MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32AMG 2004 R171 Owner's Manual

101 Controls in detail
Good visibility
1Mirror cover
Swing sun visors down when you expe-
rience glare.

Push mirror cover1 to the side, as
required.
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 buttonF (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on the button lights
up.
Deactivating

Press buttonF (
page 102) again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
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.

102 Controls in detailClimate control
Climate control

103 Controls in detail
Climate control
The climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the AC
OFF
mode is selected.
Item
1
Windshield defroster vent
2
Side window defroster vent,
adjustable
3
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for side air vent
4
Side air vent, adjustable
5
Temperature controls for left and
right side passenger compartment
6
Air distribution control
7
Air recirculation/residual heat
8
AC cooling on/off (AC
OFF
)
9
Air volume control
a
Rear window defroster
b
Center air vents, adjustable
c
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for center air vents
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the slid-
ers for the center air ventsb to the
middle position.
Warning
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents in the footwell can be
very hot or very cold (depending on the set
temperature). This may cause burn or frost-
bite to unprotected skin in the immediate
area of the air vents. Always keep sufficient
distance between unprotected parts of the
body and the footwell air vents. If necessary
change the air flow using the air distribution
controls to direct the air away from the foot-
well air vents.Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.

104 Controls in detailClimate control
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls5 (
page 103)
to separately adjust the air temperature on
each side of the passenger compartment.
You should raise or lower the temperature
setting in small increments, preferably
starting at 72°F (22°C).Increasing

Turn the temperature control5
slightly upwards.
A red marking will be visible and the
climate control system will correspond-
ingly adjust the interior air tempera-
ture.
iThe selected temperature is reached as
quickly as possible.
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the fil-
ter before its scheduled interval. A
clogged filter will reduce the air volume
to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
iIf you use the standard settings for
heating or cooling the passenger com-
partment (
page 102), you will rarely
need to change the temperature, air
volume or air distribution.

105 Controls in detail
Climate control
Decreasing
Turn the temperature control5
slightly downwards.
A blue marking will be visible and the
climate control system will correspond-
ingly adjust the interior air tempera-
ture.
Adjusting air volume
Use air volume control9 (
page 103) to
adjust the air volume. The following sym-
bols are found on the control:
Adjusting air distribution
Use air distribution control6
(page 103) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
control:
Symbol
Function
0
No ventilation
between0
andQ
Ventilation without a blow-
er, depending on the
speed driven
between1
and5
Ventilation with blower
Symbol
Function
cP
Directs air to the windows
b
Directs air into the passen-
ger compartment
d
Directs air to the footwells
a
Directs air through the
center, side and rear pas-
senger compartment air
vents

106 Controls in detailClimate controlAir 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 buttonÐ (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on theÐ button
comes on.Deactivating

Press buttonÐ (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on theÐ 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.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
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 tempera-
tures.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.

107 Controls in detail
Climate control
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 button± (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on the button±
lights up.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.

Press button± again (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on the ±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
position1or0, or remove it from the
starter switch.

Press buttonÐ (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on the buttonÐ
comes on.
Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the air conditioning
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.

108 Controls in detailClimate controlDeactivating
Press buttonÐ (
page 102).
The indicator lamp on the buttonÐ
goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage drops
Basic settings
Heater
Select temperature for each side of the
passenger compartment with tempera-
ture controls1.

Select air volume with air volume
control2, set at least to position2 to
prevent window fogging.

Set air distribution control3 to posi-
tion shown above.

Turn side window defroster vents
(page 103) to the detent position.

Open center air vents (
page 103) as
desired.
iHow 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
setting1 regardless of the air volume
control setting.

109 Controls in detail
Climate control
Air conditioning
Select temperature for each side of the
passenger compartment with tempera-
ture controls1.

Select air volume with air volume
control2, set at least to position1 to
start the air conditioning.

Set air distribution control3 to
positiona.

Open center air vents (
page 103).

Open left and right side air vents.
Special settings Defrosting

Set temperature controls1, air vol-
ume control2 and air distribution
control3 to positionP.

Close center air vents (
page 103).

Open left and right side air vents
(page 103).

Turn side window defroster vents
(page 103) to the detent position.
iUse special settings only for a short
duration.

110 Controls in detailClimate controlDefogging windows
Windows fogged up on inside
Press button± to switch on the air
conditioning.
The indicator lamp on button±
goes out.

Press buttonÐ to switch off the air
recirculation.
The indicator lamp on buttonÐ
goes out.

Increase air volume with air volume
control2.

Set air distribution control3 to
positionc.

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 control3 to
positiond ora.Deactivating the climate control
system
Deactivating
Set air volume control2 to position0.
The fresh air supply to the passenger
compartment is shut off.
Reactivating

Set air volume control2 to any speed.
The fresh air supply to the passenger
compartment is switched on.Warning!
G
While driving, deactivate the climate control
only temporarily to prevent window fogging.