climate control MERCEDES-BENZ SLK CLASS 2005 Owner's Manual

188 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.

Press air condition on/off switch±
(page 185).
The indicator lamp on air condition
on/off switch± comes on.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press air condition on/off switch±
(page 185).
The indicator lamp on the air condition
on/off switch± goes out.
Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the air conditioning
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.iCondensation may drip from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
!If the indicator lamp on the air condi-
tion on/off switch± comes on
while driving and you cannot switch on
the air conditioning again by pressing
the air condition on/off switch±,
the air conditioning is losing
refrigerant.
Have the air conditioning checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

189 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control*
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes, depending on the
temperature setting of the climate control.
This feature makes use of the residual heat
produced by the engine.
Activating
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1or0, or remove it from
the starter switch.

Press residual heat/ventilation
switchT (
page 185).
The indicator lamp on the residual
heat/ventilation switchT comes
on.Deactivating

Press residual heat/ventilation
switchT again (
page 185).
The indicator lamp on the residual
heat/ventilation switchT goes out.
The residual heat switches off
automatically


when you switch on ignition
(page 35)


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage drops
Defrosting
Windows fogged up on the inside
Press defrosting switchP
(page 185).
The indicator lamp on defrosting
switchP comes on.
The temperature rises and the ventila-
tion operates with maximum blower
speed.

Press defrosting switchP again.
The previous automatic climate control
settings will be activated again.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.

190 Controls in detailAutomatic climate control*Windshield fogged up on the outside
Press automatic mode switchU.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
mode switchU comes on.

Close cockpit air vent4
(page 182).

Switch on the windshield wipers
(page 53).Switching off the automatic climate
control system
Switching off
Press automatic climate control on/off
switch´.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
climate control on/off switch´
comes on.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
mode switchU goes out.
Displaye goes out.Switching on

Press automatic mode switchU.
The indicator lamp on the automatic
mode switchU comes on.
Displaye comes on.
iWith automatic mode selected, the
automatic climate control system
prevents windows from fogging up.
iThis setting is only recommended when
the retractable hardtop is open.
!With the climate control system
switched off, the air flow and the air cir-
culation are deactivated.
Only choose this setting temporarily to
prevent the windows from fogging up.

232 Controls in detailPower windowsOpening and closing the windows
The windows are opened and closed eletri-
cally. Switches for operating the driver and
passenger door windows are located on
the driver's door. A switch for operating
the passenger door window is located on
the passenger door.
The door windows can also be operated us-
ing the retractable hardtop switch
(page 234). The rear side windows can
only be operated using the retractable
hardtop switch (
page 234) or the
SmartKey* (
page 235).
1Left window
2Right window
Warning!
G
When closing the windows, make sure there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
The closing of the door windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pressed past the resis-
tance point and released, by pressing the re-
spective switch.
The door windows are equipped with the ex-
press-close and automatic reversal func-
tion. If a door window encounters an
obstruction that blocks its path in a circum-
stance where you pressed the switch past
the resistance point and released it to close
the window, the automatic reversal function
will stop the window and open it slightly.
If a door window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the window by pressing and
holding the switch, by pressing and holding
button‹ on the SmartKey*, by pushing
and holding the retractable hardtop switch,
or by pressing and holding the
,
button
on the climate control panel or automatic
climate control panel*, the automatic rever-
sal function will not operate.
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 can cause an
accident and/or serious personal injury.

233 Controls in detail
Power windows

Switch on the ignition (
page 35).Opening the door windows

Press and hold switch1or2 at the
symbolk to the resistance point.
The corresponding window will move
downwards until you release the
switch.
Closing the door windows

Press and hold switch1or2 at the
symbolj to the resistance point.
The corresponding window will move
upwards until you release the switch.Fully opening the door windows
(Express-open)

Press switch1or2 at the
symbolk past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding window opens
completely.
Fully closing the door windows
(Express-close)

Press switch1or2 at the
symbolj past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding window closes
completely.
iYou can also open or close the win-
dows using the SmartKey* (summer
opening/convenience closing feature)
(page 235) or the retractable hard-
top switch (
page 234).
You can close and reopen the windows
using the air recirculation switch,
in the control panel of the climate con-
trol (
page 176) or the automatic cli-
mate control* (
page 186).
Warning
G
If you press and hold the switch when clos-
ing the window, and upward movement of
the window is blocked by some obstruction
including but not limited to arms, hands, fin-
gers, etc., the automatic reversal will not op-
erate.
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If the switch is pressed again past the resis-
tance point and released within
five seconds, the automatic reversal will not
operate.


321 Operation
Tires and wheels
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
Treadwear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

336 OperationVehicle carePaintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”, normally
every three to five months, depending on
climate and washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of embedded dirt (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick
for quick and provisional repairs of minor
paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehi-
cle doors, etc.).Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from the intrusion of
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as
MB Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to
the engine compartment after every en-
gine cleaning. Before applying, all control
linkage bushings and joints should be lu-
bricated. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys
should be protected from any wax.Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.
Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.

439 Index
A
ABS 80
Braking 80
Description 431
Display message 350
Emergency brake maneuver 80
Indicator lamp 342
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 159
Accessory weight 323
Accident 55
Adjusting (Getting started) 37
Air bags 63
BabySmart
TM air bag deactivation
system 75
BabySmartTM air bag deactivation
system, description 431
BabySmartTM compatible child
seat 74
BabySmartTM self-test 76
Children 64
Front 68
Head-thorax 69
Head-thorax, description 433
Kneebag 68Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 76
Safety guidelines 66
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control 188
Climate control 178
Air conditioning refrigerant 424
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
AIRSCARF neck level heating
(Seats) 102
Description 431
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (Vehicle tool kit) 369,
391
Description 431
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 427
Antilock brake system see ABS
Anti-theft systems 85
Activating 86
Alarm system 85
Canceling alarm 86
Canceling alarm (Tow-away) 87
Deactivating 86
Immobilizer 85
Tow-away alarm 86
Transporting the vehicle 87Ashtray 253
Aspect ratio 323
AUDIO menu (Control system) 123
Audio system 191
Adjusting balance 196
Adjusting sound functions 195
Adjusting volume 195
Audio and telephone, operation 191
Button and soft key operation 194
CD changer 209
CD operation 207
Introduction to satellite radio
(USA only) 202
Operating and display elements 192
Operating safety 191
Operation 194
Radio operation 197
Returning sound functions to factory
settings 196
Returning volume distribution to
factory settings 197
Switching on/off 194
Telephone muting 197
Telephone operation 216
Weather band 201

440 IndexAuto-dimming for rear view mirrors 168
Automatic climate control
Air conditioning 188
Air distribution 186
Air recirculation mode 186
Air volume 186
Automatic mode, basic setting 185
Control panel 185
Defrosting 189
Overview 182
REST 189
Switching off 190
Temperature 185
Automatic locking
Control system 141
When driving 97
Automatic shift program 158
Automatic transmission 152
Accelerator position 159
Automatic transmisson fluid
(ATF) 293
Comfort program mode 158
Driving 50
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) 166
Fluid level 293Gear ranges 155
Gear selector lever 152
Gear selector lever
(Unlocking manually) 376
Gear selector lever position 152, 156
Gear shifting malfunctions 166
Gearshift pattern 48
Kickdown 159
Manual shifting 154
One-touch gearshifting 154
Program mode selector switch 158B
BabySmart
TM
Air bag deactivation system 75
Air bag deactivation system,
description 431
Compatible child seat 74, 75
Compatible child seats,
description 431
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 75
Self-test 76
Back-up lamp 381
Bar 323
BAS 81
Description 431
Display message 351
Battery (SmartKey)
Replacing 378
Battery (Vehicle) 294, 396
Charging 397
Disconnecting 397
Jump starting 399
Removing 397
Bead 323

441 Index
Bi-Xenon
Description 431
Headlamps 381
Bolts
For spare wheel 373
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brakes 274
Brake fluid 286, 424
Display message 356
Salty roads 274
SLK 55 AMG 275
Warning lamp 343
Break-in period 272
Bulbs
Front/rear lamps 380
Replacing 380
Buttons (Audio system) 194C
CAC 431
California, important notice 11
CAN system, description 432
Capacities
(Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.) 422
Catalytic converter 282
CD
Changer 250
Player/changer, operation 125
CD changer (Audio system) 207, 209
CD operation (Audio system) 207
Center console
Lamp 347
Overview 28
Central locking
Automatic (Control system) 141
Automatic (When driving) 97
From outside (SmartKey) 59
Locking/unlocking from inside 97
Central locking/unlocking switches 98
Certification label 410
CHECK ENGINE indicator lamp 344Child safety
Air bags 64
Children in the vehicle 73
Cigarette lighter 254
Cleaning tires 299
Climate control 172
Air conditioning 178
Air distribution 176
Air recirculation mode 176
Air volume 176
Control panel, overview 175
Defrosting 181
Maximum cooling 179
Rear window defroster 171
Switching on/off 175
Temperature 175
Clock 116
Cockpit
Description 432
Overview 22
Cold tire inflation pressure 323
Collapsible tire, description 432
Collapsible wheel chock 371