emergency towing MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2003 R230 Owner's Manual

ContentsPractical hints.................................. 249
What to do if … .................................. 250
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 250
Messages in the display ............... 257
Where will I find ...?............................ 288
First aid kit ................................... 288
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 288
Locking/unlocking in an emergency.. 290
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 290
Locking the vehicle ...................... 292
Lowering the Easy Pack feature
manually ....................................... 292
Changing batteries ....................... 293
Replacing bulbs ................................. 295
Bulbs ............................................ 295
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 298
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 299
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 301
Removing ..................................... 301
Installing....................................... 301
Flat tire .............................................. 302
Preparing the vehicle.................... 302
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1 ..... 302
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2 ..... 308
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 312Batteries ............................................ 319
Disconnecting the batteries ......... 320
Removing the batteries ................ 321
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 321
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 321
Jump starting ..................................... 323
Towing the vehicle ............................. 325
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 327
Fuses ................................................. 329
Main fuse box............................... 329
Technical data................................. 331
Spare parts service ............................ 332
Warranty coverage............................. 333
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 333
Identification labels ........................... 334
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 335
SL 500 ......................................... 335
SL 55 AMG ................................... 335
Engine................................................ 336
Rims and tires.................................... 337
Same size tires ............................. 337
Mixed size tires ............................ 338Spare wheel ................................. 338
Electrical system ............................... 339
Main dimensions ............................... 340
Weights ............................................. 341
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 342
Capacities .................................... 342
Engine oils ................................... 343
Engine oil additives ...................... 343
Air conditioner refrigerant............ 343
Brake fluid.................................... 343
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 344
Fuel requirements ........................ 344
Gasoline additives ........................ 344
Coolants ...................................... 345
Windshield and headlamp washer
system ......................................... 347
Consumer information ....................... 348
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 348
Technical terms............................... 351Index................................................. 357

77 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm
feature, switch off the tow-away alarm be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
The switch is on the center console be-
tween the driver’s seat and the passenger
seat.
1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Turn off the ignition and remove the
key.

Press switch1.
The indicator lamp2 in the switch
lights up briefly.

Lock your vehicle with the key or (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*) the lock but-
ton at each door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem (
page 202) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is turned on.

204 Controls in detailUseful features
Roadside Assistance button
•
Located below the center armrest cover is
the Roadside Assistance button
•
.

Press and hold the button (for longer
than 2 seconds)
A call to a Mercedes-Benz Roadside As-
sistance dispatcher will be initiated.
The button will flash while the call is in
progress. The message
Roadside as-
sistance – Connecting call
will ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
When the connection is established, the
message
Roadside assistance –
Call connected
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. The Tele Aid system will trans-
mit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (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. When a
voice connection is established the audio
system mutes and the message
Tele Aid
Roadside assistance call active
ap-
pears in the multifunction display.

Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
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 services such
as labor and / or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance man-
ual for more information.
Warning!
G
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, ve-
hicle 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 loca-
tion. The Response Center will automatically
contact local emergency officials with the
vehicle’s approximate location if they re-
ceive an automatic SOS signal and cannot
make voice contact with the vehicle occu-
pants.

249 Practical hints
What to do if …
Where will I find ...?
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Replacing bulbs
Replacing wiper blades
Flat tire
Batteries
Jump starting
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

326 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move key from starter switch and reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and de-
press the pedal much further to obtain the
expected braking effect. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes are
only applied to the front wheels. Stopping
distance is increased! Adapt your driving
style accordingly. SBC brake system
(page 72).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle. Adapt your driv-
ing accordingly.

372 IndexTele Aid 200
Emergency calls 202
Information 205
Initiating an emergency call
manually 203
Messages in display 263
Roadside assistance 204
SOS button 25, 203
Tele Aid system 201
Tele Aid System 355
Telephone* 22, 199
Answering a call 134
Dialing 135
Ending a call 135
Hands-free microphone 25
Loading phone book* 135
Messages in display 270
Operating 133
Redialing 136
Signal strength 134
Telephones and two-way radios 223Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 109
Sensor 25
Setting interior temperature 149
Setting units in display 122
Tires 236
Tightening torque 318, 355
Tilt
Head restraint 34
Time display mode
Setting 122
Tire inflation pressure 305, 310
Checking 226, 235
Setting units 129
Tire speed rating 220, 355
Tire traction 220
TIREFIT 355
TIREFIT kit 289, 302, 308
TIREFIT kit 1
Instructions for use 302
TIREFIT kit 2
Instructions for use 308Tires 234, 348
Direction of rotation 235
Driving instructions 219
Messages in display 281
Retreads 234
Rims and tires 337
Rotating 238
Service life 235
SL 500 338
SL 55 AMG Kompressor 338
Temperature 236, 349
Tread depth 239
Wear pattern 238
Winter 239
Tools 288
Tow-away alarm 24, 77
Arming 77
Disarming 77
Disarming for transport 77
Tow-away alarm switch 24
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 288
Installing 327
Towing the vehicle 325
Traction 141, 355
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Fluid level 230

373 Index
Trip computer 131
Trip odometer 21
Resetting 109
Trunk
Closing the lid 91
Easy-Pack load assist 198
Lighting 107
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Locking separately 83
Message in display 272
Opening from inside vehicle 89
Opening the lid 83
Parcel net 195
Trunk lid lock 291
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Unlocking in an emergency 291
Unlocking separately 82
Trunk lid 82
Trunk lid emergency release 90
Trunk lighting 107
Turn signals 19, 43
Additional in mirrors 296
Front bulbs 296
Indicator lamps 21
Rear bulbs 296U
Units
Setting speedometer units 123
Setting temperature units 122
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 129
Unlocking 28
Centrally from inside 92
Driver’s door in an emergency 290
Fuel filler flap 225
Global (KEYLESS-GO* card) 86
Interior storage compartments 291
Storage compartments 194
Trunk 82, 89
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Trunk in an emergency 291
Vehicle in an emergency 290
With the electronic key 28
With the KEYLESS-GO* card 30, 84
Uphill driving
Cruise control 169
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 119
Locking 23
Locking in an emergency 292Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 187
Towing 325
Unlocking 23
Unlocking in an emergency 290
Vehicle level 184, 356
Changing 185
Setting 185
Automatic 185
Manual 185
Vehicle level control 356
Vehicle level control switch 24
Vehicle lighting
Checking 226
Vehicle lock status
Checking (KEYLESS-GO*) 87
Vehicle tool kit 288
Alignment bolt 288
Fuse chart 288
Fuse extractor 288
Hex-socket wrench 288
Open-end wrench 288
Screwdriver 288
Spare fuses 288
Universal pliers 288
Wheel wrench 288
Ventilation and residual heat 154