2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 Lights

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
Trademarks:

ESP
® is a registered trademark of
DaimlerChrysler.


HomeLink
® is a registered trademark
of Prince, a Johnson Controls
Company.


BabySmart
TM is a trademark of
Siemens Automotive Corp.


SIRIUS and related marks are trade-
marks of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your
vehicle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term
definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

61 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off engine 
Manual transmission: Move the gear-
shift lever into first or reverse gear.

Automatic transmission*: Place the
gear selector lever in positionP.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
The immobilizer is activated.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 49).

Guide the latch plate to allow the re-
tractor to completely rewind the seat
belt.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting into first or reverse gear
(automatic transmission*: gear selec-
tor lever in positionP).
On slopes, turn the front wheels to-
wards the road curb.
iVehicles with automatic transmission*:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!Make sure the seat belt retracts fully so
that the seat belt and/or latch plate
cannot get caught or pinched in the
door or in the seat mechanism. This
can damage the seat belt and impair
the effectiveness of the seat belt,
and/or cause damage to the door
and/or door trim panel. Such damage
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.iWith the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds if the parking
lamps or low beam headlamps are
switched on (
page 110).
The message Turn off lights
appears
in the multifunction display.

111 Controls in detail
Lighting
Manual headlamp mode
The low beam headlamps and the parking
lamps can be switched on and off with the
exterior lamp switch.
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off au-
tomatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:

Low beam headlamps


Tail and parking lamps


License plate lamps


Side marker lamps

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU.
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position1 only the parking lamps will
switch on and off automatically.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off automatically.
iWith the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch and the driver’s door
open, a warning sounds if the parking
lamps or low beam headlamps are
switched on.
The message
Turn off lights
appears
in the multifunction display.
Warning!
G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU

the headlamps may switch off unexpect-
edly when the system senses bright am-
bient light, for example light from
oncoming traffic.


the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, acti-
vate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch toB when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from positionUtoB with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromUtoB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle's lights at all
times.

162 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:

Leave the transmission in gear.

Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop longer with the engine
idling and/or on a hill:

Set the parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.
Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:

Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.

Accelerate gently.

Never abruptly step on the accelerator.Working on the vehicle
Warning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could
roll away.

224 Controls in detailAudio system
Briefly press button2 for the empty
magazine slot that you would like to
use.
The light-emitting diode in the maga-
zine slot button flashes in green. INSERT CD
appears in the display along
with the slot number.
The flashing light indicates that the CD
changer is ready to receive a CD.

Insert an audio CD into CD loading
slot1 within 5 seconds, label side up.
The CD is pulled in and played.

Close the glove box.
Loading several CDs

Open the glove box.

Press button2 of an empty magazine
slot for more than 2 seconds.
The light-emitting diodes in all the mag-
azine slot buttons light up several
times in green, and
ALL LOAD
appears
in the display.

Wait until the light-emitting diode for
the first magazine slot flashes in green.
The flashing light indicates that the CD
changer is ready to receive a CD.

Insert an audio CD into CD loading
slot1 within 5 seconds, label side up.
The CD is pulled in and the light-emit-
ting diode in the magazine slot button
lights up in red. The magazine slot is
loaded.
The light-emitting diode in the next
available magazine slot button flashes
in green. The CD changer is ready to re-
ceive the next CD.

Repeat the previous step until all six
magazine slots are loaded.
Once all magazine slots are loaded, the
CD in the sixth magazine slot is played.

Close the glove box.iIf, for example, you only want to load
magazine slots 1 - 4 instead of all six,
simply do not insert a fifth CD into the
CD loading slot. The CD changer will
first try to load a CD but will then can-
cel the procedure, after which the radio
will play the fourth CD.


386 Practical hintsWhat to do if ….
Turn off
lights
You have forgotten to switch off the
headlamps when exiting the vehicle
and no SmartKey is in the starter
switch.

Switch off the headlamps.
Turn signal in
mirror, left
T h e l e f t t u r n s i g n a l i n t h e s i d e m i r r o r
is malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if a critical number of
LEDs have stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn signal in
mirror, right
The right turn signal in the side mir-
ror is malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if a critical number
of LEDs have stopped working.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn signal
,
front left
The left front turn signal is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal
,
front right
The right front turn signal is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Rear left turn signal
Back-up lamp on
The left rear turn signal is malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb has been
brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Rear right turn signal
Back-up lamp on
The right rear turn signal is malfunc-
tioning. A backup bulb has been
brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution

400 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsSafe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp ad-
justment.
iIf the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity,
driving the vehicle a short distance with
the lights on should clear up the
fogging.
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when lamps malfunction. Observe the
messages in the multifunction display
(page 382).

402 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement

Only use 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:


Additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors


Bi-Xenon* lamps


Front fog lamps


High mounted brake lamp


Brake lamps


Front and rear side marker lamps


Parking/standing lamps in the tail
lamp assemblies
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas.
A bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot


drop the bulb


scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.