manual transmission MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2005 R171 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 61
Occupant safety................................... 62
Air bags .......................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 69
Children in the vehicle.................... 73
Panic alarm .......................................... 78
Activating ....................................... 78
Deactivating ................................... 78
Driving safety systems ......................... 80
ABS ................................................ 80
BAS ................................................ 81
ESP................................................. 82
Anti-theft systems................................ 85
Immobilizer..................................... 85
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 85
Tow-away alarm ............................. 86
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
Opening the doors from the inside . 94
Opening the trunk .......................... 95
Closing the trunk............................ 95
Trunk lid emergency release.......... 96
Automatic central locking .............. 97
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ....................................... 97
Seats ................................................... 99
Easy-entry/exit feature* ................ 99
Seat heating* ............................... 101
AIRSCARF neck-level heating* ..... 102
Memory function* ............................. 103
Storing positions into memory ..... 104
Recalling positions from memory . 104
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position (parking aid)....... 105
Lighting.............................................. 106
Exterior lamp switch..................... 106
Combination switch ..................... 110Cornering fog lamps* (SLK 350
with Bi-Xenon* headlamps and
without Sport Package*).............. 111
Hazard warning flasher ................ 112
Interior lighting ............................ 113
Door entry lamps ......................... 114
Instrument cluster ............................. 115
Instrument cluster illumination .... 115
Tachometer.................................. 115
Outside temperature indicator ..... 116
Trip odometer .............................. 116
Clock............................................ 116
Control system .................................. 117
Multifunction display.................... 117
Multifunction steering wheel........ 118
Menus .......................................... 120
Standard display menu ................ 122
AUDIO menu ................................ 123
NAV* menu .................................. 126
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 126
Settings menu.............................. 127
Trip computer menu..................... 144
TEL menu* ................................... 146
Manual transmission ......................... 150
Shifting into reverse ..................... 151

Contents
Automatic transmission* ................... 152
One-touch gearshifting................. 154
Gear ranges ................................. 155
Gear selector lever position ......... 156
Automatic shift program .............. 158
Driving tips ................................... 159
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 160
Manual shift program
SLK 55 AMG................................. 164
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 166
Good visibility .................................... 167
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 167
Rear view mirrors ......................... 167
Sun visors .................................... 170
Rear window defroster ................. 171
Climate control .................................. 172
Switching climate control on/off . 175
Setting the temperature ............... 175
Adjusting air distribution .............. 176
Adjusting air volume .................... 176
Air recirculation mode .................. 176
Air conditioning ............................ 178
Residual engine heat utilization.... 180
Defrosting .................................... 181Automatic climate control* ................ 182
Automatic mode (basic setting) .... 185
Setting the temperature................ 185
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Adjusting air distribution............... 186
Air recirculation mode .................. 186
Air conditioning............................. 188
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 189
Defrosting ..................................... 189
Switching off the automatic
climate control system ................. 190
Audio system...................................... 191
Audio and telephone, operation .... 191
Operating safety ........................... 191
Operating and display elements.... 192
Button and soft key operation....... 194
Operation ...................................... 194
Radio operation ............................ 197
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 202
CD mode ....................................... 207
GSM network phones ................... 216
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 223
Emergency calls “911”.................. 229Power windows .................................. 232
Opening and closing the windows 232
Synchronizing power windows ...... 236
Retractable hardtop ........................... 237
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 237
Wind screen .................................. 243
Driving systems .................................. 244
Cruise control ............................... 244
Loading .............................................. 249
Roof rack ...................................... 249
Useful features ................................... 250
Storage compartments ................. 250
Shelf behind roll bars .................... 252
Cup holder .................................... 252
Ashtray ......................................... 253
Cigarette lighter............................ 254
Electrical outlet............................. 254
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 255
Telephone* ................................... 256
Tele Aid* ....................................... 257
Garage door opener* .................... 264
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 350, Canada only) ................ 270

Contents
Practical hints................................. 341
What to do if … .................................. 342
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 342
Lamp in center console ................ 347
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 348
Where will I find...? ............................ 369
First aid kit ................................... 369
Vehicle tool kit, vehicle jack......... 369
Spare wheel with collapsible tire.. 371
Spare wheel bolts ........................ 373
Unlocking/locking in an emergency .. 374
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 374
Locking the vehicle ...................... 375
Manually unlocking the gear
selector lever
(automatic transmission*) ........... 376
Opening/closing in an emergency..... 377
Raising retractable hardtop
manually ...................................... 377
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 378
SmartKey ..................................... 379Replacing bulbs .................................. 380
Bulbs ............................................. 380
Replacing bulbs for front lamps .... 382
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 384
Replacing wiper blades....................... 386
Removing wiper blades ................. 386
Installing wiper blades .................. 387
Flat tire ............................................... 388
Preparing the vehicle .................... 388
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 388
Battery................................................ 396
Disconnecting the battery............. 397
Removing the battery.................... 397
Charging and reinstalling battery .. 397
Reconnecting the battery.............. 398
Jump starting ...................................... 399
Towing the vehicle .............................. 401
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 403
Fuses .................................................. 404
Aids for changing fuses................. 404
Main fuse box in passenger
compartment ................................ 405
Fuse box in engine compartment.. 406
Technical data.................................. 407
Parts service ...................................... 408
Warranty coverage ............................. 409
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 409
Identification labels ............................ 410
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 411
SLK 350 ........................................ 411
SLK 55 AMG ................................. 411
Engine ................................................ 412
Rims and tires .................................... 413
Same size tires ............................. 414
Mixed size tires ............................. 416
Spare wheel with collapsible tire .. 418
Electrical system ................................ 419
Main Dimensions................................ 420
Weights .............................................. 421

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*
161
SLK 55 AMG:
Steering wheel gearshift
control (Speedshift)
162
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
118
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24,
115
5
Overhead control panel
30,
113
6
Glove box
250
7
Center console
28, 29
8
Starter switch
35
9
Steering wheel adjustment
handle, manual
41
a
Steering wheel adjustment
lever, electrical*
41
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 350, Canada only)
270
b
Headlamp cleaning*
switch
167
c
Hood lock release
287
d
Exterior lamp switch
52,
106
e
Combination switch

Turn signals
52


Windshield wipers
53


High beam headlamps
52
f
Power window switches
232
g
Door handle
94
h
Cruise control lever
244
Item
Page

29 At a glance
Center console
Lower part
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Gear selector lever
152
Manual transmission:
Gearshift lever
150
2
Retractable hardtop open-
ing/closing switch
237
3
Tow-away alarm
deactivation switch
87
4
Parking brake lever
49
5
Storage compartment
Telephone* compartment
250
Item
Page
6
Passenger-side exterior
rear view mirror switch
43,
167
7
Driver’s side exterior rear
view mirror switch
43,
167
8
Exterior rear view mirrors
adjustment switch
43,
167
9
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode selector
switch
158,
164

48 Getting startedDrivingManual transmissionGearshift pattern for manual transmissionFor more information, see “Manual trans-
mission” (
page 150).Starting

Depress brake pedal.

Make sure the gearshift lever is in neu-
tral position (no gear selected).

Fully depress the clutch pedal.
Otherwise the engine cannot be start-
ed due to the integrated safety inter-
lock.

Do not depress accelerator.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position3 (
page 35) and hold until
the engine starts.
For information on turning off the engine,
see “Turning off engine” (
page 58).Automatic transmission*
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmissionPPark position with gear selector lever
lock
RReverse gear
NNeutral position
DDrive position
For more information, see “Automatic
transmission*” (
page 152).

51 Getting started
Driving
Manual transmission
Depress the brake pedal.

Fully depress the clutch pedal.

Move gearshift lever to first gear to
drive forward, or to reverse gear to
drive rearward.

Simultaneously release the brake pedal
and slowly the clutch pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.Automatic transmission*

Depress the brake pedal.
The gear selector lever lock is released.

Move gear selector lever to positionD
to drive forward, or to positionR to
drive rearward.

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.!Wait for the gear selection process to
complete before setting the vehicle in
motion.iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with automatic transmission: It is
dangerous to shift the gear selector lever
out of
PorN if the engine speed is higher
than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly on
the brake pedal, the vehicle could acceler-
ate quickly forward or in reverse. You could
lose control of the vehicle and hit someone
or something. Only shift into gear when the
engine is idling normally and when your right
foot is firmly on the brake pedal.

54 Getting startedDriving
Intermittent wiping
Set combination switch to positionI.Single wipe

Press combination switch briefly in di-
rection of arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push combination switch in direction of
arrow2 past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system*”
(page 295).
!The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass and/or damage the wiper blades
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield.
Vehicles with rain sensor*:
Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
the presence of water sprayed on the
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
iIntermittent wiping is interrupted when
the vehicle is at a standstill and a door
is opened.
Intermittent wiping will be continued
when

all doors are closed


the clutch pedal is depressed (vehi-
cles with manual transmission)


the gear selector lever is in
positionDorR (vehicles with auto-
matic transmission*)


56 Getting startedParking and lockingYou have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Parking brake
1Parking brake lever
2Release button
Pull up parking brake lever1 firmly.
When the engine is running, the brake
warning lamp; (USA only) or3
(Canada only) in the speedometer dial
comes on.
Warning!
G
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Wait until the vehicle is stationary before re-
moving the SmartKey from the starter
switch. The vehicle cannot be steered when
the SmartKey is removed.Warning!
G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
system. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Pull up the parking brake lever firmly.


Move the gear selector lever* to
position
P (manual transmission: first or
reverse gear).


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position
0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.


Take the SmartKey and lock vehicle
when leaving.

57 Getting started
Parking and locking
Switching off headlamps
Turn exterior lamp switch toM
(page 52).
For more information, see “Lighting”
(
page 106).
Warning!
G
Getting out of your vehicle with the gear se-
lector lever* not fully engaged in positionP
(manual transmission: first or reverse gear)
is dangerous. Also, when parked on an in-
cline, positionP (manual transmission: first
or reverse gear) alone may not prevent your
vehicle from moving, possibly hitting people
or objects.
Always set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP (manual transmission:
first or reverse gear).
When parked on an incline, turn the front
wheels towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children
could release the parking brake and/or
move the gear selector lever* from
positionP (manual transmission: into
Neutral), either of which could result in an
accident and/or serious injury.