) and handle (2).
Insert pin fully into the tube hole up to the stop.
Crank handle clockwise until jack base (3) meets
the ground. Place jack on firm ground. Position the
jack so that it is always vertical (plump-line) as seen
from the side (see arrow), even if the vehicle is
parked on an incline.
7.Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the
ground. Never start engine while vehicle is raised.8.Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and screw in
alignment pin (4) supplied in the tool kit. Remove
the remaining bolts. Keep bolt threads protected
from dirt and sand.
9. Remove wheel. Grip wheel from the sides. Keep
hands from beneath the wheels.

205 Tires, wheels
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For ease of handling and proper unfolding of tire during
its inflation when installing spare wheel with
collapsible tire, first mount the spare wheel, then inflate
the tire.
10.Clean contact surfaces of wheel and wheel hub.
Install wheel on wheel hub. Insert proper wheel
bolts and tighten them snugly.
Unscrew the alignment pin (4) to install the last
wheel bolt.
11.Inflate collapsible spare tire. (See next page for
detailed instructions).Important!
When installing spare wheel with collapsible tire, make
certain to use the correct wheel bolts, supplied in the
vehicle tool kit.
To avoid paint damage, place wheel f lat against hub and
hold it there while installing first wheel bolt.
12.Lower vehicle. Remove jack and insert jack tube
cover.

206 Tires, wheels
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Notes:
Before storing t he j ack , it shoul d be ful ly c ol lapsed, wit h
pin and handle folded in.
The removed road wheel can be stored under the
luggage cover in a protective cover supplied with
vehicle. The collapsible spare wheel should be returned
to the wheel well.13.Using the wrench, tighten the five bolts evenly,
following the sequence illustrated, until all bolts are
tight. Observe a tightening torque of 80 ft.lb.
(110 Nm).
14.Ensure proper tire pressure.
Wa r n i n g !
Always replace wheel bolts that are damaged or
rusted.Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.Damaged wheel hub threads should be repaired
immediately.Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly tightened
mounting bolts can cause the wheel to come off.
This could cause an accident. Be sure to use the
correct mounting bolts.

207 Tires, wheels
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The air pump is located inside the wheel well in the
trunk.
1Filler hose
2Electrical plug
3Pressure gauge with vent screw1.Remove air pump from storage compartment inside
trunk.
2.Open lid and pull out air hose with pressure gauge
and electrical plug.
Observe instructions on air pump label.
3.Unscrew tire valve cap from spare wheel tire valve.
4.Screw filler hose onto tire valve.
5.Plug air pump electrical plug into vehicle cigar
lighter.
6.To switch on air pump, turn key in steering lock to
position 1.
Important!
Do not start engine.
P40.10-2124-26
1
0
45 6max. 6 min
A 170 584 01 38 AIR COMPRESSOR 23
Mercedes-Benz
2
3
2 1
1
2,5 bar
36 psi1
0 23
4
5
620PSI
BAR40
60
80
LUFTPRESSER12
12
3
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible injury when unscrewing air
pump filler hose from tire valve after inflating the
tire, use a rag since the tire valve could be hot.