MERCEDES-BENZ SLK280 2008 R171 Owner's Guide

30 At a glance
Center console
Lower partItemPage
1Automatic transmission*:
Gear selector lever155,
157
Manual transmission:
Gearshift lever153
2Retractable hardtop switch240
3Tow-away alarm
deactivation switch91
4Parking brake lever53, 59
5Storage/telephone*
compartment253
ItemPage
6Passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror button46,
168
7Driver’s side exterior rear
view mirror button46,
168
8Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment button46
9Automatic transmission*:
Program mode selector
switch161

31 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
ItemPage
1Interior lighting on/off116
2Interior lighting automatic
control switch116
3Right reading lamp on/off117
4Tele Aid* (emergency call
system) button262
5Garage door opener*270
6Sensor for auto-dimming
rear view mirrors*168
7Interior rear view mirror46,
168
8Microphone for Tele Aid*
and telephone*262,
259
9Left reading lamp on/off117

32 At a glance
Storage compartments

33 At a glance
Storage compartments
ItemPage
1Glove box253
2Door pocket
3Trunk
Vehicle tool kit, jack, spare
wheel389
Luggage cover241
Trunk load450
Load limit309
4Door pocket
5Cupholder255
ItemPage
6Parcel net in passenger
footwell254
7Ashtray255
Cigarette lighter256
8Storage tray
9Storage/telephone*
compartment253
aStorage compartment
between seat backrests254

34 At a glance
Door control panel
ItemPage
1Inside door handle98
2Power window switch for
opening/closing
passenger-side window235
3Power window switch for
opening/closing
driver’s side window235

35 Getting started
Unlocking
Adjusting
Driving
Parking and locking

36 Getting started
The “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section (
page 93) will provide you
with further information. The correspond-
ing page references are located at the end
of each segment.
Unlocking
Unlocking with the SmartKey
SmartKey with remote control
1‹Lock button
2ŠUnlock button for trunk lid
3ŒUnlock button
4ÂPanic button (
page 83)
Press unlock buttonΠon the
SmartKey.

All turn signal lamps flash once.

An acoustic warning sounds once.

The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

The anti-theft alarm system is
disarmed.
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.

37 Getting started
Unlocking
Enter the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Opening a door causes its window to open
slightly. It will fully close when the door is
shut.
For more information, see “SmartKey”
(
page 94).
Starter switch positions
SmartKey
Starter switch
0For removing the SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch.
1Power supply for some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment*
2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, see “Lamps in
instrument cluster” (
page 348).
3Starting position
!A side window will not work if it is blocked
with ice or if the battery needs charging. If you
cannot shut a door, do not force it or you could
damage the door or the side window.
Fix whatever is affecting the window before
trying to shut the door.
iWithout the antenna on the left rear side
of the vehicle installed, the SmartKey signaling
range is considerably reduced.
Hold the SmartKey in close proximity towards
the antenna base when locking or unlocking
the vehicle.
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.

38 Getting started
Unlocking
For information on starting the engine, see
(
page 51).
iWhen you switch on ignition, the indicator
and warning lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) in the instrument cluster come
on. The indicator and warning lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and turn signal
indicator lamps if activated) will go out when the
engine is running. This indicates that the respec-
tive systems are operational.
iVehicles with automatic transmission*: The
SmartKey can only be removed from the starter
switch with the gear selector lever in positionP.
iIf the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it can
no longer be turned in the starter switch. In this
case the steering is locked. To unlock, remove
SmartKey from the starter switch and reinsert.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 422).

Get a jump start (page 426).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery discharge
or a completely discharged vehicle battery,
always remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch when the engine is not in operation.

39 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.
Warning!G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.
Warning!G
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the seat belt would apply force at
the abdomen or neck. That could cause se-
rious or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and
seat belts provide the best restraint when
the wearer is in a position that is as upright
as possible and seat belts are properly posi-
tioned on the body.
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt (
page 48).
Observe the following points:

Adjust the seat backrest until your arms
are slightly angled when holding the
steering wheel.

Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely.
The position should be as far back as
possible with the driver still able to
operate the controls properly.

Adjust head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible and the
center of the head restraint supports
the back of the head at eye level.

Never place hands under the seat or
near any moving parts while a seat is
being adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.