steering MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2000 Workshop Manual

138 Hardtop
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
4. Within 10 seconds of turning key in steering lock to
position 2 (engine not running), slide soft top
switch (2) back and hold.
Please note, if soft top switch is activated after
10 seconds have expired, turn the key back to
position 0 first before the hardtop removing
procedure can be started again at step 4.The unlocking procedure begins after approx.
2seconds:
•The roll bar lowers.
• The indicator lamp in the soft top switch lights
up.
• The hardtop unlocks.
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139 Hardtop
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 5. After the hardtop has unlocked, remove the key
from the steering lock and turn radio and telephone
off to lower antenna. The indicator lamp in the soft
top switch should go out.
Important!
Removal of the key from the steering lock is a safety
measure ensuring that the key cannot be turned to
position 2 and the soft top switch is without
function should anybody push the switch forward
causing the roof locking mechanism to work. If
hands are at that moment between roof and car
body they can be badly injured.6. Lift the hardtop vertically from its attachment points
(3) and locating points (4) and carefully remove to
the rear. Exercise caution when maneuvering the
top. To avoid paint damage, the top’s mounting pins
must not be allowed to contact the body.
Wa r n i n g !
To prevent possible accidents, drive the vehicle
only with the hardtop either completely closed and
locked, or fully lowered into its storage
compartment.

140 Hardtop
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Attaching hardtop
1. Engage parking brake and turn key in steering lock
to position 2.
2. Lower roll bar, see page 118.
3. Open doors.
4. Turn radio and telephone off to lower power
antenna, turn key in steering lock to position 0 and
remove.5. From the rear of the vehicle, lift the hardtop
c a r e f u l ly ove r t h e a t ta ch m e n t p oi n t s ( 1 ) a nd l oc a t in g
points (2). First guide the rear pins of the top
vertically into the rear attachment points, then
lower the roof onto the vehicle and locate the front
locking pins. Exercise caution when maneuvering
the top. To avoid paint damage, the top’s mounting
pins must not be allowed to contact the body.

141 Hardtop
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6. Tu rn key in steering lock to position 2. Th e indica tor
lamp in the soft top switch lights up.
7. Slide soft top switch (3) forward - the hardtop should
lock and the indicator lamp in the switch should go
out.8. Connect plug (4) for rear window defroster.
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142 Hardtop
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
For safety reasons, the hardtop can only be unlocked
while the vehicle is standing still, and within
10 seconds after turning the key to steering lock
position 2 or beyond.
If the indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks while
activating the switch, the battery voltage may be
insufficient - start engine to charge battery before
shutting engine off and attempting to unlock the roof
again.
If the indicator lamp continues to blink, remove the
hardtop (see page 137), and have the system checked at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Wa r n i n g !
The raising or lowering procedure of the soft top is
not completed if the indicator lamp in the soft top
switch:
• does not go out (with key in steering lock
position 2),
• blinks when starting to drive and an alarm
sounds.When safe to do so, immediately stop the vehicle
and lock the soft top:
• Turn key in steering lock to position 2,
• Slide soft/hardtop switch forward.Do not drive the car with the hardtop not locked, as
that could cause personal injury to you or your
passenger, or personal injury or property damage
to others.

144 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Lowering soft top
1. E n ga g e p a r k i n g b ra ke .
2. Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
3. Slide soft top switch (1) back and hold:
• The side windows lower
• The roll bar lowers.
• The indicator lamp in the soft top switch lights
up.• The soft top is lowered into the soft top storage
compartment.
• The storage compartment cover closes and locks.
• The indicator lamp in the switch goes out - the
lowering procedure is completed.
If the soft top switch is held or is released and slid back
again within approx. 2 seconds, the side windows will
close. If the roll bar was previously in the upright
position, it will return to that position.
However, the side windows and the roll bar can also be
activated using their respective switches.
Note:
A wet or frozen soft top must not be folded until thawed
and dry.
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145 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Raising soft top1. Engage parking brake
2. Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
3. Fold down sun visors.
4. Slide soft top switch (2) forward and hold:
• The side windows lower.
•The roll bar lowers.
• The indicator lamp in the soft top switch lights
up.
• The soft top closes and locks.
Note:
If the soft top does not engage in the windshield
header attachment points, then release the soft
top switch. Reach into the grip (3) and guide the
pins into their respective locks while pulling
down, slide soft top switch (2) forward again.
• The indicator lamp in the soft top switch goes
out - the closing procedure is completed.
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146 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
If the soft top switch is held or is released and slid
forward again within approx. 2 seconds, the side
windows will close. If the roll bar was previously in the
upright position, it will return to that position.
However, the side windows and the roll bar can also be
activated using their respective switches.
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Wa r n i n g !
The soft top is not locked:• if the indicator lamp in the soft top switch does
not go out (key in steering lock position 2),• if the indicator lamp blinks, and a warning
sounds for 10 seconds when starting to drive.Stop the vehicle and before continuing to drive,
lock the soft top:The key should be in steering lock position 2.Slide soft top switch forward.If the soft top is not locked, it may fold back or
forward when driving.During soft top operation, do not place your hands
near the roll bar, soft top frame, upper windshield
area or soft top storage compartment. Serious
personal injury may occur.

147 Soft top
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For safety reasons, the soft top cannot be unlocked
while driving.
However, if the soft top is not completely locked, it can
be locked while driving by pushing the soft/hardtop
switch forward.
If the indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks while
activating the switch,
• the battery voltage may be insufficient - start engine
and let run while activating switch,
• the system may be overloaded (for example after
lowering or raising the soft top approx.
5 consecutive times) - after approx. 2 minutes the
soft top switch may be activated again,
• and the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the soft top cannot be fully
raised or lowered.
To raise the soft top, for safety reasons, first remove key
from steering lock. Lower soft top by hand into
compartment, and resynchronize the power windows.
See page 116.
To lower the soft top, first resynchronize the power
windows. See page 116.If t he indicator la mp continues to bl ink, l ock th e sof t top
manually. See page 253.
Have the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
If the roll bar was raised automatically, the process of
raising or lowering the soft top will take somewhat
longer, as the roll bar must first be lowered.
Whenever possible, park vehicle in the shade as
continuous exposure to sun rays can prematurely
deteriorate the soft top material.
Permanent creases in the plastic window, caused by
storage of the soft top in the storage compartment,
cannot be avoided.
The soft top may become moldy if it is kept in the
storage compartment for an extended period.
Therefore, we recommend raising and airing it
thoroughly with the side windows open (do not expose
it to the sun) at regular intervals during the wet and
cold seasons.

152 Contents – Driving
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 153
Radio, telephone and
two-way radio .............................. 153
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 154
Maintenance ................................... 154
Tele Aid ........................................... 155
Catalytic converter ........................ 163
Emission control ............................ 164
Steering lock ................................... 165
Starting and turning off
the engine .................................. 167
Before starting ............................ 167
Starting ........................................ 167
Turning off .................................. 167
Automatic transmission ............... 168
Driving ......................................... 168
Accelerator Position ................... 169
Selector lever positions ............. 169
Maneuvering ............................... 172
Stopping ....................................... 172Program mode
selector switch ........................... 173
Emergency Operation ................174
Parking brake ................................ 175
Driving instructions ....................... 176
Drive sensibly - Save fuel .......... 176
Drinking and driving ................. 176
Pedals ........................................... 176
Power assistance ........................ 177
Brakes .......................................... 177
Driving off ................................... 178
Parking ........................................ 178
Tires ............................................. 179
Aquaplaning ................................180
Tire traction .................................180
Tire speed rating ........................181
Snow chains ................................ 181
Ve h i c l e s w i t h s p o r t
package ........................................181
Winter driving
instructions .................................182
Winter driving .............................183
Block heater .................................183
Deep water ...................................184Traveling abroad ........................ 184
Cruise control ................................. 185
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 188
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 190
ABS control ................................. 191
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) ........................................... 192
Synchronizing ESP .................... 193
ESP Control Switch .................... 194
Level control system ...................... 196
Level control switch
positions ...................................... 196
Normal Level ............................... 197
Wheel Change Switch ............... 198
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS) ........................................... 199
Adaptive damping system
adjustment .................................. 199
What you should know at the gas
station .........................................200
Fuel supply ..................................200
Fuel ...............................................200
Check regularly and before
a long trip ...................................202