height MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 2003 R170 Owner's Manual

31 Getting started
Adjusting
Manual seat
1Head restraint height
2Backrest tilt
3Seat height
4Seat fore and aft adjustmentSeat height

Pull up on handle3.

Use your body weight to push the seat
downwards.

Lift your weight off the seat to obtain a
higher seat position.

Let go of handle3.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Pull up on handle4.

Move the seat forward or backward.

Check for proper engagement before
driving.
Adjust to a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The posi-
tion should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate
controls.
Warning!
G
Children 12 years old and under must never
ride in this vehicle, except in a
Mercedes-Benz authorized BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat, which operates with
the BabySmart
TM system installed in the ve-
hicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed. Other-
wise they will be struck by the airbag when
it inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious
or fatal injury will result.
Infants and small children must be seated in
an appropriate infant or child restraint sys-
tem, which is properly secured with the ve-
hicle’s seat belt, fully in accordance with the
child seat manufacturer’s instructions.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.


32 Getting startedAdjusting
Let go of handle4. The seat should
make an audible click.
Backrest tilt

Turn handwheel2 forward or backward
until your arms are slightly angled
when holding the steering wheel.Head restraint height

Adjust the height of the head restraints
by pulling them upwards manually.

For a lower position, press release
button1 and push down on the head
restraints manually.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 82).Power seat*

Switch on the ignition by turning the
key in the steering lock to position2.
or

Open the driver’s or passenger door.
The seat adjustment switches are located
on the outer sides of the seats.
1Seat height
2Seat fore and aft adjustment
3Seat cushion tilt
4Backrest tilt
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

33 Getting started
Adjusting
Seat height
Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow1.
Seat fore and aft adjustment

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow2.
Adjust to a comfortable seating position
that still allows you to reach the
accelerator / brake pedal safely. The posi-
tion should be as far to the rear as possi-
ble, consistent with ability to properly
operate controls.
Seat cushion tilt

Press the switch up or down in the di-
rection of arrow3 until your upper legs
are lightly supported.Backrest tilt

Press the switch forward or backward
in the direction of arrow4 until your
arms are slightly angled when holding
the steering wheel.
Head restraint height
5Release button

Adjust the height of the head restraints
by pulling them upwards manually.

For a lower position, press release
button5 and push down on the head
restraints manually.
More information can be found in the
“Controls in detail” section (
page 82).
iWhen moving the seat, be sure that
there are no items in the footwell or
behind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.
Warning!
G
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of
the head approximately at ear level.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat
head restraints. Head restraints are intend-
ed to help reduce injuries during an acci-
dent.

62 Safety and SecurityOccupant safety
BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
1
7
indicator lamp
Special BabySmart
TM compatible child
seats, designed for use with the
Mercedes-Benz system and available at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center are
required for use with the BabySmart
TM air-
bag deactivation system. With the special
child seat properly installed, the passenger
front airbag will not deploy.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
Infants and small children should never
share a seat belt with another occupant.
During an accident, they could be crushed
between the occupant and seat belt.
Children too big for child restraint systems
should use regular seat belts. Position the
shoulder belt across chest and shoulder, not
face or neck. A booster seat may be neces-
sary to achieve proper belt positioning for
children from 41 lbs. until they reach a
height where a lap/shoulder belt fits proper-
ly without a booster.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and
the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
When the child restraint is not in use, re-
move it from the vehicle or secure it with the
seat belt to prevent the child restraint from
becoming a projectile in the event of an ac-
cident.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle; even if the children are secured in a
child restraint system. Unsupervised chil-
dren in a child restraint system may use ve-
hicle equipment and may cause serious
personal injury.

130 Controls in detailRetractable hardtop
Luggage cover
The luggage cover is located in the trunk.
1Handle
2Holders
Closing luggage cover
Pull out the luggage cover using
handle1.

Hook the luggage cover into left and
right side holders2.Opening luggage cover

Unhook luggage cover from side
holders2.

While holding onto handle1, guide lug-
gage cover back into its storage com-
partment.
!When opening and closing the retract-
able hardtop, make sure that

there is sufficient clearance for the
retractable hardtop to move up and
the trunk lid to move back


the luggage cover is extended and
closed


the trunk lid is closed


no roof luggage carrier is installed


the outside temperature is above
+5°F (-15°C)
Otherwise the retractable hardtop and
trunk of the vehicle could be damaged.
iKeep luggage cover in trunk in the open
position to prevent closing the retract-
able hardtop unintentionally while a
roof luggage carrier is installed.
!To prevent damage to the retractable
hardtop or luggage/cargo when lower-
ing the retractable hardtop

load trunk only to the height of the
luggage cover


do not permit luggage/cargo to
push up the closed luggage cover


do not load anything on top of or in
front of the luggage cover


do not place anything on the shelf
behind the roll bars

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.

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.

171 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine compartment
Hood
Opening
1Hood release

Pull hood release1 downwards.
The hood is unlocked.
2Lever for opening the hood

Push lever2 on the hood upwards.

Open the hood (do not pull up on the
lever) and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts.
Warning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the vehi-
cle is in motion. Otherwise the hood could
be forced open by passing air flow.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wip-
ers or hood, never open the hood if the
wiper arms are folded forward away
from the windshield.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may continue to run for ap-
proximately 30 seconds or even restart af-
ter the engine has been turned off. Stay
clear of fan blades.

172 OperationEngine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1ft (30cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure that the hood is
fully closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at high-
er engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from vehicle and do not open the hood
until the engine has cooled. If necessary,
call the fire department.Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.