key MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2005 Owners Manual

388 Practical hintsFlat tirePreparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle as far as possible from
moving traffic on a hard surface.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead po-
sition.

Set the parking brake (
page 49).

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

Turn off the engine (
page 58).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Mounting the spare wheel
iOpen door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
Warning!
G
The dimensions of the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire are different from those of the
road wheels. As a result, the vehicle han-
dling characteristics change when driving
with a spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted. Adapt your driving style accord-
ingly.
The spare wheel with collapsible tire is for
temporary use only. When driving with spare
wheel with collapsible tire mounted, ensure
proper tire inflation pressure and do not ex-
ceed vehicle speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
Drive to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible to have the spare wheel
with collapsible tire replaced with a regular
road wheel.
Never operate the vehicle with more than
one spare wheel with collapsible tire mount-
ed.

393 Practical hints
Flat tire
Inflating the collapsible tire
1Flap
2Air pump switch
3Electrical plug
4Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
5Union nut

Take the electric air pump out of the
trunk (
page 369).

Open flap1 on air pump.

Pull out electrical plug3 and air hose
with pressure gauge4.

Close vent screw on air hose4.

Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve.

Screw air hose4 with union nut5
onto the collapsible tire valve.

Make sure electric air pump switch2
is set to0.

Insert electrical plug3 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
Warning!
G
Inflate collapsible tire only after the wheel is
properly mounted.
Inflate the collapsible tire using the electric
pump (
page 369) before
lowering the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Observe instructions on air pump label.!Do not lower the vehicle before inflat-
ing the collapsible tire. Otherwise the
rim may be damaged.


394 Practical hintsFlat tire
PressI on electric air pump switch2.
The electric air pump switches on and
inflates the collapsible tire.

Inflate the collapsible tire to approxi-
mately 51 psi (3.5 bar).
This takes about five minutes for the
collapsible tire. Air hose4 and union
nut5 can become hot during infla-
tion. Exercise proper caution to avoid
burning yourself when using the equip-
ment.

Press0 on electric air pump switch2.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

If the tire inflation pressure is above
51 psi (3.5 bar), release excess tire in-
flation pressure using the vent screw
on air hose4.

Detach the electric air pump.

Reinstall collapsible tire valve cap.

Store electrical plug3 and air
hose4 behind flap 1 and place the
electric air pump back in the trunk.
!Do not operate the electric air pump
longer than six minutes without inter-
ruption. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the electric air pump
again after it has cooled off.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and / or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.


396 Practical hintsBatteryThe battery is located in the engine com-
partment on the right-hand side below the
windshield washer fluid reservoir.
1Battery
2Positive terminal
3Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries,
see “Battery” (
page 294).
Never lean over batteries while connecting
them, as you could otherwise be injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come into contact with
eyes, skin or clothing. In case it does, imme-
diately flush affected area with water and
seek medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the battery checked regularly by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.

397 Practical hints
Battery
Disconnecting the battery
1Water tray
2Lock

Depress parking brake firmly or move
g e a r s e l ec t o r le v e r * t o p o s it io nP (man-
ual transmission to Neutral).

Switch off all electrical consumers.

Remove SmartKey from starter switch.

Open the hood (
page 287).

Turn locks2 one quarter turn.

Remove water tray1.

Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 396).

Disconnect the battery negative lead.

Remove the cover from the positive
terminal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Removing the battery
Remove the screw on the swivel bar.

Remove the swivel bar.

Take out the battery.
Charging and reinstalling battery
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch


automatic transmission*: the gear se-
lector lever will remain locked in
positionP
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available, permitting the charging of the bat-
tery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for infor-
mation and availability. Charge battery in
accordance with the separate instructions
for the accessory battery charger.


401 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 the SmartKey in the starter
switch in 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 86) and the automatic central
locking (
page 97).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch
position0or1). 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 gear selector lever*
must be in positionN (manual trans-
mission: gear shift lever in neutral posi-
tion) and the SmartKey must be in
starter switch position1.
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).

402 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
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.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make sure the SmartKey is in
starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use,
switch on ignition 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 SmartKey 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.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 97).
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 86).
The vehicle should only be towed using
a properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or
tow rod to the vehicle chassis, frame or
suspension parts.

403 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the ve-
hicle tool kit, located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor (
page 369).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.

Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(page 369).1Cover in front bumper
2Cover in rear bumper

Press mark on corresponding cover1
or2 in direction of arrow for folding
down.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
Do not remove cover completely.

Screw towing eye bolt in to its end stop
and tighten with lug wrench.

For removing towing eye bolt and rein-
stalling cover, follow the previously de-
scribed steps in reverse order.
iThe gear selector lever* will remain
locked in positionP (vehicles with au-
tomatic transmission*) and the Smart-
Key will not turn in the starter switch if
the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged. See notes on the battery
(page 396) or on jump starting
(page 399).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of
transmission selector lever, see
(page 376).
iWhen closing the cover, insert the
latches first and gently press on the
opposite side until the cover fully en-
gages.
Make sure the cover’s check strap
does not get caught when closing.

434 Technical termsLine of fall
The direct line an object moves down-
hill when influenced by the force of
gravity alone.
Locking knob
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside locks
that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System in your vehicle tracks distance
driven and the time elapsed since your
last maintenance service, and calls for
the next maintenance service accord-
ingly.Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(
page 324)
Maximum load rating
(page 324)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 324)
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey.
MON
(Motor O
ctane N
umber)
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
->RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Multifunction display
Two display fields in the instrument
cluster used to present information
provided by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 324)
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this
engine speed range, as it may result in
serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.

436 Technical termsRoll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic.
RON
(R
esearch O
ctane N
umber)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the ->MON (Motor Octane Number)
and RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle with automatic trans-
mission is parked, this lock prevents
the gear selector lever from being inad-
vertently moved out of positionP with-
out the SmartKey turned and the brake
pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(
page 324)
Speedshift
Steering wheel gearshift control for ve-
hicles with automatic transmission.
You can change the gears yourself with
the steering wheel gearshift buttons.
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning
device and air bags. Though indepen-
dent systems, they are closely inter-
faced to provide effective occupant
protection.Tele Aid system
(T
elematic A
larm I
dentification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, Roadside Assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.