2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 display

122 Controls in detail
Control system
Multifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display
and the settings in the control system are
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
Depending on the selected menu, pressing
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel will alter what appears in the multi-
function display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display are arranged in menus and
accompanying functions or submenus.
The individual functions are then found
within the relevant menu (radio or CD
operations under
AUDIO, for example).
These functions serve to call up relevant
information or to customize the settings
for your vehicle.
1Multifunction display
Operating the control system
2Selecting the submenu or setting the
volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
3Telephone*:
Press button
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming call
4Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
5Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu

123 Controls in detail
Control system
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged in a circular pattern.

If you press buttonèorÿ re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
menu one after the other.

If you press buttonjork re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
function display, one after the other, in
the current menu.
In the
Settings menu, you will find a num-
ber of submenus instead of functions for
calling up and changing settings. For in-
structions on using these submenus, see
“Settings menu” (
page 136).
The number of menus available in the sys-
tem depends on which optional equipment
is installed in your vehicle.
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays.
The first function displayed in each menu will
automatically show you which part of the system
you are in.iSLK 55 AMG:
The steering wheel in this vehicle will vary from
steering wheel shown. However, multifunction
steering wheel symbols and feature description
apply to AMG vehicles as well.

125 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Table continued on next page.
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4
Standard displayAMG1AUDIONAV*
(page 127)(page 128)(page 133)(page 135)
Commands/submenus
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
or
TPMS (USA only)Engine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationShow route guidance
instructions, current direction
traveled
Checking coolant temperatureVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station* (USA only)
Digital speedometer/outside
temperatureRACETIMEROperating the CD player
Calling up maintenance service
indicatorOverall analysis
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)Lap analysis
1AMG vehicles only.

126 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu5Menu6Menu7Menu8
Vehicle status message
memory1SettingsTrip computerTEL*
(page 135)(page 136)(page 148)(page 149)
Commands/submenus
Calling up vehicle malfunction,
warning and system status
messages stored in memoryResetting to factory settingsFuel consumption statistics
since startLoading phone book
Instrument cluster submenu Fuel consumption statistics
since last resetSearching for name in phone
book
Time/Date submenuResetting fuel consumption
statisticsRedialing
Lighting submenuDistance to empty
Vehicle submenu
Convenience* submenu
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.

127 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
The multifunction display shows the main
odometer and trip odometer. This default
setting is referred to as the standard
display.
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
If another display is shown instead of the
standard display:
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
or
TPMS (USA only)315
317
Checking coolant temperature127
Displaying digital speedometer
or outside temperature128
Calling up maintenance service
indicator337
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)296
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.

128 Controls in detail
Control system
When in the standard display menu,
press buttonjork repeatedly
until the coolant temperature appears
in the multifunction display.Displaying digital speedometer or
outside temperature
Press buttonjork repeatedly
until the digital speedometer appears
in the multifunction display.
The current vehicle speed or the
outside temperature appears in the
multifunction display.
Example illustration for selected vehicle
speed
AMG menu
The main screen of the AMG menu shows
you the gear currently engaged as well as
the engine oil temperature.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2Engine oil temperature
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning message in the multifunction display
(
page 374).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
iYou can select to either display the digital
speedometer or the outside temperature
indicator (
page 140).
iThis function is only available in AMG
vehicles.

129 Controls in detail
Control system
Use buttons k or j to select the
following functions in the AMG menu:Vehicle supply voltage
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until the
vehicle supply voltage appears in the
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2Vehicle supply voltageRACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and
save driving stretches in hours, minutes
and seconds.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
iThe engine oil temperature symbol
flashes if the engine oil temperature has not yet
reached 80°C. During this time, avoid driving at
full engine speed.
FunctionPage
Vehicle supply voltage129
RACETIMER129
Overall analysis132
Lap analysis132
iIf the engine reaches the overspeed range in
the manual shift program (
page 165), the
menu will be shown in red. In addition, you will
see
UP n e x t t o g e a r i n d i c a t o r 1 as a reminder to
upshift.
Warning!G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads
is prohibited under all circumstances and
the driver is and must always remain
responsible for following posted speed
limits.


130 Controls in detail
Control system
Press button j repeatedly until the
RACETIMER appears in the
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2RACETIMER
3Lap numberStarting the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer starts.
Displaying intermediate time
Press button ç while the timer is
running.
The intermediate time is shown for
5 seconds.Stopping the RACETIMER
Press button æ.
The timer stops.
iYou can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or the starter switch is in
position2 (
page 37).
iWhile the RACETIMER is being displayed,
you cannot adjust the audio volume using
buttonsæ or ç.
iWhen you stop the vehicle and turn the
SmartKey to position 1 (
page 37), the
RACETIMER stops timing. Timing is resumed
when you switch the ignition back on
(
page 37) or restart the engine (page 51)
and then press the æbutton.