service indicator MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2000 R129 Owner's Manual

2 Contents
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) ........ 80Engine 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
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 ............................ 94Audio and telephone, operation .... 98
Power windows ................................116
Express opening of
door windows ...............................117
Synchronizing 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

27 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip odometer ............................... 79
Clock .............................................. 79
Tachometer .................................... 79
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
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 ............................ 94Audio and telephone, operation .... 98
Power windows ............................... 116
Express opening of
door windows .............................. 117
Synchronizing 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 .............. 126Separate locking of storage
compartments ............................. 126
Armrest ........................................... 127
Console storage
compartments ............................ 127
Cup 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

77 Instrument cluster
Technical
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 34.Instrument lamps
1Ad justing knob
Rotate adjusting knob (1) to vary intensity of instrument
lamps.
Display illumination
Pr e s s a d j u st in g k n o b ( 1 ) to b ri e f ly i llu m i n a te t h e d is p lay
(with key removed or in steering lock position 0 or 1).

80 Flexible service system
Technical
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 th e m ain 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.

133 Garage door opener
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Garage door opener
1Signal transmitter keys
2Indicator lamp
3Portable remote control transmitterThe built-in remote control is capable of operating up to
three separately controlled objects.
Notes:
Certain types of garage door openers are incompatible
with the integrated opener. If you should experience
difficulties with programming the transmitter, contact
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, or call
Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center (in the USA
only) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
1
2
3
Wa r n i n g !When programming a garage door opener, the door
moves up or down.When programming or operating the remote
control make sure there is no possibility of anyone
being harmed by the moving door.

156 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
pressing the button (for longer than 2 seconds) located
under the cover. See below for instructions on initiating
an emergency call manually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the indicator
lamp in the “SOS” button will begin to flash. All
information relevant to the emergency, such as the
location of the vehicle (determined by the GPS satellite
location system), vehicle model, identification number
and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response Center and
the occupants of the vehicle will be established
automatically soon after the emergency call has been
initiated. The Response Center will attempt to determine
more precisely the nature of the accident provided they
can speak to an occupant of the vehicle.
The Tele Aid system is available if:
• it has been activated and is operational. Activation
requires a subscription for monitoring services and
cellular air time,
• t h e r e l ev a n t c e l l u l a r p h on e n e t w or k a n d G P S si g n a l s
are available.Note:
Location of the vehicle on a map is possible if the
vehicle is able to receive signals from the GPS satellite
network.
Wa r n i n g !
If the indicator lamp in the “SOS” button is
illuminated continuously and there was no voice
connection to the Response Center established,
then the Tele Aid system could not initiate an
emergency call (e.g. the relevant cellular phone
network is not available).Should this occur, assistance must be summoned
by other means.

158 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds), will initiate a call to
a Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
Tele Aid system will transmit data generating the
vehicle identification number, model, color and location
(subject to availability of cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. The nature of the need for assistance can
then be described. Sign and Drive services (jump start, a
few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire with
the vehicle spare tire) are available.
If the vehicle requires more than Sign and Drive
services, the Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow your
vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center.
For other than Sign and Drive services, labor and / or
towing charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance manual for more information.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button remains illuminated in red for approx.
5 seconds during the system self-check after turning
key in steering lock to position 2 (together with the
“SOS” button and the Information button¡).
See system self-check on page 155 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 5 seconds.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an “SOS” signal and cannot make voice
contact with the vehicle occupants.

159 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Information button ¡
Located below the center armrest cover is the
Information button¡. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds), will initiate a call to
t h e C l i e n t A s s ista n c e C e nt e r. T h e b u t to n w il l f l a sh w h i l e
the call is in progress. The Tele Aid system will transmit
data generating the vehicle identification number,
model, color and location (subject to availability of
cellular and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Client Assistance
Center representative and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established. Information regarding the operation
of your vehicle, the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or
Mercedes-Benz USA products and services is available
to you.
If you have chosen the Route Guidance Service (an
optional service available at additional cost in the USA
only), your communication will be transferred to our
Response Center, who will provide the appropriate
information.
For more details concerning this optional service,
please contact the Response Center at 1-800-756-9018.Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Information button¡
rem ains illuminated in red for approx . 5 seconds du ring
the system self-check after turning key in steering lock
to position 2 (together with the “SOS” button and the
Roadside Assistance button).
See system self-check on page 155 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 5 seconds.
Important!
If the indicator lamps do not illuminate or remain
illuminated (in red) at any time, the Tele Aid system has
detected a fault or the service is not currently active,
and may not initiate a call. Visit your Mercedes-Benz
Center and have the system checked or contact the
Response Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada) as soon as possible.

160 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following
priority.
• Automatic emergency – First priority
• Manual emergency – Second priority
• Roadside assistance – Third priority
• Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard,
and the appropriate indicator lamp will f lash. If certain
information such as vehicle identification number or
client information is not available, the operator may
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmission is
c omplete. Once a cal l is concl uded , a ch irp w ill be hea rd ,
the appropriate indicator lamp will stop flashing and a
tone will be heard indicating that the system has reset.
The audio system operation will resume.Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until
the call is concluded and this can only be completed by
a Response Center or Client Assistance Center
representative.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio
system is muted and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle
must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call. A message will appear in the radio display to
indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.

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.