2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS steering wheel adjustment

19 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Combination switch

Turn signals
43


Windshield wipers
44


High beam
43
2
Cruise control lever
136
3
Instrument cluster
20, 88
4
Voice control system* le-
ver (see separate operat-
ing instructions)
5
Steering lock with ignition
29
6
Overhead control panel
25
7
Glove box
139
8
Center console
23, 24
9
Horn
10
Steering wheel adjustment
handle*
34
11
Hood lock release
171
12
Exterior lamp switch
43

29 Getting started
Unlocking
Steering lock positionsSteering lock0For removing key
The steering is locked when the key is
removed from the steering lock. If nec-
essary, move steering wheel slightly to
allow the locking mechanism to en-
gage.
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3Starting position
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock the vehi-
cle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehi-
cle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.iThe key can only be withdrawn in
position0.
If necessary, move steering wheel
slightly to allow the key to be turned
clockwise to position1.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The key can only be removed from the
steering lock with the gear selector
lever in positionP.
!To prevent accelerated battery dis-
charge and a possible dead battery,
always remove the key from the
steering lock.

30 Getting startedAdjusting
AdjustingSeats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back reclined. Sitting in an excessively re-
clined position can be dangerous. You could
slide under the seat belt in a collision. If you
slide under it, the belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause se-
rious or fatal injuries. The seat back and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in an upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body. Your seat
must be adjusted so that you can correctly
fasten your seat belt (
page 37).
Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being ad-
justed.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your ve-
hicle.
The power seats* can also be operated with
the driver’s or passenger door open. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.

32 Getting startedAdjusting
Let go of handle4. The seat should
make an audible click.
Backrest tilt

Turn handwheel2 forward or backward
until your arms are slightly angled
when holding the steering wheel.Head restraint height

Adjust the height of the head restraints
by pulling them upwards manually.

For a lower position, press release
button1 and push down on the head
restraints manually.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 82).Power seat*

Switch on the ignition by turning the
key in the steering lock to position2.
or

Open the driver’s or passenger door.
The seat adjustment switches are located
on the outer sides of the seats.
1Seat height
2Seat fore and aft adjustment
3Seat cushion tilt
4Backrest tilt
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

33 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat height
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow2.
Adjust to a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The posi-
tion should be as far to the rear as possi-
ble, consistent with ability to properly
operate controls.
Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper legs
are lightly supported.Backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Head restraint height
5Release button

Adjust the height of the head restraints
by pulling them upwards manually.

For a lower position, press release
button5 and push down on the head
restraints manually.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 82).
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

34 Getting startedAdjustingTelescoping steering column* Steering wheel adjustment
1Adjustment handle

To unlock the steering column, pull out
handle1 as far as it will go.

Move the steering wheel to the desired
position.

Push handle1 back to its original posi-
tion to relock the steering wheel. You
should hear an audible click.
The steering wheel is again fixed into
place.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driv-
ing. Adjusting the steering wheel while driv-
ing, or driving without the adjustment
locked could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock and lock your ve-
hicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
!Do not drive the vehicle until you have
properly locked the steering column.
If the indicator lamp
_
comes on
while the engine is running, the steer-
ing column is not locked properly
(
page 200).

53 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
AirbagsWarning!
G
Airbags are designed to reduce the potential
of injury in certain frontal (front airbags) im-
pacts, or side (side impact airbags) impacts
which may cause significant injuries. How-
ever, no system available today can totally
eliminate injuries and fatalities.
The activation of the SRS temporarily releas-
es a small amount of dust from the airbags.
This dust, however, is neither injurious to
your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some tempo-
rary breathing difficulty for people with asth-
ma or other breathing trouble. To avoid this,
you may wish to get out of the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any
breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the
vehicle after the airbag inflates, then get
fresh air by opening a window or door.
Warning!
G
To reduce the risk of injury when the front
airbags inflate, it is very important for the
driver and passenger to always be in a prop-
erly seated position and to wear your seat
belts.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the backrest. Fasten
your seat belt and ensure that it is properly
positioned on your body.
Since the airbag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating and hands
on steering wheel position will help to keep
you at a safe distance from the airbag. Oc-
cupants who are unbelted, out of position or
too close to the airbag can be seriously in-
jured by an airbag as it inflates with great
force in the blink of an eye:

Sit properly belted in an upright position
with your back against the seat back-
rest.


Adjust the driver seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper opera-
tion of vehicle controls. The distance
from the center of the driver’s breast-
bone to the center of the airbag cover on
the steering wheel must be at least ten
inches (25 cm) or more. You should be
able to accomplish this by a combina-
tion of adjustments to the seat and
steering wheel. If you have any prob-
lems, please see your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.


Do not lean with your head or chest
close to the steering wheel or dash-
board.


Keep hands on the outside of steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms in-
side the rim can increase the risk and
potential severity of hand/arm injury
when driver front airbag inflates.


Adjust the passenger seat as far as pos-
sible rearward from the dashboard when
the seat is occupied.

288 IndexChild safety 60
Airbags 54
Infant and child restraint systems 57,
60
Cigarette lighter 143
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 192
Cup holder 191
Gear selector lever 191
Hard plastic trim items 191
Headliner 192
Instrument cluster 191
Leather upholstery 192
Light alloy wheels 191
Plastic and rubber parts 192
Rear window 190
Seat belts 192
Steering wheel 191
Windows 190
Windshield 45
Wiper blades 190
Cleaning*
Headlamps 100
Climate control 102
Adjusting air distribution 104
Adjusting air volume 104Air conditioning 106
Air recirculation mode 105
Deactivating the climate control
system 110
Defogging windshield 109
Defrosting 108
Reactivating the climate control
system 110
Rear window defroster 105
Residual heat utilization 107
Residual ventilation 107
Setting the temperature 104
Clock 21
Setting 90
Closing
Glove box 139
Hood 172
Retractable hardtop 215
Side windows 127
Trunk 77
Windows 127
Closing hardtop
In an emergency 215
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 192
Cockpit 18, 279Coin holder 142
Collapsible tire 279
Combination switch 84, 85
High beam flasher 44, 85
Turn signals 43
Windshield wipers 44
Consumer information 276
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 166
Coolant 176, 273
Adding 176, 177
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 273
Capacities 269
Checking level 176
Temperature 167
Temperature gauge 88
Coolant level
Checking 170, 176
Cruise control 136, 279
Canceling 137
Driving downhill 137
Driving uphill 137
Fine adjustment 138
Saving current speed 137
Setting speeds 138