MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2006 R171 Owner's Manual

420 Practical hintsFlat tire

Fully collapse the jack.

Place the vehicle tool kit, electric air
pump, and the jack back in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk
floor.

Wrap the damaged wheel in the protec-
tive sheet provided with the spare
wheel and put the wheel in the trunk.
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 lb-ft (110 Nm).
iThe flat tire may be transported in the
trunk when the retractable hardtop is
closed.


421 Practical hints
Battery
Battery
The 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 314).
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.

422 Practical hintsBatteryDisconnecting the battery
1Water tray
2Lock

Pull up parking brake lever firmly and
m o v e g e a r s e l e c t o r l e v e r * t o p o s i t i o nP
(manual transmission to Neutral).

Switch off all electrical consumers.

Remove SmartKey from starter switch.

Open the hood (
page 307).

Turn locks2 one quarter turn.

Remove water tray1.

Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 421).

Use a 10 mm open-end wrench to dis-
connect the negative lead from battery
negative terminal3 (
page 421).

Remove the cover from the positive
terminal.

Use a 10 mm open-end wrench to dis-
connect the positive lead from battery
positive terminal2 (
page 421).
Removing the battery
Remove the screw on the swivel bar.

Remove the swivel bar.

Pull out the battery ventilation tube
from the battery (depending on battery
arrangement in your vehicle model, the
ventilation tube is located either on the
left or right side of the battery).

Take out the 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

423 Practical hints
Battery
Charging and reinstalling battery

Charge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.

Connect the negative lead.

Reinstall the water tray.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Large 12-volt storage batteries contain
lead. Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
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.
!The battery, its filler caps and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.!Never invert the terminal connections!
iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):

Set the clock (
page 139).


Synchronize the power windows
(page 251).

424 Practical hintsJump starting
If the battery is discharged, the engine can
be started with jumper cables and the bat-
tery of another vehicle. Observe the follow-
ing:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross-section and insulated terminal
clamps.


Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, as you could otherwise be
injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

425 Practical hints
Jump starting

Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever* to positionP
(manual transmission to Neutral).

Open the hood (
page 307).

Flip up cover from positive under hood
terminal2 in front of water tray1
(page 422).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive under hood terminal in front of
water tray
3Negative under hood terminal in front
of water tray
4Negative terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminal1 of the
charged battery with positive under
hood terminal2 in front of the water
tray with one jumper cable. Clamp the
cable to positive terminal1 of the
charged battery first.

Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminal4 of the
charged battery with negative under
hood terminal3 in front of the water
tray with the second jumper cable.
Clamp the cable to negative
terminal4 of the charged battery
first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals3 and4 and then
from positive terminals2 and1.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 314).
!Never invert the terminal connections.
iVehicles with automatic transmission*:
Do not tow-start vehicle.

426 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-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 88) and the automatic central
locking (
page 101).
!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).

427 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
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 101).
Switch off the tow-away alarm
(
page 88).
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.

428 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the ve-
hicle tool kit, located in the compartment
underneath the trunk floor (
page 388).
The towing eyes are located on the passen-
ger side in the front and rear bumper.

Take vehicle tool kit out of trunk
(page 388).Front cover
1Cover in front bumper
Removing

Press mark on cover1.

Cover1 springs open at the top right
corner.

Pull at the protruding part of cover1
and fold cover down to reveal the
threaded hole for the towing eye bolt.
Do not disconnect cover1 from its
check strap.

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

Unscrew the towing eye bolt using the
lug wrench.

To reinstall cover1, tilt the marked
lower left corner towards the opening.

Maintaining its tilted position, insert
cover1 by applying the latches at the
top left and lower right corner into the
opening.

To close cover1, press on the diago-
nal opposite side of the marked corner
until it fully engages.
iThe gear selector lever* will remain
locked in positionP (vehicles with au-
tomatic transmission*) and the
SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch if the battery is disconnected or
discharged. See notes on the battery
(page 421) or on jump starting
(page 424).
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
For information on manual unlocking of
gear selector lever, see (
page 396).
iMake sure the cover’s check strap
does not get caught when closing.

429 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Rear cover
1Cover in rear bumperRemoving

Press mark on cover1.

Cover1 springs open at the top.

Pull at the protruding part of cover1
and fold cover down to reveal the
threaded hole for the towing eye bolt.
Do not disconnect cover1 from its
check strap.

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

Unscrew the towing eye bolt using the
lug wrench.

To reinstall cover1, tilt the marked
lower edge towards the opening.

Maintaining its tilted position, insert
cover1 by applying the latches at the
marked lower edge into the opening.

To close cover1, press on the un-
marked top until it fully engages.iMake sure the cover’s check strap
does not get caught when closing.