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

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire
to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of
ownership, and for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
• Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
• Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

2 Contents
Storing steering column
position in memory ..................... 70
Rear view mirrors ............................ 71
Inside rear view mirror ............... 71
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) ........ 80
Engine oil level indicator in odometer
display field ................................. 82Fuel 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 ............................ 94
Audio and telephone, operation .... 98
Power windows ............................... 116
Express opening of
door windows .............................. 117Synchronizing
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 .............. 126
Separate locking of storage
compartments ............................. 126
Armrest ........................................... 127
Console storage compartments ... 127

3 ContentsCup 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
Driving Control and operation of radio
transmitters ............................... 154
Radio and telephone .................. 154
Telep ho n es an d
two-way radio .............................. 154The 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 .............................. 172
Stopping ...................................... 172
Program mode
selector switch ........................... 173
Emergency Operation ................174
Parking brake ................................ 175
Driving instructions ....................... 176
Drive sensibly - Save fuel .......... 176Drinking 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 ................................ 183
Traveling abroad ........................ 183
Cruise control ................................. 184
Brake assist system
(BAS) ........................................... 188
Antilock brake system
(ABS) ........................................... 190

4 Contents
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
Instrument cluster display Malfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 204
On-board
diagnostic system ...................... 204
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 204
Brake warning lamp .................. 205
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 ................... 207
Electronic stability program
(ESP)- warning lamp ................. 207
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 207
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 208Low 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
Passenger airbag
indicator lamp ............................. 213

5 Contents
Practical hints First aid kit ..................................... 216
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 216
Vehicle tools .................................... 217
Vehicle jack ..................................... 218
Fuses ................................................ 219
Hood .................................................220
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................222
Checking engine oil level .............222
Coolant level ...................................224
Adding coolant ...............................225
Windshield and
headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio ......................226
Wheels .............................................227
Tire replacement ............................227
Rotating wheels ..............................228
Spare wheel ....................................229
Changing wheels ........................... 231
Tire inflation pressure ..................235
Battery .............................................237
Battery Recycling .......................238Jump starting ................................. 239
Towing the vehicle ........................ 241
Exterior lamps ............................... 243
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .................................... 244
Taillamp assemblies .................. 250
Changing batteries in the
remote control ........................... 252
Synchronizing ............................ 253
Raising soft top manually ............ 254
Replacing wiper blade ................. 258
Manual release of
fuel filler flap ............................ 260
Trunk lamp ..................................... 260
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 .......................266
Soft 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

6 Contents
Technical data Spare parts service ........................270
Warranty coverage .........................270
Identification labels ....................... 271
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............272
Engine ..............................................273
Rims - Tires ..................................... 274
Weights ............................................ 276
Main Dimensions ........................... 276
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ...................................277
Engine oils ......................................279
Engine oil additives .......................279
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........279
Brake fluid ......................................279
Premium unleaded gasoline ........280
Fuel requirements .........................280
Gasoline additives ......................... 281
Coolants ........................................... 281
Consumer information ..................283
Index Index ............................................... 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
To ro n to, On ta r io M4 G 2 L5

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Operation Vehicle keys ...................................... 28
Remote control with
folding master key ....................... 28
Central locking system ................... 29
Remote control ............................. 29
Locking and unlocking ................ 30
Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control .............. 31
Opening the trunk ....................... 31
Panic button .................................. 32
Start lock-out .................................... 33
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 33
Doors .................................................. 34
Central locking switch .................... 36
Automatic central locking .......... 37
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 38
Trunk ................................................. 38
Trunk lid release switch ................. 39
Trunk lid emergency release ......... 40
Power windows ................................. 41Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm ............................... 43
Power seats ....................................... 44
Storing position in memory ....... 46
Backrest ............................................ 48
Multicontour seats .......................... 49
Seat heater ........................................ 50
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 52
Seat belts .......................................... 52
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 53
Fastening of seat belts ................ 54
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 58
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ............................... 58
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 59
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 59
Airbags .............................................. 60
Front airbags ................................ 62Side impact airbags ..................... 62
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag ..................... 67
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 68
Adjusting steering column ............. 70
Storing steering column
position in memory ..................... 70
Rear view mirrors ............................ 71
Inside rear view mirror ............... 71
Antiglare night position .............. 71
Exterior rear view mirrors .......... 72
Storing mirror positions in
memory .......................................... 73
Instrument cluster ........................... 74
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

33 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the key from the steering lock activates the
start lock-out. The engine cannot be started.
Turning the key in the steering lock to position 2
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), and Á and î are shown in the
odometer display field, the system is not operational.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100
(in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the key in the steering lock is in position 2, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
• Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either door
handle and press button‹ orŒ.
• Check the batteries of the remote control,
see page 252.
• Synchronize the remote control,
see page 253.

49 Seats
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Multicontour seats (optional)
Switch is located on side of seat.
We recommend to adjust the multicontour seat in the
following order:
1Seat cushion depth
2Backrest bottom
3Backrest center
4Side bolster adjustmentSome m od els may be eq uipped with m ulticontour sea ts.
These seats have movable seat cushions, and inflatable
air cushions built into the backrest to provide additional
lumbar and side support.
The seat cushion movement and amount of backrest
cushion height and curvature can be continuously
varied with regulators (1, 2 and 3) after turning the key
in steering lock to position 2.
The side bolsters of the backrest can be adjusted with
rocker switch (4):
• press down forward end -
increase side support,
• press down rearward end -
decrease side support.
If the engine is turned off, the last cushion setting is
retained in memory, and automatically adjusts the
cushion to this setting when the engine is restarted.
P91.25-0298-26
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