MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

240 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop
For safety reasons, the retractable hardtop
can only be opened and closed when the
vehicle is standing still.
Warning!G
Before operating the switch for the retract-
able hardtop, make sure no persons are in-
jured by the moving parts (retractable
hardtop, roof frame, and trunk lid).
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, retractable
hardtop, shelf behind roll bars, or trunk lid
while the retractable hardtop is being raised
or lowered. Serious personal injury may
occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
tractable hardtop switch. This immediately
interrupts the raising or lowering procedure.
You can then operate the retractable hard-
top switch to raise or lower the retractable
hardtop away from the danger zone.
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.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
!Never sit or place heavy objects on the rear
shelf. Doing so could cause damage to the
retractable hardtop and the rear shelf.
!Please keep in mind that weather conditions
can sometimes change rapidly. Make sure to
close the retractable hardtop when leaving the
vehicle. If water enters the vehicle interior,
vehicle electronics could be damaged which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!When opening and closing the retractable
hardtop, make sure

there is sufficient clearance for the retract-
able hardtop to move up and the trunk lid to
move back

the luggage cover is extended and closed

the trunk is only loaded to the height of the
luggage cover

the luggage/cargo does not push the closed
luggage cover up

the trunk lid is closed

no roof luggage carrier is installed

the outside temperature is
above +5°F (-15°C)
Otherwise the roof and other parts of the vehicle
could be damaged.

241 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Luggage cover
The luggage cover is located in the trunk.
Luggage cover
Closing
Pull the luggage cover at the handle in
direction of the arrow until it engages
on both sides at the trunk sill.Opening
Press the release handle on the lug-
gage cover.
Guide the luggage cover forward to its
end stop.Retractable hardtop
!To prevent damage to the retractable hard-
top or luggage/cargo when lowering the roof:

Load trunk only to the height of the luggage
cover.

Do not permit luggage/cargo to push up the
closed luggage cover.

Do not place anything on top or in front of
the luggage cover.

Do not place anything on the shelf behind
the roll bars.
Warning!G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.
iFor safety reasons, the retractable hardtop
cannot be opened or closed while driving.
Make sure the retractable hardtop and the rear
window are dry before you open it. Otherwise
water may enter the interior and/or trunk.
iBefore operating the retractable hardtop via
the retractable hardtop switch, do the following
first:

Engage the parking brake (page 59).

Close the luggage cover.

Close the trunk lid.

Switch on the ignition (page 37).

242 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
The switch for opening/closing the retract-
able hardtop is on the lower part of the
center console.
Retractable hardtop switch
1Opening
2Closing
For operating the power windows with the
retractable hardtop switch (
page 237).Opening
Push and hold the retractable hardtop
switch in direction of arrow1 until the
retractable hardtop is completely low-
ered into the trunk.
Closing
Push and hold the retractable hardtop
switch in direction of arrow2 until the
retractable hardtop is completely
closed and locked.Locking the retractable hardtop after
raising/lowering
Warning!G
Be sure to keep the hardtop switch pushed
until the hardtop is fully opened or closed.
The hydraulic pump will then shut off.
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the hardtop either completely
closed and locked, or fully lowered into its
storage compartment.

243 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
If the retractable hardtop is not properly
locked, lock it as described below.Unlocked status noticed when stopped
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward until the
retractable hardtop is fully closed.
or:
To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully opened position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch rearward until the
retractable hardtop is fully open.
Warning!G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately 7 minutes when the
ignition is switched on.

after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off.
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will seeK and the message
Retractable Roof Lowering.

Properly lock the retractable hardtop
before continuing to drive (
page 243).
Warning!G
The hardtop is not fully closed and locked or
not fully opened and locked if:

the message Retractable Roof In
Operation
is shown in the multifunc-
tion display

a warning sounds for 10 seconds when
driving and a message in the multifunc-
tion display appears (
page 380).

244 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Unlocked status noticed while driving
Stop the vehicle and leave the ignition
switched on.
To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward until the
retractable hardtop is fully closed.
or:
To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully opened position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch rearward until the
retractable hardtop is fully open.Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop with the SmartKey*
The power windows (
page 235) will also
be opened or closed when you operate the
retractable hardtop with the SmartKey.
Aim transmitter eye at the outside
driver’s or passenger door handle.
The SmartKey must be in close proxim-
ity to the respective outside door han-
dle.
Warning!G
Stop the vehicle and lock the retractable
hardtop before continuing to drive. You
could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
Warning!G
Before operating the retractable hardtop,
make sure no persons can be injured by the
moving parts (retractable roof, roof frame,
and trunk lid) due to negligence.
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, hardtop, shelf
behind roll bars, or trunk lid while the re-
tractable hardtop is being raised or lowered.
Serious personal injury may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
spective button on the SmartKey. This im-
mediately interrupts the raising or lowering
procedure. You can then operateŒ
or‹to raise or lower the hardtop away
from the danger zone.

245 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Opening (Summer opening feature)
Press and hold unlock buttonΠun-
til the retractable hardtop is complete-
ly open.
The retractable hardtop and windows
begin to open after approximately
1 second. In the multifunction display
you will see the message
Retractable
Roof In Operation
.
Release buttonΠon the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
Closing (Convenience closing feature)
Press and hold lock button‹until
the retractable hardtop is fully closed.
The retractable hardtop and windows
begin to close after approximately
1 second. In the multifunction display
you will see the message
Retractable
Roof In Operation
.
Release button‹on the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
Warning!G
When closing the side windows and retract-
able hardtop, make sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release button‹to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold
buttonŒ. To continue the closing
procedure after making sure that there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure, press and hold
button‹.
Warning!G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately 7 minutes when the
ignition is switched on.

after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off.
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will seeK and the message
Retractable Roof Lowering.

Properly lock the retractable hardtop
before continuing to drive (
page 243).

246 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Problems when operating the
retractable hardtop
Several conditions may cause the retract-
able hardtop to not open, close, or lock
properly:

The luggage cover in the trunk is not
closed.
Close the luggage cover in the
trunk.

The trunk lid is open.
Close the trunk lid.

The battery voltage is too low.
Start engine and let run while open-
ing/closing the retractable hard-
top.

The hardtop drive system was shut
down for safety reasons after multiple,
consecutive attempts to raise or lower
the hardtop. After about 10 minutes
you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Repeat the opening or closing
procedure.
If the retractable hardtop still does
not open, close, or lock properly,
have the retractable hardtop
system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

There is a malfunction in the retract-
able hardtop system.
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wind screen*
1Wind screen
2Snap fastener (with handle cap)
3Supporting strap
4Fastening pin
5Gap
Warning!G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s
vision to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent
a possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.

247 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
6Handle cap
Installing
Remove wind screen1 from its stor-
age bag and unfold.
The storage bag is located on the wall
behind the seat backrests.
Attach supporting straps3 to fasten-
ing pins4.
Close snap fasteners2 by pushing in
handle cap6.
Pull wind screen1 on molding over
roll bars.
Pull the wind screen edging, not on the
netting itself.
Removing
Pull off wind screen1 from roll bars.
Open snap fasteners2 by pulling out
handle cap6.
Loosen supporting straps3 from fas-
tening pins4.
Fold wind screen1 and put it back
into storage bag.
iMake sure the lower wind screen edging is
inserted through the gap5 between the stor-
age compartment and the rear panel.

248 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.
The BAS, ABS and ESP
® driving systems
are described in the “Safety and Security”
section (
page 84).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
You can set or resume cruise control at any
speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must remain at
all times responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume to last set speedSetting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever (
page 249).
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The currently set speed appears in the
status indicator of the multifunction
display:

USA only:
CRUISE XXX mph

Canada only:
Ñ
XXX Km/h
Warning!G
Cruise control brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded. The brake
pedal is depressed automatically to do this.
Keep in mind that cruise control is a conve-
nience system designed to assist the driver
during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe braking
operation.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.