ECO mode MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2003 Owners Manual
Page 7 of 304
7
Product information
Introduction
Product informationPlease observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz orig-
inal 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 their 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 indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle.
Please do not use them.Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories ap-
proved by us are available at your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will
receive comprehensive information, also
on permissible technical modifications,
and where proper installation will be per-
formed.
Page 83 of 304
83 Controls in detail
Lighting
Lighting
For notes on how to switch on the head-
lamps and use the turn signals, see the
“Getting started” section (
page 43).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch
M
Off
C
Parking lamps (also side marker
lamps, tail lamps, license plate
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
Canada only: When engine is run-
ning, the low beam is also switched
on.
B
Low beam plus parking lamps or
high beam headlamps (combination
switch pushed forward).
ˆ
Standing lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚
Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)Daytime running lamp mode (Canada
only)
Vehicles with automatic transmission
When the engine is running and the
selector lever is in driving position, the low
beam headlamps are automatically
switched on.
When you shift from a driving position to
positionN orP, the low beam switches off
(2 seconds delay).
Vehicles with manual transmission
With the engine running, the low beam
headlamps are automatically switched on.
iIf you remove the key and open the
driver’s door while the parking lamps or
low beam headlamps are switched on,
then a warning sounds.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, the
low beam headlamps cannot be
switched off manually.
Page 97 of 304
97 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Program mode selector switch
1Program mode selector switch
S Standard For regular driving
W Winter For winter driving
Press the program mode selector
switch.
Select
Wfor comfortable 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 im-
proved 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.
The power transmission ratio for se-
lector lever positionR changes de-
pending on the program mode
selected (
W or
S).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from the steering lock, and lock the ve-
hicle. Do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Children could move the selector le-
ver from positionP, which could result in an
accident and/or serious injury.
!Never change the program mode when
the selector lever is out of positionP. It
could result in a change of driving char-
acteristics for which you may not be
prepared.
Page 98 of 304
98 Controls in detailAutomatic transmission*Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the transmis-
sion’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.
Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode)
If vehicle acceleration worsens or the
transmission no longer shifts, the trans-
mission is most likely operating in limp
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only 2nd gear and reverse gear can
be activated.
Stop the vehicle.
Move selector lever toP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before re-
starting.
Restart the engine.
Move selector lever to positionD (for
2nd gear) orR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Page 117 of 304
117 Controls in detail
Audio system
Seek tuning
Press either the
f
or
e
button.
The radio will tune to the next receiv-
able station.
Scan tuning
Press the
SC
key.
Each station with a strong signal on the
band selected will be tuned in for
8 seconds. The first scan will tune only
the stations with a high signal strength.
The second scan will tune every receiv-
able station.
By pressing either the
d
, c
, f
or
e
buttons, or the
SC
key, the scan
mode can be cancelled.Station memory
Ten stations can be stored in the AM and
FM bands via the alpha-numeric keypad.
The “0” button corresponds to location 10.
Weatherband (WB) channels 1 to 7 can be
retrieved via the alpha-numeric keypad
and are preset at the factory.
Storing stations
Hold the number button down for ap-
proximately 2 seconds.
The currently displayed frequency is
stored on the selected station button.
The storage procedure is confirmed by
a short signal tone.
Retrieving a station from memory
Press the desired station button.Direct frequency input (AM and FM
only)
Select the band.
Press the
“
button and enter the
desired frequency using the
alpha-numeric keypad.
Frequencies outside of the frequency
ranges (frequencies specified on
page 116) will not be accepted. The
frequency input mode is cancelled if no
button is pressed within 4 seconds.
Page 118 of 304
118 Controls in detailAudio systemCassette mode
Playing cassettes
Press the “TAPE” button.
Press the eject (EJ) key.
The display folds down and the cas-
sette slot becomes visible.
Push the cassette into the slot until it
engages.
The cassette will be pulled in automati-
cally.
The radio will switch to cassette mode.
Track 1 will be played and
SIDE 1
dis-
played. Track 1 is the side of the cassette
which is facing upwards. The cassette
deck will automatically detect the type of
tape and switch the equalization automati-
cally. A cassette symbol in the display indi-cates that a tape is in the mechanism. This
symbol appears in all modes but not in cas-
sette mode.
The cassette will not be ejected when the
radio is switched off or another mode is se-
lected.
If a cassette is in the mechanism, cassette
mode can be selected by using the “TAPE”
button. If no cassette has been inserted,
the display will show
NO TAPE
.
Cassette eject
Press the eject (
EJ) key.
The display will fold down and the
cassette will be ejected.
iDo not press directly on the radio dis-
play face.
Return the display panel to its normal
position by folding it back up and
pressing gently on the display frame to
lock in place.
When playing mono recorded tapes
(e.g. books) through a stereo system,
the sound from one track might bleed
to the other track, despite setting the
balance to the full left or full right
speakers.!If the display is in the down position for
more than 20 seconds, two successive
beeps will be heard. This will continue
at 5 second intervals until the display is
returned to its normal position.
Page 119 of 304
119 Controls in detail
Audio system
Remove the cassette.
Fold the display back up manually.
The radio will switch back to radio
mode automatically.
Track selection
Press the track selection (
TRK
) key.The current track will be displayed as
SIDE 1
or
SIDE 2
. The track will be
changed automatically at the end of
the tape.
Track search forwards/backwards
Press the
f
button.
SEEK FWD
will be shown on the display
and the track search will run the tape
forwards to the start of the next track.
Press the
e
button.
SEEK RWD
will be shown on the display
and the track search will run the tape
backwards to the start of the track cur-
rently playing.
Press the same button again to inter-
rupt track search.
iThe cassette will not be ejected when
the radio is switched off.!If the display is in the down position for
more than 20 seconds, two successive
beeps will be heard. This will continue
at 5 second intervals until the display is
returned to its normal position.
iThe beginning of a track can only be lo-
cated if there is a break of at least
4 seconds between tracks.
Page 123 of 304
123 Controls in detail
Audio system
Skipping tracks forwards / backwards
Press the
f
button.
The next track on the CD will be played.
Press the
e
button.
If the track has been playing for more
than 10 seconds, it will revert to the
start of that track. If it has been playing
for less than 10 seconds, it will revert
to the preceding track.
To skip several tracks, the respective
button must be pressed until the de-
sired track is reached. If the beginning
or end of the CD is reached during the
search, the first or last track will be
played.Fast forward/reverse
Press the
d
button and hold it down
for audible fast forward.
Press the
c
button and hold it down
for audible reverse.
The search will stop when the button is re-
leased. The relative time of the track will
be displayed during the search. The search
mode will cancel if the beginning or end of
the CD is reached.
Scanning
Press the
SC key.
Each track will be played for 8 seconds
in ascending order.
The search will stop at the track in
question if the d
, c
, f
, e
buttons or the
SC key are pressed.Random play/repeat function
The tracks of the current CD are played in
random order when the random feature
(
RDM
) is selected.
Press the
RDM
key to switch on, and
press
RDM
again to switch off.
When the repeat function (
RPT
) has been
selected, a particular track can be played
for as many times as desired.
Press the
RPT
key to switch on.
Press
RPT
again to switch off.
iBoth functions cannot be used simulta-
neously.
Page 146 of 304
146 Controls in detailUseful featuresEmergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly:
following an accident in which the
emergency tensioning detractors
(ETDs) or airbags deploy,
if the anti-theft alarm or the tow-away
alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds. See anti-theft alarm sys-
tem (
page 71) and tow-away alarm
(
page 72).An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
inside rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See below for instructions on
initiating an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the ve-
hicle (determined by the GPS satellite loca-
tion system), vehicle model, identification
number and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes. The Response Center
will attempt to determine more precisely
the nature of the accident provided they
can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.
Warning!
G
The Tele Aid control unit is located under the
driver’s seat. If there is accumulation of wa-
ter or other liquid in this area, the Tele Aid
control unit could suffer an electrical short
circuit making the system inoperative. In
this case the indicator lamp in the SOS but-
ton does not illuminate during or remains il-
luminated after the system self-check. Have
the system checked at the nearest Mer-
cedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Page 148 of 304
148 Controls in detailUseful features
Roadside Assistance button
•
Located below the center armrest cover is
the Roadside Assistance button
•
.
Press and hold the button (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside
Assistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress.
The Tele Aid system will transmit data gen-
erating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to avail-
ability of cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such as labor and/or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance man-
ual for more information.
These programs are only available in the
USA:
Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics: This func-
tion permits the Mercedes-Benz Road-
side Assistance dispatcher to
download malfunction codes and actu-
al vehicle data.
Warning!
G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, ve-
hicle in a dangerous road location), please
do not wait for voice contact after you have
pressed the emergency button. Carefully
leave the vehicle and move to a safe loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they re-
ceive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle occu-
pants.