window MERCEDES-BENZ SLK32AMG 2004 R171 User Guide

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.

128 Controls in detailPower windows
Power windowsOpening and closing the windows
The side windows can be opened and
closed electrically. The switches for the
side windows are on the lower part of the
center console.
1Power window switch

Turn key in the steering lock to
position1 or2.Opening the windows

Press switch at the symbolk to the
resistance point.
The corresponding window will move
downwards until you release the
switch.
Closing the windows

Press switch at the symbolj.
The corresponding window will move
upwards until you release the switch.
Fully opening the windows (Ex-
press-open)

Press switch at the symbolk past
the resistance point and release.
The corresponding window opens com-
pletely.
Stopping windows

Briefly press switch atk orj.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows, make sure there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
The closing of the door windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasingj.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
key from steering lock and lock your vehicle.
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment can
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.iThe power windows can also be
operated with the retractable hardtop
switch (
page 132).

129 Controls in detail
Power windows
Synchronizing power windows
The side power windows must be
synchronized

after the battery has been disconnect-
ed


if the windows cannot be fully opened
or closed

Switch ignition on.

Press switch at the symbolj until
the window is completely closed and
hold down for approximately 1 second.
Repeat procedure for each window.

132 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopOpening the retractable hardtopRetractable hardtop switchBefore pulling on the retractable hardtop
switch, you must ensure

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.
Make sure 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 flashes slowly, a mal-
function has occurred in the system.
If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch flashes 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.

133 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Prior to cleaning the rear window, read and
observe the instructions in the “Operation”
section (
page 159).Closing the retractable hardtop
Retractable hardtop switchBefore pushing on the retractable hardtop
switch, you must ensure

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.

167 Operation
Driving instructions
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to positionN or
declutch in case of manual transmission.
Try to keep the vehicle under control by
corrective steering action.Road salts and chemicals can adversely af-
fect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking efficien-
cy should be tested as soon as possible af-
ter driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 188).
iFor information on driving with snow
chains, see “Snow chains”
(page 189).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of control loss.
Warning
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise, deadly carbon monox-
ide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior re-
sulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose. In-
dicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice.

192 OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to
varying external influences which, if gone
unchecked, can attack the paintwork as
well as the underbody and cause lasting
damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
A n y d a m a g e s h o u l d b e r e p a i r e d a s s o o n a s
possible to prevent the start of corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.