climate control MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2006 R171 Owner's Manual

Contents
Driving tips ................................... 162
Automatic shift program .............. 163
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 164
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting ................. 165
Manual shift program
SLK 55 AMG................................. 169
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 172
Good visibility .................................... 173
Headlamp cleaning system* ........ 173
Rear view mirrors ......................... 173
Sun visors .................................... 176
Rear window defroster ................. 177
Climate control .................................. 178
Switching climate control
system on/off .............................. 181
Setting the temperature ............... 181
Adjusting air distribution .............. 182
Adjusting air volume .................... 183
Basic settings............................... 183
Defrosting windshield .................. 184
Air recirculation mode.................. 185
Air conditioning ............................ 187
Residual engine heat utilization.... 188Automatic climate control* ................ 190
Deactivating the climate
control system .............................. 194
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 194
Setting the temperature................ 195
Adjusting air distribution............... 196
Adjusting air volume ..................... 197
Defrosting windshield ................... 197
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ....... 199
Air recirculation mode .................. 199
Air conditioning............................. 200
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 202
Audio system ...................................... 203
Audio and telephone*, operation .. 203
Operating safety ........................... 203
Operating and display elements.... 204
Button and soft key operation....... 206
Operation ...................................... 206
Radio operation ............................ 209
Introduction to satellite radio*
(USA only) ..................................... 214
CD mode ....................................... 219
GSM network phones ................... 229
TDMA or CDMA network phones .. 236
Emergency calls “911”.................. 243Power windows .................................. 246
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 246
Synchronizing power windows ...... 251
Retractable hardtop ........................... 252
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop....................... 252
Wind screen .................................. 259
Driving systems .................................. 260
Cruise control ............................... 260
Loading .............................................. 265
Roof rack ...................................... 265
Useful features ................................... 266
Storage compartments ................. 266
Shelf behind roll bars .................... 268
Cup holder .................................... 268
Ashtray ......................................... 269
Cigarette lighter ............................ 270
Power outlet ................................. 271
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 271
Telephone* ................................... 272
Tele Aid ......................................... 273
Garage door opener* .................... 281
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only) . 288

23 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Automatic transmission*:
Steering wheel gearshift
control*
165
SLK 55 AMG:
Steering wheel gearshift
control
167
2
Multifunction steering
wheel
26,
124
3
Horn
4
Instrument cluster
24,
120
5
Overhead control panel
30,
117
6
Glove box
266
7
Center console
28, 29
8
Sun sensor for automatic
climate control*
9
Starter switch
36
Item
Page
a
Steering wheel adjustment
handle, manual
42
b
Steering wheel adjustment
lever, electrical*
43
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada
only)
288
c
Headlamp cleaning* switch
173
d
Hood lock release
307
e
Exterior lamp switch
55,
110
f
Combination switch

Turn signals
55


Windshield wipers
56


High beam headlamps
55
g
Power window switches
246
h
Door handle
97
j
Cruise control lever
260

28 At a glanceCenter consoleUpper part
Item
Page
1
Cup holder
268
2
Audio system, or
COMAND* (see separate
operating instructions)
129
3
AIRSCARF neck-level
heating* switch,
passenger-side
105
4
Seat heater* switch,
passenger-side
104
5
Central unlocking switch
101
6
Hazard warning flasher
switch
117
7
Central locking switch
101
8
ESP
® switch
84
9
Seat heater* switch,
driver’s side
104
Item
Page
a
AIRSCARF neck-level
heating* switch,
driver’s side
105
b
Passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
77,
367
c
Climate control
Automatic climate control*
Rear window defroster
switch
178
190
177
d
Cigarette lighter
270
e
Ashtray
269

91 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Seats
Memory function*
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Manual transmission
Automatic transmission*
Good visibility
Climate control
Automatic climate control*
Audio system
Power windows
Retractable hardtop
Driving systems
Useful features

177 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the defrost-
er as soon as the rear window is clear.
The defroster is automatically deactivated
after approximately 6 to 17 minutes of op-
eration depending on the outside tempera-
ture.Switching on

Press the rear window defroster
switchF in the control panel of the
climate control (
page 179) or the au-
tomatic climate control* (
page 192).
The indicator lamp on the rear window
defroster switchF comes on.Switching off

Press the rear window defroster
switchF again in the control panel
of the climate control or the automatic
climate control*.
The indicator lamp on the rear window
defroster switchF goes out.
Warning!
G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before driv-
ing. Visibility could otherwise be impaired,
endangering you and others.
!The rear window defroster cannot be
switched on when the retractable hard-
top is open. The indicator lamp starts
flashing if the hardtop is open.

Close the retractable hardtop first.
The rear window defroster can be
switched on again.
!If the rear window defroster switches
off too soon and the indicator lamp
starts flashing, this means that too
many electrical consumers are operat-
ing simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system
responds automatically by deactivating
the rear window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient
voltage, the rear window defroster au-
tomatically turns itself back on.

178 Controls in detailClimate control

179 Controls in detail
Climate control
Item
1
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable left side air vent
2
Left side air vent, adjustable
3
Fixed air vent for defrosting left side
window
4
Left center air vent, fixed
5
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable left center air
vents
6
Left center air vent, adjustable
7
Right center air vent, adjustable
8
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for fixed/adjustable right center air
vents
9
Right center air vent, fixed
a
Fixed air vent for defrosting right
side window
b
Right side air vent, adjustable
c
Thumbwheel for air volume control
for adjustable right side air vent
d
Climate control paneliWhen you turn the thumbwheels5
and8 upwards to the first stop, the
fixed center air vents4 and9 and
the adjustable center air vents6
and7 are open.
When you turn the thumbwheels com-
pletely upwards, only the adjustable
center air vents6 and7 are open.
For draft-free ventilation, move the slid-
ers for the center air vents6 and7
to the middle position.Item
Item
1
Temperature control, left side
2
Air volume control, climate control
on/off
3
Air distribution control
4
Temperature control, right side
5
FRear window defroster
(page 177)
6
PFront defroster
7
9AC cooling on/off,
Residual heat/ventilation
8
,Air recirculation

180 Controls in detailClimate controlThe climate control is operational whenev-
er the engine is running. The system cools
or heats the interior depending on the se-
lected interior temperature and the cur-
rent outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the interior through the air distribution
system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/Cmode is deactivated
(
page 179).
Warning!
G
When operating the climate control, the air
that enters the passenger compartment
through the air vents can be very hot or very
cold (depending on the set temperature).
This may cause burns or frostbite to unpro-
tected skin in the immediate area of the air
vents. Always keep sufficient distance be-
tween unprotected parts of the body and the
air vents. If necessary, use the air distribu-
tion controls (
page 179) to direct the air
to air vents in the vehicle interior that are
not in the immediate area of unprotected
skin.
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the fil-
ter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air vol-
ume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off. The cli-
mate control will then adjust the interi-
or temperature to the set value much
faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
When the retractable hardtop is closed,
do not obstruct air flow by placing ob-
jects on the air flow-through exhaust
slots below the rear window.

181 Controls in detail
Climate control
Switching climate control system on/off
Switching on
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Set air volume control2 to any speed
(page 179).
The previous settings are once again in
effect.
Switching off

Set air volume control2 (
page 179)
to position0.
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 and4
(page 179) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The climate control will adjust to the set
temperature as fast as possible.Increasing

Turn temperature control
1and/or4 (
page 179) slightly
clockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
Decreasing

Turn temperature control
1and/or4 (
page 179) slightly
counterclockwise.
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air tem-
perature.
iWhen the climate control system is
switched off, the outside air supply and
circulation are also switched off. Only
choose this setting for a short time.
Otherwise the windows could fog up.

182 Controls in detailClimate controlAdjusting air distribution
Use air distribution control3
(page 179) to adjust the air distribution.
The following symbols are found on the
control:

Turn the air distribution control to the
desired symbol (
page 179).
The climate control system will corre-
spondingly adjust the interior air distri-
bution.Opening the center air vents

Turn thumbwheels5and8
(page 178) upward to the first stop.
Center air vents4,6,7and9 are
open.

Turn thumbwheels5and8
(page 178) upward all the way.
Only center air vents6and7 are
open.
Symbol
Function
a
Directs air through the
center and side air vents
Z
Directs air to the windows
and through the center and
side air vents
b
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
Y
Directs air to the footwells
and through the center and
side air vents
iYou can also turn the control to a
position between two symbols.