soft top MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2000 R129 User Guide

141 Hardtop
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6. Tu rn key in steering lock to position 2. Th e indica tor
lamp in the soft top switch lights up.
7. Slide soft top switch (3) forward - the hardtop should
lock and the indicator lamp in the switch should go
out.8. Connect plug (4) for rear window defroster.
3
P65.00-0285-26
P65.00-0286-26
4

142 Hardtop
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Notes:
For safety reasons, the hardtop can only be unlocked
while the vehicle is standing still, and within
10 seconds after turning the key to steering lock
position 2 or beyond.
If the indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks while
activating the switch, the battery voltage may be
insufficient - start engine to charge battery before
shutting engine off and attempting to unlock the roof
again.
If the indicator lamp continues to blink, remove the
hardtop (see page 137), and have the system checked at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Wa r n i n g !
The raising or lowering procedure of the soft top is
not completed if the indicator lamp in the soft top
switch:
• does not go out (with key in steering lock
position 2),
• blinks when starting to drive and an alarm
sounds.When safe to do so, immediately stop the vehicle
and lock the soft top:
• Turn key in steering lock to position 2,
• Slide soft/hardtop switch forward.Do not drive the car with the hardtop not locked, as
that could cause personal injury to you or your
passenger, or personal injury or property damage
to others.

143 Soft top
Technical
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 mildew, the 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
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Lowering soft top
1. E n ga g e p a r k i n g b ra ke .
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.
1
P65.00-0287-26

145 Soft top
Technical
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.
2
P65.00-0288-26

146 Soft top
Technical
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.
3
P77.30-0331-26
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
Technical
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 253.
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.

172 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
only slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS malfunction indicator lamp to come on. Turn off
and restart the engine to clear the malfunction
indication.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, posi tion “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set t he parki ng brake in addi tion to sh ifting
to position “P”.When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.

214 Contents – Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 215
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 215
Vehicle tools .................................... 216
Vehicle jack ..................................... 217
Fuses ................................................ 218
Hood ................................................. 219
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................221
Checking engine oil level .............221
Coolant level ...................................223
Adding coolant ...............................224Windshield and headlamp
washer f luid mixing ratio ....... 225
Wheels ............................................ 226
Tire replacement ........................... 226
Rotating wheels ............................. 227
Spare wheel .................................... 228
Changing wheels ........................... 230
Tire inflation pressure ................. 234
Battery ............................................. 236
Battery Recycling ....................... 237
Jump starting ................................. 238
Towing the vehicle ........................ 240Exterior lamps ................................242
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .....................................243
Taillamp assemblies ..................249
Changing batteries in
the remote control .................... 251
Synchronizing ............................252
Raising soft top manually .............253
Replacing wiper blade insert .......257
Manual release of
fuel filler flap .............................259
Trunk lamp .....................................259

253 Raising soft top manually
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Raising soft top manually
In case of malfunction, the power soft top can also be
raised manually. This procedure should be performed
with great care by 2 persons.
A combination open-end/Allenhead wrench in the
vehicle tool kit is required for this job.
1. Open doors or lower windows.
2. Lower roll bar with roll bar switch. If the roll bar
cannot be lowered, the soft top can be carefully
guided over the roll bar.
3. For safety reasons, remove key from steering lock.
4. Unlock soft top storage compartment lock, located
on vehicle right side:
Place open-end wrench on bolt between roll bar and
storage compartment cover. Turn wrench (1)
towards rear of vehicle.
Open storage compartment cover and place in
upright position (2).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not place your hands near the roll bar, soft top
frame, upper windshield area or soft top storage
compartment while the soft top is being locked.
Serious personal injury may occur.
P77.30-0332-26
1