steering MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2005 R171 Owner's Guide

81 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Braking
At the instant one of the wheels is about to
lock up, a slight pulsation can be felt in the
brake pedal, indicating that the ABS is in
the regulating mode.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal while experiencing the pul-
sation.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving.Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see “Practical Hints”
(
page 342).
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing braking distance. Apply con-
tinuous full braking pressure until the
emergency braking situation is over. The
ABS will prevent the wheels from locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
Warning!
G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction af-
forded. The ABS cannot prevent accidents,
including those resulting from excessive
speed in turns, following another vehicle too
closely, or hydroplaning. Only a safe, atten-
tive, and skillful driver can prevent acci-
dents. The capabilities of an ABS equipped
vehicle must never be exploited in a reck-
less or dangerous manner which could jeop-
ardize the user’s safety or the safety of
others.
Warning!
G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake sys-
tem is still functioning normally, but without
the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emergen-
cy braking maneuver. Therefore, the braking
distance may increase.

99 Controls in detail
Seats
Seats
For information on seat adjustment, see
“Adjusting” (
page 37).
Easy-entry/exit feature*
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be
switched on or off, see “Setting
easy-entry/exit feature*” (
page 142).When exiting the vehicle with the
easy-entry/exit feature activated and de-
pending on your selection, the steering
wheel tilts upwards and/or the driver’s
seat moves a few inches to the rear when
you:


remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch,
or


open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1.
Warning!
G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel and driver’s seat when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
To cancel seat/steering wheel movement,
do one of the following:

Press seat adjustment switch*
(page 39).


Move steering column stalk*
(page 41).


Press memory position switch*
(page 104).
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door an un-
intentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.

100 Controls in detailSeats
When entering the vehicle, with the
easy-entry/exit feature activated, the
steering wheel or, depending on your se-
lection, the steering wheel and driver’s
seat will return to their last set position or
a factory-set maximum forward position
when you

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on.


insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch with the driver’s door closed.
iIf the current position for the steering
wheel is in the uppermost tilt position,
the steering wheel will no longer be
able to move upward when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
If the current seat position falls into a
factory-set position range and the sys-
tem recognizes the current seat posi-
tion to be rearward enough for easy
entry and exit, the driver’s seat will not
move to the rear when the
easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
iFor safety reasons, the driver’s seat will
not return to its last set position with
the easy-entry/exit feature activated if
the system recognizes the last set posi-
tion as an extreme forward position.
Instead, the driver’s seat will remain at
or move to a factory-set maximum
forward position. To again fully return
the driver’s seat to your last set or to a
memory position, adjust the driver’s
seat to the desired position or press
and hold the respective memory posi-
tion switch* (
page 104).

103 Controls in detail
Memory function*
Memory function*
You can store up to three different settings
for each SmartKey.
The following settings are stored when us-
ing the buttons on the outer side of the
driver’s seat:

Driver’s seat and backrest position


Steering wheel position


Exterior rear view mirror positions
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired. For informa-
tion on key-dependent memory settings,
see “Setting key-dependency”
(
page 143).The following settings are not
key-dependent. They are stored when us-
ing the buttons on the outer side of the
passenger seat:


Passenger seat and backrest position.
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. See also the
section on air bags for proper seat po-
sitioning (
page 63).
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards 213 and 255 and Canadian
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards 213
and 210.2.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

104 Controls in detailMemory function*The memory button and memory position
switch are located on the outer side of
each seat.
1Memory buttonM
2Memory position switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).
or

Open the respective door.
Storing positions into memory
Adjust the seat, on the driver’s side
also the steering wheel and exterior
rear view mirrors, to the desired posi-
tions (
page 37).

Press memory buttonM1.

Release memory buttonM1 and
press a memory position switch2
within three seconds.
All settings are stored to the selected
position.
Recalling positions from memory
Press and hold desired memory posi-
tion switch2 until the seat, on the
driver’s side also the steering wheel
and exterior rear view mirrors, have
completely moved to the stored posi-
tions.!Do not operate the power seats using
the memory position switches if the
seat backrest is in an excessively re-
clined position. Doing so could cause
damage to the seats.iReleasing the memory position switch-
es immediately stops movement to the
stored positions.

106 Controls in detailLightingFor information on how to switch on the
headlamps and use the turn signals, see
“Switching on headlamps” (
page 52)
and “Turn signals” (
page 52).
Exterior lamp switch
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch
MOff
Daytime running lamp mode
(
page 108)
UAutomatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
(page 108)
CParking lamps (also tail lamps, li-
cense plate lamps, side marker
lamps, instrument panel lamps)
BLow beam headlamps (or high
beam headlamps when the combi-
nation switch is pushed forward)
and parking lamps
ˆStanding lamps, right (turn left one
stop)
‚Standing lamps, left (turn left two
stops)
CIndicator lamp for parking lamps
‡Indicator lamp for front fog lamps
†Indicator lamp for rear fog lamp
iIf you drive in countries where vehicles
drive on the other side of the road than
the country in which the vehicle is reg-
istered, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained
at your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

110 Controls in detailLightingRear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Switch on the front fog lamps
(page 109).

Pull out the exterior lamp switch to sec-
ond stop.
The rear fog lamp switches on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(page 106).

Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp switches off.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps remain lit.
Combination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
1High beam
2High beam flasherHigh beam

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionBorU (
page 106).

Push the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow1 to switch on the high
beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 24).

Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher

Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow2.

111 Controls in detail
Lighting
Cornering fog lamps* (SLK 350 with
Bi-Xenon* headlamps and without Sport Package*)
The cornering fog lamps improve illumina-
tion of the road into which you are turning.
Cornering fog lamps will operate with the
engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
positionB (
page 106)
or


the exterior lamp switch in
positionU (
page 106)
or


the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 108)Driving forward
Switching on cornering fog lamps

Depending on whether you are turning
left or right, switch on the left or right
turn signal (
page 52).
The respective front fog lamp comes on
and illuminates the road into which you
are turning.
Switching off cornering fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the cornering fog lamps if they where activat-
ed by switching on the left or right turn
signal.
If the turn signal should stay on after mak-
ing the turn, the turn signal and cornering
fog lamp can be switched off by returning
the combination switch to its original
position.
Driving rearward
Switching on cornering fog lamps

Place the gearshift lever (gear selector
lever*) in positionR.
The inverse front fog lamp comes on
automatically depending on the
steering direction and steering angle.
Switching off cornering fog lamps

Place the gearshift lever (gear selector
lever*) out of positionR.
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
iCornering fog lamps will only come on
in low ambient lighting conditions.
The cornering fog lamps function is not
available at a vehicle speed above
25 mph (40 km/h).
iThe cornering fog lamps will come on
automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not
switch on either turn signal.
If the cornering fog lamps came on
automatically, they will also go out au-
tomatically depending on the steering
angle.

117 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1. The control system
enables you to

call up information about your vehicle


change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
3Current program mode
(automatic transmission* only)
4Status indicator (outside tempera-
ture/digital speedometer)
5Current gear selector lever posi-
tion/gear range
iThe displays for the audio systems
(radio, CD player) will appear in English,
regardless of the language selected.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.

118 Controls in detailControl systemMultifunction steering wheel
The displays in the multifunction display
and the settings in the control system are
controlled by the buttons on the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.Pressing any of the buttons on the multi-
function steering wheel will alter what is
shown in the multifunction display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display are arranged in menus, each
containing a number of functions or sub-
menus.
The individual functions are then found
within the relevant menu (radio or CD op-
erations under
Audio
, for example). These
functions serve to call up relevant informa-
tion or to customize the settings for your
vehicle.
It is helpful to think of the menus, and the
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged in a circular pattern.


If you press buttonèorÿ re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
menu one after the other.


If you press buttonjork re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
function display, one after the other, in
the current menu.
1
Multifunction displayOperating the control system
2
Selecting the submenu or setting
the volume:
Press buttonæup/to increaseçdown/to decrease
3
Telephone*:
Press buttonsto take a call, or
to dial a calltto end a call, or
to reject an incoming call
4
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display
5
Menu systems:
Press buttonèfor next menuÿfor previous menu