2010 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK300 tow

A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
Children too big for a toddler restraint must
ride in seats using regular seat belts. Position
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not
face or neck. A booster seat may be
necessary to achieve proper seat belt
positioning for children over 41 lb (18 kg) until
they reach a height where a lap/shoulder belt
fits properly without a booster.
When the child restraint is not in use, remove
it from the vehicle or secure it with the seat
belt to prevent the child restraint from
becoming a projectile in the event of an
accident.
Panic alarm
X
Activating: Press and hold !
button : for at least 1 second.
An audible alarm and flashing exterior
lamps will operate.
i Without the antenna on the left rear side
of the vehicle installed, the SmartKey
signaling range for the panic alarm is
considerably reduced. The panic alarm
then only functions if the SmartKey is held
in close proximity towards the antenna
base. X
Deactivating: Press ! button : again.
or
X Insert the SmartKey into the starter switch.
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment. Driving safety systems
Introduction
This section contains information about the
following driving safety systems:
R ABS ( Antilock Brake System)
R BAS ( Brake Assist System)
R ESP ®
( Electronic Stability Program)Driving safety systems
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G
Warning!
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving safety
systems such as the BAS or the ESP ®
are also
switched off. Observe indicator and warning
lamps that may come on as well as messages
in the multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing steering
capability and extending the braking distance. BAS
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 48.
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency
situations. If you apply the brakes
very quickly, the BAS provides full brake
boost automatically, thereby potentially
reducing the braking distance.
X Apply continuous full braking pressure until
the emergency braking situation is over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the brakes
function again as normal. The BAS is then
deactivated. G
Warning!
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore,

the braking distance may increase. ESP
® G
Observe Safety notes, see page 48.
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP ®
) is
operational
as soon as the engine is running.
It monitors the vehicle’s traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP ®
recognizes that the vehicle deviates
from the direction of travel as intended by the
driver. By applying brakes to individual wheels and by limiting the engine output, the
ESP
®
works to stabilize the vehicle. The
ESP ®


is especially useful while driving off and
on wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP ®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking and
steering maneuvers.
The ESP ®
warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster comes on when you switch
on the ignition. It goes out when the engine
is running.
The ESP ®
warning lamp d in the
instrument cluster flashes when the ESP ®
is
engaged. G
Warning!
Never switch off the ESP ®
when you see the
ESP ®
warning lamp d flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:
R When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R While driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. The ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Because the ESP ®
operates
automatically,

the engine and ignition must
be shut off (SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer
or when the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP ®
may otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! The ESP ®
will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire size Driving safety systems
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!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP ®
switched
off. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Switching on the ESP ®X
Press ESP ®
switch : until the ESP ®
warning lamp d in the instrument
cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving mode
with the ESP ®
switched on. 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 X
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating X
Switch on the ignition.
i Starting the engine will also deactivate
the immobilizer.
In the event that 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). Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens
R a door
R the trunk
R the hood
R the glove box
R the storage compartment under the
armrest
The alarm will stay on even if the activating
element, a door, for example, is closed
immediately.
The

alarm system will also be triggered when
R the vehicle is raised (tow-away alarm)
R the vehicle is opened with the mechanical
key
R a door is opened from the inside
R the trunk is opened with the emergency
release button
To cancel the alarm after it has been
triggered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(Y page 53).
i If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, the Tele Aid system initiates a
call to the Customer Assistance Center
automatically. The Tele Aid system will
initiate the call provided that
R you have subscribed to the Tele Aid
service
R the Tele Aid service has been activated
properly
R the necessary mobile phone, power
supply and GPS coverage are available Anti-theft systems
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X
Arming: Lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times and
an acoustic warning sounds three times to
indicate that the vehicle is locked. Indicator
lamp : flashes to indicate that the alarm
system is armed.
i If the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times and the acoustic warning does not
sound three times, a door or the trunk may
not be properly closed.
Close the respective element.
X Disarming: Unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash once and an
acoustic warning sounds once to indicate
that the alarm system is disarmed.
i Unless you open a door or the trunk within
approximately 40 seconds after unlocking
the vehicle:
R The vehicle will be locked again.
R The anti-theft alarm system will be
rearmed. Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
To cancel the alarm after it has been
triggered, see “Canceling the alarm”
(Y page 53). i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Customer
Assistance Center is initiated automatically
by the Tele Aid system provided that you
have subscribed to the Tele Aid service and
that it has been activated properly, and that
the necessary mobile phone, power supply
and GPS coverage are available.
X Arming: Lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is armed after about
30 seconds automatically.
X Disarming: Unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed until
you lock the vehicle again.
Disabling tow-away alarm To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
disable the tow-away alarm feature before
towing the vehicle, or when parking on a
surface subject to movement, such as a ferry
or auto train.
X
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
X Press tow-away alarm switch ;.
Indicator lamp : comes on briefly.
X Exit and lock the vehicle.
The tow-away alarm remains disabled until
you lock the vehicle again. 52
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Fix whatever is affecting the window before
trying to shut the door.
i Without the antenna on the left rear side
of the vehicle installed, the SmartKey
signaling range is considerably reduced.
Hold the SmartKey in close proximity
towards the antenna base when locking or
unlocking the vehicle.
i USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Factory setting X
Global unlocking: Press button %. Unless you open a door or the trunk within
approximately 40 seconds after unlocking
the vehicle:
R
The vehicle will be locked again.
R The anti-theft alarm system will be
rearmed.
X Global locking: Press button &.
Selective setting If you frequently travel alone, you may wish
to reprogramm the SmartKey. Pressing
button
% will then only unlock the driver’s
door, interior lockable storage
compartments, and the fuel filler flap.
X Switching on/off: Press and hold buttons
% and & simultaneously for
approximately 6 seconds until the battery
check lamp (Y page 57) flashes twice.
The SmartKey will then function as follows:
X Unlocking driver’s door and fuel filler
flap: Press button % once.
X Global unlocking: Press button %
twice.
X Global locking: Press button &. Checking SmartKey batteries
X
Press button & or % on the
SmartKey.
Battery check lamp : comes on briefly to
indicate that the SmartKey batteries are in
order. Locking and unlocking
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When you open a door, the windows on that
side lowers slightly. Once you close the
door, the windows move up again.
! A window will not work if it is blocked with
ice or if the vehicle battery is discharged. If
you cannot shut a door, do not force it or
you could damage the door or the window.
Fix whatever is affecting the window before
trying to shut the door. Automatic central locking
You can switch the automatic central locking
on or off using the control system
(Y page 108).
The doors and the trunk lock automatically
when the vehicle is set into motion.
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
The doors are designed to unlock
automatically after an accident if the force of
the impact exceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle locks automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning at a vehicle speed of above 9 mph
(15 km/h). You could therefore lock yourself
out when the vehicle is pushed or towed or is
on a test stand. Locking and unlocking from the inside
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 45.
You can lock or unlock the vehicle from the
inside using the central locking or unlocking
switch. This can be useful, for example, if you
want to lock the vehicle before starting to
drive.
The central locking or unlocking switch does
not lock or unlock the fuel filler flap or the
interior storage compartments, such as the
glove box. X
Locking: Press central locking switch :.
When all doors are closed, the vehicle
locks.
X Unlocking: Press central unlocking
switch ;.
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the
central locking switch
R and the SmartKey is set to factory settings,
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a
door is opened from the inside
R and the SmartKey is set to selective
settings, only the door opened from inside
is unlocked
If the vehicle has been locked centrally with
the SmartKey, it will not unlock using the
central unlocking switch. Opening the trunk
G
Warning!
Make sure the trunk is closed when the engine
is running and while driving. Among other
dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
! When you open the trunk, the trunk lid
swings open upwards. Always make sure
there is sufficient overhead clearance. Locking and unlocking
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X
Switch on the ignition.
X Switching on: Turn switch at the tip of the
stalk in direction of arrow :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
i The steering wheel heating may be
suspended temporarily. However, indicator
lamp ; remains on. The steering wheel
heating is suspended when the
temperature of the vehicle interior is above
86‡ (30†). It is also suspended when the
temperature of the steering wheel is above
95‡ (35†).
When these conditions do not apply
anymore, steering wheel heating
continues.
X Switching off: Turn switch at the tip of
stalk in direction of arrow =.
Indicator lamp ; goes out.
i Indicator lamp ; flashes or goes out in
case of power surge or undervoltage or if
the steering wheel heating malfunctions.
i The steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
For more information on the steering wheel,
see “Multifunction steering wheel”
(Y page 94). Mirrors
Notes
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a good
view of the road and traffic conditions. Interior rear view mirror
X Adjust the interior rear view mirror
manually. Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
X
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position by
moving lever towards the windshield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed. Exterior rear view mirrors
G
Warning!
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes. X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press button : for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button = for 68
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If no damage on major assemblies, fuel
system, and engine mount can be
determined:
X
Start the engine in the usual manner. Parking
G
Warning!
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system. These materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
Vehicle movement can cause serious
personal injury or damage to the vehicle or
the vehicle drivetrain. Therefore, always do
the following before turning off the engine and
leaving the vehicle:
R Keep right foot on the brake pedal.
R Engage the parking brake.
R Manual transmission: Shift the manual
transmission into 1st gear or reverse gear
R.
R Automatic transmission: Shift the
automatic transmission into park position
P.
R Slowly release the brake pedal.
R When parked on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the starter switch.
R Take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving. G
Warning!
Manual transmission:
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch. Parking brake G
Warning!
Engaging the parking brake while the vehicle
is in motion can cause the rear wheels to lock
up. You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. In addition, the vehicle’s
brake lights do not light up when the parking
brake is engaged. G
Warning!
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. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P (manual transmission: shift into the neutral
position), either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury. X
Releasing: Pull up slightly on parking brake
lever : and press release button ;.
X Push parking brake lever : down to its
original position.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning lamp
$ (USA only) or J (Canada only) in
the instrument cluster goes out.
X Engaging: Pull up parking brake lever :
firmly.
When the engine is running, the brake
warning lamp $ (USA only) or J
(Canada only) in the instrument cluster
comes on. Driving and parking
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