roof MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2008 R171 Owner's Manual

Contents
Audio 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* ..... 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 ................................. 248
Cruise control............................... 248
Loading .............................................. 252
Roof rack ...................................... 252Useful features .................................. 253
Storage compartments ................ 253
Shelf behind roll bars ................... 254
Cup holder ................................... 255
Ashtray......................................... 255
Cigarette lighter ........................... 256
Power outlet................................. 257
Floormat (driver’s side only) ......... 258
Telephone* .................................. 259
Tele Aid* ...................................... 262
Garage door opener* ................... 270
Heated steering wheel*
(SLK 280, SLK 350, Canada only) 276
Operation......................................... 277
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ........ 278
Driving instructions ........................... 279
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 279
Drinking and driving ..................... 279
Pedals .......................................... 279
Power assistance ......................... 280
Brakes.......................................... 280
Driving off .................................... 282
Parking......................................... 282
Tires ............................................. 283
Hydroplaning................................ 284
Tire traction ................................. 284
Tire speed rating .......................... 285
Winter driving instructions ........... 286
Standing water............................. 287
Passenger compartment .............. 287
Driving abroad ............................. 287
Control and operation of radio
transmitter ................................... 287
Catalytic converter....................... 288
Emission control .......................... 289
Coolant temperature.................... 289

238 Controls in detail
Power windows
Opening
Push the retractable hardtop switch in
quick succession twice in direction of
arrow1.
All side windows open.
Closing
Push the retractable hardtop switch in
quick succession twice in direction of
arrow2.
Keep the retractable hardtop switch
pushed the second time until all win-
dows are closed.
The windows in the driver’s and pas-
senger door will close first, followed by
the rear side windows.Opening and closing the windows with
the SmartKey*
The retractable hardtop (
page 240) will
also be opened or closed when the power
windows are operated with the SmartKey.
Aim transmitter eye at the outside
driver’s or passenger door handle.
The SmartKey must be in close
proximity to the respective outside
door handle.Opening (Summer opening feature)
Press and hold buttonŒ.
The windows and retractable hardtop
begin to open after approximately
1 second.
In the multifunction display you will see
the message
Retractable Roof In
Operation
.
Release buttonΠon the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
Closing (Convenience closing feature)
Press and hold lock button‹.
The windows and retractable hardtop
begin to close after approximately
1 second.
In the multifunction display you will see
the message
Retractable Roof In
Operation
.
Release button‹on the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
iYou can operate the rear side windows only
by using the retractable hardtop switch.
iWhen the retractable hardtop is open, only
the windows in the driver’s and passenger door
will close. The rear side windows remain open.

239 Controls in detail
Power windows
Synchronizing power windows
The power windows must be synchronized

after the battery has been disconnect-
ed or discharged.

if the power windows cannot be fully
opened (Express-open) or closed
(Express-close).
Each power window must be synchronized.
Close all doors.
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
Press and hold both switches1
and2 (
page 235) at the
symbolj until the windows are
completely closed.
Hold on to switches1and2 for
approximately 1 second.
The power windows are synchronized.
Warning!G
When closing the side windows and retract-
able hardtop, make sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release button‹to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold
buttonŒ. To continue the closing
procedure after making sure that there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure, press and hold
button‹.
Warning!G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately 7 minutes when the
ignition is switched on.

after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off.
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will seeK and the message
Retractable Roof Lowering.
Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(
page 242) before continuing to drive.

240 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop
For safety reasons, the retractable hardtop
can only be opened and closed when the
vehicle is standing still.
Warning!G
Before operating the switch for the retract-
able hardtop, make sure no persons are in-
jured by the moving parts (retractable
hardtop, roof frame, and trunk lid).
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, retractable
hardtop, shelf behind roll bars, or trunk lid
while the retractable hardtop is being raised
or lowered. Serious personal injury may
occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
tractable hardtop switch. This immediately
interrupts the raising or lowering procedure.
You can then operate the retractable hard-
top switch to raise or lower the retractable
hardtop away from the danger zone.
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.
A child’s unsupervised access to a vehicle
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
!Never sit or place heavy objects on the rear
shelf. Doing so could cause damage to the
retractable hardtop and the rear shelf.
!Please keep in mind that weather conditions
can sometimes change rapidly. Make sure to
close the retractable hardtop when leaving the
vehicle. If water enters the vehicle interior,
vehicle electronics could be damaged which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!When opening and closing the retractable
hardtop, make sure

there is sufficient clearance for the retract-
able hardtop to move up and the trunk lid to
move back

the luggage cover is extended and closed

the trunk is only loaded to the height of the
luggage cover

the luggage/cargo does not push the closed
luggage cover up

the trunk lid is closed

no roof luggage carrier is installed

the outside temperature is
above +5°F (-15°C)
Otherwise the roof and other parts of the vehicle
could be damaged.

241 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Luggage cover
The luggage cover is located in the trunk.
Luggage cover
Closing
Pull the luggage cover at the handle in
direction of the arrow until it engages
on both sides at the trunk sill.Opening
Press the release handle on the lug-
gage cover.
Guide the luggage cover forward to its
end stop.Retractable hardtop
!To prevent damage to the retractable hard-
top or luggage/cargo when lowering the roof:

Load trunk only to the height of the luggage
cover.

Do not permit luggage/cargo to push up the
closed luggage cover.

Do not place anything on top or in front of
the luggage cover.

Do not place anything on the shelf behind
the roll bars.
Warning!G
To prevent possible accidents, drive the ve-
hicle only with the retractable hardtop either
completely closed and locked, or fully low-
ered into its storage compartment.
iFor safety reasons, the retractable hardtop
cannot be opened or closed while driving.
Make sure the retractable hardtop and the rear
window are dry before you open it. Otherwise
water may enter the interior and/or trunk.
iBefore operating the retractable hardtop via
the retractable hardtop switch, do the following
first:

Engage the parking brake (page 59).

Close the luggage cover.

Close the trunk lid.

Switch on the ignition (page 37).

243 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
If the retractable hardtop is not properly
locked, lock it as described below.Unlocked status noticed when stopped
Switch on the ignition (page 37).
To lock the retractable hardtop in its
fully closed position, push the retract-
able hardtop switch forward until the
retractable hardtop is fully closed.
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.
Warning!G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately 7 minutes when the
ignition is switched on.

after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off.
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will seeK and the message
Retractable Roof Lowering.

Properly lock the retractable hardtop
before continuing to drive (
page 243).
Warning!G
The hardtop is not fully closed and locked or
not fully opened and locked if:

the message Retractable Roof In
Operation
is shown in the multifunc-
tion display

a warning sounds for 10 seconds when
driving and a message in the multifunc-
tion display appears (
page 380).

244 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
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.
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.Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop with the SmartKey*
The power windows (
page 235) 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.
The SmartKey must be in close proxim-
ity to the respective outside door han-
dle.
Warning!G
Stop the vehicle and lock the retractable
hardtop before continuing to drive. You
could otherwise endanger yourself and oth-
ers.
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 operateŒ
or‹to raise or lower the hardtop away
from the danger zone.

245 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
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
1 second. In the multifunction display
you will see the message
Retractable
Roof In Operation
.
Release buttonΠon the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
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
1 second. In the multifunction display
you will see the message
Retractable
Roof In Operation
.
Release button‹on the SmartKey
to interrupt procedure.
Warning!G
When closing the side windows and retract-
able hardtop, make sure that there is no
danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release button‹to stop the closing
procedure. To open, press and hold
buttonŒ. To continue the closing
procedure after making sure that there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure, press and hold
button‹.
Warning!G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately 7 minutes when the
ignition is switched on.

after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off.
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound. In the multifunction dis-
play you will seeK and the message
Retractable Roof Lowering.

Properly lock the retractable hardtop
before continuing to drive (
page 243).

252 Controls in detail
Loading
Roof rack
!This vehicle is not designed to carry items
on its roof. Roof rails and any roof-mounted
devices, unless expressly 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 accommodate any type
of trunk lid rack or device. Using such devices
may damage the vehicle and retractable hardtop
mechanism.

332 Operation
Tires and wheels
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit and production options
weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (Pounds per square inch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
The recommended tire inflation pressure
for normal driving conditions is listed on
the Tire and Loading Information placard
located on the driver’s door B-pillar and
provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort. If so equipped, supplemen-
tal information pertaining to special driving
situations can be found on the tire inflation
pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler
flap.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.