ContentsSafety and Security........................... 61
Occupant safety................................... 62
Air bags .......................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 69
Children in the vehicle.................... 73
Panic alarm .......................................... 78
Activating ....................................... 78
Deactivating ................................... 78
Driving safety systems ......................... 80
ABS ................................................ 80
BAS ................................................ 81
ESP................................................. 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 85
Immobilizer..................................... 85
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 85
Tow-away alarm ............................. 86
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
Opening the doors from the inside . 94
Opening the trunk .......................... 95
Closing the trunk............................ 95
Trunk lid emergency release.......... 96
Automatic central locking .............. 97
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 97
Seats ................................................... 99
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 99
Seat heating* ............................... 101
AIRSCARF neck-level heating* ..... 102
Memory function* ............................. 103
Storing positions into memory ..... 104
Recalling positions from memory . 104
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position (parking aid)....... 105
Lighting.............................................. 106
Exterior lamp switch..................... 106
Combination switch ..................... 110Cornering fog lamps* (SLK 350
with Bi-Xenon* headlamps and
without Sport Package*).............. 111
Hazard warning flasher ................ 112
Interior lighting ............................ 113
Door entry lamps ......................... 114
Instrument cluster ............................. 115
Instrument cluster illumination .... 115
Tachometer.................................. 115
Outside temperature indicator ..... 116
Trip odometer .............................. 116
Clock............................................ 116
Control system .................................. 117
Multifunction display.................... 117
Multifunction steering wheel........ 118
Menus .......................................... 120
Standard display menu ................ 122
AUDIO menu ................................ 123
NAV* menu .................................. 126
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 126
Settings menu.............................. 127
Trip computer menu..................... 144
TEL menu* ................................... 146
Manual transmission ......................... 150
Shifting into reverse ..................... 151
Contents
Automatic transmission* ................... 152
One-touch gearshifting................. 154
Gear ranges ................................. 155
Gear selector lever position ......... 156
Automatic shift program .............. 158
Driving tips ................................... 159
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 160
Manual shift program
SLK 55 AMG................................. 164
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 166
Good visibility .................................... 167
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 167
Rear view mirrors ......................... 167
Sun visors .................................... 170
Rear window defroster ................. 171
Climate control .................................. 172
Switching climate control on/off . 175
Setting the temperature ............... 175
Adjusting air distribution .............. 176
Adjusting air volume .................... 176
Air recirculation mode .................. 176
Air conditioning ............................ 178
Residual engine heat utilization.... 180
Defrosting .................................... 181Automatic climate control* ................ 182
Automatic mode (basic setting) .... 185
Setting the temperature................ 185
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Adjusting air distribution............... 186
Air recirculation mode .................. 186
Air conditioning............................. 188
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 189
Defrosting ..................................... 189
Switching off the automatic
climate control system ................. 190
Audio system...................................... 191
Audio and telephone, operation .... 191
Operating safety ........................... 191
Operating and display elements.... 192
Button and soft key operation....... 194
Operation ...................................... 194
Radio operation ............................ 197
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 202
CD mode ....................................... 207
GSM network phones ................... 216
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 223
Emergency calls “911”.................. 229Power windows .................................. 232
Opening and closing the windows 232
Synchronizing power windows ...... 236
Retractable hardtop ........................... 237
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 237
Wind screen .................................. 243
Driving systems .................................. 244
Cruise control ............................... 244
Loading .............................................. 249
Roof rack ...................................... 249
Useful features ................................... 250
Storage compartments ................. 250
Shelf behind roll bars .................... 252
Cup holder .................................... 252
Ashtray ......................................... 253
Cigarette lighter............................ 254
Electrical outlet............................. 254
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 255
Telephone* ................................... 256
Tele Aid* ....................................... 257
Garage door opener* .................... 264
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 350, Canada only) ................ 270
Contents
Practical hints................................. 341
What to do if … .................................. 342
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 342
Lamp in center console ................ 347
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 348
Where will I find...? ............................ 369
First aid kit ................................... 369
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack......... 369
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 371
Spare wheel bolts ........................ 373
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 374
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 374
Locking the vehicle ...................... 375
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ........... 376
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 377
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ...................................... 377
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 378
SmartKey ..................................... 379Replacing bulbs .................................. 380
Bulbs ............................................. 380
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 382
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 384
Replacing wiper blades....................... 386
Removing wiper blades ................. 386
Installing wiper blades .................. 387
Flat tire ............................................... 388
Preparing the vehicle .................... 388
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 388
Battery................................................ 396
Disconnecting the battery............. 397
Removing the battery.................... 397
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 397
Reconnecting the battery.............. 398
Jump starting ...................................... 399
Towing the vehicle .............................. 401
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 403
Fuses .................................................. 404
Aids for changing fuses................. 404
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 405
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 406
Technical data.................................. 407
Parts service ...................................... 408
Warranty coverage ............................. 409
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 409
Identification labels ............................ 410
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 411
SLK 350 ........................................ 411
SLK 55 AMG ................................. 411
Engine ................................................ 412
Rims and tires .................................... 413
Same size tires ............................. 414
Mixed size tires ............................. 416
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 418
Electrical system ................................ 419
Main Dimensions................................ 420
Weights .............................................. 421
23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*
161
SLK 55 AMG:
Steering wheel gearshift
control (Speedshift)
162
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
118
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24,
115
5
Overhead control panel
30,
113
6
Glove box
250
7
Center console
28, 29
8
Starter switch
35
9
Steering wheel adjustment
handle, manual
41
a
Steering wheel adjustment
lever, electrical*
41
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 350, Canada only)
270
b
Headlamp cleaning*
switch
167
c
Hood lock release
287
d
Exterior lamp switch
52,
106
e
Combination switch
Turn signals
52
Windshield wipers
53
High beam headlamps
52
f
Power window switches
232
g
Door handle
94
h
Cruise control lever
244
Item
Page
25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Multifunction display
with:Main odometer
122
Trip odometer
116
Automatic transmission*:
Gear range indicator
48,
153
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode
158,
164
Outside temperature indi-
cator (or actual speed
when selected)
132
2
Tachometer with:?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
344
±
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
344
Item
Page
<
Seat belt telltale
69,
346
A
High beam head-
lamp indicator lamp
52,
110
3
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
345
4
Fuel filler cap loca-
tion indicator: The
fuel filler cap is on
the rear right-hand
side.
284
4
Clock
116
5
Speedometer with:1
Supplemental Re-
straint System
(SRS) indicator
lamp
62,
346
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp
80,
342
Item
Page
L
Left turn signal indi-
cator lamp
K
Right turn signal in-
dicator lamp
52
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
82,
345
;
Brake warning
lamp, USA only
56,
343
3
Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
343
6
Reset button
115
7
Knobs for instrument
cluster illumination
115
29 At a glance
Center console
Lower part
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Gear selector lever
152
Manual transmission:
Gearshift lever
150
2
Retractable hardtop open-
ing/closing switch
237
3
Tow-away alarm
deactivation switch
87
4
Parking brake lever
49
5
Storage compartment
Telephone* compartment
250
Item
Page
6
Passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror switch
43,
167
7
Driver’s side exterior rear
view mirror switch
43,
167
8
Exterior rear view mirrors
adjustment switch
43,
167
9
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode selector
switch
158,
164
36 Getting startedUnlocking
For information on starting the engine, see
(page 47).
iWhen you switch on ignition, the indi-
cator and warning lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come
on. This indicates that the respective
system is operational. The indicator
and warning lamps (except high beam
headlamp indicator lamp and turn sig-
nal indicator lamps if activated) should
go out when the engine is running.iVehicles with automatic transmission*:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may
not be sufficiently charged.
Check the vehicle battery and
charge it if necessary (
page 396).
Get a jump start (
page 399).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery
discharge or a completely discharged
vehicle battery, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch when
the engine is not in operation.
48 Getting startedDrivingManual transmissionGearshift pattern for manual transmissionFor more information, see “Manual trans-
mission” (
page 150).Starting
Depress brake pedal.
Make sure the gearshift lever is in neu-
tral position (no gear selected).
Fully depress the clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be start-
ed due to the integrated safety inter-
lock.
Do not depress accelerator.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 (
page 35) and hold until
the engine starts.
For information on turning off the engine,
see “Turning off engine” (
page 58).Automatic transmission*
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral position
DDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission*” (
page 152).