headlamp MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2005 R230 Owner's Guide

178 Controls in detailGood visibilityFor information on windshield wiper opera-
tion, see “Windshield wipers” (
page 53).
Headlamp cleaning system
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1Headlamp washer button
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Press button1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer flu-
id reservoir, see “Windshield washer sys-
tem and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 278).
Rear window defroster
For information, see “Rear window defrost-
er” (
page 189).
Rear view mirrors
For information on setting the rear view
mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 43).
Auto-dimming rear view mirror
The reflection brightness of the exterior
rear view mirror on the driver’s side and
the interior rear view mirror will respond
automatically to glare when


the ignition is switched on
and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view mir-
ror.
The interior rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gear is engaged


the interior lighting is switched on

269 Operation
At the gas station
Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and require-
ments of operating agents, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 431).

Open the hood (
page 270).
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
2Brake fluid
3Coolant levelWindshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system” (
page 278).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 431).Coolant level
For information on checking the coolant
level, see “Coolant” (
page 276).
Engine oil level
For more information on checking the en-
gine oil level, see “Checking engine oil lev-
el with the control system” (
page 272).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information, see “Replacing bulbs”
(
page 380).
Exterior lamp switch see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 51).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on checking the tire infla-
tion pressure, see “Checking tire inflation
pressure” (
page 290).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 349).

271 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of ap-
proximately 1
1/2ft (50 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.

Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Warning!
G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from the vehicle and do not open the
hood until the engine has cooled. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.
Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components (ig-
nition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on
anyone.

278 OperationEngine compartmentWindshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Washer fluid reservoir
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approx. 7.4 US qt. (7 l).During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Pre-mix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available pre-mixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could re-
sult in damage to the washer sys-
tem/reservoir.
For more information, see “Windshield and
headlamp washer system” (
page 438).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer
solvent / antifreeze on hot engine parts, be-
cause it may ignite and burn. You could be
seriously burned.!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.

309 Operation
Winter driving
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a pre-mixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 437).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started and the
SBC brake system will be fully opera-
tional even at low ambient tempera-
tures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP in winter
operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.
!When scraping ice or snow from the
rear window, be careful not to damage
the sealing strip or apertures along the
side of the window.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

317 Operation
Vehicle care
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical compo-
nents and connectors from contact with
water and cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB Anticor-
rosion Wax, should be applied to the en-
gine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control link-
age bushings and joints should be lubricat-
ed. The poly-V-belt and all pulleys should
be protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash
detergent, such as Mercedes-Benz ap-
proved Car Shampoo.
Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a dif-
fused jet of water. Direct only a very weak
spray towards the ventilation intake. Use
plenty of water and rinse the sponge and
chamois frequently.Rinse with clear water and thoroughly dry
with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning
agents to dry on the finish.
Due to the width of the vehicle, fold in ex-
terior rear view mirrors prior to running the
vehicle through an automatic car wash to
prevent damage to the mirrors.
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces
of road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the underbody, do not for-
get to clean the inner sides of the wheels.Ornamental moldings
For regular cleaning and care of very dirty
chrome-plated parts, use a chrome clean-
er.
Headlamps, side markers, tail lamps,
turn signal lenses
Use a mild car wash detergent, such as
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo,
with plenty of water.
To prevent scratches, never apply strong
force and only use a soft, non-scratchy
cloth when cleaning the lenses. Do not at-
tempt to wipe dirty lenses with a dry cloth
or sponge.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is in close proximity, i.e.
within approximately 3 ft (1 m), the ve-
hicle could be inadvertently locked or
unlocked.

336 Practical hintsWhat to do if …On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 337)


Symbol messages (
page 345)
iSwitching on the ignition causes all in-
strument cluster lamps (except high
beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps unless acti-
vated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps
and the multifunction display are in
working order before starting your jour-
ney.

361 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
License plate
lamp, L
The left license plate lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
License plate
lamp, R
The right license plate lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Light sensor
Drive to
workshop!
The light sensor is malfunctioning.
The headlamps switch on automati-
cally.

In the control system, set lamp operation to
manual (
page 152).

Switch on headlamps using the exterior lamp
switch.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Low beam
Left
The left low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Low beam
Right
The right low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.
Halogen headlamp:
Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Bi-Xenon* headlamp:

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

363 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Right turn signal
Mirror
The right turn signal in the side mir-
ror is malfunctioning. This message
will only appear if all light emitting
diodes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possible.
Tail lamp
Left
Auxiliary
lamp on!
The left tail lamp is malfunctioning.
An auxiliary lamp has been brought
into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Tail lamp
Right
Auxiliary
lamp on!
The right tail lamp is malfunction-
ing. An auxiliary lamp has been
brought into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Turn off
lamps
You have removed the SmartKey
from the starter switch and opened
the driver’s door or removed the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* from
the vehicle and left the headlamps
on.
Turn the exterior lamp switch toM.
Turn signal
Rear left
Auxiliary
lamp on!
The left rear turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. An auxiliary lamp has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

380 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsBulbs
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 an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp ad-
justment.
iIf the headlamps or front fog lamps are
fogged up on the inside as a result of
high humidity, driving the vehicle a dis-
tance with the lights on should clear up
the fogging.
iBackup lamps will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Turn signal lamps


Brake lamps


Parking lamps


Tail lamps
Observe the messages in the multi-
function display (
page 335).