2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS center console

115 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
A full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section (
page 24).
The multifunction display in the instrument
cluster is activated when you


open a door


switch on exterior lighting


switch on ignition (
page 35)


press reset buttonJ or one of the
knobs for the instrument cluster illumi-
nation (
page 24)
For information on changing the instru-
ment cluster settings, e.g. the language,
see “Instrument cluster submenu”
(
page 131).
Instrument cluster illumination
Adjusting
The knobs for adjusting the instrument
cluster illumination are on the left side of
the instrument cluster (
page 24).
Brightening illumination

Press knob+ briefly.
The instrument cluster illumination
brightens.
Dimming illumination

Press knob- briefly.
The instrument cluster illumination
dims.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(page 24) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
iOpening a door or pressing the reset
buttonJwithout switching on the ig-
nition or the exterior lighting activates
the multifunction display illumination
only for 30 seconds.
iWith the exterior lighting switched on,
the brightness of the switches in the
center console will be adjusted simul-
taneously.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine
speeds, as it may result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

158 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
C/S) are
indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 153).

Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the letter of
the desired program mode appears in
the multifunction display.
SelectCfor comfort driving:

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.


Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.


Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
!Never change the program mode when
the gear selector lever is out of
positionP. This could result in a
change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.iThe last selected program
mode (CorS) is switched on when the
engine is restarted.

164 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Manual shift program SLK 55 AMG
In the manual program modeM you can
change the gears manually on the steering
wheel (
page 162) or by using the gear
selector lever (
page 154).The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
1Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The current gear selector lever position
and the selected program mode (
M/C/S)
are indicated in the multifunction display
(
page 153).Activating manual shift program

Press program mode selector
switch1 repeatedly until the
M for
manual program modeM appears in
the multifunction display.
The transmission switches to the
manual program modeM. Automatic
shifting is switched off. The gear range
is not limited.
You can change the gears manually when
the gear selector lever is in positionD. You
can upshift or downshift through the gears
in succession.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

169 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position (parking aid)
Follow these steps to activate the mirror
parking position so that the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror will be
turned downward during parking maneu-
vers to the stored position.
The switches are located on the lower part
of the center console.
1Driver-side exterior rear view mirror
2Adjustment switch
3Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).

Store a parking position for the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror
(page 105).

Switch the
Mirror adjustment Park-
ing aid
function in the
Convenience

submenu of the control system to ON
(
page 144).

Press switch3 for the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror.

Shift into reverse gearR.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror turns downwards to the stored
position.
Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your in-
terior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.

234 Controls in detailPower windowsStopping windows during
Express-operation
Briefly press the respective switch at
the symbolkorj again.Opening and closing the windows with
the retractable hardtop switch
All windows can be opened or closed with
the retractable hardtop switch.
The retractable hardtop switch is located
on the lower part of the center console.
Retractable hardtop switch1Opening all side windows
2Closing all side windows

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
!If the upward movement of the window
is blocked during the closing proce-
dure, the window will stop and open
slightly.
Remove the obstruction, press the re-
spective switch at the symbolj
again past the resistance point and re-
lease.
If the window still does not close when
there is no obstruction, press and hold
the respective switch at the
symbolj. The window will then
close without the obstruction sensor
function.
Warning!
G
Never operate the windows if there is the
possibility of anyone being harmed by the
opening or closing procedure.
In case the procedure causes potential dan-
ger, the procedure can be immediately halt-
ed by releasing the retractable hardtop
switch.
If a door window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the windows using the re-
tractable hardtop switch, the automatic re-
versal function will not operate.


239 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
The switch for opening/closing the retract-
able hardtop is on the lower part of the
center console.Retractable hardtop switch1Opening
2Closing
For operating the power windows with the
retractable hardtop switch (
page 234).Opening

Push and hold the retractable hardtop
switch in direction of arrow1 until the
retractable hardtop is completely low-
ered into the trunk.
The message
Retractable roof open

briefly appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Closing

Push and hold the retractable hardtop
switch in direction of arrow2 until the
retractable hardtop is completely
closed and locked.
The message
Retractable roof
closed
briefly appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
iBefore operating the retractable hard-
top via the retractable hardtop switch,
do the following first:

Engage the parking brake
(page 56).


Close the luggage cover.


Close the trunk lid.


Switch on ignition (
page 35).

254 Controls in detailUseful featuresCigarette lighter
1Cigarette lighter

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).

Push in cigarette lighter1.
Cigarette lighter1 will pop out auto-
matically when hot.

Reinsert cigarette lighter1 in its
socket after use.
Electrical outlet
An electrical outlet1 is located in the
passenger footwell on the side panel of the
center console.
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).

Flip up cover of electrical outlet1 and
insert electrical plug (cigarette lighter
type).
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
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.iThe lighter socket can be used to ac-
commodate electrical accessories up
to a maximum of 85 W.
iThe electrical outlet can be used to ac-
commodate electrical consumers
(e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a
maximum of 180 W.

347 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
75
The passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
comes on (
page 75).
A BabySmart
TM1
child seat is installed on
the passenger seat. Therefore the passen-
ger front air bag is switched off.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
The system is malfunctioning when there
is no BabySmart
TM child seat installed on
the passenger seat.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
The passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
does not come on with
a BabySmart
TM child
seat properly installed
on the passenger seat.
The system is malfunctioning.

Make sure there is nothing between
seat cushion and child seat.

Check installation of the child seat
(page 73).
If the passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp remains out:

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Do not use the BabySmart
TM restraint to
transport children on the front passenger
seat until the system has been repaired.