MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 2003 R170 Owner's Manual

131 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Opening the retractable hardtopRetractable hardtop switchBefore pulling on the retractable hardtop
switch, you must ensure that:

the parking brake is engaged
(page 47)


the luggage cover is closed, see lug-
gage cover


the trunk lid is closed


the ignition is switched on (key in steer-
ing lock position2)

Pull the retractable hardtop switch as
indicated by the arrow until the retract-
able hardtop is completely lowered into
its trunk storage compartment and the
indicator lamp in the retractable hard-
top switch goes out.
If you continuously pull on the retract-
able hardtop switch or release and pull
it again within approximately
30 seconds, the door windows will
close.
However, the door windows can also be
closed/opened later on.

Pull on the retractable hardtop switch
twice forward/backward. Pull on the
switch only briefly the first time. The
second time, pull on the switch until
the door windows have reached the de-
sired height.
The rear quarter windows cannot be raised
with the retractable hardtop lowered.
iFor safety reasons, the retractable
hardtop cannot be opened while driv-
ing.
Be sure that the retractable hardtop is
dry before you open it. Otherwise water
may enter the trunk interior.!If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks slowly, a mal-
function has occurred in the system.
If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks rapidly, the trunk
lid and/or luggage cover may be open
and need to be closed.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.

132 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopPrior to cleaning the rear window, read and
observe the instructions in the “Operation”
section (
page 190).Closing the retractable hardtop
Retractable hardtop switchBefore pushing on the retractable hardtop
switch, you must ensure that:

the parking brake is engaged
(page 47)


the luggage cover is closed, see lug-
gage cover


the trunk lid is closed


the ignition is switched on (key in steer-
ing lock position2)

Push the retractable hardtop switch as
indicated by the arrow until the retract-
able hardtop is completely closed and
locked and the indicator lamp in the re-
tractable hardtop switch goes out.
If you continuously push on the retract-
able hardtop switch or release and
push it again within approximately
30 seconds, the door windows will
close.
However, the door windows can also be
closed/opened later on.

Pull on the retractable hardtop switch
twice forward/backward. Pull on the
switch only briefly the first time. The
second time, pull on the switch until
the door windows have reached the de-
sired height.
!Do not manually move corner flaps or
rear shelf. Doing so will result in dam-
age to the retractable hardtop folding
mechanism that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor safety reasons, the retractable
hardtop cannot be closed while driving.

133 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Locking the retractable hardtop after
raising/lowering
If the retractable hardtop is not properly
locked, lock it as described below.Problems when operating the retract-
able hardtop
Unlocked status noticed when stopped

Switch on the ignition.

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward.
!If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks slowly, a mal-
function has occurred in the system.
If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch blinks rapidly, the trunk
lid and/or the luggage cover may be
open, and need to be closed.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.
Warning!
G
The retractable hardtop is not fully closed
and locked:

if the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch remains lit (key in steer-
ing lock position2).


if the indicator lamp blinks, and a warn-
ing sounds for 10 seconds when start-
ing to drive.

134 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopUnlocked status noticed while driving
Stop the vehicle.

Leave the ignition switched on

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward.
Wind screen
Installing
1Storage bag
2Pin
3Snap button
4Coat hook

Remove wind screen from its storage
bag1 and unfold.
The storage bag is located on the wall
behind the seat backrests.

Attach straps to pins2.

Close snap buttons3.

Pull wind screen on molding over roll
bars.
Warning!
G
Stop the vehicle and lock the retractable
hardtop before continuing to drive. You
could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
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.iYou can hang clothing on coat hooks4
between the seat backrests.

135 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Removing
Pull wind screen on molding back over
roll bars.

Open snap buttons3.

Loosen straps from pins2.

Fold wind screen and put it back into
storage bag1.iPull on snap button head to open the
snap button.

136 Controls in detailDriving systems
Driving systemsThe 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” sec-
tion (page 66).
Cruise control
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 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 found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 18).
Warning!
G
Cruise control is a convenience system de-
signed to assist the driver during vehicle op-
eration. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use 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 cruise control when driving
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.

137 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at previously set speed
Saving current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
Cruise control will be canceled. The
last speed set will be stored for later
use.iOn uphill or downhill grades, cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
!Moving gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding (e.g. on icy roads).iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.

138 Controls in detailDriving systemsSetting stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position4.
Cruise control will resume the last pre-
viously set speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Setting a higher speed

Lift the cruise control lever to
position1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control lever to
position2 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 (1 km/h) in-
crements
Faster

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow1.
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in the
direction of arrow2.
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 preset
speed could cause an accident and/or seri-
ous injury to you and others.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing),
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.
iVehicles with automatic transmission:
When you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the transmission will au-
tomatically downshift if the engine’s
braking power does not brake the vehi-
cle sufficiently.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
The set cruise controlled speed is
switched off when declutching exceeds
4 seconds during downshifting a gear.

139 Controls in detail
Useful features
Useful features
Interior storage spaces Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box
Opening the glove box

Pull lid release1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Locking the glove box

Insert key into the glove box lock and
turn it to position1. Remove key from
the lock while in position1.
Unlocking the glove box

Turn key in the glove box lock to
position2. Remove key from the lock
while in position2.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the cargo compartment if
possible. Do not pile luggage or cargo higher
than the seat backs. 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
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.

140 Controls in detailUseful featuresCup holder
1Cup holder
2Release button
Opening cup holder

Push release button2.
The cup holder1 opens automatically.
Closing cup holder

Push cup holder against dashboard
until it engages.Storage compartments
1Storage compartment in center
console
2Storage compartment in armrest
Opening compartment in center console

Slide cover1 rearward.
The compartment contains a cigarette
lighter (
page 143).
Closing compartment in center console

Slide cover1 forward.
Warning!
G
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. Place only containers that fit into the
cup holder to prevent spills. Use lids on
open containers and do not fill containers to
a height where the contents, especially hot
liquids, could spill during vehicle maneu-
vers.