2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS key

Contents
Introduction......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle.................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 26
Center console ..................................... 28
Upper part ...................................... 28
Lower part ...................................... 29
Overhead control panel ........................ 30
Door control panel................................ 31
Getting started................................... 33
Unlocking ............................................. 34
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 34
Starter switch positions .................. 35
Adjusting .............................................. 37
Seats .............................................. 37
Steering wheel ................................ 40
Mirrors ............................................ 42
Driving .................................................. 44
Fastening the seat belts ................. 44
Starting the engine ......................... 47
Switching on headlamps ................. 52
Turn signals .................................... 52
Windshield wipers ........................... 53
Problems while driving.................... 55
Parking and locking .............................. 56
Parking brake ................................. 56
Switching off headlamps................. 57
Turning off engine ........................... 58

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

34 Getting startedThe “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 89) will provide you
with further information. The correspond-
ing page references are located at the end
of each segment.
Unlocking
Unlocking with the SmartKey SmartKey with remote control1‹Lock button
2ŠUnlock button for trunk lid
3ŒUnlock button
4ÂPanic button (
page 78)

Press unlock buttonΠon the
SmartKey.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.

Get in the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 90).
iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up position when
the door is closed.iWithout the antenna on the left rear
side of the vehicle installed, the
SmartKey signaling range is consider-
ably reduced. Hold the SmartKey in
close proximity towards the antenna
base when locking or unlocking the
vehicle.

35 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positions SmartKey
Starter switch0For removing the SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch. If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position.
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to see
“Lamps in instrument cluster”
(
page 342).
3Starting position
Warning!
G
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.

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.

37 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.
For more information on seats, see “Seats”
(page 99).Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.iThe memory function* (
page 103)
lets you store the setting for power
seats*, steering wheel adjustment
(electrical)*, and exterior rear view mir-
rors.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer
is in a nearly upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body. Your seat
must be adjusted so that you can correctly
fasten your seat belt (
page 44).
Never place hands under the seat or near
moving parts while the seat is being
adjusted.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the power seats* can be op-
erated when the respective door is open.
Therefore, 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.