2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS heating

82 Controls in detailSeatsHeated seats*
Both switches are located in the center
console.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Make sure the ignition is switched on.
All the lights in the instrument cluster
come on.Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
lights up.
Switching off seat heating

Press upper switch position1 again.
Switching on rapid seat heating

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

Press lower switch position2 again.
iThe seat heater will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes.iThe system switches over to normal
heating mode after approximately five
minutes. Only one indicator lamp re-
mains lit.
!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.

104 Controls in detailClimate control
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls5 (
page 103)
to separately adjust the air temperature on
each side of the passenger compartment.
You should raise or lower the temperature
setting in small increments, preferably
starting at 72°F (22°C).Increasing

Turn the temperature control5
slightly upwards.
A red marking will be visible and the
climate control system will correspond-
ingly adjust the interior air tempera-
ture.
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.
iIf you use the standard settings for
heating or cooling the passenger com-
partment (
page 102), you will rarely
need to change the temperature, air
volume or air distribution.

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.

162 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
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.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 67).
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 checked imme-
diately. Contact your authorized Mer-
cedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the
brake system should be carried out by
qualified technicians only. Contact
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Cen-
ter.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.

163 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 a 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
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.

304 Index
Adjusting seat height 33
Seat fore and aft adjustment 33
Power train 289
Power washer 193
Power windows 128
Side windows 128
Stopping windows 128
Synchronizing 129
Practical hints
First aid kit 212
Fuses 260
Lamp in center console 211
Lamps in instrument cluster 200
Spare wheel bolts 213
TIREFIT 214, 215
Towing the vehicle 256, 258, 259
Vehicle tool kit 212
Premium unleaded gasoline 280
Problems
While driving 45
With vehicle 15
Product information 7
Program mode selector switch 289
Automatic transmission 97R
Radio mode 116
Radio see Radio mode
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 168
Rapid seat heating*
Switching on 82
Rear fog lamp 227
Bulb 227
Switching on 84
Rear lamp bulbs
Replacing 230
Rear view mirror automatic antiglare 99
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window
Cleaning 195
Rear window defroster 101
Activating 101
Deactivating 101
Reconnecting
Vehicle battery 252Refrigerant
Air conditioning 279
Refueling 171
Regular checks 172
Reinstalling vehicle battery 252
Remote control
Battery check lamp 75
Changing batteries 218
Checking the batteries 76
Global locking 75
Key 74
Restoring to factory setting 75
Selective setting 75
Unlocking with 28
Remote control with folding key
Locking and unlocking 74
Remote control, key
Factory setting 75
Global unlocking 75
Remote door unlock
With Tele Aid 151
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 289

306 Index
Rapid seat heating* 82
Selector lever 21
Lock 41
Position (automatic transmission) 93
Position (automatic
transmission*) 21
Self-test
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 63
Tele Aid* 145
Service
Calling up the service indicator 191
Major service (Service B) 190
Minor service (Service A) 190
Overdue 191
Spare parts 264
Types 191
When due 190
Service (maintenance) 190
Service and Warranty Booklet
Loss of 265
Service and warranty information 8
Service indicator 190
Calling up 191
Clearing 190, 191Service life (tires) 186
Service System see FSS 190
Setting
Clock 91
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 75
Selective 75
Shelf behind roll bar 141
Shift lock 290
Shifting
Gear selector lever positions 95
Into optimal gear range (automatic
transmission) 94
Into reverse (manual
transmission) 92
Side impact airbags 57Side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs 226, 227, 230
Side windows
Automatic opening 128
Cleaning 195
Closing 128
Opening 128
Opening fully 128
Synchronizing power windows 129
Simultaneous wiping and washing
Windshield wipers 45
Single wipe 45
Snow chains 189
Soft keys
Audio system 115
Spare fuses 260
Spare parts service 264
Spare wheel
Bolts 213
Mounting 244

307 Index
Speed
Saving current 137
Speed settings
Cruise control 138
Speedometer 21
SRS 59, 290
Indicator lamp 203
Standing lamps 83
Replacing bulbs 226, 227, 229
Standing water
Driving instructions 168
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 34
Cleaning 196
Stolen vehicle
Tracking services 152
Storage compartments 140
Armrest 141Center console 140
Glove box 139
Sun visors 100
Supplemental Restraint System
(SRS) 290
Switching off
Audio system 115
Engine 48
ESP 69
Hazard warning flasher 86
Headlamps 48
Seat heating* 82
Switching on
Audio system 115
ESP 70
Front fog lamps 84Hazard warning flasher 86
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Rapid seat heating* 82
Rear fog lamp 84
Seat heating* 82
Windshield wipers 44
Synchronizing
ESP 202
Power windows 129
Synchronizing the remote control 219
T
Tachometer 21, 90
Displaying gear range 95
Overspeed range 90
Tail lamps
Cleaning 194
Replacing bulbs 227, 230
Tar stains 193
Technical data 279