Page 103 of 474

102 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Trunk lid emergency release
With the emergency release button, the 
trunk can be opened from inside the trunk.
1Emergency release button
Briefly press emergency release 
button1.
The trunk lid unlocks and opens 
slightly.
Push up the trunk lid to fully open.Illumination of the emergency release 
button:
The button flashes for 30 minutes after 
opening the trunk.
The button flashes for 60 minutes after 
closing the trunk.
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk automatically lock 
when the vehicle is set into motion.
You can deactivate the automatic locking 
using the control system, see “Setting 
automatic locking” (
page 146).
iThe emergency release button unlocks 
the trunk while the vehicle is standing still or 
in motion.
iThe emergency release button does not un-
lock the trunk if the vehicle battery is discharged 
or disconnected.
iIf the vehicle has previously been centrally 
locked with the SmartKey, opening the trunk 
from the inside will trigger the anti-theft alarm 
system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the following:
Press buttonŒor‹on the 
SmartKey.
Insert the SmartKey in the starter switch.
iYou can open a locked door from the inside. 
Open door only when conditions are safe to do 
so.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an 
accident if the force of the impact exceeds a 
preset threshold.
The vehicle locks automatically when the ignition 
is switched on and the wheels are turning at a 
vehicle speed of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) 
or more. You could therefore lock yourself out 
when the vehicle
is pushed or towed
is on a test stand 
     
        
        Page 106 of 474
105 Controls in detail
Seats
Lumbar support*
The curvature of the seats can be adjusted 
to help enhance lower back support and 
seating comfort.
1Upper seat curvature
2Lower seat curvature
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Turn adjustment wheels 1 and 2 
until you have reached the desired seat 
curvature.
AIRSCARF neck-level heating*
The AIRSCARF neck-level heating provides 
the area surrounding the occupants’ necks 
with a heated air stream flowing from 
openings in the head restraints.
1AIRSCARF switch
2Indicator lamps
Warning!G
When switching on the AIRSCARF neck-level 
heating, the air streaming from the openings 
may be very hot. When in close proximity to 
the openings, you could be seriously 
burned. To help avoid serious personal 
injuries, switch the AIRSCARF to a lower 
heating level. 
     
        
        Page 108 of 474

107 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver 
should check and adjust the seat height, 
seat position fore and aft, and seat back-
rest angle if necessary, to ensure adequate 
control, reach and comfort. The head re-
straint should also be adjusted for proper 
height. See also the section on air bags 
(
page 66) for proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to 
ensure adequate control, reach, operation 
and comfort. Both the interior and exterior 
rear view mirrors should be adjusted for 
adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small 
children should be seated in an appropri-
ate infant or child restraint system which is 
properly secured by a lap-shoulder belt 
and that complies with U.S. Federal Motor 
Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 255 
and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standards 213 and 210.2.With the memory function you can store up 
to three different configurations.
Each store position on the driver’s side 
includes the following settings:
Seat position
Steering wheel position
Exterior rear view mirrors’ position
Each store position on the passenger side 
includes the following setting:
Seat positionThe memory button and memory position 
switch are located on the outer side of 
each seat.
1Memory buttonM
2Memory position switch
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
or
Open the respective door.
Warning!G
Do not activate the memory function while 
driving. Activating the memory function 
while driving could cause the driver to lose 
control of the vehicle. 
     
        
        Page 109 of 474
108 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seat, on the driver’s side 
also the steering wheel and exterior 
rear view mirrors, to the desired 
positions (
page 39).
Press memory buttonM.
Release memory buttonM and press a 
memory position switch 2 within 
3 seconds.
All settings are stored to the selected 
position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold desired memory 
position switch2 until the seat, on 
the driver’s side also the steering 
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors, 
have completely moved to the stored 
positions.
!Do not operate the power seats using the 
memory position switches if the seat backrest is 
in an excessively reclined position. Doing so 
could cause damage to the seats.
iReleasing the memory position switches 
immediately stops movement to the stored 
positions. 
     
        
        Page 115 of 474

114 Controls in detail
Lighting
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps 
improve illumination of the area in the 
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will 
operate with the engine running and with
the exterior lamp switch in 
positionB (
page 109)
or
the exterior lamp switch in 
positionU (
page 109)
or
the daytime running lamp mode 
activated (
page 111)Driving forward
Switching on corner-illuminating front 
fog lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal 
(
page 55), depending on whether 
you are turning left or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on 
and illuminates the area in the 
direction into which you are turning.
or
Turn the steering wheel in the desired 
direction.
The front fog lamp on the side of your 
steering direction comes on.
iCorner-illuminating front fog lamps are not 
available for the following models:
SLK 280 and SLK 350 without Bi-Xenon* 
headlamps
SLK 280 and SLK 350 with Sport Package*
SLK 55 AMG
iWith automatic headlamp mode activated: 
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps will only 
come on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than 
25 mph (40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps 
switched on, the corner-illuminating front fog 
lamps function is not available.
iIf you have switched on the turn signal for 
one side but turn the steering wheel in the 
opposite direction, the corner-illuminating front 
fog lamp the corner-illuminating lamp comes on 
for the side indicated by the turn signal.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp remains lit 
for a maximum of 3 minutes. Afterwards, it goes 
out even if the turn signal is still switched on.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps 
temporarily come on on both sides of the vehicle 
if you turn the steering wheel in one direction 
and then again in the other direction shortly 
thereafter.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps 
will come on automatically depending on the 
steering angle, even if you did not switch on 
either turn signal.
If the corner-illuminating front fog lamps came 
on automatically, they will also go out automati-
cally depending on the steering angle. 
     
        
        Page 116 of 474

115 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching off corner-illuminating front 
fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal 
resets automatically after major steering 
wheel movements. This will switch off the 
corner-illuminating front fog lamps if they 
where activated by switching on the left or 
right turn signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after 
making the turn, the turn signal and 
corner-illuminating front fog lamp can be 
switched off by returning the combination 
switch to its original position.Driving in reverse
Switching on corner-illuminating front 
fog lamps
Place the gearshift lever (automatic 
transmission*: gear selector lever) in 
positionR.
The front fog lamp opposite to your 
steering direction comes on.
Switching off corner-illuminating front 
fog lamps
Place the gearshift lever (automatic 
transmission*: gear selector lever) out 
of positionR.
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be 
switched on at all times, even with the 
SmartKey removed from the starter 
switch.
The hazard warning flasher switches on 
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is 
located on the upper part of the center 
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switch
iThere may be a brief delay before the 
corner-illuminating front fog lamps switch off. 
     
        
        Page 122 of 474

121 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as 
the SmartKey in the starter switch is 
turned to position1. The control system 
enables you to
call up information about your vehicle
change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control 
system to find out when your vehicle is 
next due for service, to set the language 
for messages in the instrument cluster 
display, and much more.
The control system relays information to 
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
3Current program mode 
(automatic transmission* only)
4Status indicator (outside 
temperature/digital speedometer)
5Current gear selector lever posi-
tion/gear range 
(automatic transmission* only)
iThe displays for the audio systems (radio, 
CD player) will appear in English, regardless of 
the language selected.
Warning!G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic 
conditions must always be his/her primary 
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction 
steering wheel should only be done by the 
driver when traffic and road conditions 
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your 
vehicle is covering a distance of 
44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second. 
     
        
        Page 123 of 474

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