MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2011 R170 Repair Manual

When you open a door, the windows on that
side lowers slightly. Once you close the
door, the windows move up again.
! A window will not work if it is blocked with
ice or if the vehicle battery is discharged. If
you cannot shut a door, do not force it or
you could damage the door or the window.
Fix whatever is affecting the window before
trying to shut the door. Automatic central locking
You can switch the automatic central locking
on or off using the control system
(Y page 108).
The doors and the trunk lock automatically
when the vehicle is set into motion.
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
The doors are designed to unlock
automatically after an accident if the force of
the impact exceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle locks automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning at a vehicle speed of above 9 mph
(15 km/h). You could therefore lock yourself
out when the vehicle is pushed or towed or is
on a test stand. Locking and unlocking from the inside
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 45.
You can lock or unlock the vehicle from the
inside using the central locking or unlocking
switch. This can be useful, for example, if you
want to lock the vehicle before starting to
drive.
The central locking or unlocking switch does
not lock or unlock the fuel filler flap or the
interior storage compartments, such as the
glove box. X
Locking: Press central locking switch :.
When all doors are closed, the vehicle
locks.
X Unlocking: Press central unlocking
switch ;.
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
If the vehicle was previously locked with the
central locking switch
R and the SmartKey is set to factory settings,
the complete vehicle is unlocked when a
door is opened from the inside
R and the SmartKey is set to selective
settings, only the door opened from inside
is unlocked
If the vehicle has been locked centrally with
the SmartKey, it will not unlock using the
central unlocking switch. Opening the trunk
G
Warning!
Make sure the trunk is closed when the engine
is running and while driving. Among other
dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death.
! When you open the trunk, the trunk lid
swings open upwards. Always make sure
there is sufficient overhead clearance. Locking and unlocking
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You can open the trunk when the vehicle is
stationary and the retractable hardtop is fully
opened or closed.
A minimum height clearance of 5.78 ft
(1.76 m) is required to open the trunk lid.
X
Press and hold button F on the
SmartKey.
The trunk lid is unlocked and opens slightly.
or
X Pull on handle :.
The vehicle must be unlocked.
X Lift the trunk lid and swing it open. Closing the trunk
G
Warning!
Make sure the trunk is closed when the engine
is running and while driving. Among other
dangers, deadly carbon monoxide (CO) gases
may enter vehicle interior resulting in
unconsciousness and death. G
Warning!
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk
opening when closing the trunk lid. Be
especially careful when small children are
around. G
Observe Safety notes, see page 45.
Do not leave the SmartKey in the open trunk.
You may lock yourself out.
If the vehicle was previously locked centrally
with the SmartKey, the trunk lid will lock automatically when closed. All turn signal
lamps flash three times to confirm locking.
i
When the hardtop is retracted, it must be
completely lowered in the trunk before the
trunk can be closed ( Y page 170). X
Lower the trunk lid using handle :.
X Close trunk lid with hands placed flat on
trunk lid. Trunk lid emergency release
The trunk lid can be opened from inside the
trunk with the emergency release button. X
Briefly press emergency release
button :.
The trunk lid unlocks and opens slightly.
X Push up the trunk lid to fully open.
The emergency release button unlocks the
trunk while the vehicle is standing still or in
motion. 60
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Illumination of the emergency release button:
R
The button flashes for 30 minutes after
opening the trunk.
R The button flashes for 60 minutes after
closing the trunk.
The emergency release button does not
unlock the trunk, if the vehicle battery is
discharged or disconnected.
If the vehicle has previously been locked
centrally with the SmartKey, opening the
trunk from the inside using the emergency
release button will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system.
To cancel the alarm, see ( Y page 53).Valet locking
You can lock the trunk separately with the
mechanical key. This denies unauthorized
access to the trunk, e.g. when you valet park
the vehicle.
X Leave only the SmartKey less its
mechanical key with the vehicle. X
Valet locking: Close the trunk.
X Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (Y page 264).
X Insert the mechanical key in the trunk lid
lock.
X Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position 2 and remove the mechanical
key in that position to lock the trunk.
The trunk remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked. You can then only open the trunk with the
mechanical key.
X
Canceling: Insert the mechanical key in
the trunk lid lock.
X Turn the mechanical key counterclockwise
to neutral position 1 and remove the
mechanical key in that position to unlock
the trunk.
You can now open the trunk. Starter switch positions
SmartKey
G
Observe Safety notes, see page 45. Starter switch
g
For removing SmartKey
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Gear selector lever must be in park
position P.
1 Power supply for some electrical
consumers, e.g. wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all electrical
consumers) and driving position
3 Starting position
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The high-
beam headlamp indicator lamp and turn
signal indicator lamps will only come on if
activated. 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 remains on
after starting the engine or comes on while Starter switch positions
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driving, refer to “Lamps in instrument cluster”
(Y page 256).
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position 0 for an extended period of time, it
can
no longer be turned in the starter switch.
In this case, the steering is locked. To unlock,
remove SmartKey from the starter switch and
reinsert.
The steering is locked when the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.
X Always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
This

will help to prevent accelerated vehicle
battery discharge or a completely
discharged vehicle battery.
If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter
switch, the vehicle battery may not be
sufficiently charged.
X Check the vehicle battery and charge it if
necessary ( Y page 283).
or
X Get a jump start (Y page 283). Seats
Safety notes
G
Warning!
In order to avoid possible loss of vehicle
control
the following must be done before the
vehicle is put into motion:
R seat adjustment
R head restraint adjustment
R steering wheel adjustment
R rear view mirror adjustment
R fastening of seat belts G
Warning!
Do not adjust the driver’s 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
backrest

in an excessively reclined position as
this can be dangerous. You could slide under
the seat belt in a collision. If you slide under
it, the seat belt would apply force at the
abdomen or neck. That could cause serious
or fatal injuries. The seat backrest and seat
belts provide the best restraint when the
wearer is in a position that is as upright as
possible and seat belts are properly
positioned on the body. G
Warning!
Your seat must be adjusted so that you can
correctly fasten your seat belt.
Observe the following points:
R Adjust

the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
R Adjust the seat to a comfortable seating
position that still allows you to reach the
accelerator/brake pedal safely. The
position should be as far back as possible
with the driver still able to operate the
controls properly.
R Adjust the head restraint so that it is as
close to the head as possible. The center of
the head restraint must support the back of
the head at eye level.
R Never place hands under the seat or near
any moving parts while a seat is being
adjusted.
Failure to do so could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. G
Warning!
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, toddler
restraint, or booster seat recommended for
the

size and weight of the child. For additional
information, see section “Children in the
vehicle”.
A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints 62
Seats
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are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint.
G
Warning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident. Seat adjustment
The seats can be adjusted either manually or
electrically, depending on the vehicle’s
equipment.
! When moving the seats, make sure there
are no items in the footwell or behind the
seats. Otherwise, you could damage the
seats and/or the items.
Manual seat adjustment X
Seat fore and aft adjustment: Pull
handle :.
X Slide the seat to the desired position.
X Allow handle : to reengage with an
audible click. X
Check for proper engagement before
driving.
X Seat height: Pull or push handle ; up or
down and adjust the seat height until your
legs are lightly supported.
X Seat backrest tilt: Pull handle = and
adjust the seat backrest until your arms are
slightly angled when holding the steering
wheel.
X Release handle = when the desired seat
backrest tilt is reached.
When you hear an audible click, the seat
backrest is again fixed into place.
Power seats G
Warning!
The power seats can be operated at any time.
Therefore, 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.
i Vehicles without memory function:
The seats can be adjusted within 5 minutes
after either front door has been opened.
The counter resets each time
R you open or close a front door
R you insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch
R you remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch
R you switch the ignition on or off
Just like in vehicles with memory function,
the power seats can be operated at any
time when the ignition is switched on.
i The memory function (Y page 70) lets
you store the settings for the seat position
together with the settings for the steering
wheel (electrical) and exterior rear view
mirrors. Seats
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X
Seat fore and aft adjustment: Press the
switch forward or backward in direction of
arrow :.
X Seat backrest tilt: Press the switch
forward or backward in direction of arrow
=.
X Seat height: Press the switch up or down
in direction of arrow ;.
X Seat cushion tilt: Press the switch up or
down in direction of arrow ? until your
upper legs are lightly supported.
Head restraint height adjustment,
manual G
Warning!
For your protection, drive only with properly
positioned head restraints.
Adjust the head restraint so that it is as close
to the head as possible and the center of the
head restraint supports the back of the head
at eye level. This will reduce the potential for
injury to the head and neck in the event of an
accident or similar situation.
Do not drive the vehicle without the seat head
restraints. Head restraints are intended to
help reduce injuries during an accident. X
Adjust the height of head restraints
manually by pulling them upwards or
pushing them downwards. Lumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the seat’s
lumbar support to help enhance support to
your spine. X
Switch on the ignition.
X Turn adjustment wheels : and ; until
you have reached the desired seat
curvature. 64
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Seat heating
The red indicator lamps in seat heating
switch : come on to show which heating
level you have selected.
The seat heating switches from level
3 (high)
to level 2 after approximately 5 minutes.
The seat heating switches from level 2 to level
1 (low) after approximately 10 minutes.
After approximately 20 minutes in level 1, the
seat heating switches off automatically.
X Switch on the ignition.
X Switching on: Press seat heating
switch :.
Three red indicator lamps in seat heating
switch : come on.
X Press seat heating switch : repeatedly
until the desired seat heating level is set.
X Switching off: Press seat heating
switch : repeatedly until all indicator
lamps go out.
If one or more of the indicator lamps in seat
heating switch : are flashing, there is
insufficient voltage available since too many
electrical consumers are turned on. The seat
heating switches off automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available. AIRSCARF neck-level heating
The AIRSCARF neck-level heating provides
the area surrounding the occupants’ necks with a heated air stream flowing from
openings in the head restraints. G
Warning!
When switching on the AIRSCARF neck-level
heating, the air streaming from the openings
may be very hot. When in close proximity to
the openings, you could be seriously burned.
To help avoid serious personal injuries, switch
the AIRSCARF to a lower heating level. X
Switch on the ignition.
X Switching on: Press AIRSCARF switch :
for the desired side.
All three indicator lamps on respective
AIRSCARF switch : come on. After a
preheating time of approximately
7 seconds, the blower starts.
X Press AIRSCARF switch : repeatedly until
the desired AIRSCARF heating level for the
corresponding seat is reached.
X Switching off: Press AIRSCARF
switch : repeatedly until all indicator
lamps on AIRSCARF switch : go out.
After switching off the AIRSCARF neck-level
heating, the AIRSCARF fan continues to
operate for approximately 10 seconds to cool
down the heater elements.
If one or more indicator lamps on AIRSCARF
switch : are flashing, there is insufficient
voltage available since too many electrical
consumers are turned on. The AIRSCARF
neck-level heating switches off automatically. Seats
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The AIRSCARF neck-level heating will switch
back on again automatically as soon as
sufficient voltage is available.
Multifunction steering wheel
Safety notes
G
Warning!
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or
driving without the steering wheel adjustment
feature locked could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
The electrical steering wheel adjustment
feature can be operated at any time.
Therefore, 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.
Make sure
R you can reach the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent at the elbows
R you can move your legs freely
R all displays (including malfunction and
indicator lamps) on the instrument cluster
are clearly visible Steering wheel adjustment, manual
:
Release handle
; Adjusting steering wheel, up or down
= Adjusting steering wheel, in or out
X Unlocking: Pull release handle : out to
its stop limit.
X Move steering wheel to the desired
position.
X Locking: Push release handle : back to
its original position.
X Make sure the steering wheel is securely
locked by trying to move it up and down as
well as in and out before driving off. Steering wheel adjustment, electrical
X
Adjusting steering wheel in or out: Move
stalk in direction of arrows :.
X Adjusting steering wheel up or down:
Move stalk in direction of arrows ;.
i The memory function (Y page 70) lets
you store the settings for the steering 66
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wheel together with the settings for the
seat position and the exterior rear view
mirrors.
Easy-entry/exit feature
This feature allows the driver an easier entry
into and exit from the vehicle. When entering
and exiting the vehicle, the steering wheel is
in its uppermost position.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be activated
or deactivated in the Convenience submenu
of the control system (Y page 108). G
Warning!
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement do one of
the following:
R Move steering wheel adjustment stalk.
R Press one of the memory position buttons.
R Press memory button M.
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to its last set
position when you close the driver’s door with
the ignition switched on. The steering wheel
will also return to its last set position when
you insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch.
i The last set steering wheel position is
stored when the ignition is switched off or
the position is stored in memory
(Y page 70).
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch. The steering wheel also tilts upwards when
you open the driver’s door with the SmartKey
in starter switch position
0 or 1.
i When the current position for the steering
wheel is in the uppermost tilt position, the
steering wheel will no longer be able to
move upward when the easy-entry/exit
feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly
interrupted when the engine is started. G
Warning!
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in
motion. All steering wheel adjustment must
be completed before setting the vehicle in
motion. Driving off with the steering wheel
still adjusting could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.
Crash-responsive exit aid When you open the driver’s door after an
accident has occurred, the steering column
moves up. The position of the SmartKey in the
starter switch is insignificant. This function
facilitates exiting as well as rescue of vehicle
occupants.
The crash-responsive exit aid can only be
triggered when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated via the control system.
Heated steering wheel
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel. Multifunction steering wheel
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X
Switch on the ignition.
X Switching on: Turn switch at the tip of the
stalk in direction of arrow :.
Indicator lamp ; comes on.
i The steering wheel heating may be
suspended temporarily. However, indicator
lamp ; remains on. The steering wheel
heating is suspended when the
temperature of the vehicle interior is above
86‡ (30†). It is also suspended when the
temperature of the steering wheel is above
95‡ (35†).
When these conditions do not apply
anymore, steering wheel heating
continues.
X Switching off: Turn switch at the tip of
stalk in direction of arrow =.
Indicator lamp ; goes out.
i Indicator lamp ; flashes or goes out in
case of power surge or undervoltage or if
the steering wheel heating malfunctions.
i The steering wheel heating switches off
automatically when you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
For more information on the steering wheel,
see “Multifunction steering wheel”
(Y page 94). Mirrors
Notes
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a good
view of the road and traffic conditions. Interior rear view mirror
X Adjust the interior rear view mirror
manually. Interior rear view mirror, antiglare
position
X
Tilt the mirror to the antiglare position by
moving lever towards the windshield.
The interior rear view mirror is dimmed. Exterior rear view mirrors
G
Warning!
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes. X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press button : for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button = for 68
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