cluster MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2001 R129 Owner's Manual

143 Soft top
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Soft top
A minimum height clearance of 6.5 ft (2 m) is required
to lower or raise the soft top.
Do not lower a frozen soft top until thawed and dry.
Doing so may result in damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To prevent m ildew, t he soft top must be dry before
lowering it into the storage compartment.
The soft top should not be lowered or raised at outside
temperatures below +5°F (-15°C), since the material
becomes less pliable with lower temperatures.
The lowering or raising procedure is immediately
interrupted by releasing the soft top switch.
Wa r n i n g !
Before operating the soft top switch make sure that
no persons due to inattention are injured by the
moving parts (roll bar, soft top frame and soft top
lid).Hands must never be placed near the roll bar, soft
top frame, upper windshield area or soft top storage
compartment while the soft top is being locked or
unlocked. Serious personal injury may occur.

144 Soft top
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Lowering soft top
1. Engage parking brake.
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
Te ch n ica l
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
Te ch n ica l
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
Te ch n ica l
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 254.
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.

148 Wind screen
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Wind screen
The wind screen is stored in a trunk mounted
container (1) which is fastened by clamps (arrows).Installation
1. Raise roll bar partially using switch on center
console, see page 118.
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149 Wind screen
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 2. Position top end of w ind sc ree n at b ottom of roll ba r.
The hooks at bottom of wind screen must point
rearward.
3. Slide wind screen up into roll bar (1), using care not
to get the attachment straps (2) caught.
4. Raise roll bar completely.5. Wrap attachment straps around roll bar and insert
tabs into latches (3).
6. Tighten straps (4).
7. Lower roll bar.
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150 Wind screen
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Setting up
Push top of wind screen fully forward against internal
stop.Removal
1. Fold down top of wind screen.
2. Raise roll bar using switch on center console.
3. Disconnect attachment strap latches by squeezing
latch.
4. Lower roll bar partially.
Wa r n i n g !
The rear storage area should never be occupied by
passengers since the vehicle is a 2 seater.
Furthermore, with the wind screen in place there
is a risk of injury, should the roll bar be deployed.
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151 Wind screen
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 5. Pull wind screen down (5) and remove from roll bar.
The wind screen can be stored in a trunk mounted
container.Antenna
The antenna extends when switching on the radio and/
or telephone.
Note:
To retract the antenna (e.g. when entering a car wash)
both radio and telephone must be switched off.
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153 Contents - Driving
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Driving Control and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 154
Radio and telephone .................. 154
Telep ho n es an d
two-way radio .............................. 154
The first 1 000 miles
(1 500 km) ................................. 155
Maintenance ................................... 155
Tele Aid ........................................... 156
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 ............................... 172Stopping ...................................... 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
Vehicles with sport package .....181
Deep water ...................................182
Winter driving
instructions .................................182
Winter driving .............................183
Block heater .................................183Traveling abroad ........................ 183
Cruise control ................................. 184
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
Ad aptive Da mping 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