2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 Owner's Manual

129 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Retractable hardtop
Opening and closing the retractable hardtop
For safety reasons, the retractable hardtop
can only be opened and closed when the
vehicle is standing still.
Warning!
G
Before operating the switch for the retract-
able hardtop make sure that no persons are
injured by the moving parts (retractable
hardtop, roof frame, and trunk lid) due to in-
attention.
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, retractable
hardtop, shelf behind roll bars, or trunk lid
while the retractable hardtop is being raised
or lowered. Serious personal injury may oc-
cur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
tractable hardtop switch. This immediately
interrupts the raising or lowering procedure.
You then can operate the retractable hard-
top switch to raise or lower the retractable
hardtop away from the danger zone.
!Never sit or place heavy objects on the
rear shelf. Doing so could cause dam-
age to the retractable hardtop and the
rear shelf.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.

130 Controls in detailRetractable hardtop
Luggage cover
The luggage cover is located in the trunk.
1Handle
2Holders
Closing luggage cover
Pull out the luggage cover using
handle1.

Hook the luggage cover into left and
right side holders2.Opening luggage cover

Unhook luggage cover from side
holders2.

While holding onto handle1, guide lug-
gage cover back into its storage com-
partment.
!When opening and closing the retract-
able hardtop, make sure that

there is sufficient clearance for the
retractable hardtop to move up and
the trunk lid to move back


the luggage cover is extended and
closed


the trunk lid is closed


no roof luggage carrier is installed


the outside temperature is above
+5°F (-15°C)
Otherwise the retractable hardtop and
trunk of the vehicle could be damaged.
iKeep luggage cover in trunk in the open
position to prevent closing the retract-
able hardtop unintentionally while a
roof luggage carrier is installed.
!To prevent damage to the retractable
hardtop or luggage/cargo when lower-
ing the retractable hardtop

load trunk only to the height of the
luggage cover


do not permit luggage/cargo to
push up the closed luggage cover


do not load anything on top of or in
front of the luggage cover


do not place anything on the shelf
behind the roll bars

131 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Opening the retractable hardtopRetractable hardtop switchBefore pulling on the retractable hardtop
switch, you must ensure that:

the parking brake is engaged
(page 47)


the luggage cover is closed, see lug-
gage cover


the trunk lid is closed


the ignition is switched on (key in steer-
ing lock position2)

Pull the retractable hardtop switch as
indicated by the arrow until the retract-
able hardtop is completely lowered into
its trunk storage compartment and the
indicator lamp in the retractable hard-
top switch goes out.
If you continuously pull on the retract-
able hardtop switch or release and pull
it again within approximately
30 seconds, the door windows will
close.
However, the door windows can also be
closed/opened later on.

Pull on the retractable hardtop switch
twice forward/backward. Pull on the
switch only briefly the first time. The
second time, pull on the switch until
the door windows have reached the de-
sired height.
The rear quarter windows cannot be raised
with the retractable hardtop lowered.
iFor safety reasons, the retractable
hardtop cannot be opened while driv-
ing.
Be sure that the retractable hardtop is
dry before you open it. Otherwise water
may enter the trunk interior.!If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks slowly, a mal-
function has occurred in the system.
If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks rapidly, the trunk
lid and/or luggage cover may be open
and need to be closed.Warning!
G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.

132 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopPrior to cleaning the rear window, read and
observe the instructions in the “Operation”
section (
page 190).Closing the retractable hardtop
Retractable hardtop switchBefore pushing on the retractable hardtop
switch, you must ensure that:

the parking brake is engaged
(page 47)


the luggage cover is closed, see lug-
gage cover


the trunk lid is closed


the ignition is switched on (key in steer-
ing lock position2)

Push the retractable hardtop switch as
indicated by the arrow until the retract-
able hardtop is completely closed and
locked and the indicator lamp in the re-
tractable hardtop switch goes out.
If you continuously push on the retract-
able hardtop switch or release and
push it again within approximately
30 seconds, the door windows will
close.
However, the door windows can also be
closed/opened later on.

Pull on the retractable hardtop switch
twice forward/backward. Pull on the
switch only briefly the first time. The
second time, pull on the switch until
the door windows have reached the de-
sired height.
!Do not manually move corner flaps or
rear shelf. Doing so will result in dam-
age to the retractable hardtop folding
mechanism that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor safety reasons, the retractable
hardtop cannot be closed while driving.

133 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Locking the retractable hardtop after
raising/lowering
If the retractable hardtop is not properly
locked, lock it as described below.Problems when operating the retract-
able hardtop
Unlocked status noticed when stopped

Switch on the ignition.

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward.
!If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks slowly, a mal-
function has occurred in the system.
If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks rapidly, the trunk
lid and/or the luggage cover may be
open, and need to be closed.Warning!
G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.
Warning!
G
The retractable hardtop is not fully closed
and locked:

if the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch remains lit (key in steer-
ing lock position2).


if the indicator lamp blinks, and a warn-
ing sounds for 10 seconds when start-
ing to drive.

134 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopUnlocked status noticed while driving
Stop the vehicle.

Leave the ignition switched on

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward.
Wind screen
Installing
1Storage bag
2Pin
3Snap button
4Coat hook

Remove wind screen from its storage
bag1 and unfold.
The storage bag is located on the wall
behind the seat backrests.

Attach straps to pins2.

Close snap buttons3.

Pull wind screen on molding over roll
bars.
Warning!
G
Stop the vehicle and lock the retractable
hardtop before continuing to drive. You
could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
Warning!
G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s
vision to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent
a possible accident when visibility is limited
(e. g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.iYou can hang clothing on coat hooks4
between the seat backrests.

135 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Removing
Pull wind screen on molding back over
roll bars.

Open snap buttons3.

Loosen straps from pins2.

Fold wind screen and put it back into
storage bag1.iPull on snap button head to open the
snap button.

136 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed
The BAS, ABS and ESP driving systems are
described in the “Safety and Security” sec-
tion (page 66).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set any speed
over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 18).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.