warning MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2007 Repair Manual

112 Controls in detail
Lighting
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to
positionCorB, the manual head-
lamp mode has priority over the daytime
running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 109).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
The locator lighting and the night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (
page 144) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 144).Fog lampsFront fog lamps
Switch on the low beam
headlampsB (
page 109).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps switch on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(
page 109).
Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps switch off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the exterior lamp switch in positionM,
you cannot switch on the high beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving, turn the exterior lamp
switch in positionB orU to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.
Warning!G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionUtoB with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromUtoB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding
allowable lamp operation.
iFog lamps cannot be switched on with the
exterior lamp switch in positionU. To switch
on the fog lamps, turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB first.

115 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps if they
where activated by switching on the left or
right turn signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after
making the turn, the turn signal and
corner-illuminating front fog lamp can be
switched off by returning the combination
switch to its original position.Driving in reverse
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Place the gearshift lever (automatic
transmission*: gear selector lever) in
positionR.
The front fog lamp opposite to your
steering direction comes on.
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Place the gearshift lever (automatic
transmission*: gear selector lever) out
of positionR.
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter
switch.
The hazard warning flasher switches on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switch
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps switch off.

116 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching on hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
Switching off hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
Interior lighting
The controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
1Interior lighting on/off
2Automatic control on/off
3Right reading lamp on/off
4Left reading lamp on/offAutomatic control
Deactivating
Press automatic control switch2 until
it engages at a deeper position than the
other switches.
The interior lighting remains switched
off in darkness, even when you

unlock the vehicle

remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch

open a door
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left or
right turn, only the respective turn signals will
operate when the ignition is switched on.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard warning
flasher switch1 once to switch it off.
!An interior lamp switched on manually does
not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switch in the ON posi-
tion for extended periods of time with the engine
turned off could result in a discharged battery.
iThe interior lighting is factory-set to
automatic mode.
iWhen you open the trunk, the trunk lighting
switches on automatically.

118 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
A full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section (
page 26).
1To brighten instrument cluster
illumination (knob+)
2To dim instrument cluster
illumination (knob-)
3Reset buttonJ
The instrument cluster is activated when
you

open a door

switch on the ignition (page 37)

press reset buttonJ

switch on the exterior lampsFor information on changing the instru-
ment cluster settings, e.g. the language,
see “Instrument cluster submenu”
(
page 139).Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Adjusting
Use knobs 1 or 2 to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness of the instrument cluster.
To brighten illumination
Press knob1 briefly.
The instrument cluster illumination
brightens.
To dim illumination
Press knob2 briefly.
The instrument cluster illumination
dims.
iOpening a door or pressing the reset
buttonJ without switching on the ignition or
the exterior lighting activates the multifunction
display illumination only for 30 seconds.
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as speed or outside temperature,
warning/indicator lamps,
malfunction/warning messages or the
failure of any systems. Driving characteris-
tics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iThe instrument cluster illumination
automatically adjusts to the ambient light.
You can only adjust the brightness of the instru-
ment cluster illumination when it is dark outside.
iWith the exterior lighting switched on, the
brightness of the switches in the center console
will also be adjusted when using knob 1 or 2.

119 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(
page 26) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the multifunction display (
page 128).The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. There-
fore, the accuracy of the displayed temper-
ature can only be verified by comparison to
a thermometer placed next the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays, e.g.
bank signs, etc.
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate
temperature displays caused by heat radi-
ated from the engine during idling or slow
driving.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds,
as it may result in serious engine damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

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.

126 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu5Menu6Menu7Menu8
Vehicle status message
memory1SettingsTrip computerTEL*
(page 135)(page 136)(page 148)(page 149)
Commands/submenus
Calling up vehicle malfunction,
warning and system status
messages stored in memoryResetting to factory settingsFuel consumption statistics
since startLoading phone book
Instrument cluster submenu Fuel consumption statistics
since last resetSearching for name in phone
book
Time/Date submenuResetting fuel consumption
statisticsRedialing
Lighting submenuDistance to empty
Vehicle submenu
Convenience* submenu
1The vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.

127 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
The multifunction display shows the main
odometer and trip odometer. This default
setting is referred to as the standard
display.
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
If another display is shown instead of the
standard display:
Press buttonèorÿ repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display.
Press buttonk orj to select
the functions in the standard display
menu.The following functions are available:Checking coolant temperature
FunctionPage
Run Flat Indicator*315
Checking coolant temperature127
Displaying digital speedometer
or outside temperature128
Calling up maintenance service
indicator334
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)296
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the hood. Stay away from
the engine if you see or hear steam com-
ing from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.

128 Controls in detail
Control system
When in the standard display menu,
press buttonjork repeatedly
until the coolant temperature appears
in the multifunction display.Displaying digital speedometer or
outside temperature
Press buttonjork repeatedly
until the digital speedometer appears
in the multifunction display.
The current vehicle speed or the
outside temperature is appears in the
multifunction display.
Example illustration for selected vehicle
speed
AMG menu
The main screen of the AMG menu shows
you the gear currently engaged as well as
the engine oil temperature.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2Engine oil temperature
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers a
warning message in the multifunction display
(
page 368).
The engine should not be operated with a
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant temperature
may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
iYou can select to either display the digital
speedometer or the outside temperature
indicator (
page 140).
iThis function is only available in AMG
vehicles.

129 Controls in detail
Control system
Use buttons k or j to select the
following functions in the AMG menu:Vehicle supply voltage
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until the
vehicle supply voltage appears in the
multifunction display.
1Gear indicator
2Vehicle supply voltageRACETIMER
The RACETIMER allows you to time and
save driving stretches in hours, minutes
and seconds.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until the AMG menu appears in the
multifunction display.
iThe engine oil temperature symbol
flashes if the engine oil temperature has not yet
reached 80°C. During this time, avoid driving at
full engine speed.
FunctionPage
Vehicle supply voltage129
RACETIMER129
Overall analysis132
Lap analysis132
iIf the engine reaches the overspeed range in
the manual shift program (
page 165), the
menu will be shown in red. In addition, you will
see
UP n e x t t o g e a r i n d i c a t o r 1 as a reminder to
upshift.
Warning!G
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads
is prohibited under all circumstances and
the driver is and must always remain
responsible for following posted speed
limits.