MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2005 R171 Owner's Manual

371 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
Setting up the collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to ad-
ditionally secure the vehicle, e.g. while
changing the wheel.
1Tilt the plate upward
2Fold the lower plate outward
3Insert the plate

Tilt both plates upward1.

Fold the lower plate outward2.

Guide the tabs of the lower plate all the
way into the openings of the base
plate3.
Spare wheel with collapsible tire
The spare wheel is stored in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor.
1Spare wheel
2Vehicle tool kit (under collapsible tire,
together with wheel bolts for spare
wheel with collapsible tire)
3Retaining screw
Loosen retaining screw3by turning it
counterclockwise.

Remove spare wheel1.

Take off the wheel bolts for spare
wheel1.

372 Practical hintsWhere will I find...?Storing the spare wheel with
collapsible tire
If you wish to store the spare wheel after
use, carry out the following steps. Other-
wise the spare wheel will not fit the storage
compartment.
Unscrew the valve cap from the valve
of the collapsible tire.

Take the valve extractor from the vehi-
cle tool kit (
page 369).

Unscrew the valve insert from the valve
and allow the air to escape.

Screw the valve insert back into the
valve.

Screw the valve cap back on the valve.

Pull the protective wrap provided with
the vehicle tool kit over the spare
wheel.

Store the spare wheel and the valve ex-
tractor in the storage compartment un-
derneath the trunk floor.

Pierce the protective wrap with retain-
ing screw3.

Secure the spare wheel by turning re-
taining screw3 clockwise.
!Make sure the collapsible tire is dry
when storing it.iIt may take a few minutes for the col-
lapsible tire to deflate completely.
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.
The spare wheel with collapsible tire should
only be used temporarily, and should be re-
placed with a regular road wheel as quickly
as possible.

373 Practical hints
Where will I find...?
In the case of a flat tire, you may
temporarily use the spare wheel with col-
lapsible tire when observing the following
restrictions:

Do not exceed a 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 spare wheel with collapsible tire
mounted.
For more information, see “Rims and tires”
(
page 413).
Spare wheel bolts
1Wheel bolt for light alloy rims
2Wheel bolt for spare wheel with
collapsible tire (located in trunk with
vehicle tool kit)
!Wheel bolts2 must be used when
mounting the spare wheel with
collapsible tire. The use of any wheel
bolts other than wheel bolts2 for the
spare wheel with collapsible tire will
physically damage the vehicle’s
brakes. Warning!
G
Make sure to use the original length wheel
bolts when remounting the original wheel
after it has been repaired.

374 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergencyUnlocking the vehicle
If you are unable to unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, open the driver’s door and
the trunk using the mechanical key. Removing the mechanical key
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key

Move locking tab1 direction of arrow.

Slide mechanical key2 out of the
housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
1Unlocking

Insert the mechanical key into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1.
The driver’s door is unlocked.
iUnlocking the driver’s door and/or the
trunk with the mechanical key will
trigger the anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:

Press buttonŒor‹on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.

375 Practical hints
Unlocking/locking in an emergency
Unlocking and opening the trunk
A minimum height clearance of
5.78 ft (1.76 m) is required to open the
trunk lid.
The trunk lid lock is located next to the
handle above the rear license plate recess.Trunk lid lock1Unlocking in an emergency

Fully insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position1 until it stops,
and simultaneously

pull the trunk lid handle and lift lid.

Turn the mechanical key back and re-
move it from the trunk lid lock.
Locking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, do the following:
Close the passenger door and the trunk
lid.

Press the central locking switch in the
upper part of the center console
(page 98).

Check to see whether the lock button
on the passenger door has moved
down.

If necessary, push it down manually.
The passenger door is locked.

Exit the vehicle and close the driver’s
door.
!Always make sure there is sufficient
overhead clearance.


376 Practical hintsUnlocking/locking in an emergency1Locking
Insert the mechanical key into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.

Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position1.
The driver’s door is locked.Manually unlocking the gear selector
lever (automatic transmission*)
In the case of power failure, the gear selec-
tor lever can be manually unlocked, e.g. to
tow the vehicle.
1Gear selector lever cover
2Release

Pull out gear selector lever cover1 in
direction of arrows.

Push down and hold release2 in di-
rection of arrow.

Simultaneously move gear selector le-
ver out of positionP.
The gear selector lever is unlocked
now.iThe gear selector lever is locked again
as soon as you place it in positionP
again.


377 Practical hints
Opening/closing in an emergency
Opening/closing in an emergency
Raising retractable hardtop manuallyWarning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately seven minutes
when the ignition is switched on


after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will see
K
and the message
Retractable roof being lowered
.


Properly lock retractable hardtop before
continuing to drive (
page 237).
Warning!
G
Manually closing the retractable hardtop is a
complicated and technically demanding pro-
cedure and should only be performed by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or quali-
fied technician. Attempting to manually
close the retractable hardtop may cause
damage to the retractable hardtop and/or
personal injury.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.

378 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteriesIf the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.
When replacing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.

379 Practical hints
Replacing SmartKey batteries
SmartKey
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Remove the mechanical key
(page 374).
1Mechanical key
2Battery compartment

Insert mechanical key1 in side open-
ing and push gray slide.
Battery compartment2 is unlatched.

Pull battery compartment2 out of the
housing in direction of arrow.

Remove the discharged batteries.
3Battery
4Contact spring

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new
batteries3 under contact spring4
with the plus (+) side facing up.

Return battery compartment2 into
the housing until it engages.

Slide mechanical key1 back into the
SmartKey.

Check the operation of the SmartKey.

380 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsSafe 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 an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp ad-
justment.
Bulbs
iIf the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity,
driving the vehicle a short distance with
the lights on should clear up the
fogging.iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when lamps malfunction. Observe the
messages in the multifunction display
(page 363).