MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2005 R171 Owner's Manual

241 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Unlocked status noticed when stopped
Switch on the ignition (
page 35).

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward until the
retractable hardtop is fully closed.
The message
Retractable roof
closed
briefly appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
or:

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully opened position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch rearward until the
retractable hardtop is fully open.
The message
Retractable roof open

briefly appears in the multifunction
display.Unlocked status noticed while driving

Stop the vehicle and leave the ignition
switched on.

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward until the
retractable hardtop is fully closed.
The message
Retractable roof
closed
briefly appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
or:

To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully opened position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch rearward until the
retractable hardtop is fully open.
The message
Retractable roof open

briefly appears in the multifunction
display.
Warning!
G
Stop the vehicle and lock the retractable
hardtop before continuing to drive. You
could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.

242 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopOpening and closing the retractable
hardtop with the SmartKey*
The power windows (
page 232) will also
be opened or closed when you operate the
retractable hardtop with the SmartKey.

Aim transmitter eye at the outside
driver’s or passenger door handle.Opening (Summer opening feature)

Press and hold unlock buttonΠun-
til the retractable hardtop is complete-
ly open.
The retractable hardtop and windows
begin to open after approximately
one second.
In the multifunction display you will see
the message
Retractable roof open
.

Release buttonΠon the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
Warning!
G
Before operating the retractable hardtop,
make sure no persons can be injured by the
moving parts (retractable roof, roof frame,
and trunk lid) due to negligence.
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, hardtop, shelf
behind roll bars, or trunk lid while the re-
tractable hardtop is being raised or lowered.
Serious personal injury may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
spective button on the SmartKey. This im-
mediately interrupts the raising or lowering
procedure. You can then operate
Œ

or
‹
to raise or lower the hardtop away
from the danger zone.
Warning!
G
Never operate the windows or retractable
hardtop if there is the possibility of anyone
being harmed by the opening or closing pro-
cedure.
In case the procedure causes potential dan-
ger, the procedure can be immediately halt-
ed by releasing the button on the SmartKey.
To reverse direction of movement,
pressŒ for opening or‹ for closing.

243 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Closing (Convenience closing feature)
Press and hold lock button‹ until
the retractable hardtop is fully closed.
The retractable hardtop and windows
begin to close after approximately
one second.
In the multifunction display you will see
the message
Retractable roof
closed
.

Release button‹ on the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
Wind screen
1Wind screen
2Snap fastener
3Supporting strap
4Fastening pinInstalling

Remove wind screen1 from its stor-
age bag and unfold.
The storage bag is located on the wall
behind the seat backrests.

Attach supporting straps3 to fasten-
ing pins4.

Close snap fasteners2.

Pull wind screen1 on molding over
roll bars.
Removing

Pull off wind screen1 from roll bars.

Open snap fasteners2.

Loosen supporting straps3 from fas-
tening pins4.

Fold wind screen1 and put it back
into storage bag.
Warning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, a warning sounds. In
the multifunction display you will see
K

and the message
Retractable roof
being lowered. After about 15 seconds
the roof hydraulics lose pressure.
Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(
page 240) before continuing to drive.
Warning!
G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s
vision to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent
a possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.
iPull on snap fastener’s head to open
the snap fastener.

244 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe 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” sec-
tion (page 80).
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 25 mph (40 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 22).
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.

245 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 245).
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 ve-
hicle’s speed and for safe braking operation.
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times, in-
cluding the area under the brake pedal. Ob-
jects 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.

246 Controls in detailDriving 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 245).
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
will hold the set speed with active brak-
ing action.
In addition, on longer downhill grades
the automatic transmission* will auto-
matically 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.

247 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 245) 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 245) and
hold it down until the desired speed is
reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
iThe cruise control switches off auto-
matically, if

you step on the brake pedal.


you pull up the parking brake lever
firmly.


the vehicle speed is below 25 mph
(40 km/h).


ESP is in operation or switched off
with the ESP switch (
page 82).


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


Vehicles with automatic transmis-
sion*: 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 se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding (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.
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.

248 Controls in detailDriving systemsFine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 245).
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 245).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 245).
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.
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.

249 Controls in detail
Loading
Loading
Roof rack
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
items on its roof. Roof rails and any
roof-mounted devices, unless express-
ly approved by Mercedes-Benz for use
on this vehicle model, must not be used
as they will damage the vehicle and
retractable hardtop.
At time of printing, Mercedes-Benz
does not offer any roof racks or any
other roof-mounted devices for use on
this vehicle.
!This vehicle is not designed to carry
any items on its trunk lid or accommo-
date any type of trunk lid rack or de-
vice. Using such devices may damage
the vehicle and retractable hardtop
mechanism.

250 Controls in detailUseful featuresStorage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box

Pull glove box lid release1 to open
the glove box.
The glove box lid opens downward.

Push glove box lid1 up until it engag-
es to close the glove box.Storage compartment and telephone*
compartment under armrest
1Armrest
2Recess for opening telephone*
compartment
Storage compartment

Lift armrest1 in direction of arrow to
open the storage compartment.

Lower armrest1 until it engages to
close storage compartment.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
place anything on shelf behind the roll bars.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
around and injuring vehicle occupants dur-
ing an accident.iThe glove box and the storage compart-
ment under the armrest are centrally
locked and unlocked.
iThe CD changer* is located in the glove
box.