2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 steering

259 Controls in detail
Useful features
When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone
using the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

COMAND* (see separate operating in-
structions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 149)

audio system (page 219)Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on features available for your mobile
phone of choice.
The cradle is located in the front center
armrest.
Open the telephone* compartment or,
depending on production date, open
the storage compartment, see
“Storage/telephone* compartment
under armrest” (
page 252).Inserting mobile phone in mobile phone
cradle
Once the mobile phone has been inserted
in the mobile phone cradle, you have to
use the hands-free device to respond
during phone calls.
If applicable, remove the cover for the
external antenna connection from the
back of the mobile phone and store it in
a safe place. Be sure to comply with the
mobile phone’s operating instructions
as well.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the center armrest, see separate in-
stallation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be
obtained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for
instructions on how to use your mobile phone.
iDepending on production date, your vehicle
may be equipped with a storage compartment
only. The mobile phone cradle is then located in
the storage compartment (
page 252).
!Do not try to remove the mobile phone along
with the cradle. You could otherwise damage the
mobile phone cradle.


260 Controls in detail
Useful features
Example illustration
1Insert the mobile phone
2Connector contact
3Mobile phone cradle
Slide the lower end of the mobile phone
into connector contact 2 on mobile
phone cradle3.
Push the top of the mobile phone in di-
rection of arrow 1, until the lug on the
mobile phone release button engages.
The mobile phone is connected to the
network via the external antenna. The mobile phone is linked to the
hands-free device and the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
The battery is charged depending on its
charge status and the position of the
SmartKey in the starter switch. The
charge procedure will be indicated in
the mobile phone’s display.
You can place or receive phone calls. You
can control other functions of the mobile
phone via the control system
(
page 149), audio system (page 219),
or COMAND* (see separate operating in-
structions). Removing mobile phone from mobile
phone cradleExample illustration
1Release catch for mobile phone
2Mobile phone cradle
Press release catch in direction of
arrow1 and take mobile phone out of
mobile phone cradle2.
iWhen you take the SmartKey out of the
starter switch, the mobile phone remains
switched on for approximately 10 minutes. If
you place or receive a call during this time, the
mobile phone switches off 10 minutes after the
call has been completed.iWhen using a flip-style mobile phone, open
flip top before removing from the cradle while a
call is connected. Otherwise, the call will be dis-
connected.


262 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid* system
(Tele
matic Alarm Identification on
D
emand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

Automatic and manual emergency

Roadside Assistance

Information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, press buttonæ and to lower,
press buttonç or use the volume knob
on your audio system or COMAND* head
unit.
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.
iThe SOS button is located in the overhead
control panel.
The Roadside Assistance button•
(
page 265) and the Information button¡
(
page 267) are located below the center
armrest cover.
!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular net-
work for communication and the GPS (Global
Positioning System) satellites for vehicle loca-
tion. If either of these signals are unavailable,
the Tele Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned by other
means.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the
audio system or COMAND* system audio is mut-
ed and the selected mode (radio, tape or CD)
pauses. The optional cellular phone* (if installed)
and inserted in cradle switches off. If you must
use this phone, we recommend that you use it
only with the vehicle at a standstill in a safe loca-
tion. Remove the phone from the cradle and
place the call. The COMAND* navigation system
(if engaged) will continue to run. The display in
the instrument cluster is available for use, and
spoken commands are only available by pressing
the RPT button on the COMAND* unit. A pop-up
window will appear in the COMAND* display to
indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress. After
the Tele Aid call has ended, the optional cellular
phone switches on again. A PIN entry might be
necessary.

268 Controls in detail
Useful features
For more details concerning the Tele Aid
system, please visit www.mbusa.com and
use your ID and password (sent to you
separately) to learn more (USA only).Call priority
If other service calls such as a Roadside
Assistance call or Information call are ac-
tive, an Emergency call is still possible. In
this case, the Emergency call will take pri-
ority and override all other active calls.
iThe indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ remains illuminated in red for
approximately 10 seconds during the system
self-check after switching on ignition (together
with the SOS button and the Roadside
Assistance button•).
See “System self-check” (
page 263) when the
indicator lamp does not come on in red or stays
on longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Information
button¡ is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate an Information call (e.g. the relevant cel-
lular phone network is not available). The
message
Call failed appears in the multi-
function display.
Information calls can be terminated using the
button
t on the multifunction steering
wheel or the respective button for ending a tele-
phone call on the audio system or COMAND*
head unit.
!If the indicator lamps do not start flashing
after pressing one of the buttons or remain illu-
minated (in red) at any time, the Tele Aid system
has detected a malfunction or the service is not
currently active, and may not initiate a call. Visit
your Mercedes-Benz Center and have the
system checked or contact the Response Center
at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon as possi-
ble.
iThe indicator lamp in the respective button
flashes until the call is concluded. Calls can only
be terminated by a Response Center or Custom-
er Assistance Center representative, except
Roadside Assistance and Information calls,
which can also be terminated by pressing the
tbutton on the multifunction steering wheel
or the respective button for ending a telephone
call on the audio system or COMAND* head unit.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash or
the system does not reset, contact the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Customer
Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.

276 Controls in detail
Useful features
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only)
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The stalk is located on the lower left-hand
side of the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Indicator lamp
3Switching offSwitching onSwitch on the ignition (page 37).
Turn switch at tip of stalk in direction of
arrow1 and release it.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp2 comes on.Switching off
Turn switch at tip of stalk in direction of
arrow3 and release it.
The steering wheel heating is switched
off. Indicator lamp2 goes out.
iThe steering wheel heating is temporarily
suspended while indicator lamp2 remains on
when

the temperature of the vehicle interior is
above 86°F (30°C)

the temperature of the steering wheel is
above 95°F (35°C)
When these conditions do not apply anymore,
steering wheel heating continues.
iIndicator lamp2 flashes or switches off in
case of

power surge or undervoltage

steering wheel heating malfunction
iThe steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.

280 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakes
To help prevent brake disc corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components
or salty road conditions, the first braking ac-
tion may be somewhat reduced and in-
creased pedal pressure may be necessary to
obtain expected braking effect. Maintain a
safe distance from vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an acci-
dent.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be turned off (SmartKey in
starter switch position0 or1) when

the parking brake is being tested on a brake
test dynamometer

the vehicle is being towed with the front axle
raised
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.

286 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever* to positionN or
declutch in case of manual transmission.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 332).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 333).
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter the vehicle interi-
or, resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.

296 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new

the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking engine oil level with the
control system (SLK 55 AMG only)
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground.

with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off.

with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with
the engine turned off.To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
The standard display appears in the
multifunction display (
page 127).
Press buttonk orj on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the following message appears in
the multifunction display (
page 122):
!Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
More information on this subject is available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.