252 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopOpening and closing the retractable hardtop
For safety reasons, the retractable hardtop
can only be opened and closed when the
vehicle is standing still.Warning!
G
Before operating the switch for the retract-
able hardtop, make sure no persons are in-
jured by the moving parts (retractable
hardtop, roof frame, and trunk lid).
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, retractable
hardtop, shelf behind roll bars, or trunk lid
while the retractable hardtop is being raised
or lowered. Serious personal injury may
occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
tractable hardtop switch. This immediately
interrupts the raising or lowering procedure.
You can then operate the retractable hard-
top switch to raise or lower the retractable
hardtop away from the danger zone.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.!Never sit or place heavy objects on the
rear shelf. Doing so could cause dam-
age to the retractable hardtop and the
rear shelf.
!When opening and closing the retract-
able hardtop, make sure
there is sufficient clearance for the
retractable hardtop to move up and
the trunk lid to move back
the cargo compartment cover is
extended and closed
the trunk is only loaded to the
height of the cargo compartment
cover
the luggage/cargo does not push
the closed cargo compartment
cover up
the trunk lid is closed
no roof luggage carrier is installed
the outside temperature is above
+5°F (-15°C)
Otherwise the roof and other parts of
the vehicle could be damaged.
270 Controls in detailUseful featuresCigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).1Cigarette lighter
Push in cigarette lighter1.
Cigarette lighter1 will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Reinsert cigarette lighter1 in its
socket after use.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
!The lighter socket can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical ac-
cessories (up to a maximum of 85 W)
designed for use with the standard
“cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep in
mind, however, that connecting acces-
sories to the lighter socket (for exam-
ple extensive connecting and
disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter
socket. With the socket damaged, the
lighter may no longer be able to be
placed in the heating (pushed-in) posi-
tion, or the lighter may pop out too ear-
ly with the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette
lighter socket, we recommend con-
necting 12V DC electrical assessories
designed for use with the standard
“cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12V
power outlets (
page 271) in your ve-
hicle whenever possible.
353 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
undercarriage and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:
Air pollution
Road salt
Tar
Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:
Grease and oil
Fuel
Coolant
Brake fluid
Bird droppings
Insects
Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:
near the ocean
in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)
during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.
398 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteriesIf the batteries in the SmartKey are dis-
charged, the vehicle can no longer be
locked or unlocked. It is recommended to
have the batteries replaced at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen inserting the batteries, make
sure they are clean and free of lint.
When replacing batteries, always re-
place both batteries.
The required replacement batteries are
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.
457 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 344)
Air pressure
(page 344)
AIRSCARF neck-level heating*
AIRSCARF neck-level heating provides
the surrounding area of the occupants’
necks with a heated air stream flowing
from openings in the head restraints.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The centering
pin is an aid used when changing a tire
to align the wheel with the wheel hub.
Aspect ratio
(page 344)BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special
system-compatible child restraint seat
is installed on the passenger seat.
The system will automatically
deactivate the passenger front air bag
when such a seat is properly installed
(the 75indicator lamp
located in the center console comes on
and remains illuminated).
BabySmartTM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front air bag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Bar
(
page 344)BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 344)
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
465 Index
A
ABS 82, 457
Display message 370
Indicator lamp 362
Accessory weight 344
Accident 58
Adjusting (Getting started) 38
Air bags 65
BabySmart
TM
77, 457
Children 66
Front 70
Head-thorax 71, 459
Kneebag 70
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78
Safety guidelines 68
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control* 200
Climate control 187
Air conditioning refrigerant 451
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating*
(Seats) 105, 457
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 388,
415, 457Anticorrosion/antifreeze 454
Antilock brake system see ABS
Anti-theft systems 87
Alarm system 87
Immobilizer 87
Tow-away alarm 88
Ashtray 269
Aspect ratio 344
AUDIO menu (Control system) 129
Audio system 203
Audio and telephone*, operation 203
CD changer* 223
CD operation 219
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) 214
MP3 220
Operating and display elements 204
Auto-dimming* for rear view mirrors 174
Automatic climate control*
Air conditioning 200
Automatic mode, basic setting 194
Control panel 192
Deactivating 194
Overview 190Automatic locking
Control system 147
When driving 101
Automatic shift program* 163
Automatic transmission* 157
Automatic transmission fluid
(ATF) 313
Driving 53
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 172
Fluid level 313
Gear ranges 160
Gear selector lever 157
Gear selector lever (Unlocking
manually) 396
Gear shifting malfunctions 172
Gearshift pattern 51
Kickdown 162
Manual shifting 164
One-touch gearshifting 164
Program mode selector switch 163
466 IndexB
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 457
Compatible child seats 76, 457
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 77
Back-up lamp 401
Bar 344
BAS 83, 457
Battery (SmartKey)
Replacing 398
Battery (Vehicle) 314, 421
Jump starting 424
Bead 344
Bi-Xenon* 457
Headlamps 401
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brakes 294
Brake fluid 306, 451
Display message 375
SLK 55 AMG 295
Warning lamp 363
Break-in period 292
Bulbs
Front/rear lamps 401
Replacing 400, 401C
CAC 457
California, important notice 11
CAN system 458
Capacities (Fuels, coolants, lubricants,
etc.) 449
Cargo compartment cover 253
Carpets, cleaning 359
Catalytic converter 302
CD
Changer* 219, 266
Player/Changer*, operation 131,
219
CD changer* (Audio system) 223
Center console 28
Lamp 367
Central locking
Automatic 101, 147
From outside (SmartKey) 62
Locking/unlocking from inside 102
Certification label 436
CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp 364
Child safety
Air bags 66
Children in the vehicle 75Cigarette lighter 270
Cleaning tires 319
Climate control 178
Air conditioning 187
Air recirculation mode 185
Control panel, overview 179
Switching on/off 181
Clock 122
Cockpit 458
Overview 22
Cold tire inflation pressure 344
Collapsible tire 458
Collapsible wheel chock 390
COMAND* 122, 458
Navigation 132
Radio transmitter 301
Combination switch 114
High beam flasher 114
High beam headlamps 55, 114
Low beam headlamps 55
Turn signals 55
Windshield wipers 56
Comfort driving
Transmission program mode* 163
Compatible child seat see BabySmart
TM
470 IndexH
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 359
Hazard warning flasher 117
Head restraint height (Seats) 41
Headlamps
Bi-Xenon* 401, 457
Cleaning system* 173, 315, 456
Night security illumination (Control
system) 145
Switching off 60
Switching on 55
Headliner, cleaning 360
Head-thorax air bag 71, 459
Heating
Seats* 104
Steering wheel* 288
High beam
Flasher 115
Headlamps 55, 115
Headlamps, bulbs 401
High mounted brake lamp 401
High-performance brake system
(SLK 55 AMG) 295
Hood 307
Horn 23
Hydroplaning 297I
Identification labels see Labels
Ignition (Position in starter switch) 36
Immobilizer see Anti-theft systems
Infant and child restraint systems 75
Instrument cluster 25, 120, 459
Clock 122
Lamps, indicator and warning 362
Overview 24
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior rear view mirror see Mirrors
Intermittent/interval wiping see Wind-
shield wipers
J
Jack (Vehicle tool kit) 388
Lifting vehicle 413
Lowering vehicle 419
Jump starting 424K
Key 209
Kickdown (Automatic
transmission*) 162, 459
Kilopascal 345
Kneebag see Air bags