fuel MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2000 Owners Manual

2 Contents
Antiglare night position .............. 71
Exterior rear view mirrors .......... 72
Storing mirror positions in
memory .......................................... 73
Instrument cluster ........................... 74
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................... 76
Additional function indicator
lamps .............................................. 77
Instrument lamps ......................... 77
Display illumination .................... 77
Coolant temperature gauge ........ 78
Outside temperature
indicator ........................................ 78
Trip odometer ............................... 79
Clock .............................................. 79
Tachometer .................................... 79
Flexible service system (FSS) ........ 80Engine oil level indicator in
odometer display field ............... 82
Fuel consumption gauge ................ 83
Engine oil temperature gauge ....... 83
Engine oil consumption ................. 83
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 84
Standing lamps ............................ 85
Night security illumination ....... 85
Combination switch ........................ 86
Blocked windshield wiper .......... 88
Windshield wiper smears .......... 88
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio .......... 88
Hazard warning flasher switch ..... 89
Automatic climate control .............. 90
Display and controls ................... 92
Basic setting - automatic mode . 93
Economy ........................................ 93
Special settings ............................ 94Audio and telephone, operation .... 98
Power windows ................................116
Express opening of
door windows ...............................117
Synchronizing power
windows ........................................117
Roll bar .............................................118
Interior lighting ............................. 120
Interior lamps ............................. 120
Reading lamps ............................ 120
Entrance lamps in footwells,
exit lamps in doors .................... 120
Sunshade, manual ......................... 121
Power sunshade ............................. 122
Sun visors ....................................... 123
Illuminated vanity mirror ............ 123
Interior ............................................ 124

3 ContentsStorage compartment
(eyeglasses compartment)
in the dashboard ....................... 124
Interior central
locking system ............................ 125
Integration with vehicle
central locking system .............. 126
Separate locking of storage
compartments ............................. 126
Armrest ........................................... 127
Console storage
compartments ............................ 127
Cup holder ...................................... 128
Parcel net in
passenger footwell .................... 128
Door pockets ................................... 129
Rear storage compartment ........... 129
Ashtray with lighter ...................... 130
Lighter ............................................. 131
Telephone, general ........................ 132
Garage door opener ....................... 133
Hardtop or panorama roof ............ 137
Removing hardtop ...................... 137
Attaching hardtop ...................... 140Soft top ............................................ 143
Lowering soft top ....................... 144
Raising soft top .......................... 145
Wind screen ................................... 148
Antenna ...........................................151
DrivingControl and operation of radio
transmitters ................................153
Radio, telephone and
two-way radio ..............................153
Telep ho n es an d
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 .........................................167Turning off .................................. 167
Automatic transmission ............... 168
Driving ......................................... 168
Accelerator Position ................... 169
Selector lever positions ............. 169
Maneuvering ............................... 172
Stopping ....................................... 172
Program 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

4 Contents
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 .................................. 184
Traveling 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) ........................................... 199Adaptive 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
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster ......................................... 204
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 204
Brake warning lamp .................. 204
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp ............................ 205
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 206
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp .... 206
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 207Electronic stability program
(ESP) - warning lamp .................207
BAS-/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................207
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................208
Low engine coolant
level warning lamp ....................209
Low windshield and headlamp
washer system fluid level
warning lamp .............................. 210
Low engine oil level
warning lamp .............................. 210
Charge indicator lamp ............... 211
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp ............................. 211
Roll bar warning lamp ............... 212
ADS indicator lamp .................... 212
High beam indicator lamp ........ 213
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) .......... 213
Malfunction and indicator
lamp (in the dashboard) .......... 213

5 ContentsPassenger airbag
indicator lamp ............................. 213
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 215
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 215
Vehicle tools .................................... 216
Vehicle jack ..................................... 217
Fuses ................................................ 218
Hood ................................................. 219
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................221
Checking engine oil level .............221
Coolant level ...................................223
Adding coolant ...............................224
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........225
Wheels .............................................226
Tire replacement ............................226
Rotating wheels ..............................227
Spare wheel ....................................228
Changing wheels ...........................230
Tire inflation pressure ..................234
Battery .............................................236Battery Recycling ....................... 237
Jump starting ................................. 238
Towing the vehicle ........................ 240
Exterior lamps ............................... 242
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .................................... 243
Taillamp assemblies .................. 249
Changing batteries in
the remote control .................... 251
Synchronizing ............................ 252
Raising soft top manually ............ 253
Replacing wiper blade insert ...... 257
Manual release of
fuel filler flap ............................ 259
Trunk lamp ..................................... 259
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 261
Power washer ............................. 262
Tar stains .................................... 262
Paintwork, Painted Body
Components ................................ 262
Engine cleaning ......................... 263Vehicle washing .........................263
Ornamental moldings ................263
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................263
Window cleaning .......................264
Light alloy wheels ......................264
Instrument cluster .....................264
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................264
Cup holder ...................................264
Seat belts .....................................265
Headliner, shelf behind
roll bars, and other hard
plastic trim items .......................265
Soft top .........................................265
Headliner .....................................266
Wind screen ................................266
Automatic antenna .....................266
Wiper blade .................................266
Headlamp cleaning system .......266
Leather upholstery .....................267
Plastic and rubber parts ............267
Illuminated door sill panels .....267

6 Contents
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................269
Warranty coverage .........................269
Identification labels .......................270
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............ 271
Engine ..............................................272
Rims - Tires .....................................273
Weights ............................................275
Main Dimensions ...........................275Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ....................................276
Engine oils ...................................... 278
Engine oil additives ...................... 278
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 278
Brake fluid ...................................... 278
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 279
Fuel requirements ........................ 279
Gasoline additives ......................... 280
Coolants .......................................... 280
Consumer information ................. 282
IndexIndex ................................................285

11 IntroductionOperating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that:
• Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available,
• unleaded gasoline for vehicles with catalytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage
the catalysts,
• gasoline may have a considerably lower octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program. For details,
consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

13 IntroductionWhere to find it
The Operator’s Manual is divided into eight sections:
•Instruments and controls: An overview of all the controls that can be operated from the driver’s seat.
•Operation: Information on the vehicle’s equipment and its operation.
•Driving: Important information on driving.
•In strum ent clu ster display: Displays and indicator lamps on the instrument cluster with brief instructions.
•Practical hints: Assistance and instructions in the event of an emergency.
•Car care: Instructions on caring for your vehicle.
•Technical data: All the important technical data for your vehicle as well as consumer information such as fuels,
coolants, lubricants etc. is contained here.
•Index: Key terms to help you find a topic quickly.
Other documents may also be supplied, depending on your vehicle’s equipment.
Explanation of color used:
Warning notices for the protection of yourself and
others appear on red background.

27 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip odometer ............................... 79
Clock .............................................. 79
Tachometer .................................... 79
Flexible service system (FSS) ........ 80
Engine oil level indicator in
odometer display field ................ 82
Fuel consumption gauge ................. 83
Engine oil temperature gauge ........ 83
Engine oil consumption .................. 83
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 84
Standing lamps ............................. 85
Night security illumination ........ 85
Combination switch ........................ 86
Blocked windshield wiper .......... 88
Windshield wiper smears ........... 88
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........... 88
Hazard warning flasher switch ..... 89
Automatic climate control .............. 90
Display and controls .................... 92
Basic setting - automatic mode .. 93
Economy ........................................ 93
Special settings ............................ 94Audio and telephone, operation .... 98
Power windows ............................... 116
Express opening of
door windows .............................. 117
Synchronizing power
windows ....................................... 117
Roll bar ............................................. 118
Interior lighting ............................. 120
Interior lamps ............................. 120
Reading lamps ............................ 120
Entrance lamps in footwells,
exit lamps in doors .................... 120
Sunshade, manual ..........................121
Power sunshade ............................. 122
Sun visors ....................................... 123
Illuminated vanity mirror ............ 123
Interior ............................................ 124
Storage compartment
(eyeglasses compartment)
in the dashboard ...................... 124
Interior central
locking system ........................... 125
Integration with vehicle
central locking system .............. 126Separate locking of storage
compartments ............................. 126
Armrest ........................................... 127
Console storage
compartments ............................ 127
Cup holder ...................................... 128
Parcel net in
passenger footwell .................... 128
Door pockets ................................... 129
Rear storage compartment ........... 129
Ashtray with lighter ...................... 130
Lighter ............................................. 131
Telephone, general ........................ 132
Garage door opener ....................... 133
Hardtop or panorama roof ............ 137
Removing hardtop ...................... 137
Attaching hardtop ...................... 140
Soft top ............................................ 143
Lowering soft top ........................ 144
Raising soft top ........................... 145
Wind screen .................................... 148
Antenna ........................................... 151

30 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Central locking system
Remote control
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button.
The vehicle doors, trunk, storage compartment in
armrest, and fuel filler flap can be centrally locked and
unlocked via remote control.
1Transmit button
‹ Locking
ΠUnlocking
Š Opening trunk
2PANIC button
3Release button for master key
4Transmitter eye and lamp for battery check

31 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œ once to unlock driver’s door,
storage compartment in armrest, and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Πtwice to unlock both doors,
storage compartment in armrest, fuel filler flap, and
trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Πonce to unlock both doors,
storage compartment in armrest, fuel filler flap, and
trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 39.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door is opened, the key is not inserted
in the steering lock, or the central locking switch is not
activated, the vehicle will automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the remote control (if ok, battery check
lamp in transmitter will light briefly when transmitting)
or to synchronize the remote control, see page 251 and
page 252.