MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

120 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Resetting trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the
standard display menu (
page 127).
If it is not displayed, press
buttonèorÿ repeatedly until
the standard display appears in the
multifunction display.
Press and hold reset buttonJ until
the trip odometer is reset.
Clock
Vehicles with COMAND*:
The clock in the instrument cluster can be
synchronized with the time set in
COMAND using the time synchronization
with head unit feature (
page 141), or set
independently from COMAND using the
control system (
page 141) with the time
synchronization with head unit feature set
to
Off.
For setting the time in COMAND, see
separate COMAND operating instructions.
For setting the time with audio system,
(
page 141).

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.

122 Controls in detail
Control system
Multifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display
and the settings in the control system are
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
Depending on the selected menu, pressing
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel will alter what appears in the multi-
function display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display are arranged in menus and
accompanying functions or submenus.
The individual functions are then found
within the relevant menu (radio or CD
operations under
AUDIO, for example).
These functions serve to call up relevant
information or to customize the settings
for your vehicle.
1Multifunction display
Operating the control system
2Selecting the 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
4Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
5Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu

123 Controls in detail
Control system
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged in a circular pattern.

If you press buttonèorÿ re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
menu one after the other.

If you press buttonjork re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
function display, one after the other, in
the current menu.
In the
Settings menu, you will find a num-
ber of submenus instead of functions for
calling up and changing settings. For in-
structions on using these submenus, see
“Settings menu” (
page 136).
The number of menus available in the sys-
tem depends on which optional equipment
is installed in your vehicle.
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to those
shown in the control system displays.
The first function displayed in each menu will
automatically show you which part of the system
you are in.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.

124 Controls in detail
Control system
MenusThis is what you will see when you scroll
through the menus.The table below provides an overview of
the individual menus.

125 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Table continued on next page.
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4
Standard displayAMG1AUDIONAV*
(page 127)(page 128)(page 133)(page 135)
Commands/submenus
Run Flat Indicator* (Canada only)
or
TPMS (USA only)Engine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationShow route guidance
instructions, current direction
traveled
Checking coolant temperatureVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station* (USA only)
Digital speedometer/outside
temperatureRACETIMEROperating the CD player
Calling up maintenance service
indicatorOverall analysis
Checking engine oil level
(SLK 55 AMG only)Lap analysis
1AMG vehicles only.

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* (Canada only)
or
TPMS (USA only)315
317
Checking coolant temperature127
Displaying digital speedometer
or outside temperature128
Calling up maintenance service
indicator337
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 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 374).
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.