sport mode MERCEDES-BENZ SLK350 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

114 Controls in detail
Lighting
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
operate with the engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
positionB (
page 109)
or

the exterior lamp switch in
positionU (
page 109)
or

the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 111)Driving forward
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal
(
page 55), depending on whether
you are turning left or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes on
and illuminates the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
or
Turn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
The front fog lamp on the side of your
steering direction comes on.
iCorner-illuminating front fog lamps are not
available for the following models:

SLK 280 and SLK 350 without Bi-Xenon*
headlamps

SLK 280 and SLK 350 with Sport Package*

SLK 55 AMG
iWith automatic headlamp mode activated:
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps will only
come on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than
25 mph (40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps
switched on, the corner-illuminating front fog
lamps function is not available.
iIf you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
opposite direction, the corner-illuminating front
fog lamp the corner-illuminating lamp comes on
for the side indicated by the turn signal.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp remains lit
for a maximum of 3 minutes. Afterwards, it goes
out even if the turn signal is still switched on.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps
temporarily come on on both sides of the vehicle
if you turn the steering wheel in one direction
and then again in the other direction shortly
thereafter.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps
will come on automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal.
If the corner-illuminating front fog lamps came
on automatically, they will also go out automati-
cally depending on the steering angle.

161 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Automatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
Program mode selector switch on vehicles
with AMG-Sport Package* and SLK 55 AMG
only
M Manual For manual gear shifting
(
page 165)
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard drivingThe selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display.
1Current program mode!Never change the program mode when the
gear selector lever is out of park positionP. This
could result in a change of driving characteristics
for which you may not be prepared.
iThe last selected program mode (CorS) is
switched on when the engine is restarted.

164 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Gearshift paddles (example illustration
vehicles with AMG-Sport Package*)
1Left shift paddle: limiting gear range or
downshift (in program modeM)
2Right shift paddle: extending gear
range or upshift (in program modeM)
The following instructions describe opera-
tion of the steering wheel gearshift control
when driving in the automatic program
modeC orS.Limiting gear range
Briefly pull left shift paddle1.
The transmission will shift to the next
lower gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
limits the gear range of the transmis-
sion (
page 160).Extending gear range
Briefly pull right shift paddle2.
The transmission will shift to the next
higher gear as permitted by the shift
program. This action simultaneously
extends the gear range of the transmis-
sion.
iYou cannot shift with the steering wheel
gearshift paddles when the gear selector lever is
in positionP,N orR.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when down-
shifting, the transmission will not shift to a lower
gear if the engine’s max. speed would be
exceeded.
iIf you press on the accelerator when the
engine has reached its rpm limit, the trans-
mission will upshift beyond any gear range limit
selected.

165 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission*
Canceling gear range limit
Pull and hold right shift paddle2
until
D reappears in the multifunction
display (
page 157).
The transmission will shift from the
current gear range directly to gear
rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range
Pull and hold left shift paddle1.
The transmission will automatically
select the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears.
Manual shift program*
Manual shift program is available on
vehicles with AMG-Sport Package* and
SLK 55 AMG only.
In addition to the automatic shift
programC orS, your vehicle is equipped
with the manual shift programM.
In the manual program modeM,
system-controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off and you need to change the
gears by manually upshifting or downshift-
ing using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles (
page 164) or the gear selector
lever.The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.Program mode selector switch
M Manual For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The selected program mode appears in the
multifunction display (
page 161).
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift program”
(
page 161), “Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting” (
page 162), and “Steering wheel
gearshift control one-touch gearshifting*”
(
page 163).

203 Controls in detail
Audio system
Search
PressGorHbutton to tune in
the next receivable weather band
station.Scan search
Starting scan search
Press SC soft key.
SC will appear in the display. The
radio briefly (approximately
8 seconds) tunes in all receivable
weather band stations.

Ending scan search
Press SC soft key orGorH.
The weather band station last
played will be selected and
SC
disappears from the display.
Introduction to satellite radio*
SIRIUS satellite radio provides 100 chan-
nels of digital-quality radio. That includes
music, sports, news, and entertainment,
free of commercials. SIRIUS satellite radio
uses a fleet of high-power satellites to
broadcast 24 hours per day, coast to
coast, in the contiguous U.S. and Canada.
This diverse, satellite-delivered program-
ming is available for a monthly subscrip-
tion fee.
For more information and service
availability, call the SIRIUS Service
Center (1-888-539-7474), or contact
www.sirius.com (USA) or
www.siriuscanada.ca (Canada).
iIf no weather band station is received
after three consecutive scans of the complete
frequency range, then the scan stops at the
channel with which it began and
NO WB FOUND
appears in the display.
If this happens, switch back to standard radio
mode.

442 Technical data
Rims and tires
!Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:

MO = Mercedes-Benz Original equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and
approved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

MOE = Mercedes-Benz Original Extended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iFor information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system*” (
page 421).
!Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as

poor handling characteristics

increased noise

increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit
dimensional variations and different tire defor-
mation characteristics that could cause them to
come into contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be
the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire
inflation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 313) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 313). If such information is provided, it
can be found on the placard located on the in-
side of the fuel filler flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
iThe following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your
vehicles with winter tires. Winter tires are not
available as standard or optional factory
equipment, but can be purchased from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Performance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for more information.

444 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelSLK 280 (Sport Package*)
SLK 350 (Sport Package*)
SLK 55 AMGSLK 55 AMG
SLK 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
AMG rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 17 H27.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)1.46 in (37 mm)
Winter tires1,2,3
1Radial-ply tires2Not available as factory equipment.3For use with snow chains contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
205/50 R17 89H M+S.
or
225/45 R17 91H M+S.225/40 R18 92H XL (Extra Load) M+S.

446 Technical data
Rims and tires
ModelSLK 280 (Sport Package*)
SLK 350 (Sport Package*)SLK 55 AMG
SLK 55 AMG (Performance Package*)
Front axle:
AMG rims (light alloy)7.5 J x 17 H27.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset1.46 in (37 mm)1.46 in (37 mm)
Summer tires1,3
1Radial-ply tires
225/45 ZR17 91Y
or
225/45 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
2Must be used in conjunction with Tire Pressure Monitoring System (U.S. vehicles) or Run Flat Indicator* (Canada vehicles) only.
225/40 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)
Rear axle:
AMG rims (light alloy)8.5 J x17 H28.5 J x18 H2
Wheel offset1.18 in (30 mm)1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires1,3
3Must not be used with snow chains.
245/40 ZR17 91Y
or
245/40 R17 91W MOExtended*
2
245/35 ZR18 92Y XL (Extra Load)

461 Index
Climate control 172
Air conditioning refrigerant 452
Air conditioning, Cooling 180
Air recirculation mode 178
Air vents 172
Air volume 177
Control panel 174
Defrosting 170, 177
Residual heat utilization 181
Switching on/off 175
Temperature 175
Clock 120
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 331
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) 447
Collapsible wheel chock 391
COMAND* system 29
Driving instructions 287
Navigation 135
Combination switch 113
High beam flasher 113
High beam headlamps 55, 113
Low beam headlamps 55
Turn signals 55
Windshield wipers 56
Control system 121Control system menus 124
AMG 128
AUDIO 133
NAV* 135
Settings 136
Standard display 127
TEL* 149
Trip computer 148
Vehicle status message memory 135
Control system submenus
Convenience* 147
Instrument cluster 139
Lighting 143
Time/Date 141
Vehicle 146
Convenience opening/closing*
Power windows 238
Retractable hardtop 244
Coolant 456
Adding water 293
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 457
Checking coolant level 300
Messages in the multifunction
display 374–376
Technical data 452
Temperature 289Temperature gauge (Multifunction
display) 127
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 114
Replacing bulbs 400
Cruise control 248
Messages in the multifunction
display 362
Cup holder 255
Curb weight 331
D
Date (Control system) 142
Daytime running lamp mode 111
Setting 143
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting
Rear window 170
Windshield (Automatic climate
control*) 189
Windshield (Climate control) 177
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 144
Interior lighting 145
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
Wile driving 58
With starting the engine 52