2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG cruise control

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 335).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 336).
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
monoxide (CO) gases may enter the vehicle
interior, resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle 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.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice.

352 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.The ESP® has been switched off
with the ESP® switch or has been
switched off due to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
When the ESP
® is switched off, it
will not stabilize the vehicle if the
system recognizes that the vehicle
starts to skid or that a wheel is
spinning.
The cruise control is deactivated
and cannot be switched on.
Switch the ESP® back on (page 89).
Exceptions: (
page 86).
If leaving the ESP® switched off, adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road,
weather and traffic conditions.
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on:
Continue driving with added caution.
Observe additional messages that may appear
in the multifunction display (
page 363).
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
The yellow ESP® warning lamp
flashes when the engine is running.The ESP® or traction control has
come into operation because of
detected traction loss in at least
one tire.
The cruise control is deactivated.When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 86).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

362 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP Inoperative
See Operators’s ManualThe ABS and ESP® are not available
due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Cruise
ControlInoperativeThe cruise control is malfunction-
ing.Have the cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
ESPInoperative
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction.
The ABS and the BAS might not be
operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Display symbolDisplay messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
±Display Malfunction
Drive To WorkshopCertain electronic systems are un-
able to relay information to the con-
trol system. The following systems
may have failed:

Coolant temperature display

Tachometer

Cruise control display
Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
NCheck oil level
when next refueling
.
SLK 280 and SLK 350 only:
The engine oil level has dropped to
a critical level.Check the engine oil level (page 296) and
add engine oil as required (
page 299).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have
the engine checked for possible leaks.

461 Index
Climate control 172
Air conditioning refrigerant 452
Air conditioning, Cooling 180
Air recirculation mode 178
Air vents 172
Air volume 177
Control panel 174
Defrosting 170, 177
Residual heat utilization 181
Switching on/off 175
Temperature 175
Clock 120
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) 447
Collapsible wheel chock 391
COMAND* system 29
Driving instructions 287
Navigation 135
Combination switch 113
High beam flasher 113
High beam headlamps 55, 113
Low beam headlamps 55
Turn signals 55
Windshield wipers 56
Control system 121Control system menus 124
AMG 128
AUDIO 133
NAV* 135
Settings 136
Standard display 127
TEL* 149
Trip computer 148
Vehicle status message memory 135
Control system submenus
Convenience* 147
Instrument cluster 139
Lighting 143
Time/Date 141
Vehicle 146
Convenience opening/closing*
Power windows 238
Retractable hardtop 244
Coolant 456
Adding water 293
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 457
Checking coolant level 300
Messages in the multifunction
display 374–376
Technical data 452
Temperature 289Temperature gauge (Multifunction
display) 127
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 114
Replacing bulbs 400
Cruise control 248
Messages in the multifunction
display 362
Cup holder 255
Curb weight 331
D
Date (Control system) 142
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Setting 143
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting
Rear window 170
Windshield (Automatic climate
control*) 189
Windshield (Climate control) 177
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 144
Interior lighting 145
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
Wile driving 58
With starting the engine 52

462 Index
Digital speedometer 128
Dimensions, Vehicle 449
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (Tires) 307
Display text see Messages in the multi-
function display
Displays
Digital speedometer 128
Maintenance service indicator 337
Multifunction display 121
Outside temperature 128
Symbol messages 371
Text messages 362
Vehicle status message memory 135
Vehicle status messages 360
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 149
Door
Control panel 34
Entry lamps 117
Locking in an emergency 395
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 94
Opening from inside 98
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Unlocking in an emergency 394
DOT 331Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 279
Driver’s air bag see Air bags
Driving 53
Abroad 287
Accelerator position 159
Automatic transmission* 53
Driving off 282
Fuel saving 279
Hydroplaning 284
In winter 286
Instructions 48, 279
Kickdown 159
Manual transmission 53
Standing water 287
Tires 283
Driving safety systems 84
ABS 84
BAS 86
Electronic traction system 88
ESP
®86
Driving systems
Cruise control 248
Driving tips 159E
Easy-entry/exit feature* 44, 147
Electric air pump
Inflating collapsible tire 418
Sealing tires with TIREFIT 408
Vehicle tool kit 389
Electrical system (Technical data) 448
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency call (911) 233
Emergency call system 262
Tele Aid* 264
Emergency, In case of
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 348–357
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission* (Limp-Home
Mode) 167
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid* 269
Retractable hardtop 397
Selector lever*, unlocking
manually 396
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 102
Unlocking/locking the vehicle 394

466 Index
Manual transmission 153
Driving 53
Gearshift pattern 51
Starting with SmartKey 51
Maximum inflation pressure 332
Maximum load rating 332
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 332
Mechanical key see SmartKey
Memory function* 107
Menus see Control system menus
Messages in the multifunction display see
Multifunction display messages
Mirror lamp* see Sun visors
Mirrors 168
Additional turn signals 401
Adjusting 46
Antiglare position 168
Auto-dimming* 168
Exterior rear view mirrors 46
Interior rear view mirror 46
Mobile phone see Telephone*
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 321, 421
MON 292, 455Motor Octane Number see MON
MP3 210
Multifunction display 121
Multifunction display messages 360
ABS 362
Air bags 365–368
Battery, Vehicle 372
Brake fluid 373
Brakes 373
Bulbs 381–386
Coolant 374–376
Cruise control 362
Doors 371
Engine oil 377–379
ESP
®362, 363
Fuel 379
Hood 371
Low tire pressure 387
Maintenance service indicator 337
Parking brake 372
Passenger front air bag 367
Retractable hardtop 380, 388
Run Flat Indicator* 369
SmartKey 381SRS 364
Symbol messages 371
Telephone* 388
Text messages 362
Tire Pressure Monitoring System 370
Transmission 364
Trunk lid 371
Vehicle status message memory 135
Washer fluid 388
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 122
Heating* 276
N
Navigation system* 135
Neck-level heating see AIRSCARF*
Neutral gear position
Automatic transmission* 155, 157
Manual transmission 154
Night security illumination (Control
system) 144
Normal occupant weight 332
Number, Vehicle Identification (VIN) 438