MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

110 Controls in detail
Lighting
Low beam headlamps
The low beam headlamps can be switched
on and off with the exterior lamp switch us-
ing the manual headlamp mode.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
The following lamps switch on:

Low beam headlamps

Tail and parking lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off au-
tomatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:

Low beam headlamps

Tail and parking lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionU.
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position1, the tail and parking lamps,
the license plate lamps, and the side
marker lamps will switch on and off
depending on the brightness of the
ambient light.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off depending on the brightness of the
ambient light.
Warning!G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU the
headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others,
activate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch toB when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from positionUtoB with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromUtoB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle’s lights at all
times.
iCanada only:
High beam headlamps are only available with the
exterior lamp switch in position B.

111 Controls in detail
Lighting
Daytime running lamp mode
In Canada the daytime running lamp mode
is mandatory and therefore in a constant
mode.
In the USA the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default. Activate the day-
time running lamp mode using the control
system, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode” (
page 143).
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionMorU.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on.
In low ambient light conditions, the
following lamps will switch on
additionally:

Tail and parking lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lampsCanada only:
Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
When the engine is running, and you shift
from a driving position to positionN orP
with the vehicle at a standstill, the low
beam headlamps will switch off with a
three-minute delay.When the engine is running, and you

turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the low beam head-
lamps, the tail and parking lamps, the
license plate and the side marker
lamps switch on.

turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime
running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 109).
USA only:
iWith the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the engine running, the low beam head-
lamps cannot be switched off manually.
iWith the exterior lamp switch in
positionM or U you cannot switch on the
high beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to position B to permit activation
of the high beam headlamps.
iWith the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the exterior lamp switch in positionM,
you cannot switch on the high beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving, turn the exterior lamp
switch in positionB orU to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.

112 Controls in detail
Lighting
When the engine is running, and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to
positionCorB, the manual head-
lamp mode has priority over the daytime
running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 109).
Locator lighting and night security illu-
mination
The locator lighting and the night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Setting locator light-
ing” (
page 144) and “Setting night secu-
rity illumination” (
page 144).Fog lampsFront fog lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionCorB (
page 109).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The front fog lamps switch on.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(
page 109).
Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps switch off.
The green indicator lamp‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
Warning!G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from positionUtoB with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching fromUtoB will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding
allowable lamp operation.
iFog lamps cannot be switched on with the
exterior lamp switch in positionU. To switch
on the fog lamps, turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB first.

113 Controls in detail
Lighting
Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionCorB (
page 109).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to
second stop.
The front fog lamps and the rear fog
lamp switch on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(
page 109).
Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp switches off.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps remain lit.
Combination switch
1High beam
2High beam flasherHigh beam
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB (
page 109).
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 26).
Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow2.

114 Controls in detail
Lighting
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
operate with the engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
positionB (
page 109)
or

the exterior lamp switch in
positionU (
page 109)
or

the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 111)Driving forward
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal
(
page 55), depending on whether
you are turning left or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on
and illuminates the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
or
Turn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
The front fog lamp on the side of your
steering direction comes on.
iCorner-illuminating front fog lamps are not
available for the following models:

SLK 280 and SLK 350 without Bi-Xenon*
headlamps

SLK 280 and SLK 350 with Sport Package*

SLK 55 AMG
iWith automatic headlamp mode activated:
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps will only
come on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than
25 mph (40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps
switched on, the corner-illuminating front fog
lamps function is not available.
iIf you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
opposite direction, the corner-illuminating front
fog lamp the corner-illuminating lamp comes on
for the side indicated by the turn signal.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp remains lit
for a maximum of 3 minutes. Afterwards, it goes
out even if the turn signal is still switched on.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps
temporarily come on on both sides of the vehicle
if you turn the steering wheel in one direction
and then again in the other direction shortly
thereafter.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps
will come on automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal.
If the corner-illuminating front fog lamps came
on automatically, they will also go out automati-
cally depending on the steering angle.

115 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps if they
where activated by switching on the left or
right turn signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after
making the turn, the turn signal and
corner-illuminating front fog lamp can be
switched off by returning the combination
switch to its original position.Driving in reverse
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Place the gearshift lever (automatic
transmission*: gear selector lever) in
positionR.
The front fog lamp opposite to your
steering direction comes on.
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Place the gearshift lever (automatic
transmission*: gear selector lever) out
of positionR.
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter
switch.
The hazard warning flasher switches on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switch
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps switch off.

116 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching on hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
Switching off hazard warning flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
Interior lighting
The controls are located in the overhead
control panel.
1Interior lighting on/off
2Automatic control on/off
3Right reading lamp on/off
4Left reading lamp on/offAutomatic control
Deactivating
Press automatic control switch2 until
it engages at a deeper position than the
other switches.
The interior lighting remains switched
off in darkness, even when you

unlock the vehicle

remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch

open a door
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left or
right turn, only the respective turn signals will
operate when the ignition is switched on.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard warning
flasher switch1 once to switch it off.
!An interior lamp switched on manually does
not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switch in the ON posi-
tion for extended periods of time with the engine
turned off could result in a discharged battery.
iThe interior lighting is factory-set to
automatic mode.
iWhen you open the trunk, the trunk lighting
switches on automatically.

117 Controls in detail
Lighting
Activating
Press automatic control switch2 until
it is flush to the other switches.
The interior lighting switches on in
darkness, when you

unlock the vehicle

remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch

open a door
The interior lighting switches off automati-
cally following a preset time delay.
For more information, see “Setting interior
lighting delayed shut-off” (
page 145).Manual control
Switching interior lighting on and off
Press interior lighting switch1.
The interior lighting switches on.
Press interior lighting switch1 again.
The interior lighting switches off.
Switching reading lamps on and off
The standard reading lamps are located to
the left and right of the overhead control
panel. Reading lamps as part of the interior
lighting package* are located on the lower
edge of the interior rear view mirror.
Press reading lamp switch3or4 to
switch on the desired reading lamp.
Press reading lamp switch3or4
again to switch off the respective
reading lamp.
Door entry lamps
For better orientation in the dark, the
corresponding door entry lamps will switch
on in darkness when you open a door and
the automatic control is activated.
The door entry lamps switch off when the
corresponding door is closed.
iIf the door remains open, the interior lighting
switches off automatically after approximately
5minutes.
iThe footwell lighting* is switched on and off
simultaneously with the manual control.iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and switch off the exterior
headlamps, the door entry lamps will remain lit
for approximately 5 minutes.

118 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
A full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section (
page 26).
1To brighten instrument cluster
illumination (knob+)
2To dim instrument cluster
illumination (knob-)
3Reset buttonJ
The instrument cluster is activated when
you

open a door

switch on the ignition (page 37)

press reset buttonJ

switch on the exterior lampsFor information on changing the instru-
ment cluster settings, e.g. the language,
see “Instrument cluster submenu”
(
page 139).Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Adjusting
Use knobs 1 or 2 to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness of the instrument cluster.
To brighten illumination
Press knob1 briefly.
The instrument cluster illumination
brightens.
To dim illumination
Press knob2 briefly.
The instrument cluster illumination
dims.
iOpening a door or pressing the reset
buttonJ without switching on the ignition or
the exterior lighting activates the multifunction
display illumination only for 30 seconds.
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as speed or outside temperature,
warning/indicator lamps,
malfunction/warning messages or the
failure of any systems. Driving characteris-
tics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iThe instrument cluster illumination
automatically adjusts to the ambient light.
You can only adjust the brightness of the instru-
ment cluster illumination when it is dark outside.
iWith the exterior lighting switched on, the
brightness of the switches in the center console
will also be adjusted when using knob 1 or 2.

119 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(
page 26) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the multifunction display (
page 128).The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. There-
fore, the accuracy of the displayed temper-
ature can only be verified by comparison to
a thermometer placed next the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays, e.g.
bank signs, etc.
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate
temperature displays caused by heat radi-
ated from the engine during idling or slow
driving.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds,
as it may result in serious engine damage that
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.