warning MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS 2011 User Guide

Reset button ................................ 30, 112
Restraint systems see Occupant safety
Retractable hardtop .......................... 155
Locking .......................................... 157
Luggage cover ............................... 158
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 241
Sunshade ....................................... 160
Wind screen ................................... 157
Rims ........................................... 206, 299
Roadside Assistance ................... 20, 169
Roll bar ................................................. 51
Lowering .......................................... 51
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 240
Raising ............................................. 51
Warning lamp ................................. 258
RON (Research Octane Number) ..... 307
Roof see Retractable hardtop
Rubber parts, cleaning ...................... 220
Run-flat tires see MOExtended tires
S
Safety
Driving safety systems .....................54
Occupant safety ............................... 38
Reporting defects ............................ 22
Safety belts
see Seat belts
Seat belt force limiter ......................... 49
Seat belts ............................................. 46
Automatic comfort-fit feature ..........49
Children in the vehicle .....................51
Cleaning ......................................... 220
Fastening ......................................... 48
Proper use of ................................... 47
Safety guidelines ............................. 40
Safety notes ..................................... 46
Telltale
.................................... 31, 32, 48, 256
Seat heating ......................................... 83
Seating capacity ................................ 194
Seats ..................................................... 80
Adjustment ...................................... 80
Easy-entry/exit feature ....................85
Heating ............................................ 83
Memory function .............................. 88
Multicontour seat ............................ 82
Ventilation ....................................... 82
Selective setting
see Key, SmartKey
Selector lever
see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 45
Tele Aid .......................................... 167
Service
see Maintenance
Service, parts .................................... 294
Service and warranty information ..... 19
Service intervals see Maintenance System, Service
indicator message
Service life (tires) .............................. 198
Settings
Factory setting (KEYLESS-GO) .........71
Factory setting (SmartKey) ..............69
Memory function .............................. 88
Menu ............................................. 121
Selective setting (KEYLESS-GO) .......71
Selective setting (SmartKey) ............69
Side marker lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 218
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 250
Sidewall (tires) .................................. 207
Side windows see Power windows
SmartKey
see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains ...................................... 208
Snow tires see Winter tires
Spare wheel ....................................... 299
Mounting ....................................... 277
Storage location ............................ 225
Speedometer ..................................... 13514Index230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 14

Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 253
Replacing bulbs ............................. 272
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards .................................. 199, 207
Units
Selecting digital speedometer
display mode ................................. 123
Selecting speedometer/
odometer display mode .................123
Unleaded gasoline, premium ........... 306
Unlocking the vehicle
KEYLESS-GO .................................... 69
Manually ........................................ 267
SmartKey ......................................... 68
Upholstery, cleaning ......................... 221
Useful features .................................. 164
V
Valet locking ........................................ 77
Vehicle
Battery ........................................... 283
Care ............................................... 215
Control system .............................. 113
Identification Number (VIN) ...........294
Locking/unlocking ........................... 68
Lowering (wheel change) ...............282
Modifications and alterations,
Operating safety .............................. 21
Towing ........................................... 287
Unlocking/locking manually ..........267
Vehicle dimensions
see Vehicle specification
Vehicle Identification Number
(VIN) ................................................... 294
Vehicle jack see Jack
Vehicle lighting .................................... 89
Vehicle loading
Load limit ....................................... 195
Terminology ................................... 205
Vehicle maximum load on the tire ... 207
Vehicle specification
SL 550 ........................................... 296
SL 600 ........................................... 296
SL 63 AMG .................................... 297
SL 65 AMG .................................... 298
Vehicle status message memory .... 120
Vehicle tool kit .................................. 224
Vehicle washing see Vehicle care
Vehicle weights
see Vehicle specification
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function .............140
Distronic ........................................ 135
Driver’s or passenger’s seat belt .....48
Parking brake ................................ 239
Parktronic system ..........................147
Seat belt telltale ............................ 256
Warranty coverage ............................ 294
Washer and headlamp cleaning
system ................................................ 309
Washer fluid
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 243
Mixing ratio .................................... 309
Refilling .......................................... 185
Washing the vehicle .......................... 215
Wear pattern (tires) .......................... 200
Weights (vehicle) see Vehicle specification
Wheel
Changing ....................................... 276
Removing ....................................... 279
Spare ............................................. 276
Tightening torque ........................... 282
Wheels, sizes ..................................... 299
Wheels, Tires and .............................. 186
Windows see Power windows
Windows, cleaning ............................ 219
Wind screen ....................................... 157
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Product Information
Please observe the following in your own best
interest:
We recommend using Genuine Mercedes-
Benz Parts as well as conversion parts and
accessories explicitly approved by us for your
vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their
reliability, safety and special suitability for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be held
responsible for them, even if in individual
cases an official approval or authorization by
governmental or other agencies should exist.
Use of such parts and accessories could
adversely affect the safety, performance or
reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use
them.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts and pre-
approved conversion parts and accessories
are available at any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. In addition, you will receive
comprehensive information on permissible
technical modifications and expert
installations.
Operator’s Manual
Notes
This Operator’s Manual contains a great deal
of useful information. We urge you to read it
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of
the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
Operator’s Manual. Ignoring them could
result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage
caused by failure to follow instructions is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
We continuously strive to improve our
product and ask for your understanding that
we reserve the right to make changes in
design and equipment. Therefore,
information, illustrations, and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from your
vehicle.
Vehicle equipment
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
operating particular equipment, any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad
to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Optional equipment is also described in this
manual, including operating instructions
wherever necessary. Since they are special-
order items, the descriptions and illustrations
herein may vary slightly from the actual
equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not
shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to inform you of correct
care and operating procedures. The
Operator’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet
are important documents and should be kept
with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
booklet contains detailed information about
the warranties covering your Mercedes-Benz,
including:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission System Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
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contacting you in a timely manner should the
need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it available
to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car”
found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-
Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the
USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372), or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign
countries, please be aware that:
R Service facilities or replacement parts may
not be readily available.
R Unleaded gasoline for vehicles with
catalytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts.
R 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 an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safetyGWarning!
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because the
vehicle’s electronic components are
interconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other
systems. Electronic malfunctions could
seriously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore never
turn off the engine while driving.
GWarning!
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody or
tires/wheels may cause serious damage and
impair the operating safety of your vehicle.
Such blows can be caused, for example, by
running over an obstacle, road debris or a
pothole. If you feel a sudden significant
vibration or ride disturbance, or you suspect
that damage to your vehicle as occurred:
R turn on your hazard warning flashers
R slow down carefully
R drive with caution to an area which is a safe
distance from the road
Inspect the vehicle underbody and tires/
wheels for possible damage. If the vehicle
appears unsafe, have it towed to the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or other
qualified maintenance or repair facility for
further inspection or repairs.
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Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you are
familiar with the following information and
rules:
R the safety precautions in this manual
R the “Technical data” section in this manual
R traffic rules and regulations
R motor vehicle laws and safety standardsGWarning!
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended to
make you and others aware of various risks.
Do not remove any of these warning labels
unless explicitly instructed to do so by
information on the label itself. Removing
warning labels may cause you and others to
be unaware of certain risks which may result
in an accident and/or personal injury.
Problems with your vehicle
If you should experience a problem with your
vehicle, particularly one that you believe may
affect its safe operation, we urge you to
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately to have the problem diagnosed
and corrected if required. If the matter is not
handled to your satisfaction, please discuss
the problem with the Mercedes-Benz Center
management or, if necessary, contact us at
one of the following addresses:
In the USA:
Customer Assistance Center
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Customer Relations Department
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Reporting safety defects
For the USA only:
The following text is published as required of
manufacturers under Title 49, Code of U.S.
Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the
“National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act
of 1966”.
Reporting safety defects
If you believe that your vehicle has a defect
which could cause a crash or could cause
injury or death, you should immediately
inform the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) in addition to
notifying Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may
open an investigation, and if it finds that a
safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy campaign.
However, NHTSA cannot become involved in
individual problems between you, your
dealer, or Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.
To contact NHTSA, you may call the Vehicle
Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
www.safercar.gov ; or write to:
Administrator, NHTSA Headquarters,
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building,
Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other information about
motor vehicle safety from
www.safercar.gov .
Vehicle data recording
Information regarding electronic
recording devices
( Including notice pursuant to California Code
§ 9951)
Please note that your vehicle is equipped with
devices that can record vehicle systems data
and, if equipped with the Tele Aid system, may
transmit some data in certain accidents.
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Center console
Upper part
FunctionPage\000FCentral locking switch73Alarm system indicator
lamp63
\000GHazard warning flasher
switch92
\000

Vehicle equipment
i This Operator’s Manual describes all
features, standard or optional, potentially
available for your vehicle at the time of
purchase. Please be aware that your
vehicle might not be equipped with all
features described in this manual.
Occupant safety
Introduction
In this section you will learn the most
important facts about the restraint system
components of the vehicle.
The restraint systems are:
R Seat belts
R Child restraints
Additional protection potential is provided by:
R
Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) with
- Air bags
- Air bag control unit (with crash sensors)
-
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) for
seat belts
- Seat belt force limiter
R Roll bar
R Air bag system components with
- Passenger front air bag off indicator lamp
- Passenger seat with
Occupant
Classification System (OCS)
Although the systems are independent, their
protective functions work in conjunction with
each other.
GWarning!
Modifications to or work improperly
conducted on restraint system components
or their wiring, as well as tampering with
interconnected electronic systems, can lead
to the restraint systems no longer functioning
as intended.
Air bags or Emergency Tensioning Devices
(ETDs), for example, could deploy
inadvertently or fail to deploy in accidents
although the deceleration threshold for air
bag deployment is exceeded. Therefore,
never modify the restraint systems. Do not
tamper with electronic components or their
software.
i See “Children in the vehicle”
( Y page 51) for information on
R infants and children traveling with you in
the vehicle
R restraint systems for infants and children
SRS indicator lamp
The SRS system conducts a self-test when
the ignition is switched on and in regular
intervals while the engine is running. This
facilitates detection of system malfunctions.
The SRS indicator lamp 008A in the
instrument cluster comes on when the
ignition is switched on. It goes out no later
than a few seconds after the engine has been
started.
The SRS components are in operational
readiness when the SRS indicator lamp
008A is not lit while the engine is running.
GWarning!
The SRS self-check has detected a
malfunction when the SRS indicator lamp
008A
R does not come on at all
R fails to go out after approximately
4 seconds after the engine was started
R comes on after the engine was started or
while driving
For your safety, we strongly recommend that
you contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately to have the system
checked. Otherwise the SRS may not be
activated when needed in an accident, which
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could result in serious or fatal injury. The SRS
might also deploy unexpectedly and
unnecessarily which could also result in injury
as well.
In addition, improper work on the SRS creates
a risk of rendering the SRS inoperative or
causing unintended air bag deployment. Work
on the SRS must therefore only be performed
by qualified technicians. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is necessary to modify an air bag system
to accommodate a person with disabilities,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
USA only: Call our Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) for details.
Air bags
GWarning!
Air bags are designed to reduce the potential
of injury and fatality in certain
R frontal impacts (front air bags and driver’s
side knee bag)
R side impacts (head-thorax air bags)
However, no system available today can
completely eliminate injuries and fatalities.
Deployment of the air bags temporarily
releases a small amount of dust from the air
bags. This dust, however, is neither harmful
to your health, nor does it indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The dust might cause some
temporary breathing difficulty for people with
asthma or other breathing trouble. To avoid
this, you may wish to get out of the vehicle as
soon as it is safe to do so. If you have any
breathing difficulty but cannot get out of the
vehicle after the air bag inflates, then get fresh
air by opening a window or door.
GWarning!
To reduce the risk of injury when the front air
bags inflate, it is very important for the driver
and passenger to always be in a properly
seated position and to wear their seat belts.
For maximum protection in the event of a
collision always be in normal seated position
with your back against the seat backrest.
Fasten your seat belt and make sure it is
properly positioned on your body.
Since the air bag inflates with considerable
speed and force, a proper seating position
and correct positioning of the hands on the
steering wheel will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the air bag. Occupants who are
not wearing their seat belt, are not seated
properly or are too close to the air bag can be
seriously injured or killed by an air bag as it
inflates with great force instantaneously:
R Sit with the seat belt properly fastened in a
position that is as upright as possible with
your back against the seat backrest.
R Move the driver’s seat as far back as
possible, still permitting proper operation
of vehicle controls. The distance from the
center of the driver’s chest to the center of
the air bag cover on the steering wheel
must be at least 10 inches (25 cm) or more.
You should be able to accomplish this by
adjusting the seat and steering wheel. If
you have any difficulties, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
R Do not lean your head or chest close to the
steering wheel or dashboard.
R Keep hands on the outside of the steering
wheel rim. Placing hands and arms inside
the rim can increase the risk and potential
severity of hand/arm injury when the driver
front air bag inflates.
R Adjust the passenger seat as far as possible
rearward from the dashboard when the
seat is occupied.
R Occupants, especially children, should
never place their bodies or lean their heads
in the area of the door where the head-
thorax air bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should the head-Occupant safety39Safety and security230_AKB; 6; 22, en-USd2ureepe,Version: 2.11.8.12009-07-28T18:49:58+02:00 - Seite 39Z

thorax air bag be deployed. Always sit as
upright as possible, wear the seat belt
properly and use an appropriately sized
infant restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the size and
weight of the child.
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injuries to you or other occupants.
If you sell your vehicle, it is important that you
make the buyer aware of this safety
information. Be sure to give the buyer this
Operator’s Manual.GWarning!
There is a possibility of a head-thorax air bag-
related injury if occupants, especially
children, are not properly seated or restrained
when next to a head-thorax air bag which
needs to deploy rapidly in a side impact in
order to do its job.
To help avoid the possibility of injury, please
follow these guidelines:
(1)Occupants, especially children,
should never place their bodies or
lean their heads in the area of the
door where the head-thorax air
bag inflates. This could result in
serious injuries or death should
the head-thorax air bag be
deployed.(2)Always sit as upright as possible,
wear the seat belt properly, and for
children 12 years old and under,
use an appropriately sized infant
restraint, toddler restraint, or
booster seat recommended for the
size and weight of the child.(3)Always wear seat belts properly.
If you believe that, even with the use of these
guidelines, it would be safer for your
passenger seat occupants to have the
passenger side head-thorax air bag
deactivated, then deactivation can be carried
out upon your written request at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center at an
additional cost.
Please contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or call the Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372), or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100 for details.
Air bags are designed to deploy only in certain
frontal impacts (front air bags and driver’s
side knee bag) and in side impacts (head-
thorax air bags) if the system determines the
need for air bag deployment. Only in the event
of such a situation will they provide their
supplemental protection.
The driver and passenger should always wear
their seat belts. Otherwise it is not possible
for the air bags to provide their supplemental
protection.
In case of other types of impacts and impacts
below air bag deployment thresholds, air
bags will not deploy. The driver and passenger
will then be protected to the extent possible
by a properly fastened seat belt. A properly
fastened seat belt is also needed to provide
the best possible protection in a rollover.
Air bags are not a substitute for seat belts.
Always wear your seat belt, regardless of
whether or not your vehicle is equipped with
air bags.
It is important to your safety and that of your
passenger to have deployed air bags replaced
and to have any malfunctioning air bags
repaired. This will help to make sure the air
bags will continue to provide supplemental
crash protection for occupants.
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD)
and air bag GWarning!
R Damaged seat belts or seat belts that have
been subjected to stress in an accident
must be replaced. Their anchoring points
must also be checked. Only use seat belts
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passenger seat is occupied and the impact
exceeds a preset deployment threshold.
Head-thorax air bags 0046 are not deployed in
side impacts which do not exceed the
system’s deployment threshold.
Occupant Classification System
The Occupant Classification System (OCS)
activates or deactivates the passenger front
air bag automatically. The respective status
is based on the classified occupant weight
category determined by weight sensor
readings from the passenger seat.
The system does not deactivate the
passenger head-thorax air bag and the
Emergency Tensioning Devices (ETDs).
To be classified correctly, the passenger must
sit
R with the seat belt properly fastened
R in a position that is as upright as possible
with the back against the seat backrest
R with the feet on the floor
If the occupant’s weight is transferred to
another object in the vehicle (e.g. by leaning
on armrests), the OCS may not be able to
properly approximate the occupant’s weight
category.
If your seat, including the trim cover and
cushion, needs to be serviced in any way, take
the vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Only seat accessories approved by
Mercedes-Benz may be used.
Both the driver and the passenger should
always use the 007F0080 indicator lamp as
an indication of whether or not the passenger
is properly positioned.
GWarning!
If the 007F0080 indicator lamp illuminates
when an adult or someone larger than a small
individual is in the passenger seat, have the
passenger reposition himself or herself in the
seat until the 007F0080 indicator lamp goes
out.
In the event of a collision, the air bag control
unit will not allow passenger front air bag
deployment when the OCS has classified the
passenger seat occupant as weighting as
much as or less than a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint or if the
passenger seat is classified as being empty.
When the OCS senses that the passenger seat
occupant is classified as being up to or less
than the weight of a typical 12-month-old
child in a standard child restraint, the
007F0080 indicator lamp will illuminate when
the engine is started and remain illuminated,
indicating that the passenger front air bag is
deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger seat
is classified as being empty, the 007F0080
indicator lamp will illuminate when the engine
is started and remain illuminated, indicating
that the passenger front air bag is
deactivated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger seat
occupant is classified as being heavier than
the weight of a typical 12-month-old child
seated in a standard child restraint or as being
a small individual (such as a young teenager
or a small adult), the 007F0080 indicator lamp
will illuminate for approximately 6 seconds
when the engine is started and then,
depending on occupant weight sensor
readings from the seat, remain illuminated or
go out. With the 007F0080 indicator lamp
illuminated, the passenger front air bag is
deactivated. With the 007F0080 indicator
lamp out, the passenger front air bag is
activated.
When the OCS senses that the passenger seat
occupant is classified as an adult or someone
larger than a small individual, the 007F0080
indicator lamp will illuminate for
approximately 6 seconds when the engine is
started and then goes out, indicating that the
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