MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2006 R171 Owner's Manual

180 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the interior through the air distribution
system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/Cmode is deactivated
(
page 179).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature).
This may cause burns or frostbite to unpro-
tected skin in the immediate area of the air
vents. Always keep sufficient distance be-
tween unprotected parts of the body and the
air vents. If necessary, use the air distribu-
tion controls (
page 179) to direct the air
to air vents in the vehicle interior that are
not in the immediate area of unprotected
skin.
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the fil-
ter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air vol-
ume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off. The cli-
mate control will then adjust the interi-
or temperature to the set value much
faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
When the retractable hardtop is closed,
do not obstruct air flow by placing ob-
jects on the air flow-through exhaust
slots below the rear window.

181 Controls in detail
Climate control
Switching climate control system on/off
Switching on
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Set air volume control2 to any speed
(page 179).
The previous settings are once again in
effect.
Switching off

Set air volume control2 (
page 179)
to position0.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 and4
(page 179) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.Increasing

Turn temperature control
1and/or4 (
page 179) slightly
clockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing

Turn temperature control
1and/or4 (
page 179) slightly
counterclockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
iWhen the climate control system is
switched off, the outside air supply and
circulation are also switched off. Only
choose this setting for a short time.
Otherwise the windows could fog up.

182 Controls in detailClimate controlAdjusting air distribution
Use air distribution control3
(page 179) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
control:

Turn the air distribution control to the
desired symbol (
page 179).
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air distri-
bution.Opening the center air vents

Turn thumbwheels5and8
(page 178) upward to the first stop.
Center air vents4,6,7and9 are
open.

Turn thumbwheels5and8
(page 178) upward all the way.
Only center air vents6and7 are
open.
Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the
center and side air vents
Z
Directs air to the windows
and through the center and
side air vents
b
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
Y
Directs air to the footwells
and through the center and
side air vents
iYou can also turn the control to a
position between two symbols.

183 Controls in detail
Climate control
Closing the center air vents
Turn thumbwheels5and8
(page 178) downward all the way.
Center air vents4,6,7and9 are
closed.
Opening and closing side air vents

Turn thumbwheels1andc
(page 178) in the required direction.
Side air vents2andb are open or
closed.
Adjusting air volume
Ten blower speeds are available.
Use air volume control2
(page 179) to adjust the air volume.
Basic settings
Heating (winter)
Turn temperature controls1and4
(page 179) to the desired position.

Turn air volume control2
(page 179) to level2 or higher.
Otherwise the windows may fog over.

Turn air distribution control3
(page 179) to a position
betweenbandY.

Open the side air vents if necessary.

Close the center air vents.

184 Controls in detailClimate controlHeating (summer)
Turn air temperature
control1and4 (
page 179) to the
desired position.

Turn air volume control2
(page 179) to level1 or higher.

Turn air distribution control3
(page 179) to positiona.

Open the center and side air vents.
Defrosting windshield
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up.
You can also defog the side windows.Activating

Press buttonP (
page 179).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches
automatically to the following func-
tions:


cooling on to dehumidify


maximum blowing and heating
power


air flows onto the windshield
and the front side windows
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are
clear again.

185 Controls in detail
Climate control
Deactivating
Press buttonP (
page 179) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 56).

Turn air distribution control3 to
positionaorY (
page 179).
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e.g. before driving
through a tunnel). This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the interior.
iThe cooling remains switched on.
Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 187) is activated, or
press buttonP.

186 Controls in detailClimate controlActivating
Briefly press button,
(page 179).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating

Press button, (
page 179) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside tempera-
tures.
The indicator lamp on button, is
not lit when the air recirculation mode
is automatically switched on.
A quantity of outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.
Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows if there is
the possibility of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure.
In the event that the closing procedure caus-
es potential danger, the closing of the door
windows can be immediately halted by re-
leasing the, button or by pressing the
respective power window switch.
The closing of the rear side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the
,button.iIf you press button, and keep it
pressed, the side windows will close.
The closing of the side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing
button,.
iThe air recirculation mode is deactivat-
ed automatically:

after 5 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is below approximately
41°F (5°C)


after 5 minutes if the air condition-
ing is turned off


after 30 minutes if the outside tem-
perature is above approximately
41°F (5°C)
iIf you press button, and keep it
pressed, the side windows will open.
The opening of the side windows can
be immediately halted by releasing
button,.

187 Controls in detail
Climate control
Air conditioning
The cooling function, only operational
when the engine is running, cools the vehi-
cle interior down to the selected tempera-
ture. The cooling function also
dehumidifies the air in the vehicle interior,
thus preventing the windows from fogging
up.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Press button9 (
page 179).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The cooling function switches off
after a short delay.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press button9 (
page 179) again.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
iCondensation may drip from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the vehi-
cle will not be cooled when the weather con-
ditions are warm. The windows can fog up
more quickly. Window fogging may impair
visibility and endanger you and others.

188 Controls in detailClimate controlMaximum cooling
Turn thumbwheels5and8
(page 178) upwards to the first stop.
The fixed center air vents4and9
(page 178) and the adjustable air
vents6and7 (
page 178) are
open.

For draft-free ventilation, move the
sliders for the center air vents
6and7 (
page 178) to the middle
position.

Turn thumbwheels1andc
(page 178) for the adjustable side air
vents2andb (
page 178) to the
fully open position.

Set air distribution control3
(page 182) to positiona.
The air distribution directs the air
through the center and side air vents.

Set air volume control2 (
page 183)
to position5.
The ventilation operates with maximum
blower speed.

Turn temperature controls1and4
(page 179) completely counterclock-
wise to their end stops.
The lowest temperature for both sides
is set.
Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
iWhen the vehicle’s interior has cooled
down enough, reduce the air volume
and increase the air temperature to
comfortable settings if desired.

189 Controls in detail
Climate control
Activating
Switch off the ignition (
page 36).

Press button9 (
page 179).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating

Press button9 (
page 179) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on

the coolant temperature


the temperature set by the operator
The blower will run at speed setting1
regardless of the air distribution con-
trol setting.
iThe residual heat is automatically
turned off

when the ignition is switched on
(page 36)


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage drops