MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

250 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 249).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, the cruise
control may not be able to maintain the set
speed. Once the grade eases, the set speed will
be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed with braking from the vehicle’s
braking system.
In addition, on longer downhill grades the
automatic transmission* will automatically
downshift.
iVehicles with manual transmission:
If you depress the clutch pedal when shifting into
another gear, the engine speed may increase.

Drive with sufficient engine speed.

Shift gears in a timely manner.

If possible, do not shift down more than one
gear.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off automatical-
ly, if

you step on the brake pedal.

you pull up the parking brake lever firmly.

the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h).

ESP® is in operation or switched off with the
ESP® switch (page 86).

Vehicles with manual transmission:
you depress the clutch pedal for longer than
6 seconds during shifting into another gear.

Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Moving gear selector lever to positionN while
driving also cancels cruise control. However, the
gear selector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control will resume the last speed set.

251 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 249) and hold it
up until the desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 249) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 249).
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 249).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 249).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display.iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.

252 Controls in detail
Loading
Roof rack
!This vehicle is not designed to carry items
on its roof. Roof rails and any roof-mounted
devices, unless expressly approved by
Mercedes-Benz for use on this vehicle model,
must not be used as they will damage the vehicle
and retractable hardtop.
At time of printing, Mercedes-Benz does not
offer any roof racks or any other roof-mounted
devices for use on this vehicle.
!This vehicle is not designed to carry any
items on its trunk lid or accommodate any type
of trunk lid rack or device. Using such devices
may damage the vehicle and retractable hardtop
mechanism.

253 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Pull glove box lid release1 to open
the glove box.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Push glove box lid2 up until it
engages to close the glove box.Storage/telephone* compartment
1Armrest
2Recess for opening storage/tele-
phone* compartment
Reach into recess2 on the left or
right side and lift armrest1 in
direction of arrow to open the
storage/telephone* compartment.
Lower armrest1 until it engages to
close storage compartment.
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
place anything on shelf behind the roll bars.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
around and injuring vehicle occupants dur-
ing an accident.
iThe glove box and the storage/telephone*
compartment under the armrest are centrally
locked and unlocked.
iThe CD changer* is located in the glove box.
iThe mobile phone cradle* (page 260),
Roadside Assistance button• (
page 266)
and the Information button¡ (
page 267)
are located in the storage/telephone* compart-
ment.

254 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartment between the
seat backrests
1Storage compartment lid release
2Storage compartment
Press storage compartment lid
release1 to open.
The storage compartment lid opens
downward.
Push storage compartment lid up until
it engages to close it.Parcel net in passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the passenger footwell and behind the
driver’s seat. It is for small and light items,
such as road maps, mail, etc.
Shelf behind roll bars
Warning!G
Do not place heavy or fragile objects, or ob-
jects having sharp edges, in the parcel net.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, they could be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants.
Warning!G
The shelf behind the roll bars should not be
used to carry objects. This will prevent such
objects from being thrown around and injur-
ing vehicle occupants during an accident or
sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.

255 Controls in detail
Useful features
Cup holder
1Cover plate
Press briefly on cover plate1 to open
the cup holder.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Press cover plate1 until the cup
holder engages to close it.
Ashtray
1Cover plate
Press cover plate1 briefly in direction
of the arrow.
The ashtray opens automatically.
To close the ashtray again, press
cover plate1 until the ashtray
engages.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids
on vehicle occupants and/or vehicle
equipment, only use containers that fit into
the cup holder. Use lids on open containers
and do not fill containers to a height where
the contents, especially hot liquids, could
spill during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in
an accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle
occupants may cause serious personal
injury. Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment
may cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to you or others when contacted during
braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an acci-
dent.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come loose during hard braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior. Ob-
jects thrown around in the vehicle interior
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.

256 Controls in detail
Useful features
Removing ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by
setting the parking brake.
Move the selector lever to positionN
(manual transmission: second gear).
Now you have more room to take out
the ashtray insert.
Open the ashtray.
Reach into both recesses on the left
and right side of the retainer and pull
out the ashtray insert.
Installing ashtray insert
Place the ashtray insert into the
retainer.
Push the ashtray insert down into the
retainer until it engages.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Warning!G
Remove front ashtray only with vehicle
standing still. Set the parking brake to se-
cure vehicle from movement. Move gear
selector lever to positionN (manual trans-
mission: into second gear). With gear selec-
tor lever in positionN (manual transmission:
into second gear), turn off the engine.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the cigarette lighter; they are extremely hot.
Hold the knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
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.

257 Controls in detail
Useful features
1Cigarette lighter
Push in cigarette lighter1.
Cigarette lighter1 will pop out auto-
matically when hot.
Reinsert cigarette lighter1 in its
socket after use.
Power outlet
A power outlet is located in the passenger
footwell on the side panel of the center
console.
1Power outlet
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Flip up cover of power outlet1 and in-
sert electrical plug (cigarette lighter
type).
!The lighter socket can be used to
accommodate 12V DC electrical accessories
(up to a maximum of 85 W) designed for use with
the standard “cigarette lighter” plug type. Keep
in mind, however, that connecting accessories
to the lighter socket (for example extensive con-
necting and disconnecting, or using plugs that do
not fit properly) can damage the lighter socket.
With the socket damaged, the lighter may no
longer be able to be placed in the heating
(pushed-in) position, or the lighter may pop out
too early with the lighter not hot enough.
To help avoid damaging the cigarette lighter
socket, we recommend connecting 12V DC
electrical accessories designed for use with the
standard “cigarette lighter” plug type to the 12V
power outlets (
page 257) in your vehicle
whenever possible.
iThe power outlet can be used to accommo-
date 12V DC electrical accessories (e.g. air
pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a maximum of
180 W.

258 Controls in detail
Useful features
Floormat (driver’s side only) Removing
1Removing
2Retainer pin
Pull floormat off of retainer pin2 in
direction of arrow1.
Remove the floormat.Installing
3Installing
4Eyelet
5Retainer pin
Lay down the floormat.
Press the floormat eyelet4 onto
retainer pin5 in direction of
arrow3.
Warning!G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets4 and retainer pins5.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if
necessary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more
easily, move the driver’s seat as far to the rear
as possible (
page 39).

259 Controls in detail
Useful features
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone
using the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

COMAND* (see separate operating in-
structions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 149)

audio system (page 219)
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the audio system or
COMAND*
1 if road, weather and traffic con-
ditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your
vehicle is covering a distance of
44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be in-
stalled in the center armrest, see separate in-
stallation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be
obtained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for
instructions on how to use your mobile phone.