ECU MERCEDES-BENZ SLK-Class 2014 R172 User Guide

If an infant or child is traveling in the vehicle:
X Secure the child with a child or infant seat
restraint system appropriate to the age and
weight of the child.
X Make sure that the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you always
properly secure all infants and children with
a child or infant seat restraint system for the
trip.
The use of seat belts and infant and child
restraint systems is required by law in:
R all 50 states
R the U.S. territories
R the District of Columbia
R all Canadian provinces
Infants and children must always be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint system
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. The infant or child restraint system
must be properly secured with a three-point
seat belt in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions.
All infant or child restraint systems must meet
the following standards:
R U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 225
R Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2
Confirmation that the child restraint system
corresponds to the standards can be found
on an instruction label on the child restraint
system. This confirmation can also be found
in the installation instructions that are
included with the child restraint system.
Always read and follow the manufacturer's
instructions when using an infant or child
restraint system or booster seat.
Observe the warning labels in the vehicle
interior or on the infant or child restraint. Special seat belt retractor
G
WARNING
If the seat belt is released while driving, the
child restraint system will no longer be
secured properly. The special seat belt
retractor is disabled and the inertia real draws
in a portion of the seat belt. The seat belt
cannot be immediately refastened. There is
an increased risk of injury, possibly even fatal.
Stop the vehicle immediately, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
Reactivate the special seat belt retractor and
secure the child restraint system properly.
The seat belt on the front-passenger side is
equipped with a special seat belt retractor.
When activated, the special seat belt
retractor ensures that the seat belt will not
slacken once the child restraint system has
been secured.
Installing a child restraint system:
X Always comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
X Pull the seat belt smoothly from the seat
belt retractor.
X Engage the seat belt tongue in the belt
buckle.
Activating the special seat belt retractor:
X Pull the seat belt out fully and let the seat
belt retractor retract it again.
While the seat belt is retracting, you should
hear a ratcheting sound. The special seat
belt retractor is activated.
X Push down on the child restraint system to
take up any slack.
Removing a child restraint system/
deactivating the special seat belt retractor:
X Always comply with the manufacturer's
installation instructions.
X Press the seat belt release button and
guide the belt tongue to the belt outlet.
The special seat belt retractor is
deactivated.
If necessary: 58
Child restraint systemsSafety

X
Check whether the locking knob on the
front-passenger door is still visible. If
necessary, press the locking knob down by
hand (Y page 77).
X Close the driver's door.
X Take the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Y page 72).
X Insert the mechanical key into the lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go. 0047
To lock
X Turn the mechanical key clockwise as far
as it will go to position 0047.
X Turn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
X Make sure that the doors and the trunk lid
are locked.
X Insert the mechanical key into the
SmartKey.
i If you lock the vehicle as described above,
the fuel filler flap is not locked. The anti-
theft alarm system is not armed. Trunk
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If objects, luggage or loads are not secured or
not secured sufficiently, they could slip, tip
over or be flung around and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is a risk of injury,
particularly in the event of sudden braking or
a sudden change in direction. Always store objects so that they cannot be
flung around. Secure objects, luggage or
loads against slipping or tipping before the
journey.
G
WARNING
If persons, particularly children are subjected
to prolonged exposure to extreme heat or
cold, there is a risk of injury, possibly even
fatal. Never leave children unattended in the
vehicle.
! The trunk lid swings upwards when
opened. Therefore, make sure that there is
sufficient clearance above the trunk lid.
! Only close the trunk once the roof is
lowered completely. Otherwise, you could
damage the roof.
If you close the trunk lid before the roof is
lowered completely, the loading aid switch
lights up and a warning tone sounds.
i Opening dimensions of the trunk lid
(Y page 350).
Do not leave the SmartKey in the trunk. You
could otherwise lock yourself out.
The trunk lid can be:
R opened/closed from outside
R opened automatically from outside
R locked separately
R unlocked with the mechanical key
R opened with the emergency release button Trunk lid reversing feature
The trunk lid is equipped with an automatic
reversing feature. It reacts if a solid object
obstructs or restricts the trunk lid during the
closing procedure. The trunk lid opens again
automatically. The automatic reversing
feature is only an aid and is not a substitute
for your attentiveness to the trunk lid while it
is closing. Trunk
79Opening and closing Z

R
there is sufficient clearance, as the roof
swings upwards.
R there is sufficient clearance behind the
vehicle, as the trunk lid swings
backwards beyond the bumper.
R the trunk is only loaded to below the
trunk partition.
R the trunk partition is not pushed up by
the load.
R the trunk partition is closed.
R the trunk lid is closed.
R the outside temperature is above 5 ‡
(00F815 †).
You could otherwise damage the roof,
trunk and other parts of the vehicle.
i The vehicle's dimensions when opening/
closing the roof (Y page 350).
i Make sure that the roof and rear window
are clean and dry before opening the roof.
Otherwise, water or dirt could enter the
vehicle interior or trunk. Opening and closing using the roof
switch
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When opening or closing the roof, body parts
could be trapped by, for example, the roof
mechanism, trunk lid or side windows. There
is a risk of injury.
When raising or lowering the roof, make sure
that no body parts are in the vicinity of moving
components. If someone becomes trapped,
release the button. Opening and closing X
Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 159).
X Close the trunk partition (Y page 89).
X Close the trunk lid.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Open the cover in the lower center console.
Roof switch 0043is located under the cover.
X To open: pull soft-top switch 0043until the
entire soft top is stowed away in the trunk.
You see the Vario-Roof in Operation Vario-Roof in Operation
message in the multifunction display. As
soon as the opening procedure has ended,
the message disappears and you hear a
tone.
All of the side windows open.
X To close: press and hold soft-top
switch 0043until the soft top is fully closed.
You see the Vario-Roof in Operation Vario-Roof in Operation
message in the multifunction display. As
soon as the closing procedure has ended,
the message disappears and you hear a
tone.
All of the side windows open.
X To close all side windows, pull the switch
under the cover of the center console
(Y page 83).
i If you operate the roof switch and the
Trunk Trunk Partition
Partition Open
Openmessage appears
in the multifunction display, the trunk
partition has not been closed correctly. Roof
87Opening and closing Z

X
The following conditions must be fulfilled
for installation:
R
unlocking buttons Rand Lpoint in the
direction of travel.
R latch 0087facing you is unlocked.
R latch 0044facing away from you is locked.
X To unlock the latch: press unlocking
button Ror Lon the locked latch.
X To lock the latch: push the unlocked latch
upwards by hand until it engages.
Installing Installation from the left side of the vehicle
(example)
X
Stop the vehicle, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Take the wind screen out of the trunk.
X Prepare for installing (Y page 89).
X Hold wind screen 0043at an angle and slide
it with locked latch 0044in the direction of
arrow 0085into the bracket of the opposite
roll bar.
X Press wind screen 0043on the side of the
vehicle facing you downwards in the
direction of arrow 0083until it engages.
Make sure that studs 0084and latch 0087fit
into the respective brackets.
X Check whether wind screen 0043is fully
inserted into all four brackets and is sitting
securely.
X If this is not the case, remove wind
screen 0043again and repeat the steps
above. Removing
Removing from the left side of the vehicle
(example)
X
Stop the vehicle, paying attention to road
and traffic conditions.
X Press unlocking button L0043. Meanwhile,
pull wind screen 0044on the side of the
vehicle facing you upwards and tilt it. Removing from the left side of the vehicle
(example)
X
Pull wind screen 0044out of the bracket of
the opposite roll bar in the direction of the
arrow.
X Secure wind screen 0044to the trunk floor by
the rubber strips (Y page 256).90
RoofOpening and closing

If somebody becomes trapped:
R
press one of the memory function position
buttons, or
R move the switch for steering wheel
adjustment in the opposite direction to that
in which the steering wheel is moving.
The adjustment process is stopped. G
WARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts
the steering wheel and the driver's seat, you
and other vehicle occupants – particularly
children – could become trapped. There is a
risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is
making adjustments, make sure that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the seat
and the steering wheel.
If somebody becomes trapped:
R press one of the memory function position
buttons, or
R press one of the memory function memory
buttons, or
R move the switch for steering wheel
adjustment in the opposite direction to that
in which the steering wheel is moving
The adjustment process is stopped. G
WARNING
If you use openings in the bodywork or
detachable parts as steps, you could:
R slip and/or fall
R damage the vehicle and cause yourself to
fall.
There is a risk of injury.
Always use secure climbing aids, e.g. a
suitable ladder.
The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting
in and out of your vehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature in the on-board
computer (Y page 205). Position of the steering wheel when the
EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active The steering wheel swings upwards when
you:
R
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with KEYLESS-GO in
position 1
R open the driver's door and the SmartKey is
in position 0or 1in the ignition lock
i The steering wheel only moves upwards if
it has not already reached the upper end
stop.
Position of the steering wheel for
driving The steering wheel is moved to the last
selected position when:
R
the driver's door is closed
R you insert the SmartKey into the ignition
lock
or
R you press the Start/Stop button once on
vehicles with KEYLESS-GO
When you close the driver's door with the
ignition switched on, the steering wheel is
also automatically moved to the previously
set position.
The last position of the steering wheel is
stored when you switch off the ignition or
when you store the setting with the memory
function ( Ypage 105).
Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
triggered in an accident, the steering column
will move upwards when the driver's door is
opened. This occurs irrespective of the
position of the SmartKey in the ignition lock.
This makes it easier to exit the vehicle and
rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is
only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY
feature is activated in the on-board computer. 102
Steering wheelSeats, steering wheel and mirrors

X
Slide cover 0043up and remove it.
X To install: insert cover 0043again and slide
down until it engages.
Low-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps) X
Remove the cover in the front wheel
housing (Y page 115).
X Turn housing cover 0043counter-clockwise
and pull it out.
X Press retainer 0044up.
X Remove connector 0087with the bulb.
X Pull the bulb out of connector 0087.
X Insert the new bulb into connector 0087and
into bracket for retainer 0044.
Make sure the bulb is positioned correctly.
X Press retainer 0044down.
X Attach housing cover 0043and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
X Replace the cover in the front wheel
housing (Y page 115). High-beam headlamps (halogen
headlamps)/cornering lamps (Bi-Xenon
headlamps) X
Switch off the lights.
X Open the hood.
X Turn housing cover 0043counter-clockwise
and pull it out.
X At the bulb holder, push the bulb upwards,
disconnect it and pull it out of bulb
holder 0044.
X Insert the new bulb into bulb holder 0044,
push it down and secure it in place.
X Attach housing cover 0043and turn it
clockwise until it engages.
Side marker lamps (halogen
headlamps) Due to their location, have the bulbs in the
side marker lamp changed at a qualified
specialist workshop.116
Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: (Y page 24).Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after
several hundred kilometers of driving.
Compensate for this by applying greater force
to the brake pedal. The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R You should therefore drive at varying
vehicle and engine speeds for the first
1,000 miles (1,500 km).
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full
throttle, during this period.
R Change gear in good time, before the
tachometer needle is 00C3of the way to the
red area of the tachometer.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
R Ideally, for the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km),
drive in program C.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown). After 1,000 miles (1,500 km), you can
increase the engine speed gradually and bring
the vehicle to full speed.
Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R
Do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 km).
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
R Change gear in good time.
i You should also observe these notes on
breaking in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed
limits. AMG vehicles with self-locking rear
axle differential
Your vehicle is equipped with a self-locking
differential on the rear axle. To protect the
differential on the rear axle, carry out an oil
change after a breaking-in phase of
2,000 miles (3,000 km). This oil change
prolongs the service life of the differential.
Have the oil change carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use 138
DrivingDriving and parking

You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature (Y page 205).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly.
Hill start assist Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and to depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll. G
WARNING
After a short time, hill start assist will no
longer brake your vehicle and it could roll
away. There is a risk of an accident and injury.
Therefore, quickly move your foot from the
brake pedal to the accelerator pedal. Never
leave the vehicle when it is held by hill start
assist.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
The vehicle is then held for about a second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist is not active if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or on
a downhill gradient.
R on vehicles with automatic transmission,
the transmission is in N.
R the electric parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
Introduction The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle is
stopped under certain conditions. The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off automatically and
you exit the vehicle, the engine is restarted
automatically. The vehicle may begin moving.
There is a risk of accident and injury.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the ignition and secure the vehicle against
rolling away.
General notes 0043
ECO start/stop display
If the 00A7 symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display, the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off
automatically if the vehicle stops moving.
Every time you switch on the engine using the
SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated.
If the ECO start/stop function has been
manually deactivated (Y page 145) or a
malfunction has caused the system to be
deactivated, the 00A7symbol is not
displayed.
AMG vehicles: the ECO start/stop function
is only available in drive program C.
i AMG vehicles: if automatic cylinder shut-
off is active in drive program C, the number
of active cylinders 4is also shown in the
00A7 symbol. This means that the engine
is operating with four cylinders. Driving
143Driving and parking Z

If cylinder shut-off is not active, the engine
will operate with all eight cylinders. In this
case, the number of active cylinders 8is
shown in the 00A7symbol.
Automatic engine switch-off Method of operation
The ECO start/stop function is operational
and the 00A7symbol is displayed in green in
the multifunction display, if:
R the indicator lamp in the ECO button is lit
green.
R the outside temperature is within the
comfort range.
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the set temperature for the vehicle interior
has been reached.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when the air-conditioning
system is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
seat belt is fastened.
If not all conditions for automatic engine
switch-off are fulfilled, the 00A7symbol is
shown in yellow.
i All of the vehicle's systems remain active
when the engine has been stopped
automatically.
i All vehicles (apart from AMG
vehicles): automatic engine switch-off can
take place a maximum of four times
consecutively (initial stop then repeated
three times). The 00A7symbol is shown in
yellow in the multifunction display after the
engine has been started automatically for
the fourth time. When the 00A7symbol is
shown in green in the multifunction display,
automatic engine switch-off is again
possible. i
AMG vehicles: times which the engine
can be automatically switched off.
i The HOLD function can be activated if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress
the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically and the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated.
Vehicles with manual transmission The ECO start/stop function switches off the
engine automatically at low speeds.
X Brake the vehicle.
X Engage neutral N(follow gearshift
instruction 0043to engage neutral N, if
necessary).
X Release the clutch pedal.
The engine is switched off automatically.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in Dor
N, the ECO start/stop function switches off
the engine automatically.
Automatic engine start Method of operation
The engine starts automatically if:
R
you switch off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R you engage reverse gear R.
R you switch to drive program Sor M(AMG
vehicles).
R you unfasten your seat belt or open the
driver's door.
R the vehicle starts to roll. 144
DrivingDriving and parking

Transmission positions
0045
Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P(Ypage 149) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock should not be used as a brake
when parking. Always apply the
electronic parking brake in
addition to the parking lock in order
to secure the vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be removed
if the transmission is in position P.
If the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock, the selector lever
is locked.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the selector lever
may be locked in position P. To
release a locked selector lever, see
"Manual override of parking lock"
(Y page 156). 0046
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary. 0044
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission could be
damaged.
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it or tow it.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position Nif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.
! Rolling in neutral Ncan damage
the drive train. 003A
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R the selected drive program (Y page 151)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the
automatic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts 150
Automatic transmissionDriving an
d parking