trip MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2004 R230 User Guide

152 Controls in detailControl systemCall up range (distance to empty)
Press button ÿ or è repeatedly
until you see the first function of the
Trip computer menu.

Press button j or k repeatedly
until you see this message in the left
display:
Range
.
In the right display you will see the cal-
culated range based on the current fuel
tank level.
TEL menu*
You can use the functions in the
TEL
menu
to operate your telephone, provided it is
connected to a hands-free system and
switched on.

Switch on the telephone and COMAND.

Press button ÿ or è on the
steering wheel repeatedly until you see
the
TEL
menu in the left display.
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road must always
be his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call. If you choose to use the tele-
phone while driving, please use the
hands-free device and only use the tele-
phone when weather, road, and traffic con-
ditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a cellular telephone while driving a ve-
hicle.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.

239 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the Service
Booklet and as required by the FSS.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
Pedals
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/ or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.

252 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For information on refilling the reser-
voir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 261).
2Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(page 386).3Coolant level
For information on coolant, see “Cool-
ant” (
page 258).
Brake fluidEngine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Checking engine oil level with the control
system” (
page 255).
Opening hood see (
page 253).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information, see “Replacing bulbs”
(
page 331).
Exterior lamp switch see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 46).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 263).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 301).

260 OperationEngine compartmentBattery
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

The starter battery (located in the en-
gine compartment)


The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)
These batteries should always be suffi-
ciently charged in order to achieve their
rated service life. Refer to Service Booklet
for battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to have
the battery charge checked more frequent-
ly.
When replacing batteries, always use bat-
teries approved by Mercedes-Benz.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.Batteries contain materials that can harm
the environment if disposed of improperly.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred
method of disposal. Many states require
sellers of batteries to accept old batteries
for recycling.
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clear
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator's Manual.

268 OperationWinter driving
Winter drivingBefore the onset of winter, have your vehi-
cle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service in-
cludes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.


Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“S” to a pre-mixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze which is formulated
for temperatures below freezing point
(page 392).


Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to ensure
that the engine can be started and the
SBC brake system will be fully opera-
tional even at low ambient tempera-
tures.


Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Use of winter tires
is the only way to achieve the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS and ESP in winter
operation.
For safe handling, make sure all winter
tires mounted are of the same make and
have the same tread design.
!When scraping ice or snow from the
rear window, be careful not to damage
the sealing strip or apertures along the
side of the window.
Warning!
G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

271 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the right multifunction
display while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):
Service A in xx days
Service A in xx miles (km)
Service A Due now!
The type of service due is indicated in the
left multifunction display:
9Minor service (A)
´Major service (B)
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after 30 seconds. You can also
clear it yourself.
Press reset button1.
1Reset button
iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short-distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

407 Index
Control system 127, 130, 398
AUDIO menu 132
Convenience submenu 148
Distronic* menu 135
Functions 128
Instrument cluster submenu 140
Lighting submenu 142
Malfunction memory menu 136
Menus 128
Multifunction display 127
Multifunction steering wheel 128
NAVI menu 134
Standard display menu 127, 132
Submenus 131
TEL* menu 152
Trip computer menu 150
Vehicle submenu 145
Convenience feature 189
Coolant 391
Adding 259
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 392Checking level 258
Messages in display 303, 304, 305
Temperature 249
Temperature gauge 124
Temperature warning lamp 23
Warning lamp 286
Coolant temperature gauge 23
Cooling see Air conditioner
Courtesy lighting 123
Cruise control 193, 398
"Resume" function 195
Canceling 194
Driving downhill 194
Driving uphill 194
Fine adjustment 195
Setting a higher speed 195
Setting a lower speed 195
Setting current speed 194
Setting to last stored speed 195Cruise control lever 21, 193
For cruise control 193
For Distronic* 200
Cup holder 25, 214
Cleaning 279
Customer Assistance Center 397
D
Daytime running lamp mode 119
Setting 142
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 179
Air recirculation mode 176
Alarm 86
Anti-theft alarm system 86
Automatic climate control 179
Central locking (control system) 146
Cruise control 194
Distance warning function* 204
Distronic* 202
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 54

414 IndexMaximum cooling MAXCOOL 174
Memory function 399
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing positions 115
Storing key-dependent settings 149
Menus 128
AUDIO 132
Distronic* 135
Malfunction memory 136
NAVI 134
Standard display 132
TEL* 152
Trip computer 150
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 141
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 211
Mirrors 38, 166
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 167
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 38
Automatic antiglare for interior rear
view mirror 166Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 149
Exterior rear view mirrors 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 115
Misfiring 49
MON 251, 399
Mph or km/h in speedometer 141
Multicontour backrest* 109
Multifunction display 127, 400
Left display field 23
Right display field 23
Selecting language 141
Standard display 127
Multifunction display messages
ABC 292
ABS 293
Battery 297, 298
Brake pads 298
Brake system 302
CHECK ENGINE 303Coolant 304
Coolant level 303, 305
Display malfunction 306
Doors 306
Easy-entry/exit feature 306
Fuel reserve tank 309
Hood 309
Luggage cover 322
Retractable hardtop 309
Roll bar 316
SBC brake system 299, 300
Seat belts 316
SmartKey 309
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 311
Tele Aid 316
Telephone* 317
Tires 317
Trunk 322
Washer fluid 322
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 128,
400
Buttons 128

417 Index
Regular checks 252
Regular driving style 208
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 400
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 335
Brake lamp bulbs 332
Bulbs 331
Front lamp bulbs 334
Front turn signal bulbs 334
Fuses 369
High beam bulbs 334
License plate lamp bulbs 336
Low beam bulbs 334
Rear fog lamp bulb 335
Rear lamp bulbs 332, 335
Rear turn signal bulbs 335
Wiper blades 337
Reset button 23
Resetting
All functions (control system) 137Fuel consumption statistics 151
Service indicator (FSS) 272
Trip odometer 125
Residual heat utilization 178
Restraint systems 58
Airbags 58
Child seat recognition 58
Child seats 58
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 58, 68
Seat belts 58, 65
Resume function
Cruise control 195
Distronic* 202
Retractable hardtop 401
Closing (SmartKey) 189
Closing (switch) 186
Convenience feature 189
Locking after raising/lowering 187
Message in display 309
Opening (SmartKey) 188Opening (switch) 185
Problems when operating 189
Summer opening feature 188
Roll bar 69, 401
Lowering 70
Messages in display 316
Raising 69
Warning lamp 23
Roll bar buttons 26
RON 251, 401
Roof see Retractable hardtop
Rubber parts
Cleaning 280
S
Satellite-radio* 133
SBC brake system 75, 81, 401
Activation 82
Deactivation 83
Driving hints 83
Messages in display 299, 300

422 IndexTelephones and two-way radios 247
Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 126
Sensor 27
Setting interior temperature 172
Setting units in display 140
Tires 264
Tightening torque 356, 401
Time display mode
Setting 140
Tire inflation pressure 343, 347
Checking 252, 263
Setting units 147
Tire speed rating 244, 401
Tire traction 244
TIREFIT kit 324, 340, 345
TIREFIT kit 1
Instructions for use 340
TIREFIT kit 2
Instructions for use 345Tires 262, 394
Direction of rotation 263
Driving instructions 243
Messages in display 317
Retreads 262
Rims and tires 378
Rotating 267
Service life 263
Temperature 264, 395
Tread depth 268
Wear pattern 267
Winter 268
Tools 323
Tow-away alarm 87
Arming 87
Disarming 87
Disarming for transport 87
Tow-away alarm switch 26
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 368Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 365
Traction 162, 402
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Trip computer 150
Trip odometer 23
Resetting 125
Trunk
Closing the lid 102
Lighting 123
Load assist 221
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 98
Locking separately 103
Messages in display 322
Opening from inside vehicle 100
Parcel net 217
Trunk lid lock 326
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 97
Unlocking in an emergency 326
Unlocking separately 92