wipers MERCEDES-BENZ SLK55AMG 2012 R172 Owner's Manual

Index
....................................................... 4Introduction
......................................... 20 At
ag lance ........................................... 25 Safety
................................................... 35 Opening/closing
................................. 67 Seats, steering wheel and mirrors
....91 Lights and windshield wipers
..........103 Climate control
................................. 115 Driving and parking
..........................129 On-board computer and displays
....179 Stowage and features
......................241 Maintenance and care
......................259 Breakdown assistance
.....................273 Wheels and tires
............................... 293 Technical data
................................... 321 Contents
3

Wind screen
Inserting and removing ....................86
Preparing for installation .................. 87
see AIRGUIDE
Windshield
Defrosting ...................................... 124
Windshiel dwasher fluid
see Windshield washer system
Windshiel dwasher system ..............263
Notes ............................................. 328
Windshiel dwipers
Problem (malfunction) ...................114
Replacing the wiper blades ............113
Switching on/off ........................... 113
Winte rdriving
Important safety note s.................. 296
Slippery road surfaces ...................155
Snow chains .................................. 297
Winter tires
M+S tires ....................................... 296
Wiper blades
Cleaning ......................................... 268
Important safety notes ..................113
Wooden trim (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 270
Workshop see Qualified specialist workshop Index
19

Useful information
............................104
Exterior lighting ................................ 104
Interior lighting ................................. 109
Replacing bulbs ................................. 109
Windshield wipers ............................113 103Lights and windshield wipers

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 23).Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations. Information about driving abroad
To convert to symmetrical low beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road from the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents glare to oncoming
traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate
as large an area of the edge of the road.
Vehicles with Bi-Xenon headlamps
(Intelligent Light System) Conversion to symmetrical low beam
Switch the headlamps to symmetrical low
beam in countries in which traffic drives on
the opposite side of the road from the country
where the vehicle is registered. This prevents
glare to oncoming traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate as large an area of the edge
of the road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop as close to the border as
possible before driving in these countries.
Conversion to asymmetrical low beam
after returning
Have the headlamps converted back to
asymmetrical low beam at
aqualified
specialist workshop as soo naspossible after
crossing the border and returning to the
original country.
Vehicles with halogen headlamps Switching the headlamps to symmetrical low
beam is not required in countries in which
traffic drives on the opposite side of the road
from the country where the vehicle is
registered. Legal requirements are fulfilled
even without switching. Light switch
Operation Depending on the date of manufacture of your
vehicle, the
0008or0005 symbol for the
automatic headlamp mode/daytime running
lamps is located on the light switch. Illustration: light switch with the
0005symbol for
the automatic headlamp mode/daytime running
lamps
0005000D Left-hand standing lamps
0006000F Right-hand standing lamps 104
Exterior lightingLights and windshiel
dwipers

00070011
Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
000C0005 Automatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps
000D0009 Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
0021000C Rear fog lamp
0014000A Front fog lamps 3 Illustration
:light switch with the 0008symbol for
the automatic headlamp mode/daytime running
lamps
0005000D Left-hand standing lamps
0006000F Right-hand standing lamps
00070011 Parking lamps, license plate and
instrumen tcluster lighting
000C0008 Automatic headlamp mode/daytime
running lamps
000D0009 Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
0021000C Rear fog lamp
0014000A Front fog lamps 3
The tur nsignals, high-beam headlamps and
the high-beam flasher are operated using the
combination switch (Y page 107).
! Switch off the parking lamps and standing
lamps when you leave the vehicle. This
prevents the battery fro mdischarging.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey fro mthe ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0 If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X
Turn the light switch to 0008or0005.
Low-beam headlamps X
To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0009.
The 0009 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
Daytime running lamps Daytime running lamps in Canada
The daytime running lamps function is
required by law in Canada.Itc
annot therefore
be deactivated.
X Turn the light switch to 0008or0005.
With the engine running: depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the 0009indicator lamp in the
instrumen tcluster lights up.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a drive position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambien tlight
brightness: if you tur nthe light switch
to 0011, the daytime running lamps and the
parking lamps are switched on.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0009, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
Daytime running lamps in the USA
In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.
3 Only vehicles with front fog lamps have the fog lamps function. Exterior lighting
105Lights and windshield wipers

X
To activate the daytime running
lamps: activate the daytime running lamps
function in the on-board computer
(Y page 192).
X Turn the light switch to 0008or0005.
With the engine running :depending on the
ambient light, the daytime running lamps or
the low-beam headlamps are switched on.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the 0009indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0011or0009, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
Automatic headlamp mode X
To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to 0008or
0005.
SmartKey in position 1in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
With the engine running: depending on the
brightness of the ambient light, the daytime
running lamps 4
or the low-beam headlamps
are switched on or off automatically.
When the low-beam headlamps are
switched on, the 0009indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. G
WARNING
If the light switch is set to 0008or0005, the
low-beam headlamps will not come on
automatically if it is foggy. This could
endanger you and others. Therefore, turn the
light switch to 0009in fog.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times. Front fog lamps Only vehicles with fron
tfog lamps have the
fog lamps function. G
WARNING
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, turn the light switch to 0009before you
start your journey. Your vehicle may
otherwise not be visible and you could
endanger yourself and others.
X To switch on the front fog lamps: turn
the SmartKey in the ignition lock to position
2 or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0009or0008 or
0005.
X Press the 000Abutton.
The green 000Aindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the front fog lamps: press
the 000A button.
The green 000Aindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i If you switch the engine off (SmartKey in
position 1in the ignition lock) and then
restart it, the previous fog lamp settings are
restored.
Rear fog lamp X
To switch on the rear fog lamp: turn the
SmartKey in the ignition lock to position 2
or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0009or0008 or
0005.
If the light switch is set to 0008or0005,
the rear fog lamp only lights up if the low-
beam headlamps are on.
4 Only if daytime running lamps have been activated via the on-board computer. 106
Exterior lightingLights and windshiel
dwipers

X
Press the 000Cbutton.
The yellow 000Cindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch off the rear fog lamp: press the
000C button.
The yellow 000Cindicator lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
i If you switch the engine off (SmartKey in
position 1in the ignition lock) and then
restart it, the previous rear fog lamp
settings are restored.
Headlam pcleaning system If the "Wipe with washer fluid" function is
operated five times (Y
page 113) while the
lights are on and the engine is running, the
headlamps are cleaned automatically. When
you switch off the ignition, the automatic
headlamp cleaning syste mis reset and
counting is resumed from 0. Combination switch
Turn signals 0002
High-beam headlamps
0003 Right turn signal
0023 High-beam flasher
0022 Left turn signal X
To indicate briefly: press the combination
switch briefly to the pressure point in the
direction of arrow 0003or0022.
The corresponding turn signal flashes three
times.
X To indicate: press the combination switch
beyond the pressure point in the direction
of arrow 0003or0022.
High-beam headlamps X
To switch on the high-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0009or0008 or
0005.
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of
arrow 0002.
In the 0008or0005 position, the high-
beam headlamps are only switched on
when it is dark and the engine is running.
The 0008 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the high-beam
headlamps are switched on.
X To switch off the high-beam
headlamps: move the combination switch
back to its normal position.
The 0008 indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
High-beam flasher X
To switch on: turn the SmartKey in the
ignition lock to position 1or 2or start the
engine.
X Pull the combination switch in the direction
of arrow 0023. Exterior lighting
107Lights and windshield wipers Z

Hazard warning lamps
The hazard warning lamps automatically
switch on if:
R
an air bag is deployed.
R the vehicle is slowed downr apidly from a
speed of over 45 mph (70 km/h) and
comes to a halt.
X To switch on th ehazard warning lamps:
press button 0002.
All turn signals flash. If you now switch on
a turn signal using the combination switch,
only the turn signal lamp on the
corresponding side of the vehicle will flash.
X To switch off the hazard warning
lamps: press button 0002.
If the vehicle returns to a speed of over
6m ph (10 km/h) after a full application of the
brakes, the hazard warning lamps are
deactivated automatically.
i The hazard warning lamps still operate if
the ignition is switched off. Cornering light function
The cornering light function improves the
illumination of the road over a wide angle in
the direction you are turning, enabling better
visibility in tight bends, for example. The
cornering light function can only be activated
when the low-beam headlamps are switched
on.
Active:
R if you are driving at speeds below 25 mph
(40 km/h) and switch on the turn signals
or turn the steering wheel
R if you are driving at speeds between
25 mph (40 km/h) and 45 mph (70 km/h)
and turn the steering wheel
Not active: if you are driving at speeds above
25 mph (40 km/h) or switch off the turn
signals or turn the steering wheel to the
straight-ahead position.
The cornering light function may remain lit for
a short time, but is automatically switched off
after no more than three minutes. Headlamps fogged up on the inside
The headlamps may fog up on the inside if
there is high atmospheri chumidity.
X Drive with the headlamps switched on.
The level of moisture diminishes,
depending on the length of the journey and
the weather conditions (humidity and
temperature).
If the level of moisture does no tdiminish: 108
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

X
Have the headlamps checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Interio
rlighting Overview of interior lighting
Overhead control panel
0002
0010 Switches the left-hand reading lamp
on/off
0003 0017 Switches the automatic interior
lighting control on/off
0023 0010 Switches the right-hand reading
lamp on/off
0022 0002 Switches the interior lighting on/off Interior lighting control
Important notes In order to prevent the vehicle's battery from
discharging, the interior lighting functions are
automatically deactivated after some time
except for when the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
The color and brightness of the ambient
lighting may be set using the on-board
computer (Y page 192).
Automatic interior lighting control X
To switch on/off: press the0017button.
When the automatic interior lighting
control is activated, the button is flush with
the overhead control panel. The interior lighting automatically switches
on if you:
R unloc kthe vehicle
R open a door
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
The interior light is activated for a short while
when the SmartKey is removed from the
ignition lock. You can activate this delayed
switch-off using the on-board computer
(Y page 193).
Manual interior lighting control X
To switch the interior lighting on/off:
press the 0002button.
X To switch the reading lamps on/off:
press the 0010button. Crash-responsive emergency lighting
The interior lighting is activated automatically
if the vehicle is involved in an accident.
X To switch off the crash-responsive
emergency lighting: press the hazard
warning lamp button.
or
X Lock and then unlock the vehicle using the
SmartKey. Replacing bulbs
Important safety notes
Xenon bulbs G
DANGER
Xenon bulbs carry a high voltage. You could
get an electric shock and be seriously or even
fatally injured if you touch the electric
contacts on Xenon bulbs. Therefore, never
remove the cover from Xenon bulbs.
Do not change the Xenon bulbs yourself, but
have them replaced at a qualified workshop. Replacing bulbs
109Lights and windshield wipers Z

If yourv
ehicle is equipped with Xenon bulbs,
you can recognize this by the following: the
cone of light from the Xenon bulbs moves
from the top to the bottom and back again
when you start the engine. For this to be
observed, the lights must be switched on
before starting the engine.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly.
Other bulbs There are bulbs other than the Xenon bulbs
that you cannot replace. Replace only the
bulbs listed (Y
page 110). Have the bulbs that
you cannot replace yourself changed at a
qualified specialist workshop.
If you require assistance changing bulbs,
consult a qualified specialist workshop.
Do not touch the glass tube of new bulbs with
your bare hands. Even minor contamination
can burn into the glass surface and reduce
the service life of the bulbs. Always use a lint-
free cloth or only touch the base of the bulb
when installing.
Only use bulbs of the correct type.
If the new bulb still does not light up, consult
a qualified specialist workshop.
Bulbs and lamps are an important aspect of
vehicle safety. You must therefore make sure
that these function correctly at all times.
Have the headlamp setting checked regularly. G
WARNING
Bulbs and lamps can become very hot. For
this reason, allow them to cool down before
changing them. Otherwise, you could burn
yourself when you touch them.
Keep bulbs out of the reach of children.
Otherwise, they could, for example, damage
the bulbs and injure themselves.
Never use a bulb which has been dropped.
Such a bulb may explode and injure you.
Halogen bulbs are pressurized and could
explode when you change them, especially if they are very hot. You should therefore wear
eye protection and gloves when you are
changing them. Overview: changing bulbs/bulb types
You can change the following bulbs. The bulb
type can be found in the legend. Halogen headlamps
0002
Low-beam headlamp: H7 55 W
0003 High-beam headlamp: H7 55 W
0023 Turn signal lamp: PY 21 W Bi-Xenon headlamps
0002
Cornering lamp: H7 55 W 110
Replacing bulbsLights and windshield wipers