MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2006 R230 Owner's Manual

Sommer\ Corporate\ Media\ AG
Operator’s Manual
SL-Class
Order No. 6515 3055 13 Part No. 230 584 43 82 USA Edition A, 2006
Ê7%tKrMË2305844382
Operator’s Manual SL-Class

SL 500
SL 55 AMG
SL 600
SL 65 AMG

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Door control panel................................ 32
Getting started................................... 33
Unlocking ............................................. 34
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 34
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 35
Starter switch positions .................. 36
Adjusting .............................................. 39
Seats .............................................. 39
Steering wheel ................................ 42
Mirrors ............................................ 44
Driving .................................................. 46
Fastening the seat belts ................. 46
Starting the engine ......................... 49
Parking brake ................................. 51
Driving off ....................................... 51
Switching on headlamps ................. 53
Turn signals .................................... 53
Windshield wipers ........................... 54
Problems while driving.................... 56
Parking and locking .............................. 58
Parking brake ................................. 59
Switching off headlamps................. 59
Turning off the engine..................... 60
Releasing seat belts........................ 61
Locking ........................................... 61

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 63
Occupant safety................................... 64
Airbags ........................................... 65
Seat belts ....................................... 71
Roll bar ........................................... 75
Children in the vehicle .................... 76
Panic alarm .......................................... 81
Activating ....................................... 81
Deactivating ................................... 81
Driving safety systems ......................... 82
ABS ................................................ 83
BAS ................................................ 84
ESP
®............................................... 85
Electro-hydraulic brake system ...... 88
Anti-theft systems................................ 91
Immobilizer..................................... 91
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 91
Tow-away alarm ............................. 93
Controls in detail............................... 95
Locking and unlocking ......................... 96
SmartKey ....................................... 96
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 100
Opening the doors from the
inside ........................................... 107
Opening the trunk ........................ 108
Closing the trunk.......................... 109
Valet locking ................................ 110
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 111
Automatic central locking ............ 112
Locking and unlocking from the
inside ........................................... 113
Seats ................................................. 115
Moving the seats forward and
backward ..................................... 115
Lumbar support............................ 116
Multicontour backrest* ................ 116
Seat heating ................................. 117
Seat ventilation* .......................... 120
Memory function ............................... 121
Storing positions into memory ..... 122
Recalling positions from memory . 122 Lighting ............................................ 123
Exterior lamp switch .................... 123
Corner-illuminating front fog
lamps* (vehicles with Bi-Xenon*
headlamps and without Sport
Package*) .................................... 127
Combination switch ..................... 129
Hazard warning flasher ................ 129
Interior lighting ............................ 130
Courtesy lighting .......................... 131
Instrument cluster ............................. 132
Instrument cluster illumination .... 132
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 133
Trip odometer .............................. 133
Tachometer.................................. 133
Outside temperature indicator ..... 134
Control system .................................. 135
Multifunction display.................... 135
Multifunction steering wheel........ 136
Menus .......................................... 138
Standard display menu ................ 140
AUDIO menu ................................ 141
NAV menu .................................... 143
Distronic* menu .......................... 143
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 144

Contents
Settings menu .............................. 146
Trip computer menu..................... 157
TEL menu* ................................... 159
Automatic transmission ..................... 162
Gear selector lever position ......... 164
Driving tips ................................... 166
Gear ranges ................................. 167
Automatic shift program .............. 168
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 169
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting................. 170
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG
and SL 65 AMG ............................ 173
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 176
Good visibility .................................... 177
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 177
Rear view mirrors ......................... 177
Sun visors .................................... 178
Rear window defroster ................. 179Automatic climate control .................. 180
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 183
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 183
Setting the temperature................ 184
Adjusting air distribution............... 185
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 186
Front defroster.............................. 186
Air recirculation mode .................. 187
Air conditioning............................. 189
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 190
Ventilated storage compartments. 191
Power windows .................................. 192
Opening and closing the windows. 192
Synchronizing power windows ...... 194
Retractable hardtop............................ 195
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 195Driving systems .................................. 204
Cruise control ............................... 204
Distronic* ..................................... 207
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 219
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 223
Useful features ................................... 228
Storage compartments ................. 228
Cup holders .................................. 232
Ashtray ......................................... 233
Cigarette lighter............................ 234
Heated steering wheel* ................ 235
Load assist in the trunk ................ 236
Power outlet ................................. 237
Telephone* ................................... 237
Tele Aid......................................... 238
Garage door opener ...................... 247

ContentsOperation......................................... 255
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 256
Driving instructions ............................ 257
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 257
Drinking and driving ..................... 257
Pedals .......................................... 257
Power assistance ......................... 258
Brakes .......................................... 258
Driving off..................................... 260
Parking ......................................... 261
Tires ............................................. 261
Hydroplaning ................................ 262
Tire traction .................................. 263
Tire speed rating .......................... 263
Winter driving instructions ........... 264
Standing water ............................. 265
Passenger compartment .............. 266
Driving abroad .............................. 266
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 266
Catalytic converter ....................... 267
Emission control........................... 267
Coolant temperature .................... 268At the gas station .............................. 269
Refuelling ..................................... 269
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 271
Engine compartment ......................... 272
Hood ............................................ 272
Engine oil ..................................... 274
Transmission fluid level ................ 277
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 277
Coolant ........................................ 278
Battery ......................................... 279
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 280
Tires and wheels ................................ 281
Important guidelines .................... 281
Tire care and maintenance ........... 282
Direction of rotation ..................... 284
Loading the vehicle ...................... 284
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 291
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 293
MOExtended system* .................. 300
Tire labeling.................................. 300
Load identification ....................... 304
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 305Maximum tire load ....................... 306
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 307
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 308
Tire ply material ........................... 310
Tire and loading terminology........ 310
Rotating tires ............................... 313
Winter driving .................................... 315
Winter tires .................................. 315
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 316
Snow chains................................. 317
Maintenance...................................... 318
Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 318
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 319
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 320
Vehicle care....................................... 321
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 321

Contents
Practical hints................................. 331
What to do if … .................................. 332
Lamps in the instrument cluster .. 332
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ......... 344
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 345
Where will I find ...? ........................... 383
First aid kit ................................... 383
Vehicle tool kit, jack, and
spare wheel.................................. 383
Locking/unlocking in an emergency . 385
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 385
Locking the vehicle ...................... 387
Lowering the load assist
manually ...................................... 388
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 389
SmartKey ..................................... 389
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 390
Replacing bulbs ................................. 391
Bulbs ............................................ 391
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 394
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 396
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 397
Removing wiper blades ................ 397
Installing wiper blades................. 398Flat tire ............................................... 399
Preparing the vehicle .................... 399
Sealing tires with TIREFIT.............. 399
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 404
MOExtended system* ................... 411
Batteries ............................................. 413
Disconnecting the batteries .......... 415
Removing the batteries ................. 416
Charging and reinstalling
batteries ....................................... 417
Reconnecting the batteries ........... 418
Jump starting ...................................... 419
Towing the vehicle .............................. 421
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 423
Fuses .................................................. 425
Main fuse box ............................... 425
Emergency engine shut-down ....... 426
Technical data.................................. 427
Parts service ...................................... 428
Warranty coverage ............................. 429
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 429
Identification labels ............................ 430
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 431
SL 500 .......................................... 431
SL 55 AMG ................................... 431
SL 600, SL 65 AMG ...................... 431
Engine ................................................ 432
Rims and tires .................................... 434
Same size tires ............................. 436
Mixed size tires ............................. 438
MOExtended tires* ....................... 440
Spare wheel .................................. 441
Electrical system ................................ 442
Main dimensions ................................ 443
Weights .............................................. 444

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 445
Capacities .................................... 445
Engine oils .................................... 447
Engine oil additives ...................... 447
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 447
Brake fluid .................................... 447
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 448
Fuel requirements ........................ 448
Gasoline additives ........................ 449
Coolants ....................................... 450
Windshield and headlamp washer
system.......................................... 452
Technical terms............................... 453Index................................................. 461

9
Product information

Introduction
Product information
Please observe the following in your own
best interest:
We recommend using Genuine
Mercedes-Benz parts as well as conversion
parts and accessories explicitly approved
by us for your vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine
their reliability, safety and special suitabili-
ty for Mercedes-Benz vehicles.We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be
held responsible for them, even if in indi-
vidual cases an official approval or authori-
zation by governmental or other agencies
should exist. Use of such parts and acces-
sories could adversely affect the safety,
performance or reliability of your vehicle.
Please do not use them.Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories ap-
proved by us are available at your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will
receive comprehensive information, also
on permissible technical modifications,
and where proper installation will be per-
formed.