2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG engine

186 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Reactivating
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Press button´ (page 184) again.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.
or
Press buttonU (page 184).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. Air volume and air dis-
tribution are adjusted automatically.
Operating the climate control system
in automatic modeActivating
Press buttonU (page 184) while
the engine is running.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air volume and air dis-
tribution are adjusted automatically.
Use temperature controls4and6
orbandc (
page 184) to sepa-
rately adjust the air temperature on
each side of the passenger com-
partment.
The temperature of the vehicle interior
is adjusted automatically.
Deactivating
Press buttonU (page 184) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The air volume changes to level2
and the air distribution changes
tob. Automatic control of air
volume and air distribution is switched
off.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls4andc for
the driver’s side or6andb for the
passenger side (
page 184) to separately
adjust the air temperature on each side of
the passenger compartment. You should
raise or lower the temperature setting in
small increments, preferably starting
at 72°F (22°C). The automatic climate
control will adjust to the set temperature
as fast as possible.
iWhen operating the automatic climate
control system in automatic mode, you will only
rarely need to adjust the temperature, air volume
and air distribution.
In automatic mode, cooling with dehumidify is
switched on. This function can be switched off if
necessary.

191 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Convenience closing
Press and hold button, until the
windows are closed or have reached
the desired position.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air recirculation mode is
activated.Convenience openingPress and hold button, until the
windows are opened or have reached
the desired position.
The indicator lamp on the button
goes out. The air recirculation mode
is deactivated.
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational
when the engine is running, cools the
vehicle interior down to the selected
temperature. The cooling function also
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior,
thus preventing the windows from
fogging up.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
iThe closing of the windows can be immedi-
ately halted by releasing button,.iThe opening of the windows can be immedi-
ately halted by releasing button,.
A window will only return to its previous position
if it has not been moved to another position us-
ing the respective window switch after it was
closed with button,.
A window that has been moved will remain in its
current position if button, is used to reopen
the remaining windows.
Warning!G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and
others.
iCondensation may drip from underneath the
vehicle. This is normal and not an indication of a
malfunction.

192 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the
vehicle will then no longer be cooled or
dehumidified.
Press buttonœ (page 184).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You
can dehumidify the air with the air
conditioning.
Press buttonœ (page 184).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.Activating
Switch off the ignition (page 37).
Press buttonT (page 184).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The display in the automatic
climate control panel remains switched
off.
Deactivating
Press buttonT (page 184) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iHow long the system will provide heating
depends on

the coolant temperature

the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting1 regardless
of the air volume control setting.
iThe residual heat is automatically turned off:

when the ignition is switched on (page 37)

after about 30 minutes

if the battery voltage drops

246 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Problems when operating the
retractable hardtop
Several conditions may cause the retract-
able hardtop to not open, close, or lock
properly:

The luggage cover in the trunk is not
closed.
Close the luggage cover in the
trunk.

The trunk lid is open.
Close the trunk lid.

The battery voltage is too low.
Start engine and let run while open-
ing/closing the retractable hard-
top.

The hardtop drive system was shut
down for safety reasons after multiple,
consecutive attempts to raise or lower
the hardtop. After about 10 minutes
you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Repeat the opening or closing
procedure.
If the retractable hardtop still does
not open, close, or lock properly,
have the retractable hardtop
system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

There is a malfunction in the retract-
able hardtop system.
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wind screen*
1Wind screen
2Snap fastener (with handle cap)
3Supporting strap
4Fastening pin
5Gap
Warning!G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s
vision to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent
a possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.

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.

259 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone
using the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

COMAND* (see separate operating in-
structions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 149)

audio system (page 219)
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the audio system or
COMAND*
1 if road, weather and traffic con-
ditions permit.
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.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the center armrest, see separate in-
stallation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be
obtained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for
instructions on how to use your mobile phone.