Page 3 of 464
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
Page 23 of 464
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
Page 53 of 464
53 Getting started
Driving
The combination switch resets auto-
matically after major directional chang-
es.
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipersSwitching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed
iTo signal minor directional changes,
press combination switch only to point
of resistance and release. The corre-
sponding turn signals will flash three
times.
iVehicles without rain sensor:
When the vehicle is standing still, the
wiper speed returns to the next lower
setting.
Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Intermittent wiping interval is depen-
dent on wetness of windshield. After
the initial wipe, pauses between wipes
are automatically controlled by the rain
sensor.
Page 54 of 464
54 Getting startedDriving
Intermittent wiping
Set combination switch to positionI.Single wipe
Press combination switch briefly in di-
rection of arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push combination switch in direction of
arrow2 past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 295).
!The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass and/or damage the wiper blades
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield.
Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
the presence of water sprayed on the
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when
the vehicle is at a standstill and a door
is opened.
Intermittent wiping will be continued
when
all doors are closed
the clutch pedal is depressed (vehi-
cles with manual transmission)
the gear selector lever is in
positionDorR (vehicles with auto-
matic transmission*)
Page 55 of 464
55 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires
An ignition cable may be damaged.
The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.
Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.
Give very little gas.
Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature is above
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.
Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 293).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:
Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.
Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the
Major assemblies
Fuel system
Engine mount
Start the engine in the usual manner.
!If anything blocks the windshield wip-
ers (leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch
before attempting to remove any
blockage.
Remove blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function
at all with combination switch in
positionI,
set combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed
have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
Page 167 of 464
167 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Good visibility
For information on the windshield wipers,
see (
page 53).
Headlamp cleaning system*
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp cleaning switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
Briefly press headlamp cleaning
switch1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system*”
(
page 295).
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 42).
Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare night
position by moving the lever towards
the windshield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed.
iThe headlamps will automatically be
cleaned when you have
switched on the headlamps
and
operated the windshield wipers
with windshield washer fluid
15 times
When you switch off ignition, the
counter resets.
Page 181 of 464
181 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press air condition on/off switch°
again (
page 175).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch° goes out.
The residual heat switches off
automatically
when you switch on ignition
(page 35)
after about 30 minutes
if the battery voltage drops
Defrosting
Windows fogged up on the inside
Press defrosting switchP
(page 175).
The indicator lamp on defrosting
switchP comes on.
The temperature rises and the ventila-
tion operates with maximum blower
speed.
Press defrosting switchP again.
The indicator lamp on defrosting
switchP goes out.
The previous climate control settings
will be activated again.Windshield fogged up on the outside
Switch on the windshield wipers
(page 53).
Turn air distribution control3 to
positionaorY (
page 176).
Page 190 of 464
190 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Windshield fogged up on the outside
Press automatic mode switchU.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
mode switchU comes on.
Close cockpit air vent4
(page 182).
Switch on the windshield wipers
(page 53).Switching off the automatic climate
control system
Switching off
Press automatic climate control on/off
switch´.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
climate control on/off switch´
comes on.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
mode switchU goes out.
Displaye goes out.Switching on
Press automatic mode switchU.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
mode switchU comes on.
Displaye comes on.
iWith automatic mode selected, the
automatic climate control system
prevents windows from fogging up.
iThis setting is only recommended when
the retractable hardtop is open.
!With the climate control system
switched off, the air flow and the air cir-
culation are deactivated.
Only choose this setting temporarily to
prevent the windows from fogging up.
