2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 ESP

244 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Unlocked status noticed while driving
Stop the vehicle and leave the ignition
switched on.
To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward until the
retractable hardtop is fully closed.
or:
To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully opened position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch rearward until the
retractable hardtop is fully open.Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop with the SmartKey*
The power windows (
page 235) will also
be opened or closed when you operate the
retractable hardtop with the SmartKey.
Aim transmitter eye at the outside
driver’s or passenger door handle.
The SmartKey must be in close proxim-
ity to the respective outside door han-
dle.
Warning!G
Stop the vehicle and lock the retractable
hardtop before continuing to drive. You
could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
Warning!G
Before operating the retractable hardtop,
make sure no persons can be injured by the
moving parts (retractable roof, roof frame,
and trunk lid) due to negligence.
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, hardtop, shelf
behind roll bars, or trunk lid while the re-
tractable hardtop is being raised or lowered.
Serious personal injury may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
spective button on the SmartKey. This im-
mediately interrupts the raising or lowering
procedure. You can then operateŒ
or‹to raise or lower the hardtop away
from the danger zone.

248 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.
The BAS, ABS and ESP
® driving systems
are described in the “Safety and Security”
section (
page 84).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
You can set or resume cruise control at any
speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must remain at
all times responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume to last set speedSetting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever (
page 249).
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The currently set speed appears in the
status indicator of the multifunction
display:

USA only:
CRUISE XXX mph

Canada only:
Ñ
XXX Km/h
Warning!G
Cruise control brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded. The brake
pedal is depressed automatically to do this.
Keep in mind that cruise control is a conve-
nience system designed to assist the driver
during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe braking
operation.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.

250 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 249).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, the cruise
control may not be able to maintain the set
speed. Once the grade eases, the set speed will
be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed with braking from the vehicle’s
braking system.
In addition, on longer downhill grades the
automatic transmission* will automatically
downshift.
iVehicles with manual transmission:
If you depress the clutch pedal when shifting into
another gear, the engine speed may increase.

Drive with sufficient engine speed.

Shift gears in a timely manner.

If possible, do not shift down more than one
gear.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off automatical-
ly, if

you step on the brake pedal.

you pull up the parking brake lever firmly.

the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h).

ESP® is in operation or switched off with the
ESP® switch (page 86).

Vehicles with manual transmission:
you depress the clutch pedal for longer than
6 seconds during shifting into another gear.

Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Moving gear selector lever to positionN while
driving also cancels cruise control. However, the
gear selector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control will resume the last speed set.

255 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder
1Cover plate
Press briefly on cover plate1 to open
the cup holder.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Press cover plate1 until the cup
holder engages to close it.
Ashtray
1Cover plate
Press cover plate1 briefly in direction
of the arrow.
The ashtray opens automatically.
To close the ashtray again, press
cover plate1 until the ashtray
engages.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids
on vehicle occupants and/or vehicle
equipment, only use containers that fit into
the cup holder. Use lids on open containers
and do not fill containers to a height where
the contents, especially hot liquids, could
spill during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in
an accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle
occupants may cause serious personal
injury. Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment
may cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during hard braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior. Ob-
jects thrown around in the vehicle interior
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.

260 Controls in detail
Useful features
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 storage/telephone*
compartment (
page 253).
Open the storage/telephone* com-
partment (
page 253).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 s a f e p l a c e . B e s u r e t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e
mobile phone’s operating instructions
as well.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.
!Do not try to remove the mobile phone along
with the cradle. You could otherwise damage the
mobile phone cradle.

262 Controls in detail
Useful features
Installing a different mobile phone
cradle
Example illustration
1Contact plate
2Recesses
3Mobile phone cradle
Insert mobile phone cradle3 into
recesses2 of contact plate1.
Push mobile phone cradle3 forward
until it engages.
Tele Aid*
Shortly after the completion of your Tele
Aid acquaintance call, you will receive a
user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock and
more.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.
!The initial activation of the Tele Aid system
may only be performed by completing the sub-
scriber agreement and placing an acquaintance
call using the ¡button. Failure to complete
either of these steps will result in a system that
is not activated.
If you have any questions regarding activation,
please call the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).

263 Controls in detail
Useful features
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.System self-check
Initially, after switching on ignition, mal-
functions are detected and indicated (the
indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button•, and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on). The
message
Tele Aid Inoperative appears
for approximately 10 seconds in the multi-
function display.
iThe SOS button is located in the overhead
control panel.
The Roadside Assistance button•
(
page 266) and the Information button¡
(
page 267) are located in the center armrest
storage/telephone* compartment.
!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.