Contents
Driving tips ................................... 162
Automatic shift program .............. 163
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 164
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting ................. 165
Manual shift program
SLK 55 AMG................................. 169
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 172
Good visibility .................................... 173
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 173
Rear view mirrors ......................... 173
Sun visors .................................... 176
Rear window defroster ................. 177
Climate control .................................. 178
Switching climate control
system on/off .............................. 181
Setting the temperature ............... 181
Adjusting air distribution .............. 182
Adjusting air volume .................... 183
Basic settings............................... 183
Defrosting windshield .................. 184
Air recirculation mode.................. 185
Air conditioning ............................ 187
Residual engine heat utilization.... 188Automatic climate control* ................ 190
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 194
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 194
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 196
Adjusting air volume ..................... 197
Defrosting windshield ................... 197
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 199
Air recirculation mode .................. 199
Air conditioning............................. 200
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 202
Audio system ...................................... 203
Audio and telephone*, operation .. 203
Operating safety ........................... 203
Operating and display elements.... 204
Button and soft key operation....... 206
Operation ...................................... 206
Radio operation ............................ 209
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 214
CD mode ....................................... 219
GSM network phones ................... 229
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 236
Emergency calls “911”.................. 243Power windows .................................. 246
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 246
Synchronizing power windows ...... 251
Retractable hardtop ........................... 252
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop....................... 252
Wind screen .................................. 259
Driving systems .................................. 260
Cruise control ............................... 260
Loading .............................................. 265
Roof rack ...................................... 265
Useful features ................................... 266
Storage compartments ................. 266
Shelf behind roll bars .................... 268
Cup holder .................................... 268
Ashtray ......................................... 269
Cigarette lighter ............................ 270
Power outlet ................................. 271
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 271
Telephone* ................................... 272
Tele Aid ......................................... 273
Garage door opener* .................... 281
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only) . 288
ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 449
Capacities .................................... 449
Engine oils .................................... 451
Engine oil additives ...................... 451
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 451
Brake fluid .................................... 451
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 452
Fuel requirements ........................ 452
Gasoline additives ........................ 453
Coolants ....................................... 453
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system* ......... 456
Technical terms............................... 457Index................................................. 465
11 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its au-
thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix
one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the pe-
riod of 18 months from original delivery of
the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approx. 29 000 km) on the
odometer of the vehicle, whichever occurs
first, a reasonable number of repair at-
tempts is presumed for a retail buyer or
lessee if one or more of the following
occurs:(1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days.
Written notification should be sent to us,
not a dealer, at Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC,
Customer Assistance Center,
One Mercedes Drive, Montvale,
NJ 07645-0350.
50 Getting startedDriving
Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time.
Do not fasten a seat belt around a per-
son and another object at the same
time.
When using a seat belt to secure infant
or toddler restraints or children in
booster seats, always follow the child
seat manufacturer’s instructions.
Check your seat belt during travel to
make sure it is properly positioned.
Make sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
Starting the engine
Warning!
G
Do not pass belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the belts.
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may
severely weaken them. In a crash, they may
not be able to provide adequate protection.
Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open.
180 Controls in detailClimate controlThe 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 A/Cmode is deactivated
(
page 179).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature).
This may cause burns or frostbite to unpro-
tected skin in the immediate area of the air
vents. Always keep sufficient distance be-
tween unprotected parts of the body and the
air vents. If necessary, use the air distribu-
tion controls (
page 179) to direct the air
to air vents in the vehicle interior that are
not in the immediate area of unprotected
skin.
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.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the fil-
ter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air vol-
ume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off. The cli-
mate control will then adjust the interi-
or temperature to the set value much
faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
When the retractable hardtop is closed,
do not obstruct air flow by placing ob-
jects on the air flow-through exhaust
slots below the rear window.
184 Controls in detailClimate controlHeating (summer)
Turn air temperature
control1and4 (
page 179) to the
desired position.
Turn air volume control2
(page 179) to level1 or higher.
Turn air distribution control3
(page 179) to positiona.
Open the center and side air vents.
Defrosting windshield
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up.
You can also defog the side windows.Activating
Press buttonP (
page 179).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches
automatically to the following func-
tions:
cooling on to dehumidify
maximum blowing and heating
power
air flows onto the windshield
and the front side windows
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are
clear again.
185 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press buttonP (
page 179) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 56).
Turn air distribution control3 to
positionaorY (
page 179).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the interior.
iThe cooling remains switched on.
Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 187) is activated, or
press buttonP.
186 Controls in detailClimate controlActivating
Briefly press button,
(page 179).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating
Press button, (
page 179) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
The indicator lamp on button, is
not lit when the air recirculation mode
is automatically switched on.
A quantity of outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.
Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows if there is
the possibility of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure.
In the event that the closing procedure caus-
es potential danger, the closing of the door
windows can be immediately halted by re-
leasing the, button or by pressing the
respective power window switch.
The closing of the rear side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the
,button.iIf you press button, and keep it
pressed, the side windows will close.
The closing of the side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing
button,.
iThe air recirculation mode is deactivat-
ed automatically:
after 5 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is below approximately
41°F (5°C)
after 5 minutes if the air condition-
ing is turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is above approximately
41°F (5°C)
iIf you press button, and keep it
pressed, the side windows will open.
The opening of the side windows can
be immediately halted by releasing
button,.