2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK ROADSTER Owner’s Manual

With its sleek and compact design, the 2016 Mercedes-Benz SLK Roadster captures the spirit of driving in the open air. It is a thrilling mix of style and speed. This two-seater convertible has a roof that can be retracted with the push of a button. This makes the car go from a cozy coupe to a fun roadster. Under its stylish exterior are a number of powerful engines that give it quick acceleration and agile handling. The driver-focused cabin of the SLK Roadster is made of high-quality materials and uses cutting-edge technology to create an immersive driving experience. The 2016 SLK Roadster is a great example of Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to making a vehicle that is both stylish and fun to drive. It is a good mix of luxury and sportiness.

Center console

Center console, upper section

1. COMAND; see the separate operating instructions
2. Seat heating
3. AIRSCARF
4. PARKTRONIC
5. CO start/stop function
6. Hazard warning lamps
7. PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF indicator lamp
8. ESP®
9. Dynamic handling package with sports mode

Correct driver’s seat position

Useful information

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.
Read the information on qualified specialist workshops (Y page 25).

Correct driver’s seat position

WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:

• adjust the driver’s seat, head restraint, steering wheel or mirrors
• fasten the seat belt
  There is a risk of an accident.
  Adjust the driver’s seat, head restraint, steering wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.
• Observe the safety guidelines on seat adjustment (Y page 97).
• Make sure that seat = is adjusted properly.
  Manual seat adjustment (Y page 98)
  Electrical seat adjustment (Y page 98) When adjusting the seat, make sure that:
• you are as far away from the driver’s air bag as possible
• you are sitting in a normal upright position Ryou can fasten the seat belt properly Ryou have moved the backrest to an almost vertical position
• you have set the seat cushion angle so that your thighs are gently supported
• you can depress the pedals properly ted properly.
• When doing so, make sure that you have adjusted the head restraint so that the back of your head is supported at eye level by the center of the head restraint.
  • Check whether the head restraint is adjusted properly.
    When doing so, make sure that you have adjusted the head restraint so that the back of your head is supported at eye level by the center of the head restraint.
  • Observe the safety notes on steering column adjustment (Y page 100).
  • Make sure that steering wheel 1 is adjusted properly.
    Adjusting the steering wheel manually(Y page 101)
    Adjusting the steering wheel electrically (Y page 101)
    When adjusting the steering wheel column, make sure that:
• you can hold the steering wheel with your arms slightly bent
• you can move your legs freely
• you can see all the displays in the instrument cluster clearly
  • Observe the safety guidelines for seat belts ( page 42).
  • Check whether you have fastened seat belt 2 properly (Y page 44).
    The seat belt should:
  • fit snugly across your body
  • be routed across the middle of your shoulder
  • be routed in your pelvic area across the hip joints
• Before starting off, adjust the rear-view mirror and the exterior mirrors (Y page 103) in such a way that you have a good view of road and traffic conditions.
• Vehicles with a memory function: save the seat, steering wheel and exterior mirror settings (Y page 106).

Steering wheel

EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature
Important safety notes

WARNING
If you drive off while the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is making adjustments, you could lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
Always wait until the adjustment process is complete before driving off.
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts the steering wheel, you and another vehicle occupants – particularly children – could become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is mak-ing adjustments, make sure that no one has any body parts in the sweep of the steering wheel.
If somebody becomes trapped:

• press one of the memory function position buttons, or
• move the switch for steering wheel adjustment in the opposite direction to that in which the steering wheel is moving.
  The adjustment process is stopped.

WARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts the steering wheel and the driver’s seat, you and other vehicle occupants – particularly children – could become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is making adjustments, make sure that no one has any body parts in the sweep of the seat and the steering wheel.
If somebody becomes trapped:

• press one of the memory function position buttons, or
• press one of the memory function memory buttons, or
• move the switch for steering wheel adjustment in the opposite direction to that in which the steering wheel is moving
  The adjustment process is stopped.

WARNING
If you use openings in the bodywork or detachable parts as steps, you could:

• slip and/or fall
• damage the vehicle and cause yourself to fall.
  There is a risk of injury.
  Always use secure climbing aids, e.g. a suitable ladder.

The EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature makes getting in and out of your vehicle easier.
You can activate and deactivate the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature in the onboard com-puter (Y page 206).

Position of the steering wheel when the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is active
The steering wheel swings upwards when you:

• remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
• open the driver’s door with KEYLESS-GO in position 1
• open the driver’s door and the SmartKey is in position 0 or 1 in the ignition lock
  The steering wheel only moves upwards if it has not already reached the upper end stop.

Position of the steering wheel for driv-ing
The steering wheel is moved to the last selec-ted position when:

• the driver’s door is closed
• you insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock or
• you press the Start/Stop button once on vehicles with KEYLESS-GO
  When you close the driver’s door with the ignition switched on, the steering wheel is also automatically moved to the previously set position.
  The last position of the steering wheel is stored when you switch off the ignition or when you store the setting with the memory function (Y page 106).

Crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature 
If the crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is triggered in an accident, the steering column will move upwards when the driver’s door is opened. This occurs irrespective of the position of the SmartKey in the ignition lock. This makes it easier to exit the vehicle and rescue the occupants.
The crash-responsive EASY-EXIT feature is only operational if the EASY-EXIT/ENTRY fea-ture is activated in the on-board computer (Y page 206).

Mirrors

Exterior mirrors 
Adjusting the exterior mirrors

WARNING
You could lose control of your vehicle if you do the following while driving:

• adjust the driver’s seat, head restraint, steering wheel or mirrors
• fasten the seat belt
  There is a risk of an accident.
  Adjust the driver’s seat, head restraint, steering wheel and mirror and fasten your seat belt before starting the engine.

WARNING
The exterior mirror on the front-passenger side reduces the size of the image. Visible objects are actually closer than they appear.
This means that you could misjudge the distance from road users traveling behind, e.g. when changing lane. There is a risk of an accident.
For this reason, always make sure of the actual distance from the road users traveling behind by glancing over your shoulder.

• Make sure that the SmartKey is in position 1 or 2 in the ignition lock.
• Press button 1 for the left-hand exterior mirror or button 2 for the right-hand exterior mirror.
  The indicator lamp in the corresponding button lights up in red.
  The indicator lamp goes out again after some time. You can adjust the selected mirror using the adjustment button 3 as long as the indicator lamp is lit.
• Press the adjustment button = up, down, to the right or to the left.
  The exterior mirror must be set to a position that provides you with a good overview of traffic conditions.
  The convex exterior mirrors provide a larger field of vision.
  The exterior mirrors are automatically heated after starting the vehicle if the rear window defroster is switched on and the outside tem-perature is low. Mirror heating lasts up to 10 minutes.
  You can also heat up the exterior mirrors manually by switching on the rear window defroster.

Automatic anti-glare mirrors
WARNING Electrolyte may escape if the glass in an automatic anti-glare mirror breaks. The electrolyte is harmful and causes irritation. It must not come into contact with your skin, eyes, respiratory organs or clothing or be swallowed. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the electrolyte, observe the following:

• Rinse off the electrolyte from your skin immediately with water.
• Immediately rinse the electrolyte out of
  your eyes thoroughly with clean water.
• If the electrolyte is swallowed, immediately rinse your mouth out thoroughly. Do not induce vomiting.
• If electrolyte comes into contact with your skin or hair or is swallowed, seek medical attention immediately.
• Immediately change out of clothing that has come into contact with electrolytes.
• If an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical attention immediately.

The rear-view mirror and the exterior mirror on the driver’s side automatically go into anti-glare mode if the following conditions are met simultaneously:

• the ignition is switched on and
• incident light from headlamps strikes the sensor in the rear-view mirror.
  The mirrors do not go into anti-glare mode if reverse gear is engaged or if the interior lighting is switched on.

FAQ