Cruise control MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2006 R171 Owner's Manual

Contents
Driving tips ................................... 162
Automatic shift program .............. 163
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 164
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting ................. 165
Manual shift program
SLK 55 AMG................................. 169
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 172
Good visibility .................................... 173
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 173
Rear view mirrors ......................... 173
Sun visors .................................... 176
Rear window defroster ................. 177
Climate control .................................. 178
Switching climate control
system on/off .............................. 181
Setting the temperature ............... 181
Adjusting air distribution .............. 182
Adjusting air volume .................... 183
Basic settings............................... 183
Defrosting windshield .................. 184
Air recirculation mode.................. 185
Air conditioning ............................ 187
Residual engine heat utilization.... 188Automatic climate control* ................ 190
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 194
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 194
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 196
Adjusting air volume ..................... 197
Defrosting windshield ................... 197
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 199
Air recirculation mode .................. 199
Air conditioning............................. 200
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 202
Audio system ...................................... 203
Audio and telephone*, operation .. 203
Operating safety ........................... 203
Operating and display elements.... 204
Button and soft key operation....... 206
Operation ...................................... 206
Radio operation ............................ 209
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 214
CD mode ....................................... 219
GSM network phones ................... 229
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 236
Emergency calls “911”.................. 243Power windows .................................. 246
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 246
Synchronizing power windows ...... 251
Retractable hardtop ........................... 252
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop....................... 252
Wind screen .................................. 259
Driving systems .................................. 260
Cruise control ............................... 260
Loading .............................................. 265
Roof rack ...................................... 265
Useful features ................................... 266
Storage compartments ................. 266
Shelf behind roll bars .................... 268
Cup holder .................................... 268
Ashtray ......................................... 269
Cigarette lighter ............................ 270
Power outlet ................................. 271
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 271
Telephone* ................................... 272
Tele Aid ......................................... 273
Garage door opener* .................... 281
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only) . 288

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*
165
SLK 55 AMG:
Steering wheel gearshift
control
167
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
124
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24,
120
5
Overhead control panel
30,
117
6
Glove box
266
7
Center console
28, 29
8
Sun sensor for automatic
climate control*
9
Starter switch
36
Item
Page
a
Steering wheel adjustment
handle, manual
42
b
Steering wheel adjustment
lever, electrical*
43
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada
only)
288
c
Headlamp cleaning* switch
173
d
Hood lock release
307
e
Exterior lamp switch
55,
110
f
Combination switch

Turn signals
55


Windshield wipers
56


High beam headlamps
55
g
Power window switches
246
h
Door handle
97
j
Cruise control lever
260

260 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.
The BAS, ABS and ESP
® driving systems
are described in the “Safety and Security”
section (
page 82).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
You can set or resume cruise control at any
speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 22).
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must remain at
all times responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

261 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume to last set speedSetting current speed

Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever (
page 261).
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display.
Warning!
G
Cruise control brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded. The brake
pedal is depressed automatically to do this.
Keep in mind that cruise control is a conve-
nience system designed to assist the driver
during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the ve-
hicle’s speed and for safe braking operation.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
- your foot could become caught.

262 Controls in detailDriving systems
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 261).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
iOn u phil l or d ownhill gra de s, the cr uis e
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control
maintains the set speed with braking
from the vehicle’s braking system.
In addition, on longer downhill grades
the automatic transmission* will auto-
matically downshift.
iVehicles with manual transmission:
If you depress the clutch pedal when
shifting into another gear, the engine
speed may increase.

Drive with sufficient engine speed.


Shift gears in a timely manner.


If possible, do not shift down more
than one gear.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.

263 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 261) and hold it
up until the desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 261) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
iThe cruise control switches off auto-
matically, if

you step on the brake pedal.


you pull up the parking brake lever
firmly.


the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h).


ESP
® is in operation or switched off
with the ESP
® switch (
page 84).


Vehicles with manual transmission:
you depress the clutch pedal for
longer than 6 seconds during shift-
ing into another gear.


Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*: you move the gear selector
lever to positionN while driving.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Moving gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding (e.g. on icy roads).iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate the cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing), the
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the brake system will
automatically brake the vehicle if the
engine’s braking power does not brake
the vehicle sufficiently.

264 Controls in detailDriving systemsFine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 261).
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 261).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 261).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display.
Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.

299 Operation
Driving instructions
SLK 280, SLK 350
SLK 280 with Sport Package*
SLK 350 with Sport Package*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a tire speed
rating of 168 mph (270 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).
SLK 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a tire speed
rating of 186 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km/h).SLK 55 AMG with Performance
Package*
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“Y”-rated tires, which have a tire speed
rating of 186 mph (300 km / h).
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
174 mph (280 km/h).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever* to positionN or
declutch in case of manual transmission.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.
iFor information on speed rating for
winter tires, see “Winter tires”
(page 348).
For additional general information on
tire speed markings on tire sidewall,
see “Tire speed rating” (
page 334).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 349).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.

370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Text messagesDisplay message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP
® and
the BAS are also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the ABS avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The ABS or the ABS display is mal-
functioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Cruise
control
Cruise control
Drive to workshop
Cruise control is malfunctioning.

Have cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

378 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Display symbol
Display message
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
±
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
Certain electronic systems are un-
able to relay information to the con-
trol system. The following systems
may have failed:

Coolant temperature display


Tachometer


Cruise control display

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
G
Display malfunction
Visit workshop
The instrument cluster display is
malfunctioning.
When the display is malfunctioning, warnings
and malfunction messages might not be dis-
played.
Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
The displays for several systems
have malfunctioned. Some systems
themselves may also have malfunc-
tioned.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the electronic systems checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
J
Doors open
You are attempting to drive with
one or more doors open.

Close all doors.