Page 63 of 304

63 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
The
7
indicator lamp located in the 
center console will be illuminated, except 
with the key removed or in the steering 
lock position0.Self-test BabySmart
TM
 without special 
child seat installed
After turning the key in the steering lock to 
position1 or2, the
7
indicator lamp 
located in the center console lights up for 
approx. 6 seconds and then goes out.
If the indicator lamp should not come on or 
is continuously lit, the system is not func-
tioning. You must see an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center before seating any 
child on the passenger seat.
More information can be found in the 
“Practical hints” section (page 205).
iThe system does not deactivate the 
side impact airbag and the emergency 
tensioning device.
Warning!
G
The BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation sys-
tem will ONLY work with a special child seat 
designed to operate with it. It will not work 
with child seats which are not BabySmart
TM 
compatible.
Never place anything between seat cushion 
and child seat (e.g. pillow), since it reduces 
the effectiveness of the deactivation sys-
tem. The bottom of the child seat must 
make full contact with the passenger seat 
cushion. An incorrectly mounted child seat 
could cause injuries to the child in case of an 
accident, instead of protecting the child.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for 
installation of special child seats. 
     
        
        Page 73 of 304
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 
     
        
        Page 81 of 304

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. 
     
        
        Page 82 of 304
82 Controls in detailSeatsHead restraints Removing head restraint
1Lock button
Open the retractable hardtop 
(page 129).
Pull head restraint to its highest 
position.
Press lock button1 and pull out head 
restraint.Installing head restraint
Insert head restraint and push it down 
until it engages.
Adjust head restraint to desired posi-
tion (
page 32) or (
page 33).
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.iSLK 32 AMG has integrated, 
non-removable head restraints.
!Be sure to install the head restraint so 
that it is facing in the right direction. 
Otherwise you could damage the 
mounting. 
     
        
        Page 141 of 304

141 Controls in detail
Useful features
Opening compartment in armrest
Lift lid with handle2.
Closing compartment in armrest
Lower lid until it engages in lock.Parcel net in front passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located 
in the front passenger footwell. It is for 
small and light items, such as road maps, 
mail, etc.Shelf behind roll barsiThe storage compartment in the arm-
rest can be locked with the remote con-
trol (
page 74).
The storage compartment cannot be 
locked with the central locking switch 
(
page 79).
There are additional storage pockets 
behind the seats and in the door 
panels.
Warning!
G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown 
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury 
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!
G
The shelf behind the roll bars should not be 
used to carry objects. This will prevent such 
objects from being thrown around and injur-
ing vehicle occupants during an accident or 
sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry ob-
jects. 
     
        
        Page 192 of 304

192 OperationVehicle careHeadliner
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a 
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive 
dirt.
Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with 
chemical cleaning agents. Use only clear, 
lukewarm water and soap. Do not dry the 
webbing at temperatures above 176°F 
(80°C) or in direct sunlight.Upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing 
clothing that have the tendency to give off 
coloring (e.g. when wet, etc.) may cause 
the upholstery to become permanently dis-
colored. By lining the seats with a proper 
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration 
will be prevented.
Leather upholstery
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth 
and dry thoroughly or clean with 
Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care. 
Exercise particular care when cleaning per-
forated leather as its underside should not 
become wet.Cloth upholstery
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a 
dry-shampoo cleaner in case of excessive 
dirt.
Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.Warning!
G
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may 
severely weaken them. In a crash they may 
not be able to provide adequate protection. 
     
        
        Page 279 of 304

279 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up 
during braking so that the vehicle can 
continue to be steered.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering 
pin is an aid used when changing a tire 
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
BabySmart
TM
 airbag deactivation 
system
This system detects if a special system 
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the passenger seat. The sys-
tem will automatically deactivate the 
passenger front airbag when such a 
seat is properly installed (indicator 
lamp
7
 in the center console lights 
up). See your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center for availability.BabySmart
TM
 compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children. 
The sensor system for the passenger 
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM 
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking 
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it 
senses an emergency based on how 
fast the brake is applied.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide 
assistance in the event of a break-
down.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or 
windshield wiping.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and 
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle 
operation and monitoring.
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that 
must be inflated with a provided air 
pump before using. It should only be 
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest 
service station.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed 
set by the driver. 
     
        
        Page 285 of 304

285 Index
A
ABS 22, 66, 279
ABS control 67
Malfunction indicator lamp 196
Warning lamp 196
Accelerator position, automatic 
transmission* 98
Accident
In case of 46
Activating
Air conditioning 107
Air recirculation mode 105
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Climate control 103
ESP 70
Exterior headlamps 43
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Ignition 29
Immobilizer 71
Rear window defroster 105
Residual heat 107
Seat heater* 81
Tow-away alarm 72
Windshield wipers 44Activating automatic central locking 79
Adding
Coolant 176, 177
Engine oil 175
Additional turn signals 221
Adjusting 30
Air distribution 104
Air volume 104
Backrest tilt 32, 33
Exterior rear view mirror 35
Head restraint height 32
Inside rear view mirror 35
Instrument cluster illumination 88
Manual seat 31
Mirrors 35
Seat cushion tilt 33
Seat fore and aft adjustment 31, 33
Seat height 31, 33
Seats 30
Telescoping steering column* 34
Adjusting headlamp aim
Horizontal headlamp aim 227
Vertical headlamp aim 226
Air conditioning 106
Activating 107
Deactivating 106Air conditioning refrigerant 271
Air distribution
Adjusting 104
Air pressure see Tire inflation 
pressure 181
Air recirculation mode 105
Activating 105
Deactivating 105
Air volume
Adjusting 104
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 205
Airbags 53
BabySmart airbag deactivation 
system 279
BabySmart
TM deactivation 
system 62
Children 54
Front 56
Passenger 56
Safety guidelines 55
Side impact 57
Alarm
Audible 65, 71
Canceling 71
Visual 71