towing MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2002 Owners Manual

3 ContentsSupplemental restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp .................. 184
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning .................... 185
Electronic stability program
(ESP) — warning lamp ............... 185
BAS / ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 185
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................. 186
Telescoping steering column
warning lamp .............................. 186
Low engine coolant level
warning lamp .............................. 187
Low windshield and headlamp
washer system fluid level
warning lamp .............................. 187
Low engine oil level
warning lamp .............................. 188
Charge indicator lamp ............... 188
Exterior lamp failure i
ndicator lamp .............................. 189
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) .......... 189Malfunction and indicator lamp
in the center console ................190
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp .....190
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ......................................192
Stowing items in the vehicle ........192
Fuses ................................................192
Hood .................................................194
Automatic transmission
fluid level ....................................196
Checking engine oil level ..............197
Coolant level ....................................198
Adding coolant ............................198
Windshield and
headlamp washer system .........199
Air pump, spare wheel,
vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(except SLK 32 AMG) .............. 200
Ve h i c l e j a c k
(except SLK 32 AMG) .............. 201Storage box, TIREFIT-Kit,
air pump, Vehicle tools
(SLK 32 AMG only) ...................202
Wheels .............................................203
Tire replacement ........................203
Rotating wheels ..........................204
Spare wheel ....................................205
Spare wheel bolts .......................206
Changing wheels ...........................207
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ..................................... 212
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well ................................... 213
TIREFIT ........................................... 214
Tire inflation pressure .................. 219
Battery .............................................220
Jump starting ..................................222
Towing the vehicle .........................224
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................229
Exterior lamps ................................230
Headlamp assembly ................... 231
Taillamp assemblies ..................234

31 Central locking system
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
With the automatic central locking system activated, the
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or more. The fuel filler
flap and the storage compartment in the armrest remain
unlocked.
To a c ti va te :
With key in steering lock position 2 hold upper portion
of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To d ea ct iva te:
With key in steering lock position 2 hold lower portion
of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km / h) or less with the
automatic central locking activated, the door will again
be automatically locked at speeds of approximately
9mph (15km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle doors will
lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel spin 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.

113 Interior equipment
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Sun visors with vanity mirror
Swing sun visors down to protect against sun glare.Interior
Wa r n i n g !
Do not use the driver’s vanity mirror while driving.
P68.60-2024-26
Wa r n i n g
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.

135 Tele Aid
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Roadside Assistance button •
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button•. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds), will initiate a call to
a Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
Tele Aid system will transmit data generating the
vehicle identification number, model, color and location
(subject to availability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. The nature of the need for assistance can
then be described. The Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance dispatcher will
either dispatch a qualified Mercedes-Benz technician or
arrange to tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as labor and/
or towing charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance manual for more information.
These programs are only available in the USA:
•Sign and Drive services: Services such as jump start,
a few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire
with the vehicle spare tire are obtainable,
•Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This function permits
the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher
to download malfunction codes and actual vehicle
data.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system self-check
after turning key in steering lock to position 2 (together
with the “SOS” button and the Information
button¡).
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an automatic “SOS” signal and cannot make
voice contact with the vehicle occupants.

191 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 192
Stowing items in the vehicle ........ 192
Fuses ................................................ 192
Hood ................................................. 194
Automatic transmission
fluid level ................................... 196
Checking engine oil level ............. 197
Coolant level ................................... 198
Adding coolant ........................... 198
Windshield and
headlamp washer system ........ 199
Air pump, spare wheel,
vehicle tools,
storage compartment
(except SLK 32 AMG) ...............200Ve h i c l e j a c k
(except SLK 32 AMG) .............. 201
Storage box, TIREFIT-Kit,
air pump, Vehicle tools
(SLK 32 AMG only) .................. 202
Wheels ............................................ 203
Tire replacement ....................... 203
Rotating wheels ......................... 204
Spare wheel .................................... 205
Spare wheel bolts ...................... 206
Changing wheels ........................... 207
Inflating the collapsible
spare tire ......................................212
Storing spare wheel in
wheel well ....................................213
TIREFIT ............................................214
Tire inflation pressure .................. 219Battery .............................................220
Jump starting ..................................222
Towing the vehicle .........................224
Transmission selector lever,
manually unlocking ..................229
Exterior lamps ................................230
Headlamp assembly ................... 231
Taillamp assemblies ..................234
Changing batteries in
the remote control ....................236
Synchronizing
remote control ............................237
Raising hardtop manually ............238
Replacing wiper blade insert .......243
Antenna ...........................................244
Manual release
of fuel filler flap ........................244

192 First aid kit
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the left side panel of the
trunk.
Stowing items in the vehicleFuses
Before replacing a blown fuse, determine the cause of
the short circuit.
Spare fuses are supplied inside the main and auxiliary
fuse boxes. Observe amperage and color of fuse.
A special fuse puller is supplied with the vehicle tools.
Always use a new fuse for replacement. Never attempt to
repair or bridge a blown fuse.
A fuse chart can be found inside the corresponding fuse
box cover.
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible.

224 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Tow i n g t h e ve h i c l eThe rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the
passenger-side behind the grille in the bumper panel.
Grille removal for SLK 320 except Sport Package
version:
Hold left and right end of grille (1) and pull out.
Grille removal for SLK 230 except Sport Package
version:
Hold grille (2), fold it down and pull out firmly.
Grille installation for all except Sport Package version:
Position grille and press in securely.
SLK 320
except Sport PackageSLK 230 Kompressor
except Sport Package
1
2P88.20-2111-26

225 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Sport PackageGrille removal for Sport Package version:
Pull on top end of grille simultaneously pushing apron
(arrow) up.
Grille installation for Sport Package:
Position bottom end of grille and press in securely
simultaneously pushing apron (arrow) up.
P88.00-2045-26

226 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
SLK 32 AMGThe threaded hole for the towing eye bolt is located on
the passenger-side behind the grille in the bumper
panel (3). The towing eye bolt is stored with the jack in
the trunk.
Installing towing eye:
Grille removal for SLK 32 AMG. Hold grille (arrow) and
pull forward to remove. Screw towing eye bolt into its
stop and tighten with lug wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt:
Unscrew towing eye bolt and store in trunk. Fit grille
into bumper and snap into place.
P88.20-2166-26
3

227 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n i c a l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Front towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports. Rear towing with sling-
type equipment over bumpy roads will damage the
lower edge of the front bumper cover.
Use wheel lift, dolly, or flat bed equipment, with key in
steering lock turned to position 0.
Towing restrictions for vehicles with automatic
transmission: The vehicle may be towed with all wheels
on the ground and the selector lever in position “N” for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km / h). The key must be in steering
lock position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive flange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
key in steering lock position 2, 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.
Wa r n i n g !
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground make certain that the electronic key is in
steering lock position 2.
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort in necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.