2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 center console

120 Controls in detailInstrument clusterA 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 36)


press reset buttonJ (
page 24)
For information on changing the instru-
ment cluster settings, e.g. the language,
see “Instrument cluster submenu”
(
page 137).
Instrument cluster illumination
Adjusting
The knobs for adjusting the instrument
cluster illumination are on the left side of
the instrument cluster (
page 24).
1Brightening illumination (knob+)
2Dimming illumination (knob-)
3Reset buttonJ Brightening illumination

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

Press knob- briefly.
The instrument cluster illumination
dims.
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.
iThe instrument cluster illumination
automatically adjusts to the ambient
light.
You can only adjust the brightness of
the instrument cluster illumination
when it is dark outside.iWith the exterior lighting switched on,
the brightness of the switches in the
center console will be adjusted when
using knob+or-.

163 Controls in detail
Automatic 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 158).

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.

169 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Manual shift program SLK 55 AMG
In addition to the automatic shift
programC orS, your vehicle is equipped
with the manual shift programM.
In the manual program modeM,
system-controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off and you need to change the
gears by manually upshifting or downshift-
ing using the steering wheel gearshift but-
tons to the left and right of the steering
wheel (
page 167) or the gear selector
lever.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
!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.

175 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position*
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 36).

Store a parking position* for the pas-
senger-side exterior rear view mirror
(page 108).

Switch the
Mirror adjustment
Parking aid function* in the
Convenience
submenu of the control
system to ON (page 148).

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.The passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror returns to its previously stored driving
position:


10 seconds after you shifted out of re-
verse gearR


immediately once you exceed a vehicle
speed of approximately 6 mph
(10 km/h)


immediately when you press adjust-
ment switch2

248 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 36).
!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.


254 Controls in detailRetractable 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 248).Opening

Push and hold the retractable hardtop
switch in direction of arrow1 until the
retractable hardtop is completely low-
ered into the trunk.
Closing

Push and hold the retractable hardtop
switch in direction of arrow2 until the
retractable hardtop is completely
closed and locked.
iBefore operating the retractable hard-
top via the retractable hardtop switch,
do the following first:

Engage the parking brake
(page 59).


Close the cargo compartment
cover.


Close the trunk lid.


Switch on ignition (
page 36).

271 Controls in detail
Useful features
Power outlet
A power outlet1 is located in the passen-
ger footwell on the side panel of the center
console.
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Flip up cover of power outlet1 and in-
sert electrical plug (cigarette lighter
type).
Floormat (driver’s side only)
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pins2 in
direction of arrow1.

Remove the floormat.Installing

Lay down the floormat.

Press the floormat eyelets4 onto re-
tainer pins5 in direction of arrow3.
iThe power outlet can be used to ac-
commodate 12V DC electrical asses-
sories (e.g. air pump, auxiliary lamps)
up to a maximum of 180 W.

367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Lamp in center consoleProblem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
75
The passenger front air
bag off indicator lamp
comes on and remains
illuminated
(page 77).
A BabySmart
TM child seat is installed on
the passenger seat. Therefore the passen-
ger front air bag is switched off.
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 or
does not remain illumi-
nated 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 75).
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.