2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG automatic transmission

Vehicle equipment ..............................
56
Locking and unlocking .......................56
Starter switch positions ..................... 61
Seats .................................................... 62
Multifunction steering wheel .............66
Mirrors ................................................. 68
Memory function ................................. 70
Lighting ................................................ 70
Wipers .................................................. 76
Power windows ................................... 78
Driving and parking ............................ 79
Manual transmission .......................... 84
Automatic transmission ..................... 85
Instrument cluster ..............................92
Control system .................................... 93
Audio system .................................... 112
Driving systems ................................ 159
Climate control system ....................162
Rear window defroster ..................... 170
Retractable hardtop .........................170
Loading and storing ..........................174
Useful features ................................. 176 55Controls in detail
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Illumination of the emergency release button:
R
The button flashes for 30 minutes after
opening the trunk.
R The button flashes for 60 minutes after
closing the trunk.
The emergency release button does not
unlock the trunk, if the vehicle battery is
discharged or disconnected.
If the vehicle has previously been locked
centrally with the SmartKey, opening the
trunk from the inside using the emergency
release button will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system.
To cancel the alarm, see ( Y page 53).Valet locking
You can lock the trunk separately with the
mechanical key. This denies unauthorized
access to the trunk, e.g. when you valet park
the vehicle.
X Leave only the SmartKey less its
mechanical key with the vehicle. X
Valet locking: Close the trunk.
X Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (Y page 264).
X Insert the mechanical key in the trunk lid
lock.
X Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position 2 and remove the mechanical
key in that position to lock the trunk.
The trunk remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked. You can then only open the trunk with the
mechanical key.
X
Canceling: Insert the mechanical key in
the trunk lid lock.
X Turn the mechanical key counterclockwise
to neutral position 1 and remove the
mechanical key in that position to unlock
the trunk.
You can now open the trunk. Starter switch positions
SmartKey
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 45. Starter switch
g
For removing SmartKey
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Gear selector lever must be in park
position P.
1 Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3 Starting position
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The high-
beam headlamp indicator lamp and turn
signal indicator lamps will only come on if
activated. If a lamp in the instrument cluster
fails to come on when the ignition is switched
on, have it checked and replaced if necessary.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster remains on
after starting the engine or comes on while Starter switch positions
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the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
The indicator lamp in the respective button
comes on for approximately 10 seconds.
If you do not make adjustments to the
selected exterior rear view mirror within
10 seconds, the indicator lamp goes out.
You will then have to select the desired
exterior rear view mirror again before
adjustments can be made. Adjustments
can only be made with the indicator lamp
for the respective exterior rear view mirror
button illuminated.
X Press adjustment button ; up, down, left
or right according to the desired setting.
! If an exterior rear view mirror was forcibly
hit from the front, manually snap it back
into place.
i At low ambient temperatures, the exterior
rear view mirrors will be heated
automatically. Auto-dimming rear view mirrors
The exterior rear view mirror on the driver’s
side and the interior rear view mirror will
respond automatically to glare when the
ignition is switched on and incoming light
from headlamps falls on the sensor in the
interior rear view mirror.
The rear view mirrors will not react if reverse
gear R is engaged or the interior lighting is
switched on. G
Warning!
The auto dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sensors
in the interior rear view mirror.
The interior rear view mirror and the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side do not
react, for example, if the cloth wind screen is
installed.
Light hitting the mirror(s) at certain angles
(incident light) could blind you. As a result, you may not be able to observe traffic
conditions and could cause an accident.
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position
To assist during parking maneuvers, you can
set the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror so that you can see the rear wheel and
the road curb.
Setting and storing the parking position X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press button =, to select the passenger-
side exterior rear view mirror.
X Shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R (manual transmission to
reverse gear).
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror moves to the preset parking
position.
X Adjust the passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror with adjustment button ; so
that you see the rear wheel and the road
curb.
X Press memory button M (Y page 70) and
within 3 seconds, press one of the arrows
of adjustment button ;.
The parking position is stored if the exterior
rear view mirror does not move. Mirrors
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Calling up the parking position
X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press button ;, to select the passenger-
side exterior rear view mirror.
X Shift the automatic transmission into
reverse gear R (manual transmission to
reverse gear).
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror moves to the stored parking
position.
The passenger-side exterior rear view mirror
returns to its previously stored driving
position
R 10 seconds after you have put the gear
selector lever out of reverse gear R (manual
transmission out of reverse)
R immediately once your vehicle exceeds a
speed of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
R immediately when you press button : to
select the driver’s side exterior rear view
mirror Memory function
Notes
With the memory function you can store up
to three different configurations per front
seat.
Each memory position button on the driver’s
side can store all of the following settings:
R Seat position
R Steering wheel position
R Exterior rear view mirrors’ position G
Warning!
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function while
driving could cause the driver to lose control
of the vehicle.
Each memory position button on the
passenger side can store the setting of the
seat position. Storing positions into memory
X Adjust the seats.
X On the driver’s side, also adjust the
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirrors to the desired positions.
X Press memory button M once and within
3 seconds press memory position button
1, 2 or 3.
When the settings are stored to the
selected position, an acknowledgement
signal sounds. Recalling positions from memory
X Press and hold desired memory position
button 1, 2 or 3 until the seat has moved
to the stored position completely. On the
driver’s side, also wait for the steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors to
move to the stored position.
i Releasing the memory position button
stops movement to the stored positions
immediately. Lighting
Notes
i If you drive in countries with left-hand
driving, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams. 70
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G
Warning!
If the exterior lamp switch is set to Ã, the
headlamps will not automatically come on
under foggy conditions.
To
minimize risk to you and to others, activate
headlamps by turning exterior lamp switch to
L when driving or when traffic and/or
ambient lighting conditions require you to do
so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position à to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from à to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.
X Switching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position Ã.
The following lamps come on and go out
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light with the SmartKey in starter switch
position 1:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps will also come on and turn off
automatically.
Canada

only: High-beam headlamps are only
available with the exterior lamp switch in
position L.
Daytime running lamp mode In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode is
mandatory

and therefore in a constant mode.
In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default. X
Activate the daytime running lamp mode
using the control system, see “Switching
daytime

running lamp mode on or off (USA
only)” (Y page 106).
X Turn the exterior lamp switch to position
$ or Ã.
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps come on.
In low ambient lighting conditions, the
following lamps will come on additionally:
R
Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
With the daytime running lamp mode
activated
and the engine running, you cannot
switch off the low-beam headlamps manually.
Canada only
With the exterior lamp switch in position
$ or Ã, you cannot switch on the
high-beam headlamps.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
X For nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch

to position L to permit activation
of the high-beam headlamps.
When the engine is running, and you
R shift from a driving position to neutral
position N or park position P with the
vehicle at a standstill (vehicles with
automatic transmission), the low-beam
headlamps will go out with a delay of
3 minutes
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
T, the low-beam headlamps, the tail
and

parking lamps, the license plate lamps
and the side marker lamps come on
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L, the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
(Y page 71). 72
Lighting
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!
Vehicles with rain sensor: Do not leave
windshield wipers on an intermittent
setting when the vehicle is taken to an
automatic car wash or during windshield
cleaning. Windshield wipers will operate in
the presence of water sprayed on the
windshield, and windshield wipers may be
damaged as a result.
! Vehicles with rain sensor: If you have set
intermittent wiping, dirt on the surface of
the
rain sensor or optical effects may cause
the windshield wipers to wipe in an
undesired fashion. This could then damage
the windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield. You should therefore switch off
the windshield wipers when weather
conditions are dry.
Vehicles with rain sensor: Intermittent wiping
interval is dependent on the wetness of the
windshield. After the initial wipe, pauses
between wipes are controlled by the rain
sensor automatically.
X Turn the combination switch to position I.
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle
is at a standstill and a door is opened.
This protects persons getting into or out of
the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when all
doors are closed and
R the clutch pedal is depressed (vehicles with
manual transmission)
or
R the automatic transmission is in drive
position D or reverse gear R (vehicles with
automatic transmission)
the automatic transmission is in drive
position D or reverse gear R
or
R the wiper setting is changed using the
combination switch Single wipe X
Press the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow A to the resistance
point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with washer fluid X
Press the combination switch in direction
of arrow A past the resistance point.
The

windshield wipers operate with washer
fluid.
i To prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with
washer

fluid every now and then even when
it is raining.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” ( Y page 196).
For information on cleaning the headlamps
with washer fluid, see “Headlamp cleaning
system” ( Y page 74). Problems with wipers
! If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For

safety reasons, do the following before
attempting to remove any blockage:
R Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
R Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
R Engage the parking brake.
R Remove blockage.
R Turn the windshield wipers on again. Wipers
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Starting the engine
G
Warning!
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
Manual transmission Gearshift pattern for manual transmission
k
Reverse gear
1 to 6 Forward gears
For more information, see “Manual
transmission” (Y page 84).
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Make sure the manual transmission is in
the neutral position (no gear selected).
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be started
due to the integrated safety interlock. Automatic transmission Gearshift pattern for automatic transmission
j
Park position with gear selector lever lock
k Reverse gear
i Neutral position
h Drive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission” (Y page 85).
X Make sure the automatic transmission is in
park position P.
Starting X
Do not depress the accelerator pedal.
X Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 (Y page 61) and hold until the
engine starts.
i Vehicles with automatic transmission:
You can also use the “touch-start” function.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 3 and release it again immediately.
The engine then starts automatically.
Starting difficulties !
Remember that extended starting
attempts can drain the battery.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked.
X To unlock, remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch and reinsert. 80
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The engine does not start. You can hear
the starter.
There could be a malfunction in the engine
electronics or in the fuel supply system.
X
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 0 and repeat the starting
procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The engine does not start. You cannot
hear the starter.
The battery may not be charged sufficiently.
X Get a jump start (Y page 283).
If the engine will not start despite a jump
start:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance.
The starter has been exposed to excessive
temperatures.
X Let the starter cool for about 2 minutes.
X Repeat the starting procedure.
If the engine does not start after several
starting attempts:
X Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call Roadside Assistance. Driving off
G
Warning!
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.
! Do not run a cold engine at high engine
speeds. Running a cold engine at high
engine speeds may shorten the service life of the engine. This is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! If an acoustic warning sounds and the
message Release Parking Brake
appears in the multifunction display when
driving off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
! Avoid

spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
! Simultaneously depressing the
accelerator pedal and applying the brakes
reduces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
i Once the vehicle is in motion, the
automatic central locking function engages
and the locking knobs in the doors move
down.
The automatic central locking function can
be switched off ( Y page 108).
Manual transmission X
Depress the brake pedal.
X Fully depress the clutch pedal.
! Only shift the manual transmission into
reverse

gear R when the vehicle is stopped.
Otherwise the manual transmission could
be damaged.
X Shift the manual transmission into 1st
gear
or reverse gear R.
X If engaged, release the parking brake.
X Release the brake pedal.
X Simultaneously slowly release the clutch
pedal

and carefully depress the accelerator
pedal. Driving and parking
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