Page 7 of 474

Contents
Audio system .....................................  193
Audio and telephone*, operation .  193
Operating safety ...........................  193
Operating and display elements ...  194
Button and soft key operation ......  196
Operation .....................................  196
Radio operation ............................  199
Introduction to satellite radio* .....  203
CD mode ......................................  208
GSM network phones ...................  219
TDMA or CDMA network phones..  226
Emergency calls “911” .................  233
Power windows ..................................  235
Opening and closing the
windows .......................................  235
Synchronizing power windows .....  239
Retractable hardtop ...........................  240
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ......................  240
Wind screen* ...............................  246
Driving systems .................................  248
Cruise control...............................  248
Loading ..............................................  252
Roof rack ......................................  252Useful features ..................................  253
Storage compartments ................  253
Shelf behind roll bars ...................  254
Cup holder ...................................  255
Ashtray.........................................  255
Cigarette lighter ...........................  256
Power outlet.................................  257
Floormat (driver’s side only) .........  258
Telephone* ..................................  259
Tele Aid* ......................................  262
Garage door opener* ...................  270
Heated steering wheel* 
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only)  276
Operation.........................................  277
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........  278
Driving instructions ...........................  279
Drive sensibly – save fuel.............  279
Drinking and driving .....................  279
Pedals ..........................................  279
Power assistance .........................  280
Brakes..........................................  280
Driving off ....................................  282
Parking.........................................  282
Tires .............................................  283
Hydroplaning................................  284
Tire traction .................................  284
Tire speed rating ..........................  285
Winter driving instructions ...........  286
Standing water.............................  287
Passenger compartment ..............  287
Driving abroad .............................  287
Control and operation of radio 
transmitter ...................................  287
Catalytic converter.......................  288
Emission control ..........................  289
Coolant temperature....................  289 
     
        
        Page 29 of 474
28 At a glance
Multifunction steering wheel
ItemPage
1Multifunction display118
Operating control system121
2Selecting a submenu or 
setting the volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
3Telephone*:
Press button
sto take a call
to dial
to redial
tto end a call
to reject an incoming 
call
ItemPage
4Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
5Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
·for previous menu
iSLK 55 AMG:
The steering wheel in this vehicle will vary from 
steering wheel shown. However, multifunction 
steering wheel symbols and feature description 
apply to AMG vehicles as well. 
     
        
        Page 31 of 474
30 At a glance
Center console
Lower partItemPage
1Automatic transmission*:
Gear selector lever155,
157
Manual transmission:
Gearshift lever153
2Retractable hardtop switch240
3Tow-away alarm 
deactivation switch91
4Parking brake lever53, 59
5Storage/telephone* 
compartment253
ItemPage
6Passenger-side exterior rear 
view mirror button46,
168
7Driver’s side exterior rear 
view mirror button46,
168
8Exterior rear view mirror 
adjustment button46
9Automatic transmission*:
Program mode selector 
switch161 
     
        
        Page 32 of 474
31 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
ItemPage
1Interior lighting on/off116
2Interior lighting automatic 
control switch116
3Right reading lamp on/off117
4Tele Aid* (emergency call 
system) button262
5Garage door opener*270
6Sensor for auto-dimming 
rear view mirrors*168
7Interior rear view mirror46,
168
8Microphone for Tele Aid* 
and telephone*262,
259
9Left reading lamp on/off117 
     
        
        Page 34 of 474
33 At a glance
Storage compartments
ItemPage
1Glove box253
2Door pocket
3Trunk
Vehicle tool kit, jack, spare 
wheel389
Luggage cover241
Trunk load450
Load limit309
4Door pocket
5Cupholder255
ItemPage
6Parcel net in passenger 
footwell254
7Ashtray255
Cigarette lighter256
8Storage tray
9Storage/telephone* 
compartment253
aStorage compartment 
between seat backrests254 
     
        
        Page 91 of 474

90 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized 
persons from starting your vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the 
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. 
The engine can be started by anyone with 
a valid SmartKey that is left inside the 
vehicle.
Activating
Remove the SmartKey from the starter 
switch.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a 
visual and audible alarm is triggered when 
someone opens
a door
the trunk lid
the hood
the glove box
the storage/telephone* compartment 
in the center console
The alarm system will also be triggered 
when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle
unlocking and opening the driver’s 
door or the trunk with the mechanical 
key
someone opens a door from the inside
someone opens the trunk lid with the 
emergency release buttonArming the alarm system
The alarm system indicator lamp is located 
in the locking switch in the center console.
1Alarm system indicator lamp
iStarting the engine will also deactivate the 
immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the 
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not 
operational. Contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center or call 
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iThe alarm will stay on, even if the activating 
element (e.g. a door) is immediately closed.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than 
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is 
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid* system 
(
page 262), provided Tele Aid* service was 
subscribed to and properly activated, and that 
necessary cellular service and GPS coverage are 
available (
page 262). 
     
        
        Page 95 of 474

94 Controls in detail
In the “Controls in detail” section you will 
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed in your vehicle. 
If you are already familiar with the basic 
functions of your vehicle, this section will 
be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the 
basic functions of the vehicle, refer to the 
“Getting started” section of this manual. 
The corresponding page numbers are 
given at the beginning of each segment.
For more information on unlocking and 
locking, see (
page 36) and (page 59).
Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two 
SmartKeys, each with remote control and 
a removable mechanical key.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is 
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when 
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:
the doors
the trunk
the fuel filler flap
the glove box
the storage/telephone* compartment 
under the armrest
SmartKey with remote control
1‹Lock button
2
ŠUnlock button for the trunk 
(
page 99)
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ŒUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6ÂPanic button (
page 83) 
     
        
        Page 98 of 474

97 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Selective setting
If you frequently travel alone, you may wish 
to reprogram the SmartKey so that press-
ing buttonŒ only unlocks the driver’s 
door, the storage/telephone* compart-
ment under the armrest, the glove box, and 
the fuel filler flap.
Press and hold buttonsŒand‹  
simultaneously for about 5 seconds 
until battery check lamp5 
(
page 94) flashes twice.
The SmartKey will then function as fol-
lows:
Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler 
flap
Press buttonŒ once.
All turn signal lamps flash once.
An acoustic warning sounds once.
The locking knob in the driver’s 
door moves up.
The anti-theft alarm system is 
disarmed.Global unlocking
Press buttonŒ twice.
All turn signal lamps flash once.
An acoustic warning sounds once.
The locking knobs in the doors 
move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is 
disarmed.
Global locking
Press button‹.
With all doors and the trunk closed:
All turn signal lamps flash three 
times.
An acoustic warning sounds three 
times.
The locking knobs in the doors 
move down.
The anti-theft alarm system is 
armed.Restoring to factory setting
Press and hold buttonsŒand‹ 
simultaneously for about 5 seconds 
until battery check lamp5 
(
page 94) flashes twice.
Checking the batteries
Press button‹orŒ.
The battery check lamp (
page 94) 
comes on briefly to indicate that the 
SmartKey batteries are in order.
iIf the battery check lamp (page 94) does 
not come on briefly during check, the SmartKey 
batteries are discharged.
Replace the batteries (page 398).
You can obtain the required batteries at any 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf the batteries are checked within signal 
range of the vehicle, pressing 
button‹orŒ will lock or unlock the 
vehicle accordingly.