MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2003 R230 Owner's Manual

291 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Unlocking the trunk
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the key, open the trunk with the mechani-
cal key as follows:Trunk lid lock1Unlocking
Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.

Perform the following two steps simul-
taneously:
Turn the key counterclockwise to
position 1.

Pull the trunk lid handle and lift lid.Unlocking interior storage compart-
ments
Locking storage areas in the passenger
compartment include:


the glove box


the storage space under the armrest


the rear storage compartments
If these cannot be unlocked by means of
the key, the KEYLESS-GO* card or the cen-
tral locking button, use the mechanical key
to open the glove box.1Separately unlock storage compart-
ments
2Centrally lock/unlock storage com-
partments
3Separately lock storage compartments

Slide mechanical key out of key hous-
ing (
page 290).

Insert the mechanical key into the
glove box lock and turn it to position 2.
All storage compartments are now un-
locked.
iThe storage space under the armrest
and the rear storage compartments
can only be unlocked using the me-
chanical key at the glove box lock.

292 Practical hintsLocking/unlocking in an emergencyLocking the vehicle
If you are unable to lock the vehicle with
the electronic key, lock it with the mechan-
ical key as follows:
Close the passenger door and the
trunk.

Press the central locking switch in the
cockpit (
page 91).

Check to see whether the locking knob
on the passenger door is still visible. If
necessary push it down manually.

Lock the driver’s door with the me-
chanical key.

Lock the trunk if necessary with the
mechanical key (
page 83).Lowering the Easy Pack feature
manually
If the Easy Pack feature does not fully low-
er the retractable hardtop into the trunk
compartment and you are unable to close
the trunk lid, follow the instructions below.
1Hex-socket wrench
2Locking screw
Remove the trunk floor from the trunk.

Lift up the lid located at the lower left
side of the trunk.

Have a second person lift and hold the
retracted hardtop.

Using the hex-socket wrench provided
in the vehicle tool kit, carefully turn the
locking screw 2 approximately one
quarter turn.

Hook luggage cover into holders
(page 160).

Let go of the hardtop.
It should gradually lower into the trunk.

When top is completely lowered, return
locking screw 2 to its original position.

Close the lid.

Replace the trunk floor.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.!Do not overtighten the screw.

293 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Changing batteries
If the batteries in the key or the KEY-
LESS-GO* card are discharged, the vehicle
can no longer be locked or unlocked. It is
recommended to have the batteries re-
placed at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.Key
1Mechanical key
2Unlatching battery compartment
3Pulling out battery compartment
4Mechanical key locking tab
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.

Remove the mechanical key1
(page 290).

Insert the mechanical key in side open-
ing and push gray slide in direction of
arrow2.
The battery compartment is unlatched.

Pull the battery compartment out of the
key housing in direction of arrow3.

Remove the batteries.
5Battery
6Contact spring

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries under the contact spring with the
plus (+) side facing up.

Return battery compartment into hous-
ing until locked in place.
Warning!
G
Keep the batteries out of reach of children.
If a battery is swallowed, seek medical help
immediately.
iWhen changing batteries, always re-
place both batteries. The required re-
placement batteries are available at
any Mercedes-Benz Center.

294 Practical hintsLocking/unlocking in an emergencyKEYLESS-GO card*
1Battery cover
Replacement batteries: Lithium, type
CR 2025 or equivalent.
Pry open the cover 1.

Remove the batteries.

Install new batteries as indicated by
the “+” and “-” markings in the KEY-
LESS-GO card.

Replace battery cover 1.

295 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment
iIf the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity, driv-
ing the vehicle a distance should clear
up the fogging.
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Turn signal lamps


Brake lamps


Parking lamps


Tail lamps

296 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsFront lamps Rear lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn
signal
LED
2
Turn signal lamp
1156 A
3
Low beam
1
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon* headlamps: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp. Do
not replace the Xenon and Bi-Xenon* bulbs your-
self. See your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Xenon D2S-35 W
4
High beam
H7 (55 W)
Parking and
standing lamps
W 5 W
5
Fog lamp
HB4/9006 (55 W)
6
Side marker
lamp
W 5 W
Lamp
Type
7
Rear fog lamp,
driver’s side;
replacement
P 21 W
1156/32 cp
8
High mounted
brake lamp
LED
9
Backup lamp;
replacement
P 21 W
1156/32 cp
10
Tail, parking and
standing lamp,
side marker
LED
11
Tail, parking and
standing lamp,
brake lamp
LED
12
License plate
lamps
C 5 W
13
Turn signal
lamp;
replacement
P 21 W
1156/32 cp

297 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement

Only use 12 volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.


Switch lights off before changing a bulb
to prevent short circuits.


Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.


Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.


If the newly installed bulb does not light
up, visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:


the additional turn signals in the exteri-
or rear view mirrors


the high mounted brake lamp


the brake lamps


the parking lamps and the side marker
lamps in the tail lamp assemblies


the rear fog lamps


the low beam (Xenon or Bi-Xenon*)
lamps


the front fog lamps
Warning!
G
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Al-
low the lamp to cool down before changing
a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you:

touch or move it when hot,


drop the bulb,


scratch the bulb.
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

298 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsReplacing bulbs for front lamps
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2Low beam lamp cover (Xenon or
Bi-Xenon* lamp). Do not remove.
3High beam lamp coverReplacing front turn signal bulb

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 227).

Twist bulb socket 1 counterclockwise
and pull out.

Push bulb into socket, turn counter-
clockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb in socket, push and
twist clockwise.

Reinsert bulb socket in lamp and twist
clockwise.Replacing high beam bulbs
1High beam bulbs
2Locking mechanism
3Parking and standing lamps

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 227).

Press ends of headlamp cover tab to-
gether and remove cover.

Pull electrical connector off.

Turn the locking mechanism 2 counter-
clockwise and take out the bulb.

Insert the new bulb so that the base lo-
cates in the recess on the holder.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Xenon or
Bi-Xenon*headlamp. Because of high volt-
age in Xenon and Bi-Xenon* lamps, it is dan-
gerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that
you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

299 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs

Turn the locking mechanism 2 clock-
wise.

Plug the connector onto the bulb.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.
Replacing parking and standing lamp
bulbs

Switch off the lights.

Open the hood (
page 227).

Press ends of headlamp cover tab to-
gether and remove cover.

Pull out the bulb socket with the bulb.

Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert a new bulb in the socket.

Reinstall the bulb socket.

Align headlamp cover and click into
place.Replacing side marker lamp

Switch off the lights.

Carefully slide lamp towards rear.

Remove front end first.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.

Pull bulb out of the bulb socket.

Insert new bulb in socket.

Reinstall bulb socket, push in, and twist
clockwise.

To reinstall lamp, set rear end in
bumper and let front end snap into
place.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Tail lamp assemblies
1Backup lamp
2Turn signal lamp
3Driver’s side: Rear fog lamp
Passenger’s side: Substitute lamp
Switch off the lights.

Open the trunk lid (
page 83).

Fold trim to side and remove.

Twist bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out.
iHave the headlamp adjustment
checked regularly.


300 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Gently push bulb into socket, turn
counterclockwise and remove.

Insert new bulb and reinstall bulb sock-
et.
The bulb socket should audibly click
into place.

Reinstall trim.License plate lamp
1Screws

Switch off the lights.

Loosen both screws and remove lamp.

Replace the bulb and reinstall lamp.

Retighten the screws.