Page 17 of 481

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section
(page 433) in this manual
the traffic rules and regulations
the motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modification made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle undercar-
riage or tires/wheels, for example when
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole, may cause serious damage and im-
pair the operating safety or your vehicle. If
you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that dam-
age to your vehicle has occurred, you should
turn on your hazard warning flashers, care-
fully slow down, and drive with caution to an
area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle undercarriage or
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various labels are attached to your vehicle.
These warning labels are intended to make
you and others aware of various risks. You
should not remove any of these warning la-
bels unless explicitly instructed to do so by
information on the label itself. Removal of
any of these labels may cause you and oth-
ers to be unaware of certain risks which may
result in an accident and/or personal injury.
Page 18 of 481
17 Introduction
Problems with your vehicle
Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your vehicle, particularly one that you believe may affect its safe operation, we urge you to
immediately contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center to have the problem diagnosed and corrected if required. If the matter is
not handled to your satisfaction, please discuss the problem with the Mercedes-Benz Center management, or if necessary contact us
at one of the following addresses:
In the USA:
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Page 19 of 481

18 IntroductionReporting safety defectsFor the USA only:
The following text is published as required of manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the
“National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.Reporting safety defects
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer,
or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236 (or 366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or
write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor ve-
hicle safety from the Hotline.
Page 20 of 481

19 Introduction
Vehicle data recording
Vehicle data recording
Information regarding electronicrecording devices
(Including notice pursuant to California Code § 9951)
Please note that your vehicle is equipped with devices that can record vehicle systems data and, if equipped with the Tele Aid system,
may transmit some data in certain accidents.
This information helps, for example, to diagnose vehicle systems after a collision and to continuously improve vehicle safety.
DaimlerChrysler may access the information and share it with others
for safety research or vehicle diagnosis purposes
with the consent of the vehicle owner or lessee
in response to an official request by law enforcement or other government agency
for use in dispute resolution involving DaimlerChrysler, its affiliates or sales/service organization and/or
as otherwise required or permitted by law.
Please check the Tele Aid subscription service agreement for details regarding the information that may be recorded or transmitted
via that system.
Page 21 of 481
Page 22 of 481
21 At a glance
Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Multifunction steering wheel
Center console
Overhead control panel
Door control panel
Page 23 of 481
Page 24 of 481
23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*
165
SLK 55 AMG:
Steering wheel gearshift
control
167
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
124
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24,
120
5
Overhead control panel
30,
117
6
Glove box
266
7
Center console
28, 29
8
Sun sensor for automatic
climate control*
9
Starter switch
36
Item
Page
a
Steering wheel adjustment
handle, manual
42
b
Steering wheel adjustment
lever, electrical*
43
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada
only)
288
c
Headlamp cleaning* switch
173
d
Hood lock release
307
e
Exterior lamp switch
55,
110
f
Combination switch
Turn signals
55
Windshield wipers
56
High beam headlamps
55
g
Power window switches
246
h
Door handle
97
j
Cruise control lever
260