2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS window

Contents
Automatic central locking .............. 78
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 80
Seats.................................................... 81
Heated seats* ................................ 81
Head restraints............................... 82
Lighting ................................................ 83
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 83
Combination switch........................ 84
Hazard warning flasher................... 85
Interior lighting ............................... 86
Instrument cluster ............................... 88
Instrument cluster illumination....... 88
Coolant temperature gauge............ 88
Trip odometer................................. 89
Tachometer .................................... 89
Outside temperature indicator ....... 90
Setting clock .................................. 90
Manual transmission ............................ 91
Shifting into reverse ....................... 92
Automatic transmission* ..................... 93
One-touch gearshifting ................... 94
Gear ranges .................................... 95
Gear selector lever position ........... 96
Program mode selector switch ....... 97
Accelerator position ....................... 98Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ........................ 98
Good visibility ...................................... 99
Rear view mirror............................. 99
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 100
Sun visors .................................... 101
Climate control .................................. 102
Setting the temperature ............... 104
Adjusting air volume .................... 104
Adjusting air distribution .............. 104
Air recirculation mode .................. 105
Rear window defroster ................. 105
Air conditioning ............................ 106
Residual heat ............................... 107
Basic settings ............................... 108
Special settings............................ 108
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 110
Audio system ..................................... 111
Audio and telephone, operation ... 111
Operating safety........................... 111
Operating and display elements ... 112
Anti-theft system.......................... 114
Button and soft key operation ...... 115
Operation ..................................... 115
Radio mode .................................. 116Cassette mode............................. 118
CD mode ...................................... 120
Telephone* operation .................. 123
Power windows.................................. 127
Opening and closing
the side windows ......................... 127
Retractable hardtop........................... 129
Opening and closing
the retractable hardtop ................ 129
Wind screen ................................. 134
Driving systems ................................. 136
Cruise control .............................. 136
Useful features .................................. 139
Interior storage spaces ................ 139
Ashtray ........................................ 142
Cigarette lighter ........................... 143
Telephone* .................................. 143
Tele Aid ........................................ 144
Garage door opener ..................... 152
Operation......................................... 157
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 158
Driving instructions ........................... 159
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 159
Drinking and driving ..................... 159

23 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Cup holder
140
2
Center air outlet adjust-
ment
102
Side air outlet adjustment
102
3
Climate control
102
Rear window defroster
105
4
Audio system
111
5
Seat heater* passenger
side
81
6
Anti-theft alarm system in-
dicator lamp
71
Tow-away alarm switch
72
7
Central locking switch
78
8
Hazard warning flasher
switch – switching on/off
85
9
ESP control switch
70
10
Headlamp washer* switch
100
11
Seat heater* driver’s side
81

24 At a glanceCenter consoleLower Part
Item
Page
1
Selector lever for
automatic transmission*
96
Gearshift lever for manual
transmission
91
2
Storage compartment
3
Indicator lamp
7
62
4
Switch for opening/closing
windows on passenger
side
127
5
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
35
6
Switch for opening/closing
the hardtop
129
7
Storage compartment
140
Cigarette lighter
143
Item
Page
8
Parking brake lever
42
9
Switch for opening/closing
windows on the driver’s
side
127
10
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission*
97
11
Ashtray
142
Coin holder
142

40 Getting startedDrivingStarting the engine Manual transmission
Gearshift pattern for manual transmissionStarting
Make sure that the gearshift lever is in
Neutral position.

Do not depress the accelerator.

Fully depress clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be start-
ed due to the integrated safety inter-
lock.

Turn the key in the steering lock to
position3. Release when the engine is
firing regularly (
page 29).
For information on turning off the engine
(
page 48).
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 91).
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as garage) which are not properly ven-
tilated. If you think that exhaust gas fumes
are entering the vehicle while driving, have
the cause determined and corrected imme-
diately. If you must drive under these condi-
tions, drive only with at least one window
fully open.

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.

73 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission*
Good visibility
Climate control
Audio system
Power windows
Retractable hardtop
Driving systems
Useful features

103 Controls in detail
Climate control
The climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
Item
1
Windshield air vent
2
Side window defroster vent,
adjustable
3
Air volume control for side air vents
4
Side air vent, adjustable
5
Temperature selectors, right and
left side passenger compartment
6
Air distribution control switch
7
Residual heat/air recirculation
8
AC cooling on/off (AC
OFF
)
9
Air volume control switch
10
Rear window defroster
11
Center air vents, adjustable
12
Air volume control for center air
vents
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iThe selected temperature is reached as
quickly as possible.
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the fil-
ter before its scheduled interval. A
clogged filter will reduce the air volume
to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.

104 Controls in detailClimate controlSetting the temperature
Use temperature selectors5
(page 102) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
Increasing

Turn the selector5 slightly upwards.
A red marking will be visible.
Decreasing

Turn the selector5 slightly downwards.
A blue marking will be visible.
Adjusting air volume
Use air volume control switch9
(page 102) to adjust the air volume. The
following symbols are found on the con-
trol:
Adjusting air distribution
Use air distribution control switch6
(page 102) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
control switch:
iIf you use the standard settings for
heating or cooling the passenger com-
partment (
page 108), you will rarely
need to change the temperature, air
volume or air distribution.
Symbol
Function
0
No ventilation
between 0
and
Q
Ventilation without a
blower, depending on the
speed driven
between 1
and 5
Ventilation with blower
Symbol
Function
cP
Directs air to the windows
b
Directs air into the pas-
senger compartment
d
Directs air to the footwells
a
Directs air to the upper
torso