2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS air conditioning

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

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 422
Capacities .................................... 422
Engine oils .................................... 424
Engine oil additives ...................... 424
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 424
Brake fluid .................................... 424
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 425
Fuel requirements ........................ 425
Gasoline additives ........................ 425
Coolants ....................................... 426
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 429
Technical terms............................... 431Index................................................. 439

173 Controls in detail
Climate control
The climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the interior through the air distribution
system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ±mode is selected
(page 175).
Item
1
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable left-side air vent
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Left center air vent, fixed
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable left center air
vents
5
Left center air vent, adjustable
6
Right center air vent, adjustable
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable right center air
vents
8
Right center air vent, fixed
9
Right side air vent, adjustable
a
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable right-side air vent
b
Climate control panel
Warning
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents in the footwell can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may cause burn or frost-
bite to unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient
distance between unprotected parts of the
body and the footwell air vents. If necessary
change the air flow using the air distribution
controls to direct the air away from the foot-
well air vents (
page 175).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.

178 Controls in detailClimate control
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Press air condition on/off switch°
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch° comes on.
iIf you press the air recirculation
switch, and keep it pressed
and no side window was operated
manually, the side windows will reopen
to their previous position.
iCondensation may drip from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the vehi-
cle will not be cooled when the weather con-
ditions are warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.

179 Controls in detail
Climate control
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press air condition on/off switch°
again (
page 175).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch° goes out.Maximum cooling

Turn thumbwheels4 and7 upwards
to the first stop (
page 173).
The fixed center air vents3 and8
and the adjustable air vents5 and6
are open.

For draft-free ventilation, move the
sliders for the center air vents5
and6 to the middle position
(page 173).

Turn thumbwheels1 anda for the
adjustable side air2 and9 vents to
the fully open position (
page 172).

Set air distribution control3 to
positiona (
page 176).
The air distribution directs the air
through the center and side air vents.

Set air volume control2 to position5
(page 176).
The ventilation operates with maximum
blower speed.

Turn temperature controls1 and4
completely counterclockwise to their
end stops (
page 175).
The lowest temperature for both sides
is set.
!If the indicator lamp on the air condi-
tion on/off switch° comes on
while driving and you cannot switch on
the air conditioning again by pressing
the air condition on/off switch°,
the air conditioning is losing refriger-
ant.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


183 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
The automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the automatic climate control sys-
tem in either the automatic or manual
mode. The system cools or heats the inte-
rior depending on the selected interior
temperature and the current outside tem-
perature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the interior through the air distribution
system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ±mode is selected
(
page 185).
Item
1
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable left-side air vent
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Left center air vent, fixed
4
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable left center air
vents
5
Left center air vent, adjustable
6
Cockpit air vent
7
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for cockpit air vent
8
Right center air vent, adjustable
9
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable right center air
vents
a
Right center air vent, fixed
b
Right side air vent, adjustable
c
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable right-side air vent
d
Automatic climate control panel
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold (de-
pending on the set temperature). This may
cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin
in the immediate area of the air vents. Al-
ways keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the footwell
air vents. If necessary change the air flow
using the air distribution controls to direct
the air away from the footwell air vents
(page 185).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.

188 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.

Press air condition on/off switch±
(page 185).
The indicator lamp on air condition
on/off switch± comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press air condition on/off switch±
(page 185).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch± goes out.
Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the air conditioning
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.iCondensation may drip from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the indicator lamp on the air condi-
tion on/off switch± comes on
while driving and you cannot switch on
the air conditioning again by pressing
the air condition on/off switch±,
the air conditioning is losing
refrigerant.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

323 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.