MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2003 Owners Manual

221 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment (
page 226).
Bulbs Front lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn
signal lamps
LED
2
Low beam
H7 (55 W)
Xenon*
D2R-35 W
3
Parking, standing
and turn signal lamp
2375 NA
4
High beam
H7 (55 W)
5
Fog lamp
HB4 (55 W)
6
Side marker lamp
W5W

222 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsRear lamps Notes on bulb replacement


Use only 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


Have the LEDs and bulbs for the follow-
ing lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Additional turn signals in the
exterior rear view mirrors


High mounted brake lamp


Xenon* lamps


Front fog lamps
Lamp
Type
7
Brake lamp
1154 / 32 cp
8
High mounted brake
lamp
LED
9
Backup lamp
1154 / 32 cp
10
Turn signal lamp
1156 NA
11
Tail, parking, stand-
ing and side marker
lamp
67 / 4 cp
12
License plate lamps
C5W
13
Rear fog lamp,
driver’s side
1155 / 32 cp
Warning!
G
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot.
Allow the lamp to cool down before
changing a bulb.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

223 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Low and high beam headlamps (Halo-
gen headlamps only)
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 171).
1Headlamp cover with locking tab

Push down locking tab at top and end
of headlamp cover1 and remove.2Electrical connector for low beam
headlamp bulb
3Electrical connector for high beam
headlamp bulb

Pull off electrical connector2 or3.

Unhook clamping ring and pull out the
bulb together with clamping ring.

Remove bulb.

Insert new bulb so that bulb sits prop-
erly in cutouts of bulb socket.

Mount clamping ring and reinstall.

Plug electrical connector onto the bulb.

Reinstall headlamp cover1.Low and high beam headlamps (Xenon*
headlamps only)
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the xenon head-
lamp. Because of high voltage in xenon
lamps, it is dangerous to replace the bulb or
repair the lamp and its components. We rec-
ommend that you have such work done by a
qualified technician.

224 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsParking, standing and turn signal lamp
Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 171).
1Release opening

Insert the screwdriver from the vehicle
tool kit into release opening1.

Press the top of the screwdriver toward
the middle of the vehicle and toward
the rear.
The turn signal lamp will be lifted out.

Pull the turn signal lamp slightly out of
its mounting.

Pull off the electrical connector from
the turn signal lamp.
You can now take the turn signal lamp
completely out of its mounting.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

Plug electrical connector back into the
turn signal lamp.2Guides
3Tabs

Slide the turn signal lamp with tabs3
into guides2 and press it toward the
rear into the mounting until it engages.


225 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Side marker lamp bulb
Switch off the lights.

Carefully slide lamp towards front.

Remove rear end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
twist clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
1Brake lamp
2Turn signal lamp
3Tail, parking and standing lamp, side
marker
4Backup lamp
5Rear fog lamp (driver’s side)

Switch off the lights.

Open trunk lid (
page 77).

Remove cover in right side panel.

Remove first aid kit (
page 206).
Remove cover in left side panel.

Turn bulb socket counterclockwise and
pull out.

Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push in and
turn clockwise.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in and turn
clockwise.

Close cover.

226 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsLicense plate lamp
1Screws
Switch off the lights.

Loosen both screws1 and remove
lamp.

Replace the tubular lamp and reinstall
lamp.

Retighten the screws.Adjusting headlamp aim
(Halogen headlamps only)
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have the adjustment checked
regularly by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
To check and readjust a headlamp, follow
the steps described:
Park vehicle on level surface.

Open hood (
page 171).Vertical headlamp aim
1Headlamp vertical adjusting screw
2Level
iLow beam adjustments simultaneously
aim the high beam.
Vehicle should have a normal trunk
load.
Vertical aim adjustments change hori-
zontal aim.

227 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs

Turn adjusting screw1 (counterclock-
wise to adjust headlamp downward,
clockwise upward) until bubble in
level2 is centered on the “0” mark.
Graduations: 0.18° pitch
Horizontal headlamp aim
3Headlamp horizontal adjusting screw4Sight glass

Turn adjusting screw3 (counterclock-
wise to adjust headlamp to the left,
clockwise to the right) until indicator4
in the sight glass is in line with the
“0” mark.

228 Practical hintsReplacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper bladesRemoving
Fold the wiper arm forward.

Press safety tab down1.

Push wiper blade downward2 and re-
move.Replacing wiper blade insert

Place wiper blade on firm support.

Press down both tabs.

Slide (in direction of arrow) the wiper
blade insert out of the retainer claws.

Slide (in direction of arrow) the new
wiper blade insert into retainer claws
until tabs are engaged.
Installing
Slide wiper blade onto wiper arm until
it locks in place.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove key from steer-
ing lock before replacing a wiper blade, oth-
erwise the motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arm is folded forward.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make certain that the wiper blades are
properly installed. Improperly installed
wiper blades may cause windshield
damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

229 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
Your vehicle is equipped with a TIREFIT kit
(SLK 32 AMG only) (
page 208) or a
spare wheel with collapsible tire
(SLK 230 Kompressor and SLK 320 only)
(
page 207).
You can identify which TIREFIT kit
(SLK 32 AMG only) you have as follows:


The TIREFIT container of kit 1 is a
squeeze container.


The TIREFIT container of kit 2 is a rigid
container and includes a flange for filler
hose (outlet) and air hose (inlet).
Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on hazard warning flashers.

Engage the steering wheel lock in the
straight ahead position and set the
parking brake.

Move the selector lever toP (manual
transmission to first or reverse gear.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1
Small tire punctures, only those in the
tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).
The TIREFIT kit stored in the trunk
(page 208) contains the TIREFIT
container, a filler hose, a valve stem tool,
a valve core and a sticker.

Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed from the tire.

Attach the sticker where it will be easily
seen by the driver on the instrument
cluster.
Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT away from sparks, open flame
or heat source.
Do not smoke.
Warning!
G
TIREFIT is a limited repair device. TIREFIT
cannot be used for:

cuts or punctures larger than approx.
0.16 in (4 mm)


on a flat tire, or a damaged wheel


tire damage caused by driving with ex-
tremely low tire pressure
Do not drive the vehicle under such circum-
stances.
Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center for assistance or call Roadside Assis-
tance.

230 Practical hintsFlat tirePreparing TIREFIT
Take the TIREFIT kit out of the trunk
(page 208).
1Filler hose
2TIREFIT container

Shake contents of TIREFIT container2.

Screw hose1 on to TIREFIT
container2.
TIREFIT is now ready for use.
Warning!
G
Take care not to allow the contents of
T I R E F I T t o c o m e i n c o n t a c t w i t h h a i r , e y e s o r
clothing. TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled, swal-
lowed or absorbed through the skin. It caus-
es skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT,
change clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.
Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.