air conditioning MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 2003 R170 Owner's Manual

Contents
Automatic central locking .............. 78
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 80
Seats.................................................... 81
Heated seats* ................................ 81
Head restraints............................... 82
Lighting ................................................ 83
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 83
Combination switch........................ 84
Hazard warning flasher................... 85
Interior lighting ............................... 86
Instrument cluster ............................... 88
Instrument cluster illumination....... 88
Coolant temperature gauge............ 88
Trip odometer................................. 89
Tachometer .................................... 89
Outside temperature indicator ....... 90
Setting clock .................................. 90
Manual transmission ............................ 91
Shifting into reverse ....................... 92
Automatic transmission* ..................... 93
One-touch gearshifting ................... 94
Gear ranges .................................... 95
Gear selector lever position ........... 96
Program mode selector switch ....... 97
Accelerator position ....................... 98Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ........................ 98
Good visibility ...................................... 99
Rear view mirror............................. 99
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 100
Sun visors .................................... 101
Climate control .................................. 102
Setting the temperature ............... 104
Adjusting air volume .................... 104
Adjusting air distribution .............. 104
Air recirculation mode .................. 105
Rear window defroster ................. 105
Air conditioning ............................ 106
Residual heat ............................... 107
Basic settings ............................... 108
Special settings............................ 108
Deactivating the climate control
system ......................................... 110
Audio system ..................................... 111
Audio and telephone, operation ... 111
Operating safety........................... 111
Operating and display elements ... 112
Anti-theft system.......................... 114
Button and soft key operation ...... 115
Operation ..................................... 115
Radio mode .................................. 116Cassette mode............................. 118
CD mode ...................................... 120
Telephone* operation .................. 123
Power windows.................................. 127
Opening and closing
the side windows ......................... 127
Retractable hardtop........................... 129
Opening and closing
the retractable hardtop ................ 129
Wind screen ................................. 134
Driving systems ................................. 136
Cruise control .............................. 136
Useful features .................................. 139
Interior storage spaces ................ 139
Ashtray ........................................ 142
Cigarette lighter ........................... 143
Telephone* .................................. 143
Tele Aid ........................................ 144
Garage door opener ..................... 152
Operation......................................... 157
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 158
Driving instructions ........................... 159
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 159
Drinking and driving ..................... 159

Contents
Installing....................................... 228
Flat tire .............................................. 229
Preparing the vehicle.................... 229
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1 ..... 229
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2 ..... 234
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 238
Battery ............................................... 245
Disconnecting the battery ............ 246
Removing the battery ................... 246
Charging and reinstalling battery . 246
Reconnecting the battery ............. 246
Jump starting ..................................... 247
Towing the vehicle ............................. 249
Towing eye ................................... 251
Installing towing eye bolt.............. 252
Fuses ................................................. 253
Main fuse box ............................... 253
Auxiliary fuse box ......................... 254
Technical data.................................. 255
Spare parts service ............................ 256
Warranty coverage ............................. 257
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 257
Identification labels............................ 258Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 259
SLK 230 Kompressor ................... 259
SLK 320 ....................................... 259
SLK 32 AMG................................. 259
Engine................................................ 260
Rims and Tires ................................... 261
Same size tires ............................. 262
Mixed size tires ............................ 263
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 265
Electrical system ............................... 266
Main Dimensions ............................... 267
Weights.............................................. 268
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. .......... 269
Capacities .................................... 269
Engine oils.................................... 271
Engine oil additives ...................... 271
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 271
Brake fluid .................................... 271
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 272
Fuel requirements ........................ 272
Gasoline additives ........................ 272
Coolants....................................... 273
Windshield and headlamp*
washer system ............................. 275
Consumer information ....................... 276
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 276
Technical terms............................... 279Index................................................. 285

105 Controls in detail
Climate control
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
Activating
Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the
Ð
button
comes on.Deactivating

Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the
Ð
button
goes out.
The air recirculation mode is deactivated
automatically:


after five minutes if the outside temper-
ature is below approximately 41°F
(5 °C)


after five minutes if the air conditioning
is turned off


after 30 minutes if the outside temper-
ature is above approximately 41°F
(5 °C)
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26 °C), the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air. A quantity of
outside air is added after approximately
30 minutes.
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the defrost-
er as soon as the rear window is clear. The
defroster is automatically deactivated af-
ter a maximum of 12 minutes.
Activating
Switch on the ignition.

Press button
F
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
Deactivating

Press button
F
(page 102) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.iThe air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside temper-
tures.

106 Controls in detailClimate control
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the climate
control system. The air in the vehicle will
then no longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Press buttonAC
OFF
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on the
AC
OFF
button lights up.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts blinking, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster au-
tomatically turns itself back on.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.
Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the air conditioning
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.

107 Controls in detail
Climate control
Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
PressAC
OFF
again (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on
theAC
OFF
button goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134a. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the key in the steering lock to
position1 or remove it from the steer-
ing lock.

Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on button
Ð

comes on.
Deactivating

Press button
Ð
(page 102).
The indicator lamp on button
Ð

goes out.The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage dropsiHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting 1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.

108 Controls in detailClimate controlBasic settings
Heater
Select temperature for each side of the
passenger compartment with tempera-
ture selectors1.

Select air volume with control switch2,
set at least to position 2 to prevent
window fogging.

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position shown above.

Turn side window defroster vents to the
detent position.

Open center air vents as desired.Air conditioning

Select temperature for each side of the
passenger compartment with tempera-
ture selectors1.

Select air volume with control switch2,
set at least to position 1 to start the air
conditioning.

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position
a
.

Open center air vents.

Open left and right side air vents.
Special settings
Defrosting
Set temperature selectors1, air vol-
ume control switch2 and air distribu-
tion control switch3 to position
P
.

Close center air vents.

Open left and right side air vents.

Turn side window defroster vents to the
detent position.iUse special settings only for a short
duration.

109 Controls in detail
Climate control
Defogging windows
Windows fogged up on inside
Press buttonAC
OFF
t o s w i t c h o n t h e a i r
conditioning.
The indicator lamp on buttonAC
OFF

goes out.

Press button
Ð
to switch off the air
recirculation.
The indicator lamp on button
Ð

goes out.

Increase air volume with air volume
control switch2 .

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position
c
.

Close center air vents.

Close left and right side air vents.

Turn side window defroster vents to the
detent position.Windshield fogged up on outside

Switch on the windshield wipers
(page 44).

Set air distribution control switch3 to
position
d
or
a
.

271 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines. Therefore, use
only engine oils recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Information on recom-
mended brands is available in the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet, or at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow FSS or Service Booklet rec-
ommendations for scheduled oil changes.
F ai lu re to d o s o could res ul t in engi ne da m -
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may be harmful to the engine opera-
tion.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special
PAG lubricating oil is used in the air condi-
tioning system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil, otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.

285 Index
A
ABS 22, 66, 279
ABS control 67
Malfunction indicator lamp 196
Warning lamp 196
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission* 98
Accident
In case of 46
Activating
Air conditioning 107
Air recirculation mode 105
Anti-theft alarm system 71
Climate control 103
ESP 70
Exterior headlamps 43
Hazard warning flasher 85
Headlamps 43
High beams 85
Ignition 29
Immobilizer 71
Rear window defroster 105
Residual heat 107
Seat heater* 81
Tow-away alarm 72
Windshield wipers 44Activating automatic central locking 79
Adding
Coolant 176, 177
Engine oil 175
Additional turn signals 221
Adjusting 30
Air distribution 104
Air volume 104
Backrest tilt 32, 33
Exterior rear view mirror 35
Head restraint height 32
Inside rear view mirror 35
Instrument cluster illumination 88
Manual seat 31
Mirrors 35
Seat cushion tilt 33
Seat fore and aft adjustment 31, 33
Seat height 31, 33
Seats 30
Telescoping steering column* 34
Adjusting headlamp aim
Horizontal headlamp aim 227
Vertical headlamp aim 226
Air conditioning 106
Activating 107
Deactivating 106Air conditioning refrigerant 271
Air distribution
Adjusting 104
Air pressure see Tire inflation
pressure 181
Air recirculation mode 105
Activating 105
Deactivating 105
Air volume
Adjusting 104
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp 205
Airbags 53
BabySmart airbag deactivation
system 279
BabySmart
TM deactivation
system 62
Children 54
Front 56
Passenger 56
Safety guidelines 55
Side impact 57
Alarm
Audible 65, 71
Canceling 71
Visual 71

288 IndexChild safety 60
Airbags 54
Infant and child restraint systems 57,
60
Cigarette lighter 143
Cleaning
Cloth upholstery 192
Cup holder 191
Gear selector lever 191
Hard plastic trim items 191
Headliner 192
Instrument cluster 191
Leather upholstery 192
Light alloy wheels 191
Plastic and rubber parts 192
Rear window 190
Seat belts 192
Steering wheel 191
Windows 190
Windshield 45
Wiper blades 190
Cleaning*
Headlamps 100
Climate control 102
Adjusting air distribution 104
Adjusting air volume 104Air conditioning 106
Air recirculation mode 105
Deactivating the climate control
system 110
Defogging windshield 109
Defrosting 108
Reactivating the climate control
system 110
Rear window defroster 105
Residual heat utilization 107
Residual ventilation 107
Setting the temperature 104
Clock 21
Setting 90
Closing
Glove box 139
Hood 172
Retractable hardtop 215
Side windows 127
Trunk 77
Windows 127
Closing hardtop
In an emergency 215
Cloth upholstery
Cleaning 192
Cockpit 18, 279Coin holder 142
Collapsible tire 279
Combination switch 84, 85
High beam flasher 44, 85
Turn signals 43
Windshield wipers 44
Consumer information 276
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 166
Coolant 176, 273
Adding 176, 177
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 273
Capacities 269
Checking level 176
Temperature 167
Temperature gauge 88
Coolant level
Checking 170, 176
Cruise control 136, 279
Canceling 137
Driving downhill 137
Driving uphill 137
Fine adjustment 138
Saving current speed 137
Setting speeds 138