steering wheel MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2000 R129 Owner's Manual

5 ContentsPassenger airbag
indicator lamp ............................. 213
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 ...............................224
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........225
Wheels .............................................226
Tire replacement ............................226
Rotating wheels ..............................227
Spare wheel ....................................228
Changing wheels ...........................230
Tire inflation pressure ..................234
Battery .............................................236Battery Recycling ....................... 237
Jump starting ................................. 238
Towing the vehicle ........................ 240
Exterior 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
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 261
Power washer ............................. 262
Tar stains .................................... 262
Paintwork, Painted Body
Components ................................ 262
Engine cleaning ......................... 263Vehicle washing .........................263
Ornamental moldings ................263
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................263
Window cleaning .......................264
Light alloy wheels ......................264
Instrument cluster .....................264
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................264
Cup holder ...................................264
Seat belts .....................................265
Headliner, shelf behind
roll bars, and other hard
plastic trim items .......................265
Soft top .........................................265
Headliner .....................................266
Wind screen ................................266
Automatic antenna .....................266
Wiper blade .................................266
Headlamp cleaning system .......266
Leather upholstery .....................267
Plastic and rubber parts ............267
Illuminated door sill panels .....267

20 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Door control panel1Door handle, pull to open, see page 35
2Front seat adjustment, see page 44
Memory function (for storing seat, head restraint,
steering wheel and exterior rear view mirror
settings), see page 46

23 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Side air outlet, adjustable, see page 91
2Level control switch and wheel change switch,
see page 196
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 86
4Parking brake release, see page 175
5Hood lock release, see page 219
6Parking brake pedal, see page 175
7Combination switch, see page 86
8Cruise control switch, see page 185
9Horn
10Airbag, see page 60
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
12Instrument cluster, see page 74
13Steering lock with ignition/starter switch,
see page 165
14Center air outlets adjustable, see page 91
15Heated air supply button - center air outlet,
see page 9116Non-heated/cooled air supply button - center air
outlet, see page 91
17Storage/eyeglasses compartment, see page 124
18Air volume control for left air outlet, see page 91
19Air volume control for center air outlets, see page 91
20Air volume control for right air outlet, see page 91
21Airbag off indicator lamp, see page 213
22Automatic climate control, see page 90
Rear window defroster switch, see page 95
23Audio system, see page 98
24Trunk lid release switch, see page 40
25Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 43
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system,
see page 42
26Central locking switch, see page 37
27Hazard warning f lasher switch, see page 89
28Adaptive damping system adjustment switch,
see page 199
29ESP control switch, see page 194
30Roll bar operation switch, see page 118

38 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
Wit h th e automa tic central locking system activated, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler f lap remains
unlocked.
To a ctiva te:
With key in steering lock position 2 hold upper portion
of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To dea cti vate :
With key in steering lock position 2 hold lower portion
of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central
locking activated, the door will again be automatically
locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle doors will
lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel spin are turning at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after a
strong deceleration is detected, such as in a collision
(this is intended to aid rescue and exit). Driving on
rough roads may cause the vehicle to unlock. If
necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the
interior central locking switch.

44 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Power seats
The switches are located in both doors.
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2 (with either
d oor open, the power seats ca n a lso be opera ted w it h th e
key removed or in steering lock position 0).
The position should be as far rearward as possible,
consistent with ability to properly operate controls.We recommend to ad just th e power se at in th e fol lowing
order:
1Seat, up/down
Press the switch (up/down direction) until
comfortable seating position with still sufficient
headroom is reached.
2Seat adjustment, fore/aft
Press the switch (fore/aft direction) until a
comfortable seating position is reached that still
allows you to reach the accelerator/brake pedal
safely.
3Seat cushion tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
your legs are lightly supported.
4Backrest tilt
Press the switch in the direction of the arrow until
the backrest is in an almost upright position. Adjust
the steering wheel until your arms are slightly
angled when holding the steering wheel. For
steering wheel adjustment see page 70.
3
2
1
2
1
2

46 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Storing position in memory
6Memory button
7Position buttons “1”, “2” and “3”
After the seat and head restraint are positioned, push
memory button (6), release, and within 3 seconds push
position button “1”. Two additional sets of positions
may be stored into memory using position buttons “2”
and “3”.Using the same position button, the steering wheel
position and exterior rear view mirror positions will
also be stored together with the seat position. For
adjusting steering wheel and mirrors see page 70.
Recalling stored positions
Press position button “1”, “2” or “3” and hold until seat/
head restraint/steering wheel/exterior rear view mirror
movement has stopped.
Note:
For safety reasons, the seat/head restraint/steering
wheel/exterior rear view mirror movement stops after
releasing the position button.
3
2
1
2
1
2

47 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head
approximately at ear level. See also airbag section for
proper seat positioning on page 60.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, rear view mirror, and steering
wheel adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, which operates
with the BabySmart
TM system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.Infants and small children must be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system, which
is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt,
fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

64 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
To reduce the risk of injury when the front airbags
inflate, it is very important for the driver and front
passenger to always be in a properly seated
position and to wear your seat belt.
For maximum protection in the event of a collision
always be in normal seated position w ith your back
against the backrest. Fasten your seat belt and
ensure that it is properly positioned on your body.For unobstructive inflation of door side impact
airbags, keep door pocket lids closed.Since the airbag inflates with considerable speed
and force, a proper seating and hands on steering
wheel position will help to keep you at a safe
distance from the airbag.
Occupants who are unbelted, out of position or too
close to the airbag can be seriously injured by an
airbag as it inflates with great force in the blink of
an eye:• Sit properly belted in an upright position with
your back against the backrest.
• Adjust the driver seat as far as possible
rearward, still permitting proper operation of
vehicle controls. Adjust the driver seat as far
as possible rearward, still permitting proper
operation of vehicle controls. The distance
from the center of the driver’s breastbone to
the center of the airbag cover on the steering
wheel must be at least ten inches (25 cm) or
more. You should be able to accomplish this by
a combination of adjustments to the seat and
steering wheel. If you have any problems,
please see your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.• Do not lean wi th you r head or chest close to th e
steering wheel or dashboard.• Keep hands on the outside of 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 airbag
inflates.• Do not lean against doors.

66 Restraint systems
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Safety guidelines for the seat belt, emergency
tensioning retractor and airbag
Wa r n i n g !
• Damaged seat belts or belts that were highly
stressed in an accident must be replaced and
their anchoring points must also be checked.
Use only belts installed or supplied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.• Do not pass belts over sharp edges.• Do not make any modification that could
change the effectiveness of the belts.• Airbags and ETR’s are designed to function on
a one-time-only basis. An airbag or emergency
tensioning retractor (ETR) that was activated
must be replaced.
• No modifications of any kind may be made to
any components or wiring of the “SRS”. This
includes changing or removing any component
or part of the “SRS”, the installation of
additional trim material, badges etc. over the
steering wheel hub, passenger airbag cover, or
door trim panels, and installation of additional
electrical/electronic equipment on or near
“SRS” components and wiring. Keep area
between airbags and occupants free of objects
(e.g. packages, purses, umbrellas, etc.).• An airbag system component within the
steering wheel gets hot after the airbag has
inflated. Do not touch.• Improper work on the system, including
incorrect installation and removal, can lead to
possible injury through an unintended
activation of the “SRS”.• In addition, through improper work there is
the risk of rendering the “SRS” inoperative or
causing unintended airbag deployment. Work
on the “SRS” must therefore only be performed
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

70 Adjusting steering column
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Adju st in g steerin g c olu mn
Turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 2 (with either
door open, the steering column can be operated with the
key removed or in steering lock position 0).
To extend or retract:
Move switch (1) in desired direction.
To raise or lower:
Move switch (1) in desired direction.Storing steering column position in memory
The steering column position is stored in memory
together with the seat/heat restraint/exterior rear view
mirror position and can be recalled when necessary,
see memory recalling on page 46.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not adjust the steering wheel while driving.
Adjusting the steering wheel while driving, or
driving without the telescoping adjustment locked
could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.