2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 seat adjustment

37 Getting started
Unlocking
Enter the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Opening a door causes its window to open
slightly. It will fully close when the door is
shut.
For more information, see “SmartKey”
(
page 94).
Starter switch positions
SmartKey
Starter switch
0For removing the SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
1Power supply for some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment*
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, see “Lamps in
instrument cluster” (
page 348).
3Starting position
!A side window will not work if it is blocked
with ice or if the battery needs charging. If you
cannot shut a door, do not force it or you could
damage the door or the side window.
Fix whatever is affecting the window before
trying to shut the door.
iWithout the antenna on the left rear side
of the vehicle installed, the SmartKey signaling
range is considerably reduced.
Hold the SmartKey in close proximity towards
the antenna base when locking or unlocking
the vehicle.
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.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

39 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the seat belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause se-
rious or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belts provide the best restraint when
the wearer is in a position that is as upright
as possible and seat belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 48).
Observe the following points:

Adjust the seat backrest until your arms
are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.

Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
The position should be as far back as
possible with the driver still able to
operate the controls properly.

Adjust head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports
the back of the head at eye level.

Never place hands under the seat or
near any moving parts while a seat is
being adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.

40 Getting started
Adjusting
Manual seat adjustment
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Seat height
3Seat backrest tilt
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the power seats* can be op-
erated when the respective door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. A child’s unsupervised access to a
vehicle could result in an accident and/or
serious personal injury.
Warning!G
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an appropri-
ate infant, or toddler restraint, or booster
seat recommended for the size and weight
of the child. For additional information, see
“Children in the vehicle” (
page 79).
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle
and/or the child is not properly secured in
the child restraint.
!When moving the seats, make sure there are
no items in the footwell or behind the seats;
otherwise you could damage the seats.

41 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Pull handle1.
Slide the seat to the desired position.
Allow handle1 to reengage with an
audible click.
Check for proper engagement before
driving.Seat height
Pull or push handle2 up or down and
adjust the seat height until your legs
are slightly supported.
Seat backrest tilt
Pull handle3 and adjust the backrest
until your arms are slightly angled
when holding the steering wheel.
Release handle3 when the desired
backrest tilt is reached.
When you hear an audible click, the
backrest is again fixed into place.
For more information, see “Seats”
(
page 104).Power seat* adjustment
The seat adjustment switches are located
on the outer side of each seat.
1Seat fore and aft adjustment
2Seat height
3Seat backrest tilt
4Seat cushion tilt
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
or
Open the respective door.

42 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat fore and aft adjustment
Press the horizontal switch forward or
backward in direction of arrows1.
Seat height
Press the horizontal switch up or down
in direction of arrows2 and adjust the
seat height until your legs are slightly
supported.
Seat backrest tilt
Press the vertical switch forward or
backward in direction of arrows3.
Seat cushion tilt
Press the horizontal switch up or down
in direction of arrows4 until your
upper legs are lightly supported.Head restraint height
Head restraint
Adjust the height of head restraints
manually by pulling them upwards or
pushing them downwards.
iThe memory function* (page 107) lets
you store the settings for power seats*, steering
wheel adjustment (electrical)*, and exterior rear
view mirrors.
Warning!G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint so that the head
restraint supports the back of the head at
eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of
an accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are in-
tended to help reduce injuries during an
accident.
iAdjust the head restraint in such a way that
it is as close to the head as possible.

44 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheel adjustment, electrical*
The steering wheel adjustment stalk is
located on the lower left of the steering
column.
1Adjusting steering wheel, in or out
2Adjusting steering wheel, up or down
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
or
Open the driver’s door.Adjusting steering wheel in or out
Move stalk forward or back in direction
of arrows1 until a comfortable steer-
ing wheel position is reached with your
arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Adjusting steering wheel up or down
Move the stalk up or down in direction
of arrows2.Easy-entry/exit feature*
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle. When entering and
exiting the vehicle, the steering wheel is in
its uppermost position.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be activat-
ed or deactivated in the
Convenience
submenu of the control system
(
page 147).
iThe memory function* (page 107) lets
you store the settings for the steering wheel to-
gether with the settings for the exterior rear view
mirrors and the driver’s seat position.

47 Getting started
Adjusting
The buttons are located on the lower part
of the center console.
1Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
button
2Adjustment button
3Passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror button
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Press button1 for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button3
for passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
The indicator lamp in the respective
button comes on for approximately
10 seconds.
Press adjustment button2 up, down,
left, or right according to the desired
setting.
iIf you do not make adjustments to the
selected exterior rear view mirror within
10 seconds, the indicator lamp goes out. You will
then have to select the desired exterior rear view
mirror again before any adjustments can be
made. Adjustments can only be made with the
indicator lamp for the respective exterior rear
view mirror button illuminated.
iAt low ambient temperatures, the exterior
rear view mirrors will be heated automatically.
iThe memory function* (page 107) lets
you store the settings for the exterior rear view
mirrors together with the settings for the steer-
ing wheel and the driver’s seat position.

50 Getting started
Driving
Proper use of seat belts

Do not twist the seat belt when
fastening.

Adjust seat belt so that the shoulder
portion is located as close as possible
to the middle of the shoulder (it should
not touch the neck). Never pass the
shoulder portion of the seat belt under
your arm.

Position the lap belt as low as possible
on your hips (over hip joint) and not
across the abdomen.

Place the seat backrest in a position
that is as upright as possible.

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.
Warning!G
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges.
They could tear.
Do not allow the seat belt to get caught in
the door or in the seat adjustment mecha-
nism. This could damage the seat belt.
Never attempt to make modifications to
seat belts. This could impair the effective-
ness of the seat 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 seat belts that were
highly stressed in an accident must be
replaced. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.