start stop button MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 2008 R230 Owner's Manual

31 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1Central locking switch122
Alarm system indicator
lamp99
2Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch137
3Central unlocking switch123
4Passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp78
5Center and side air vent
adjustment194
6COMAND system, see sepa-
rate operating instructions
7Right cup holder243
8KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button41
9Automatic climate control
panel190
aAshtray
Cigarette lighter244
244
bLeft cup holder243

41 Getting started
Unlocking
For more information, see “SmartKey”
(
page 104).
For information on starting the engine
using the SmartKey, see “Starting with the
SmartKey” (
page 53).SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
I f t h e S m a r t K e y w i t h K E Y L E S S - G O i s i n s i d e
the vehicle, pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector
lever corresponds to turning the SmartKey
to the various starter switch positions.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
1USA only
2Canada only
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
toP.
Do not depress the brake pedal.Position 0
Before you press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button, the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have the status0 (as with
SmartKey removed).
Position 1
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
This supplies power for some electrical
consumers, such as seat adjustment.
iThe SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the gear selector lever in
position P.
!If the SmartKey cannot be turned in the
starter switch, the starter battery may not be
sufficiently charged.

Check the starter battery and charge it if
necessary (
page 427).

Get a jump start (page 432).
To prevent accelerated battery discharge or a
completely discharged battery, always remove
the SmartKey from the starter switch when the
engine is not in operation.
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button

once again, the ignition (position2) is
switched on

twice, the power supply is again switched off

42 Getting started
Unlocking
Ignition (or Position 2)
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton twice.
This supplies power for all electrical
consumers.
All lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instru-
ment cluster come on. If a lamp in the
instrument cluster fails to come on
when the ignition is switched on, have
it checked and replaced if necessary.
If a lamp in the instrument cluster
remains on after starting the engine
or comes on while driving, refer to
“Lamps in the instrument cluster”
(
page 342).For more information, see “SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 108).
For information on starting the engine
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button,
see “Starting with KEYLESS-GO*”
(
page 54).
iIf you now press the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button once, the power supply is
again switched off.
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the indica-
tor and warning lamps (except high beam head-
lamp indicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps unless activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning lamps
(except high beam headlamp indicator lamp and
turn signal indicator lamps if activated) should go
out when the engine is running. This indicates
that the respective systems are operational.

47 Getting started
Adjusting
Steering wheel adjustment
The steering wheel adjustment stalk is
located on the lower left of the steering
column.
1Adjusting steering wheel, in or out
2Adjusting steering wheel, up or down
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
or
Open the driver’s door.Adjusting steering wheel in or out
Move stalk forward or back in direction
of arrow1 until a comfortable steer-
ing wheel position is reached with your
arms slightly bent at the elbow.
Adjusting steering wheel up or down
Move stalk up or down in direction of
arrow2.Easy-entry/exit feature
This feature allows for easier entry into and
exit from the vehicle. When entering and
exiting the vehicle, the steering wheel is in
its uppermost position.
The easy-entry/exit feature can be activat-
ed or deactivated in the
Convenience sub-
menu of the control system (
page 166).
Warning!G
You must make sure no one can become
trapped or injured by the moving steering
wheel when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated.
To stop steering wheel movement, do one of
the following:

Move steering wheel adjustment stalk
(
page 47).

Press one of the memory position but-
tons* or the memory button M*
(
page 129).

48 Getting started
Adjusting
With the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel will return to its last set
position when you:

close the driver’s door with the ignition
switched on
or

insert the SmartKey into the starter
switch or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button (
page 41) once
with the driver’s door closedWith the easy-entry/exit feature activated,
the steering wheel tilts upwards when you

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

open the driver’s door with the
SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1 or the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button in position 1 (
page 41)
Do not leave children unattended in the ve-
hicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could open the driver’s door and
unintentionally activate the easy-entry/exit
feature, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iThe last set steering wheel position is stored
when

the ignition is switched off (page 40)

the position is stored in memory
(
page 129)
iIf the current position for the steering wheel
is in the uppermost tilt position, the steering
wheel will no longer be able to move upward
when the easy-entry/exit feature is activated.
The adjustment procedure is briefly interrupted
when the engine is started.
Warning!G
Let the system complete the adjustment
procedure before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. All steering wheel adjustment must be
completed before setting the vehicle in mo-
tion. Driving off with the steering wheel still
adjusting could cause the driver to lose con-
trol of the vehicle.


54 Getting started
Driving
Starting with KEYLESS-GO*
You can start your vehicle without the
SmartKey in the starter switch using the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button on the
gear selector lever.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
located in the vehicle.
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
1USA only
2Canada only
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to P.
Depress the brake pedal during the
starting procedure. Do not depress ac-
celerator.
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button once.
The engine starts if the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is in the vehicle.For information on turning off the engine
with KEYLESS-GO, see “Turning off with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 64).
Starting difficulties
If the engine does not start as described,
carry out the following steps:
If you are starting the engine with the
SmartKey: Turn SmartKey in starter
switch to position0 and repeat starting
procedure.
If you are starting the engine with
KEYLESS-GO*: Close any doors that
may be open to allow for better detec-
tion of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Or:
Start the engine with the SmartKey as
radio signals from another source may
be interfering with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
Warning!G
As long as the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
is in your vehicle, the vehicle can be started.
Therefore, never leave children unattended
in the vehicle, as they could otherwise
accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle.

58 Getting started
Driving
The combination switch resets automati-
cally after major steering wheel move-
ments.Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Switching on windshield wipers
2Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
iTo signal minor directional changes such as
changing lanes, press combination switch only
to point of resistance and release.
The corresponding turn signals will flash three
times.
!Do not operate the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry. Dust that accumulates on
a windshield might scratch the glass and/or
damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on
a dry windshield. If it is necessary to operate the
windshield wipers in dry weather conditions,
always operate the windshield wipers with
windshield washer fluid (
page 60).
!If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off imme-
diately.

For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe
location and

remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch
or

turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, the starter switch is in
position 0, same as with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch)
before attempting to remove any blockage.

Remove blockage.

Turn the windshield wipers on again.

62 Getting started
Parking and locking
You have now completed your first drive.
You have properly stopped and parked
your vehicle. End your drive as follows.
Warning!G
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury or
damage to the vehicle drivetrain as a result
of vehicle movement, before turning off the
engine and leaving the vehicle always:

Keep right foot on brake pedal.

Firmly depress parking brake pedal.

Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.

Slowly release brake pedal.

When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.

Turn the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* to starter switch
position0 and remove, or press the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button.

Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* with you and lock vehicle
when leaving.

64 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off the engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Turning off with the SmartKey
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 40).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
The immobilizer is activated.Turning off with KEYLESS-GO*
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 41) to turn off the engine.
With the driver’s door closed, the
starter switch is now in position1. With
the driver’s door opened, the starter
switch is set to position0, same as
SmartKey removed from starter switch
(
page 40).
Releasing seat belts
Press the seat belt release button
(
page 51).
Allow the retractor to completely
rewind the seat belt by guiding the
latch plate.
iAlways set the parking brake in addition to
shifting to positionP.
When parked on an incline, also turn front
wheels towards the road curb.
iThe SmartKey can only be removed from the
starter switch with the gear selector lever in
positionP.
iWith the SmartKey removed and the driver’s
door open, a warning sounds if the vehicle’s
exterior lamps are not switched off.
iIf you hear a warning signal you have tried to
turn off the engine while the gear selector lever
was not inP.
In addition, the message
Gear Selector
Lever To P
appears in the multifunction
display.
Place the gear selector lever in positionP.
!M a k e s u r e t h e s e a t b e l t r e t r a c t s f u l l y s o t h a t
the seat belt and/or latch plate cannot get
caught or pinched in the door or in the seat
mechanism. This can damage the seat belt and
impair the effectiveness of the seat belt, and/or
cause damage to the door and/or door trim
panel. Such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Damaged seat belts must be replaced. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

78 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
The 5/indicator lamp is located in
the upper part of the center console, be-
tween the center air vents.
1Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp
The 5/indicator lamp1 will be
illuminated, except with the SmartKey
removed or in starter switch position0.Self-test Occupant Classification
System
After turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position1 or2 or pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button once or
twice, the 5/ indicator lamp
located in the upper part of the center
console, between the center air vents
illuminates. If an adult occupant is properly
sitting on the passenger seat and the
system senses the occupant as being an
adult, the5/ indicator lamp will
illuminate and go out after
approximately 6 seconds.
If the seat is not occupied and the system
senses the passenger seat as being empty,
the 5/ indicator lamp will
illuminate and not go out.
Warning!G
If the 1indicator lamp and the
5/indicator lamp are lit at the same
time, there is a malfunction in the Occupant
Classification System. The passenger front
air bag will be deactivated in this case. Have
the system checked as soon as possible by
qualified technicians. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only have the seat repaired or replaced by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
In order to ensure proper operation of the
air bag system and OCS:

Sit properly belted in a position that is
as upright as possible with your back
against the seat backrest.

While seated, an occupant should not
position him/herself in such a way as to
cause the occupant’s weight to be lifted
from the seat bottom as this may result
in the OCS to be unable to correctly
approximate the occupant’s weight
category.

Read and observe all warnings in this
chapter.