cruise control MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2007 R171 Owner's Manual

Contents
Automatic transmission* ................... 155
Gear selector lever ....................... 155
Shifting procedure ....................... 156
Gear selector lever positions ....... 157
Driving tips ................................... 159
Gear ranges ................................. 160
Automatic shift program .............. 161
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 162
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ............... 163
Manual shift program* ................. 165
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 167
Good visibility .................................... 168
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 168
Rear view mirrors ......................... 168
Sun visors .................................... 170
Rear window defroster ................. 170Climate control ................................... 172
Switching climate control
system on/off ............................... 175
Setting the temperature................ 175
Adjusting air distribution............... 176
Adjusting air volume ..................... 177
Basic settings ............................... 177
Front defroster.............................. 177
Air recirculation mode .................. 178
Air conditioning............................. 180
Residual engine heat utilization .... 181
Automatic climate control* ................ 182
Deactivating the climate control
system .......................................... 185
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 186
Setting the temperature................ 186
Adjusting air distribution............... 187
Adjusting air volume ..................... 188
Front defroster.............................. 188
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 189
Air recirculation mode .................. 189
Air conditioning............................. 191
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 192Audio system...................................... 193
Audio and telephone*, operation .. 193
Operating safety ........................... 193
Operating and display elements ... 194
Button and soft key operation ...... 196
Operation...................................... 196
Radio operation ............................ 199
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 203
CD mode....................................... 208
GSM network phones ................... 219
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 226
Emergency calls “911” ................. 233
Power windows .................................. 235
Opening and closing the windows 235
Synchronizing power windows ...... 239
Retractable hardtop ........................... 240
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 240
Wind screen* ................................ 246
Driving systems .................................. 247
Cruise control ............................... 247

25 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*163
2Multifunction steering
wheel28,
122
3Horn
4Instrument cluster26,
118
5Overhead control panel31,
116
6Glove box252
CD changer*216,
252
7Center console29, 30
8Sun sensor for automatic
climate control*
9Starter switch37
ItemPage
aSteering wheel adjustment
release handle, manual43
bSteering wheel adjustment
stalk, electrical*44
Heated steering wheel
stalk* (SLK 280,
SLK 350, Canada only)276
cHeadlamp cleaning button*168
dHood lock release lever294
eExterior lamp switch55,
109
fCombination switch

High beam55

Turn signals55

Windshield wipers56
gPower window switches235
hInside door handle99
jCruise control lever247

88 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a
component of ESP
®.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available
traction, especially under slippery road
conditions by applying the brakes to a
spinning wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the
electronic traction system is still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, turn off
the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

in sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for a better grip

the traction control will still apply the
brakes to a spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control

the cruise control switches off if
currently activated
Warning!G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Warning!G
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving other than in the circum-
stances described below. Disabling of the
system will reduce vehicle stability in stan-
dard driving maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.

247 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed.
The BAS, ABS and ESP
® driving systems
are described in the “Safety and Security”
section (
page 84).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
You can set or resume cruise control at any
speed over 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must remain at
all times responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it
advisable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

248 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume to last set speedSetting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever (
page 248).
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display.
Warning!G
Cruise control brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded. The brake
pedal is depressed automatically to do this.
Keep in mind that cruise control is a conve-
nience system designed to assist the driver
during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the
vehicle’s speed and for safe braking
operation.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times,
including the area under the brake pedal.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement which could interfere with the
braking ability of the cruise control system.
Do not place your foot under the brake pedal
– your foot could become caught.

249 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3 (
page 248).
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, the cruise
control may not be able to maintain the set
speed. Once the grade eases, the set speed will
be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed with braking from the vehicle’s
braking system.
In addition, on longer downhill grades the
automatic transmission* will automatically
downshift.
iVehicles with manual transmission:
If you depress the clutch pedal when shifting into
another gear, the engine speed may increase.

Drive with sufficient engine speed.

Shift gears in a timely manner.

If possible, do not shift down more than one
gear.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off automatical-
ly, if

you step on the brake pedal.

you pull up the parking brake lever firmly.

the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h).

ESP® is in operation or switched off with the
ESP® switch (page 86).

Vehicles with manual transmission:
you depress the clutch pedal for longer than
6 seconds during shifting into another gear.

Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving.
!Vehicles with automatic transmission*:
Moving gear selector lever to positionN while
driving also cancels cruise control. However, the
gear selector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast when
the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on icy
roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control will resume the last speed set.

250 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 248) and hold it
up until the desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 248) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 248).
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 248).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 248).
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The last set speed appears in the multi-
function display.iWhen you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to the pre-
set speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and others.

286 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 332).
iFor information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 333).
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 the vehicle interi-
or, resulting 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.

350 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
vThe yellow ESP® warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.The ESP® has been switched off
with the ESP® switch or has been
switched off due to a malfunction.
Risk of accident!
When the ESP
® is switched off, it
will not stabilize the vehicle if the
system recognizes that the vehicle
starts to skid or that a wheel is
spinning.
The cruise control is deactivated
and cannot be switched on.
Switch the ESP® back on (page 89).
Exceptions: (
page 86).
If leaving the ESP® switched off, adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road,
weather and traffic conditions.
If the ESP
® cannot be switched back on:
Continue driving with added caution.
Observe additional messages that may appear
in the multifunction display (
page 359).
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
The yellow ESP® warning lamp
flashes when the engine is running.The ESP® or traction control has
come into operation because of
detected traction loss in at least
one tire.
The cruise control is deactivated.When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevailing
road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate the ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 86).
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of an accident.

358 Practical hints
What to do if …
Text messages
Display messagePossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP inoperative
See Operators’s ManualThe ABS and ESP® are not available
due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Cruise
controlinoperativeThe cruise control is malfunction-
ing.Have the cruise control checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
ESPinoperative
See Operator’s ManualThe ESP® has switched off due to a
malfunction.
The ABS and the BAS might not be
operational.
The brake system is still functioning
normally but without the systems
specified above.Continue driving with added caution.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.