SL/R230: What tools in trunk ?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,232
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From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
SL 350 R230 (3.7L with AMG Speedshift autobox)
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 245
From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
Not much. An air compressor, bottle of fix-a-flat (almost worthless), White cotton gloves to protect your manicure. Lug wrench, I think there is a screwdriver and a tool to manually close the top. Spare tire if your car came with one.
I have added: a plug kit for plugging nail holes in tires. Jumper cables if I plan a long trip. A few spare relays, crank position sensor, wire, zip ties, pliers, screwdriver. You can’t carry tools for most ‘moderate or major’ repairs, so a cell phone and credit card cover the rest.
I have added: a plug kit for plugging nail holes in tires. Jumper cables if I plan a long trip. A few spare relays, crank position sensor, wire, zip ties, pliers, screwdriver. You can’t carry tools for most ‘moderate or major’ repairs, so a cell phone and credit card cover the rest.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
I added wheel mounting tool. Since our cars have lug bolts, there is no way to support a wheel in correct position to get them engaged. You can buy this tool, but I just bought long M14x1.5 bolt and cut the head off. It acts as a guide pin for the wheel.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
Important detail of the guide pin - provide some means of getting it out. You can easily screw it in by hand, but getting it out requires way more force. I drilled a hole at the top of the bolt to use Benz tool set screwdriver as a lever.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 9
From: Dallas, TX
SL550
My tool roll included an alloy lug guide... I didn't know what it was until I read this thread! It also had 2 Mercedes-branded wrenches (spanners), a screwdriver, and the gloves. I added a torx set, a nut driver that fits the under-engine cover screws, a LED light with a head strap, I may add a few items from above. Good stuff.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
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From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
My tool kit included those mentioned above plus pliers, plastic drop-cloth, and a small bag of spare fuses and a puller. In USA, many insurers provide road-side service for a tire repair. Hopefully never happens, but that is the route I will try ahead of spare tire change-over.
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 45
Likes: 9
From: Dallas, TX
SL550
Last week I had the main ABC pressure hose from the pump fail. Bitterly cold and windy. At night. Fortunately it hosed down the front of the engine and serpentine belt, which promptly came off... saving the tandem pump. I was less than 5 miles from home on surface streets. I made it home by running up to speed, and when the coolant temps got too high, shifting into neutral and coasting as far as possible. Wait for it to cool down, and repeat. Hope the battery has enough charge to get me home. It did. $70 to fix the hose. $30 for a new belt, and all is well.
If I had been on a stretch of highway, I would have had to call for a tow.
It occurs to me that a good thing to have in the trunk would be a serpentine belt which is shorter, to bypass the ABC pump (and, I think, also the AC compressor). I think I'll research that a little. Does anyone know if the lug wrench fits the belt tensioner? I'll check that, too.
If I had been on a stretch of highway, I would have had to call for a tow.
It occurs to me that a good thing to have in the trunk would be a serpentine belt which is shorter, to bypass the ABC pump (and, I think, also the AC compressor). I think I'll research that a little. Does anyone know if the lug wrench fits the belt tensioner? I'll check that, too.
