tow MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2006 R171 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 63
Occupant safety................................... 64
Air bags .......................................... 65
Seat belts ....................................... 71
Children in the vehicle .................... 75
Panic alarm .......................................... 80
Activating ....................................... 81
Deactivating ................................... 81
Driving safety systems ......................... 82
ABS ................................................ 82
BAS ................................................ 83
ESP
®............................................... 84
Anti-theft systems................................ 87
Immobilizer..................................... 87
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 87
Tow-away alarm ............................. 88
Controls in detail............................... 91
Locking and unlocking ......................... 92
SmartKey ....................................... 92
Opening the doors from the inside . 97
Opening the trunk .......................... 98
Closing the trunk............................ 99
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 100
Automatic central locking ............ 101
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 102
Seats ................................................. 104
Seat heating* ............................... 104
AIRSCARF neck-level heating* ..... 105
Memory function* ............................. 107
Storing positions into memory ..... 108
Recalling positions from memory . 108
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position (parking aid)....... 108
Lighting.............................................. 110
Exterior lamp switch..................... 110
Combination switch ..................... 114
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* (SLK 280, SLK 350: with
Bi-Xenon* headlamps and without
Sport Package*)........................... 115Hazard warning flasher ................ 117
Interior lighting ............................ 117
Door entry lamps ......................... 119
Instrument cluster ............................. 120
Instrument cluster illumination .... 120
Tachometer .................................. 121
Outside temperature indicator ..... 121
Trip odometer .............................. 122
Clock............................................ 122
Control system .................................. 123
Multifunction display.................... 123
Multifunction steering wheel........ 124
Menus .......................................... 126
Standard display menu ................ 128
AUDIO menu ................................ 129
NAV* menu .................................. 132
Vehicle status message
memory menu .............................. 132
Settings menu .............................. 134
Trip computer menu..................... 149
TEL menu* ................................... 151
Manual transmission ......................... 155
Shifting into reverse ..................... 156
Automatic transmission* ................... 157
Gear selector lever position ......... 159
Gear ranges ................................. 160

Contents
Practical hints................................. 361
What to do if … .................................. 362
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 362
Lamp in center console................ 367
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 368
Where will I find...? ............................ 388
First aid kit ................................... 388
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack......... 388
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 391
Spare wheel bolts ........................ 392
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 394
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 394
Locking the vehicle ...................... 395
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ........... 396
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 397
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ...................................... 397
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 398
SmartKey ..................................... 399Replacing bulbs .................................. 400
Bulbs ............................................. 401
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 403
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 405
Replacing wiper blades....................... 406
Removing wiper blades ................. 406
Installing wiper blades .................. 407
Flat tire ............................................... 408
Preparing the vehicle .................... 408
Sealing tires with TIREFIT.............. 408
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 412
Battery................................................ 421
Disconnecting the battery............. 422
Removing the battery.................... 422
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 423
Reconnecting the battery.............. 423
Jump starting ...................................... 424
Towing the vehicle .............................. 426
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 428
Fuses .................................................. 430
Aids for replacing fuses ................ 430
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 431
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 432
Technical data.................................. 433
Parts service ...................................... 434
Warranty coverage ............................. 435
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 435
Identification labels ............................ 436
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 437
SLK 280, SLK 350 ........................ 437
SLK 55 AMG ................................. 437
Engine ................................................ 438
Rims and tires .................................... 439
Same size tires ............................. 441
Mixed size tires ............................. 443
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 445
Electrical system ................................ 446
Main Dimensions................................ 447
Weights .............................................. 448

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section
(page 433) in this manual


the traffic rules and regulations


the motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modification made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle undercar-
riage or tires/wheels, for example when
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole, may cause serious damage and im-
pair the operating safety or your vehicle. If
you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that dam-
age to your vehicle has occurred, you should
turn on your hazard warning flashers, care-
fully slow down, and drive with caution to an
area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle undercarriage or
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various labels are attached to your vehicle.
These warning labels are intended to make
you and others aware of various risks. You
should not remove any of these warning la-
bels unless explicitly instructed to do so by
information on the label itself. Removal of
any of these labels may cause you and oth-
ers to be unaware of certain risks which may
result in an accident and/or personal injury.

29 At a glance
Center console
Lower part
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Gear selector lever
157
Manual transmission:
Gearshift lever
155
2
Retractable hardtop
opening/closing switch
252
3
Tow-away alarm
deactivation switch
89
4
Parking brake lever
52
5
Storage compartment
Telephone* compartment
266
Item
Page
6
Passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror switch
45,
173
7
Driver’s side exterior rear
view mirror switch
45,
173
8
Exterior rear view mirrors
adjustment switch
45,
173
9
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode selector
switch
163,
169

35 Getting started
Unlocking
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 92).
iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up position when
the door is closed.
!The side windows will not open or close
if the battery is discharged or the win-
dows are covered with ice. As a result,
you may no longer be able to properly
close the door. Do not attempt to force
the door shut. Doing so may damage
the door or the side window. Correct
the condition that prevents the
windows from operating before
attempting to close the door.
iWithout the antenna on the left rear
side of the vehicle installed, the
SmartKey signaling range is consider-
ably reduced. Hold the SmartKey in
close proximity towards the antenna
base when locking or unlocking the
vehicle.

59 Getting started
Parking and locking
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Parking brake lever
2Release button
Pull up parking brake lever1 firmly.
When the ignition is switched on or the
engine is running, the brake warning
lamp; (USA only) or3 (Canada
only) in the speedometer dial comes
on.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Pull up the parking brake lever firmly.


Move the gear selector lever* to
position
P (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position
0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.


Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

60 Getting startedParking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn exterior lamp switch toM
(page 55).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 110).
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever* not fully engaged in positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse gear)
is dangerous. Also, when parked on an in-
cline, positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear) alone may not prevent your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever* from
positionP (manual transmission: into
Neutral), either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious injury.

62 Getting startedParking and locking
Locking

Exit the vehicle and close all doors.

Press the lock button‹ on the
SmartKey (
page 34).
With the trunk and all doors closed, all
turn signal lamps flash three times. The
locking knobs on the doors move
down.
The anti-theft alarm system is armed
now (
page 87).
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (page 92).
iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up position when
the door is closed.!The side windows will not open or close
if the battery is discharged or the win-
dows are covered with ice. As a result,
you may no longer be able to properly
close the door. Do not attempt to force
the door shut. Doing so may damage
the door or the side window. Correct
the condition that prevents the
windows from operating before
attempting to close the door.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure there is no
possibility of someone getting caught in a
door during closing.Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.
iWithout the antenna on the left rear
side of the vehicle installed, the
SmartKey signaling range is consider-
ably reduced. Hold the SmartKey in
close proximity towards the antenna
base when locking or unlocking the
vehicle.

81 Safety and Security
Panic alarm
Activating
Press and hold button1for at least
1 second.
Deactivating
Press button1again.
or

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iWithout the antenna on the left rear
side of the vehicle installed, the
SmartKey signaling range for the panic
alarm is considerably reduced. The
panic alarm then only functions if the
SmartKey is held in close proximity
towards the antenna base.

85 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see “Practical Hints”
(page 365).Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP
® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:


when driving with snow chains


in deep snow


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
iThe ESP
® will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (page 439).
!Because of the ESP
®’s automatic oper-
ation, the engine must be turned off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1) when


the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
®
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel with collapsible tire is mounted.