wheel MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2003 Workshop Manual

242 Practical hintsFlat tire

Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.
Lowering the vehicle

Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until vehicle is resting ful-
ly on its own weight.

Pull the jack out of the jack support
tube.

Remove jack tube cover.1-5Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1to5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 80 ft lb
(110 Nm).
Warning!
G
Always replace wheel bolts that are dam-
aged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be re-
paired immediately. Do not continue to drive
under these circumstances! Contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect mounting bolts or improperly
tightened mounting bolts can cause the
wheel to come off. This could cause an acci-
dent. Be sure to use the correct mounting
bolts.
Warning!
G
Use only genuine equipment
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts. They are identi-
fied by the Mercedes star. Other wheel bolts
may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the ve-
hicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle could
tip over.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
80 ft lb (110 Nm).


243 Practical hints
Flat tire

Before storing the jack in the trunk, it
should be fully collapsed, with pin and
handle folded in.
Inflating the collapsible spare tire

Take the electric air pump out of the
trunk (
page 207).
1Flap
2Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
3Union nut
4Electrical plug

Open flap1 on air pump.

Pull out electrical plug4 and air hose
with pressure gauge2.

Unscrew valve cap from spare wheel
tire valve.

Screw union nut3 with air hose2 on to
the tire valve.

Insert electrical plug4 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.

Turn key in steering lock to position1
(page 29).

PressI on the electric air pump switch.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.

Inflate the collapsible tire to around
36 psi (2.5 bar).This takes about 5 minutes for the col-
lapsible spare tire. Airhose2 and union
nut3 can become hot duration infla-
tion.

Press0 on the electric air pump
switch.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

Turn key in steering lock to position0.

If the tire pressure is above 36 psi
(2.5 bar) release excess tire pressure
using the vent screw.
Warning!
G
Observe instructions on air pump label.
!Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than 8 minutes without interrup-
tion. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again af-
ter it has cooled off.


244 Practical hintsFlat tire

Detach the electric air pump.

Reinstall tire valve cap.

Stow the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the air
pump back in the trunk.

Close the trunk lid.Storing collapsible spare wheel in
wheel well
Before you can store the spare wheel with
collapsible tire in the wheel well you have
to release the air pressure of the tire.

Unscrew valve stem removal tool,
which is part of the valve cap, from tire
valve.

Using the valve stem removal tool,
open tire valve slightly by turning the
tire valve insert counterclockwise to
release air pressure.

When the air pressure has been re-
leased, remove tire valve insert (pro-
tect it from dirt and sand) using the
previously removed tire valve cap.

Once all air is out of the tire, and the
tire has collapsed to its original shape,
reinstall the tire valve insert and valve
cap.

Place spare wheel in wheel well and
secure it with the pump holder.

Tu rn pu m p hold er cl ockwi se to its st op.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible injury when unscrewing
air pump filler hose from tire valve after in-
flating the tire, use a rag since the tire valve
could be hot.

249 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Do not tow-start vehicle.!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 72) and the automatic central
locking (
page 78).
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN (manual transmission:
gears disengaged) and the key must be
in starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50
km/h).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.

250 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in starter switch position 0
for an extended period of time, it can no
longer be turned in the switch. In this case,
the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
key from starter switch and reinsert.
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the braking and steer-
ing systems. In this case, it is important to
keep in mind that a considerably higher de-
gree of effort is necessary to brake and
steer the vehicle. Adapt your driving accord-
ingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, the vehicle doors lock if the
left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel are turning at vehicle speeds of
approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(page 72).
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 78).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.

252 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
SLK 32 AMG, Sport Package*
The rear towing eye is located at the right,
below the bumper.
SLK 32 AMG and Sport Package are fitted
with a towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is stored with the jack
in the trunk (
page 206).
The threaded hole for the towing eye bolt
is located on the passenger-side behind
the grille in the bumper panel.
1Grille SLK 32 AMG, Sport Package*Removing grille

Hold grille1 (arrow) and pull forward.
Installing towing eye bolt

Take towing eye bolt and wheel wrench
out of trunk.

Screw towing eye bolt into its stop and
tighten with wheel wrench.
Removing towing eye bolt

Loosen towing eye bolt with wheel
wrench.

Unscrew towing eye bolt.

Store towing eye bolt and wheel
wrench in trunk.
Installing grille

Position grille1 and press securely
The grille should audibly snap into
place.

262 Technical dataRims and TiresSame size tires
SLK 230 Kompressor
SLK 320
SLK 32 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
7Jx16 H2
7Jx16 H2
71⁄2Jx17 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
205/55 R16 91 H M+S
205/50 R17 89 H M+S
225/45 R17 91 H M+S
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

263 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Mixed size tires
SLK 230 Kompressor
Except Sport Package*
SLK 320
Except Sport Package*
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
7Jx16 H2
7Jx16 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
205/55 R16 91 V
205/55 R16 91 W
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
8Jx16 H2
8Jx16 H2
Wheel offset
1.18 in (30 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/50 R16 92 V
1
225/50 R16 92 W
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.

264 Technical dataRims and Tires
SLK 230 Kompressor, SLK 320
Sport Package*
SLK 32 AMG
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
71⁄2Jx17 H2
71⁄2Jx17 H2
Wheel offset
1.46 in (37 mm)
1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
225/45 R17 91 Y
1
225/45 R17 91 Y
1
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
81⁄2Jx17 H2
81⁄2Jx17 H2
Wheel offset
1.34 in (34 mm)
1.34 in (34 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
245/40 R17 91 Y
2, 3
245/40 R17 91 Y
2, 3
1Also permissible: 225/45 ZR17 91 Y2Also permissible: 245/40 ZR17 91 Y3Must not be used with snow chains

265 Technical data
Rims and Tires
Spare wheel with collapsible tire
SLK 230 Kompressor
SLK 320
Rim (light alloy)
41⁄2Bx15 H2
41⁄2Bx16 H2
Wheel offset
0.47 in (12 mm)
0.47 in (12 mm)
Collapsible tire
165-15 89 P
1
165/70-16 92 P
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.i S L K 3 2 A M G h a s n o s p a r e w h e e l a n d i s
therefore equipped with TIREFIT.