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

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

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

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.

75 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Fuel gauge with reserve and fuel cap placement
warning lamp (yellow), see page 207
2Coolant temperature gauge, see page 78
3Fuel consumption gauge, see page 83
4Engine oil temperature gauge, see page 83
5Left turn signal indicator lamp (green),
see combination switch on page 86
6K nob for intensity of instrum ent l amps, see pa ge 77,
for resetting trip odometer, see page 79 and
for calling up FSS indicator, see page 80
7Speedometer8EPS warning lamp (yellow), see page 207
9Odometer display field, see page 82
10Main/trip odometer, see page 79
or FSS indicator, see page 80
or engine oil level indicator, see page 82
11Outside temperature indicator, see page 78
12Right turn signal indicator lamp (green),
see combination switch on page 86
13Tachometer, see page 79
14Knob for setting clock, see page 79
15Clock, see page 79

77 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (distance, Service A),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (distance, Service B),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (days, Service A),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (days, Service B),
seepage80.
Start lock-out malfunction, see page 33.Instrument lamps
1Ad justing knob
Rotate adjusting knob (1) to vary intensity of instrument
lamps.
Display illumination
Press adjusting knob (1) to briefly illuminate the display
(with key removed or in steering lock position 0 or 1).

79 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip odometer
To reset:
• Press adjusting knob (1) once (with key in steering
lock position 2).
• Press adjusting knob (1) twice (with key removed or
in steering lock position 0 or 1).Clock
Adjusting clock one minute ahead or back:
Pull out adjustment knob (2), briefly turn to the right
respectively left and release knob.
Adjusting clock more than one minute ahead or
back:
Pull out adjustment knob (2), turn to the right
respectively left and hold until the desired time is set.
Within the first 2 seconds, the minute hand advances
8 minutes and advances another 8 minutes every
additional second thereafter.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer denotes excessive
engine speed.
Avoid this engine speed, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply is interrupted
if the engine is operated within the red marking.

80 Flexible service system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Flexible service system (FSS)
(service indicator)
The FSS permits a flexible service schedule that is
directly related to the operating conditions of the
vehicle.
The symbol 9 or š appears in the main odometer
display field prior to the next suggested service.
Depending on operating conditions throughout the year,
the next service is calculated and displayed in days
š or distance 9 remaining.The symbols 9 or ´ indicate the type of service
to be performed:
9Service A
´Service B
The message is displayed for approximately 10 seconds
when turning the key in steering lock to position 2, or
while driving when reaching the service warning
threshold. It can be canceled manually by pressing
button (1).
Once the suggested term has passed, the message plus
symbol 9 or š, preceded by a – (minus symbol)
blinks for approx. 30 seconds and a signal sounds every
time when turning the key in steering lock to position 2.
The FSS display can also be called up for approx.
10 seconds with display illuminated by pressing
button (1) twice within 1 second.
Following a completed A or B service the Mercedes-Benz
Center sets the counter to 10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000
km) and 365 days.

82 Checking engine oil level
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator in odometer display field
(Model SL 500)
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2 and
wait until the symbols : and I appear in the
odometer display field.
Within 1 second press button “1” twice.The following messages are available:
“OK”
“-1.0 Q” (Canada: -1.0 L)
“-1.5 Q” (Canada: -1.5 L)
“-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L)
If the message “-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L) blinks and a
signal sounds, add oil to upper (max) mark of the
dipstick.
“HI”
The message “HI” blinks and a signal sounds.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could
cause damage to engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The symbol I flashes in the odometer display field if
a proper oil level check cannot be performed.
The oil level check can be repeated after a short time.
Perform the oil level check with the dipstick, if it cannot
be completed via the odometer display field.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.

83 Checking engine oil level
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
If the symbols : and I are continuously
illuminated after pressing button (1) twice and there is
no change in the odometer display field or the low
engine oil level warning lamp comes on, a malfunction
has occurred to the system. Perform the engine oil level
check with the dipstick.
If no oil leaks are noted continue to drive to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the system checked.
Observe the engine oil temperature gauge.
Fuel consumption gauge
While driving, instantaneous fuel consumption is
indicated in miles per gallon (mpg), or in Canada liters
per 100 kilometers (l/100 km).
With the engine switched off, the needle reads “0”.
Due to system design, minimum consumption is
indicated at idle speed.Engine oil temperature gauge
Normal operating engine oil temperatures are from
175°F (80°C) to 250°F (120°C).
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go
traffic, the engine oil temperature may rise close to the
red marking.
The engine should not be operated with the engine oil
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When the engine oil temperature is close to the red
marking, relieve the load on the engine by decreasing
vehicle speed to lower engine oil temperature.
Once the engine oil temperature returns to the normal
temperature range, the engine oil level should be
checked. See page 82 or 222.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.