2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 heating

81 Controls in detail
Seats
Seats
Information on seat adjustment can be
found in the “Getting started” section
(page 30).
Heated seats*
The seat heater switches are located in the
center console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up.Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1.
One indicator lamp on the switch lights
up.
Switching on rapid seat heating

Press lower switch position2.
Both indicator lamps on the switch light
up.Switching off seat heating

If one indicator lamp is on, press upper
switch position1.

If both indicator lamps are on, press
lower switch position2.
!If one or both of the indicator lamps on
the seat heater switch are blinking,
there is insufficient voltage available
since too many electrical consumers
are turned on. The seat heater switches
off automatically.
The seat heater will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.
iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp re-
mains lit. iThe seat heater will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes.

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

143 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cigarette lighter
1Cigarette lighter
2Cover
Turn key in the steering lock to
position1 or2 (
page 29).

Slide cover2 rearward.

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The cigarette lighter will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock, and lock your
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.iThe cigarette lighter socket can be
used to accommodate electrical acces-
sories up to a maximum 85 W.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

160 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistanceBrakesTo help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.Warning!
G
When the engine is not running, the brake
and steering systems are without power as-
sistance. Under these circumstances, a
much greater effort is necessary to stop or
steer the vehicle.Warning!
G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking ef-
fect. Maintain a safe distance from vehicles
in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Be very careful not to endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Refer to the description of the Brake
Assist System (BAS) (
page 68).
If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument
cluster stays on, the brake fluid level in
the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system
may be the reason for low brake fluid in
the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center im-
mediately.

161 Operation
Driving instructions
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than immediately
parking, so that the air stream will cool
down the brakes faster.Driving off
Apply the brakes to test them briefly after
driving off. Perform this procedure only
when the road is clear of other traffic.
Warm up the engine smoothly. Do not
place full load on the engine until the oper-
ating temperature has been reached.
When starting off on a slippery surface, do
not allow one drive wheel to spin for an ex-
tended period with the ESP switched off.
Doing so may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parking
All checks and service work on the
brake system should be carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the selector lever to positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse
gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the key to steering lock position0.


Take the key and lock vehicle when
leaving.

295 Index
Parking lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 222, 224
Switching on 83
Parts see Spare parts service 256
Passenger compartment 165
Inside rear view mirror 35
Interior lighting 86
Parcel net in front passenger
footwell 141
Passenger safety see Occupant
safety 52
Pedals 159
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 192
Playing
CDs 122
Poly-V-belt drive 281
Layout 259
Power assistance 160
Power seat*
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 33
Adjusting seat height 33
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Power train 281
Power washer 188Power windows 127
Side windows 127
Stopping windows 128
Synchronizing 128
Practical hints
First aid kit 206
Fuses 253
Lamp in center console 205
Lamps in instrument cluster 194
Spare wheel 207
Spare wheel bolts 207
TIREFIT 208, 209
Towing the vehicle 249, 251, 252
Vehicle tool kit 206
Premium unleaded gasoline 272
Problems
While driving 45
With vehicle 15
Product information 7
Program mode selector switch 281
Automatic transmission* 97
R
Radio mode 116
Radio see Radio mode
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 166Rapid seat heating*
Switching on 81
Rear fog lamp 222
Bulb 222
Switching on 84
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 225
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 99
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Cleaning 190
Rear window defroster 105
Activating 105
Deactivating 105
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 246
Refrigerant
Air conditioning 271
Regular checks 170
Reinstalling vehicle battery 246

297 Index
Safety systems
Driving 66
Saving current speed 137
Seat belts 57
Cleaning 192
Fastening 37
Proper use of 39, 59
Safety guidelines 55
Warning lamp 199
Seat heater*
Switching off 81
Switching on 81
Seats 81
Adjusting 30
Heater* 81
Manual 31
Rapid seat heating* 81
Selector lever 21
Lock 41
Position (automatic
transmission*) 21, 93
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 63
Tele Aid* 145
ServiceCalling up the service indicator 186
Major service (Service B) 185
Minor service (Service A) 185
Overdue 186
Spare parts 256
Types 186
When due 185
Service (maintenance) 185
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 257
Service and warranty information 8
Service indicator 185
Calling up 186
Clearing 185, 186
Service life (tires) 181
Service System see FSS 185
Setting
Clock 90
Cruise control 137
Higher speed in cruise control 138
Lower speed in cruise control 138
Slower speed in cruise control 138
Speed in cruise control 138
Temperature (interior) 104
Settings
Factory, Remote control 75Selective 75
Shelf behind roll bar 141
Shift lock 282
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 96
Gearshift lever 91
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission*) 94
Into reverse (manual
transmission) 92
Side impact airbags 57
Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 221, 222, 225
Side windows
Automatic opening 127
Cleaning 190
Closing 127
Opening 127
Opening fully 127
Synchronizing power windows 128
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 45
Single wipe 45
Snow chains 184
Soft keys
Audio system 115

298 IndexSpare fuses 253
Spare parts service 256
Spare wheel 207
Bolts 207
Mounting 238
Speed
Saving current 137
Speed settings
Cruise control 138
Speedometer 21
SRS 59, 282
Indicator lamp 197
Standing lamps 83
Replacing bulbs 221, 222, 224
Standing water
Driving instructions 165
Starting difficulties 41
Starting position 29
Starting the engine 40
Steering column
Height adjustment 34
Length adjustment 34
Steering lock 19, 29
Positions 29
Steering wheel
Adjustment 34Cleaning 191
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 152
Storage compartments 140
Armrest 141
Center console 140
Glove box 139
Sun visors 101
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 282
Switching off
Audio system 115
Engine 48
ESP 70
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 48
Seat heating* 81
Switching on
Audio system 115
ESP 70
Front fog lamps 84
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Rapid seat heating* 81
Rear fog lamp 84Seat heating* 81
Windshield wipers 44
Synchronizing
Power windows 128
Synchronizing the remote control 213
T
Tachometer 21, 89
Displaying gear range 95
Overspeed range 89
Tail lamps
Cleaning 189
Replacing bulbs 222, 225
Tar stains 188
Technical data 271
Brake fluid 271
Coolant 269
Coolants 273
Electrical system 266
Engine 260
Engine oil 271
Engine oil additives 271
Fuel requirements 272
Fuels 269
Gasoline additives 272
Lubricants 269
Main dimensions 267