2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 Owner's Manual

105 Controls in detail
Climate control
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
Activating
Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the
Ð
button
comes on.Deactivating

Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the
Ð
button
goes out.
The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:


after five minutes if the outside temper-
ature is below approximately 41°F
(5 °C)


after five minutes if the air conditioning
is turned off


after 30 minutes if the outside temper-
ature is above approximately 41°F
(5 °C)
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26 °C), the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the defrost-
er as soon as the rear window is clear. The
defroster is automatically deactivated af-
ter a maximum of 12 minutes.
Activating
Switch on the ignition.

Press button
F
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
Deactivating

Press button
F
(page 102) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside temper-
tures.

106 Controls in detailClimate control
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Press buttonAC
OFF
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the
AC
OFF
button lights up.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts blinking, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster au-
tomatically turns itself back on.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the air conditioning
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.

107 Controls in detail
Climate control
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
PressAC
OFF
again (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on
theAC
OFF
button goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the key in the steering lock to
position1 or remove it from the steer-
ing lock.

Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on button
Ð

comes on.
Deactivating

Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on button
Ð

goes out.The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage dropsiHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting 1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.

108 Controls in detailClimate controlBasic settings
Heater
Select temperature for each side of the
passenger compartment with tempera-
ture selectors1.

Select air volume with control switch2,
set at least to position 2 to prevent
window fogging.

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position shown above.

Turn side window defroster vents to the
detent position.

Open center air vents as desired.Air conditioning

Select temperature for each side of the
passenger compartment with tempera-
ture selectors1.

Select air volume with control switch2,
set at least to position 1 to start the air
conditioning.

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position
a
.

Open center air vents.

Open left and right side air vents.
Special settings
Defrosting
Set temperature selectors1, air vol-
ume control switch2 and air distribu-
tion control switch3 to position
P
.

Close center air vents.

Open left and right side air vents.

Turn side window defroster vents to the
detent position.iUse special settings only for a short
duration.

109 Controls in detail
Climate control
Defogging windows
Windows fogged up on inside
Press buttonAC
OFF
t o s w i t c h o n t h e a i r
conditioning.
The indicator lamp on buttonAC
OFF

goes out.

Press button
Ð
to switch off the air
recirculation.
The indicator lamp on button
Ð

goes out.

Increase air volume with air volume
control switch2 .

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position
c
.

Close center air vents.

Close left and right side air vents.

Turn side window defroster vents to the
detent position.Windshield fogged up on outside

Switch on the windshield wipers
(page 44).

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position
d
or
a
.

110 Controls in detailClimate controlDeactivating the climate control system
Deactivating
Set air volume control switch2 to
position0.
The fresh air supply to the passenger
compartment is shut off.
Reactivating

Set air volume control switch2 to any
speed.
The fresh air supply to the passenger
compartment is switched on.
Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the climate control
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.

111 Controls in detail
Audio system
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help
you become acquainted with your
Mercedes-Benz car radio. They contain
useful tips and a detailed description of the
user functions.
Operating safety
Warning!
G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, system settings should
be entered with the vehicle at standstill and
systems should be operated by the driver
only when traffic conditions permit. Always
pay full attention to traffic conditions first
before operating system controls while driv-
ing.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your car is cover-
ing a distance of approximately 50 feet (ap-
proximately 14 m) every second.
1
1The right to correct errors and make technical
amendments is reserved.
Warning!
G
Any alterations made to electronic compo-
nents can cause malfunctions.
The radio, cassette deck, CD changer*, tele-
phone* and voice control system* are inter-
connected. When one of the components is
not operational or has not been
removed / replaced properly, the function of
other components may be impaired.
This conditions might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

112 Controls in detailAudio systemOperating and display elements