instrument panel MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2001 R129 User Guide

100 Audio system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
10Soft keys for
radio band selection, see page 104
tone controls, see page 102
scan, see page 105
11Tape mode selector, see page 106
Anti-theft system
If the power supply to the
radio has been
interrupted,“CODE” will
appear on the display when it
is next switched on. The radio
will only work after the five-digit code has been entered
using the buttons on the right-hand control panel.The code number is shown on the Radio code card,
supplied with the radio.
Important!
Never leave the Radio code card in the vehicle. Keep it in
a safe place.

106 Audio system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Cassette mode
Playing cassettes
Press the “TAPE” button. When the eject (EJ) key is
pressed, the display folds down and the cassette slot
becomes visible. Push the cassette into the slot until it
engages. The cassette will be pulled in automatically.
Note:
Do not press directly on the radio display face.
Return the display panel to its normal position by
folding it back up and pressing gently on the display
frame to lock in place.
Important:
If the display is in the down position for more than
20 seconds, 2 successive beeps will be heard. This will
continue at 5 second intervals until the display is
returned to its normal position.The radio will switch to
cassette mode. Track 1 will be
played and “SIDE 1”
displayed. Track 1 is the side
of the cassette which is facing
upwards. The cassette deck will automatically detect the
type of tape and switch the equalization automatically.
A cassette symbol in the display indicates that a tape is
in the mechanism. This symbol appears in all modes but
not in cassette mode.
The cassette will not be ejected when the radio is
switched off or another mode is selected.
If a cassette is in the
mechanism, cassette mode
can be selected by using the
“TAPE” button. If no cassette
has been inserted, the display
will show “NO TAPE”.

110 Audio system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
CD changer installed
1CD changer
1
2CD magazine
3CD tray
4CD
If a CD changer1 is instal led , it can be operate d from t he
front control panel of the radio. A loaded magazine must
be installed for CD playing.
1 Optional equipment
Loading /emptying the CD magazine
Slide the changer door to the right and press the eject
button . The magazine will be ejected. Remove the
magazine. Pull out the CD tray until its stop is reached
and place the CDs in the recess of the tray, label side up.
Push the tray into the magazine in the direction shown
by the arrow. Insert the loaded magazine into the
changer.
Important!
Close the door after the magazine has been inserted.
Playing CDs
Press the CD button. The CD most recently played will
start at the point where it was last switched off. CDs
stored in the magazine can be selected by using the
station preset buttons 1-6.
The magazine slot number of
the selected CD will then be
displayed after “CD”. The
number of the track being
played will be displayed after
“TRACK”.
3
2
2
1
4

175 Parking brake
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Parking brakeTo engage, firmly depress parking brake pedal. When
the key is in steering lock position 2, the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster should come on brightly.
To release the parking brake, pull handle on instrument
panel. The brake warning lamp in the instrument
cluster should go out.
A warning sounds, if you start to drive without having
released the parking brake.
Also see brake warning lamp test on page 205.
P
P42.20-0276-27
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the
electronic key from the steering lock, and lock the
vehicle. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Children could release the parking brake, which
could result in an accident or serious injury.

220 Engine compartment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Hood
To o pen :
To unlock the hood, pull release lever under the driver’s
side of the instrument panel.
Pull handle (2) up and open hood.
Caution!
To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or hood, open
the hood only with wipers in the parked position.Pull handle (2) to its stop out of radiator grill, and open
hood (do not pull up on handle).
Note:
Do not lift hood at louvers of grill! Make certain the
windshield wiper arm is not folded forward.
P68.00-0514-26
3
2
3
P88.40-0312-26

237 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk
behind the right side cover panel.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
key is in steering lock position 0. The battery must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components will be
damaged.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water and seek medical help.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc.

239 Jump starting
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Jump startingImportant!
A discharged battery can freeze at approx. +14°F
(–10°C). In that case, it must be thawed out before
jumper cables are used. Attempting to jump start a
frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing
personal injury.
Jumper cable specifications:
• Minimum cable cross-section of 25 mm
2 or approx.
2AWG
• Maximum length of 11.5 ft. (3.5 m).
If the battery is discharged, the engine should be started
with jumper cables and the (12 V) battery of another
vehicle.
Only use 12 V battery to jump start your vehicle. Jump
starting with more powerful battery could damage the
vehicle’s electrical systems, which will not be covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The battery is located in the trunk behind the right side
cover panel.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump
starting, you might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and very explosive. Keep flames or
sparks away from battery, avoid improper
connection of jumper cables, smoking etc.Read all instructions before proceeding.

241 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Tow in g t h e ve hic l e
All except Sport Package
The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the
passenger side behind a flap in the bumper panel.
Cover removal for all except Sport Package version:
Insert finger in recess of flap and pull flap out.
Cover removal for Sport Package version: Pull cover
away from bumper.Sport Package
Cover installation for all except Sport Package version:
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
Cover installation for Sport Package version: Engage
right cover end, and press in left cover end securely.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
P88.20-0315-26
P31.10-0300-26

260 Manual release of fuel filler flap
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Manual release of fuel filler flap
The manual release knob is located behind cover (2) in
the right slide trunk panel.
In case the central locking system does not release the
fuel filler flap:
1. Unscrew wing nut (1)
2. Pull panel (2) away from trunk wall.
3. Pull the manual release knob (3) (arrow) while
simultaneously opening the fuel filler flap.Trunk lamp
1Switching off
2Switching on
Switch off trunk lamp if the trunk is to remain open for
a long period of time. This prevents the vehicle battery
from being discharged.
When the trunk lid is closed, the switch will reset and
turn on the lamp the next time the lid is opened.

261 Contents - Vehicle care
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Vehicle care Cleaning and care
of the vehicle .............................262
Power washer ..............................263
Tar stains .....................................263
Paintwork, Painted Body
Components ................................263
Engine cleaning ..........................264
Vehicle washing .........................264Ornamental moldings ............... 264
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ...................... 264
Window cleaning ....................... 265
Light alloy wheels ..................... 265
Instrument cluster ..................... 265
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ..................... 265
Cup holder .................................. 265
Seat belts ..................................... 266
Headliner, shelf behind
roll bars, and other hard
plastic trim items ....................... 266Soft top .........................................266
Headliner .....................................267
Wind screen ................................267
Automatic antenna .....................267
Wiper blade .................................267
Headlamp cleaning
system ..........................................267
Leather upholstery .....................268
Plastic and rubber parts ............268
Illuminated door sill panels .....268