2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG ECO mode

9
Product information

Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Genuine
Mercedes-Benz Parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special
suitability for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in
individual cases an official approval or
authorization by governmental or other
agencies should exist. Use of such parts
and accessories could adversely affect the
safety, performance or reliability of your
vehicle. Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts as well
as conversion parts and accessories
approved by us are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where
you will receive comprehensive informa-
tion, also on permissible technical modifi-
cations, and where proper installation will
be performed.

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.

136 Controls in detail
Control system
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the multifunction dis-
play:
1Number of recorded status messages
Press buttonjork.
The stored messages will now be dis-
played in the order in which they have
occurred. For malfunction and warning
messages, see “Vehicle status messag-
es in the multifunction display”
(
page 360).
Should the vehicle’s system record any
conditions while driving, the number of
messages will reappear in the multifunc-
tion display when the SmartKey in the
starter switch is turned to position0 or
removed from the starter switch:
Settings menu
In the
Settings menu are two functions:

The function To reset, push reset
button for 3 seconds.
for resetting all
settings to factory standard.

A collection of submenus for perform-
ing individual settings for your vehicle.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until the
Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.The following settings and submenus are
available in the
Settings menu:
Resetting all settings
You can reset all the functions of most of
the submenus to the factory settings.
For safety reasons, the function
Headlamp
Mode
in the Lighting submenu cannot be
reset while driving.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until the
Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
iThe vehicle status message memory will be
cleared when you turn the SmartKey in the
starter switch to position1or2.
You will then only see high-priority messages in
the multifunction display (
page 360).
FunctionPage
Resetting all settings136
Submenus in the Settings menu137
Instrument cluster submenu139
Time/date submenu141
Lighting submenu143
Vehicle submenu146
Convenience* submenu147


138 Controls in detail
Control system
The table below shows what settings can
be changed within the various submenus.Detailed instructions on making individual
settings can be found on the following
pages.
Instrument clusterTime/DateLightingVehicleConvenience*
(page 139)(page 141)(page 143)(page 146)(page 147)
Selecting digital speed-
ometer display modeSynchronizing time and
date with head unit*Setting daytime running
lamp mode (USA only)Selecting audio search
functionActivating
easy-entry/exit feature*
Selecting languageSetting the timeSetting locator lightingSetting automatic locking
Selecting display (speed
display or outside
temperature) for status
indicatorSetting the dateSetting night security
illumination
Setting interior lighting
delayed shut-off

151 Controls in detail
Control system
Ending a call or rejecting an incoming
call
Press buttont.
Dialing a number from the phone book
If your telephone is ready to receive calls,
you may select and dial a number from the
phone book at any time.
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until the
TEL menu and the standby
message appear in the multifunction
display.
Press buttonjork.
The control system reads the phone
book which is stored in the telephone.
This may take up to 30 seconds. In the
multifunction display you will see the
message
Please Wait.
When the message
Please wait
disappears, the phone book has been
loaded.
Press buttonjork repeatedly
until the desired name appears in the
multifunction display.
The stored names are displayed in
ascending or descending alphabetical
order.
1Selected name from phone bookPress buttons.
The control system dials the selected
phone number.

If the connection is successful, the
name of the party you called and
the duration of the call will appear
in the display.

If no connection is made, the con-
trol system stores the dialed num-
ber in the redial memory.
or
Cancel the call you have intended to
make by pressing buttont.
iIf you press and hold buttonj ork
for longer than 1 second, the system scrolls
rapidly through the list of names until you
release the button again.
Cancel the quick search mode by pressing
buttont.

160 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Gear ranges
With the gear selector lever in drive
positionD and driving in program modeC
orS, you can select a gear range for the
automatic transmission to operate within.
Gear selector lever (
page 162):
You can limit the gear range by pressing
the gear selector lever to the left (D-), and
reverse the gear range limit by pressing
the gear selector lever to the right (D+).
Steering wheel gearshift control*
(
page 163):
You can limit the gear range by pulling the
left gearshift paddle on the steering wheel
gearshift control, and reverse the gear
range limit by pulling the right gearshift
paddle on the steering wheel gearshift
control.The selected gear range appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current gear range
Effect
ïThe transmission shifts through
sixth gear only.
îThe transmission shifts through
fifth gear only.
éThe transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
Effect
èThe transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
çThe transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving

on steep downgrades

in mountainous regions

under extreme operating
conditions
æThe transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

162 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Press program mode selector switch
repeatedly until the letter of the
desired program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
SelectCfor comfort driving:

The vehicle starts out in second
gear (both forward and reverse) for
gentler starts. This does not apply if
full throttle is applied or gear
range1 is selected.

Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.

Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.
SelectSfor standard driving:

The vehicle starts out in first gear.

Upshifts occur later.Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting
With the gear selector lever in drive posi-
tion D and driving in program modeC orS,
you can limit or extend the gear range.
If your vehicle is equipped with manual
shift programM, you can use the gear
selector lever to manually shift the gears.
The following instructions describe opera-
tion of the gear selector lever when driving
in the automatic program modeC orS.Limiting gear range
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission will shift to the next
lower gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
limits the gear range of the transmis-
sion (
page 160).
iFor information on using the gear selector
lever in program modeM, see “Manual shift
program*” (
page 165).
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
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.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when down-
shifting, the transmission will not shift to a lower
gear if the engine’s max. speed would be
exceeded.

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.