warning MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2005 R171 Owner's Manual

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:

Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

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

10 IntroductionOperator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to inform you of correct
care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Maintenance
Booklet are important documents and
should be kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Car Limited Warranty


Emission System Warranty


Emission Performance Warranty


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only)


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws)

15 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your
vehicle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to in-
dicate cross-references to term
definitions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section
(page 407) in this manual


the traffic rules and regulations


the motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modification made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle undercar-
riage or tires/wheels, for example when
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole, may cause serious damage and im-
pair the operating safety or your vehicle. If
you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that dam-
age to your vehicle has occurred, you should
turn on your hazard warning flashers, care-
fully slow down, and drive with caution to an
area which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle undercarriage or
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various labels are attached to your vehicle.
These warning labels are intended to make
you and others aware of various risks. You
should not remove any of these warning la-
bels unless explicitly instructed to do so by
information on the label itself. Removal of
any of these labels may cause you and oth-
ers to be unaware of certain risks which may
result in an accident and/or personal injury.

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Multifunction display
with:Main odometer
122
Trip odometer
116
Automatic transmission*:
Gear range indicator
48,
153
Automatic transmission*:
Program mode
158,
164
Outside temperature indi-
cator (or actual speed
when selected)
132
2
Tachometer with:?
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
USA only
344
±
Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
344
Item
Page
<
Seat belt telltale
69,
346
A
High beam head-
lamp indicator lamp
52,
110
3
Fuel gauge with:Fuel reserve warning lamp
345
4
Fuel filler cap loca-
tion indicator: The
fuel filler cap is on
the rear right-hand
side.
284
4
Clock
116
5
Speedometer with:1
Supplemental Re-
straint System
(SRS) indicator
lamp
62,
346
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp
80,
342
Item
Page
L
Left turn signal indi-
cator lamp
K
Right turn signal in-
dicator lamp
52
v
Electronic Stability
Program (ESP)
warning lamp
82,
345
;
Brake warning
lamp, USA only
56,
343
3
Brake warning
lamp, Canada only
343
6
Reset button
115
7
Knobs for instrument
cluster illumination
115

28 At a glanceCenter consoleUpper part
Item
Page
1
Cup holder
252
2
Audio system, or
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
123
3
AIRSCARF neck-level
heating* switch,
passenger-side
102
4
Seat heater* switch,
passenger-side
101
5
Central unlocking switch
97
6
Hazard warning flasher
switch
112
7
Central locking switch
97
8
ESP switch
82
9
Seat heater* switch,
driver’s side
101
Item
Page
a
AIRSCARF neck-level
heating* switch, driver’s
side
102
b
75 passenger
front air bag off indicator
lamp
75,
347
c
Climate control
Automatic climate control*
Rear window defroster
switch
172
182
171
d
Cigarette lighter
254
e
Ashtray
253

35 Getting started
Unlocking
Starter switch positions SmartKey
Starter switch0For removing the SmartKey
The steering is locked when the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch. If necessary, move steering
wheel slightly to allow the locking
mechanism to engage.
1Power supply to some electrical con-
sumers, such as seat adjustment2Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position.
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary. If
a lamp in the instrument cluster re-
mains on after starting the engine or
comes on while driving, refer to see
“Lamps in instrument cluster”
(
page 342).
3Starting position
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. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

36 Getting startedUnlocking
For information on starting the engine, see
(page 47).
iWhen you switch on ignition, the indi-
cator and warning lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come
on. This indicates that the respective
system is operational. The indicator
and warning lamps (except high beam
headlamp indicator lamp and turn sig-
nal indicator lamps if activated) should
go out when the engine is running.iVehicles with automatic transmission*:
The SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the vehicle battery may
not be sufficiently charged.

Check the vehicle battery and
charge it if necessary (
page 396).


Get a jump start (
page 399).
To prevent accelerated vehicle battery
discharge or a completely discharged
vehicle battery, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch when
the engine is not in operation.

37 Getting started
Adjusting
Adjusting
Seats
The seats can be adjusted either manually
or electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.
For more information on seats, see “Seats”
(page 99).Warning!
G
All seat, head restraint, steering wheel, and
rear view mirror adjustments, as well as fas-
tening of seat belts, must be done before
the vehicle is put into motion.iThe memory function* (
page 103)
lets you store the setting for power
seats*, steering wheel adjustment
(electrical)*, and exterior rear view mir-
rors.
Warning!
G
Do not adjust the driver seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause
the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
Never ride in a moving vehicle with the seat
back in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide un-
der the seat belt in a collision. If you slide
under it, the belt would apply force at the ab-
domen or neck. That could cause serious or
fatal injuries. The seat back and seat belts
provide the best restraint when the wearer
is in a nearly upright position and belts are
properly positioned on the body. Your seat
must be adjusted so that you can correctly
fasten your seat belt (
page 44).
Never place hands under the seat or near
moving parts while the seat is being
adjusted.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle.
Even with the SmartKey removed from the
starter switch, the power seats* can be op-
erated when the respective door is open.
Therefore, do not leave children unattended
in the vehicle, or with access to an unlocked
vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehicle equip-
ment may cause an accident and/or serious
personal injury.