2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG brake

167 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Downshifting
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
or
Briefly pull left shift paddle1
(
page 164).
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear.Kickdown
Using the kickdown when driving in the
manual program modeM is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
Press the program mode selector
switch (
page 165) repeatedly
until
CorS appears in the multifunction
display.
or
Restart the engine.
The transmission will go to the
automatic program mode (C orS).
The manual program modeM is not
stored.Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the transmission
no longer shifts, the transmission is most
likely operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear can be selected.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionD (for second gear) or
positionR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iWhen you brake or stop, the transmission
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily
accelerate or take off.

241 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Luggage cover
The luggage cover is located in the trunk.
Luggage cover
Closing
Pull the luggage cover at the handle in
direction of the arrow until it engages
on both sides at the trunk sill.Opening
Press the release handle on the lug-
gage cover.
Guide the luggage cover forward to its
end stop.Retractable hardtop
!To prevent damage to the retractable hard-
top or luggage/cargo when lowering the roof:

Load trunk only to the height of the luggage
cover.

Do not permit luggage/cargo to push up the
closed luggage cover.

Do not place anything on top or in front of
the luggage cover.

Do not place anything on the shelf behind
the roll bars.
Warning!G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.
iFor safety reasons, the retractable hardtop
cannot be opened or closed while driving.
Make sure the retractable hardtop and the rear
window are dry before you open it. Otherwise
water may enter the interior and/or trunk.
iBefore operating the retractable hardtop via
the retractable hardtop switch, do the following
first:

Engage the parking brake (page 59).

Close the luggage cover.

Close the trunk lid.

Switch on the ignition (page 37).

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.

251 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 249) and hold it
up until the desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 249) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 249).
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 249).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 249).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display.iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.

256 Controls in detail
Useful features
Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.
Move the selector lever to positionN
(manual transmission: second gear).
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.
Open the ashtray.
Reach into both recesses on the left
and right side of the retainer and pull
out the ashtray insert.
Installing ashtray insert
Place the ashtray insert into the
retainer.
Push the ashtray insert down into the
retainer until it engages.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Warning!G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionN (manual trans-
mission: into second gear). With gear selec-
tor lever in positionN (manual transmission:
into second gear), turn off the engine.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
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.

279 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.

Remove unnecessary loads.

Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.

Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.

Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required
by the Maintenance System. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly area.
Drinking and drivingPedals
Warning!G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedal’s range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure the pedals still have
sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneu-
vers, the objects could get caught between
the pedals. You could then no longer brake
or accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and injury.