brake light MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2004 R230 Owner's Manual

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Airbags ........................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 65
Roll bar ........................................... 69
Children in the vehicle.................... 70
Panic alarm .......................................... 74
Activating ....................................... 74
Deactivating ................................... 74
Driving safety systems ......................... 75
ABS ................................................ 76
BAS ................................................ 77
ESP................................................. 78
SBC brake system .......................... 81
Anti-theft systems................................ 84
Immobilizer..................................... 84
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 85
Tow-away alarm ............................. 86
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 93
Opening the doors from the
inside ............................................. 99
Opening the trunk .......................... 99
Closing the trunk lid ..................... 102
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 102
Separately locking the trunk ........ 103
Automatic central locking ............ 105
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 105
Seats ................................................. 107
Easy-entry / exit feature ............... 107
Moving the seats forward and
backward ..................................... 108
Lumbar support............................ 108
Multicontour backrest*
(standard on SL 600 and
SL 55 AMG) .................................. 109Seat heating................................. 110
Seat ventilation*
(standard on SL 600) ................... 112
Memory function ............................... 114
Storing positions into memory ..... 115
Recalling positions from memory. 115
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 115
Lighting ............................................. 117
Exterior lamp switch .................... 117
Combination switch ..................... 120
Hazard warning flasher ................ 121
Interior lighting ............................ 122
Courtesy lighting .......................... 123
Instrument cluster ............................. 124
Instrument cluster illumination .... 124
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 124
Trip odometer .............................. 125
Tachometer.................................. 125
Outside temperature indicator ..... 126

30 Getting startedUnlocking
The “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section will provide you with further
information. The corresponding page refer-
ences are located at the end of each seg-
ment.
Unlocking
Unlocking with the SmartKeySmartKey with remote control1‹Lock button
2ŠUnlock button for trunk lid
3ŒUnlock button
4ÂPanic button

Press unlock button Πon the
SmartKey.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs in the doors move up.
The SBC brake system is activated.

Enter the vehicle and insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
For more information, see “Locking and
unlocking” (
page 90).
iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up-position when
the door is closed.

53 Getting started
Parking and locking
Turning off the engine
Place the gear selector lever in
positionP.
Turning off with the SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
(page 31) to position0 and remove
it.

Press the seat belt release button
(page 40).
Allow the retractor to completely re-
wind the seat belt by guiding the latch
plate.

After exiting the vehicle, press the lock
button ‹ on the SmartKey
(page 30).
All turn signal lamps flash three times.
The locking knobs on the doors move
down.
iAlways set the parking brake in addi-
tion to shifting to positionP.
On steep slopes, turn the front wheels
towards the road curb. iThe immobilizer is activated.iThe SmartKey can only be removed
from the starter switch with the gear
selector lever in positionP.
iWith the SmartKey removed and the
driver’s door open, a warning sounds if
the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not
switched off.iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up position when
the door is closed.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the door
openings when closing the doors. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Before closing doors, make sure that there
is no possibility of someone getting caught
in a door during closing.

76 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even to light brake pressure. The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when you turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to
position2 or press the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button twice. It goes out when
the engine is running.
Braking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the instru-
ment cluster dial flashes. Because of the
SBC brake system, you will not feel any
pulsation in the brake pedal.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.The ABS/ESP warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous, full pressure on the
brake pedal.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.

219 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtray
1Cover plate
2Sliding knob
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing the ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the gear
selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Press sliding knob2 to the right.
The insert will eject a short distance.
Replacing the ashtray insert

Press the insert into the frame until it
snaps into place.
Cigarette lighter
The lighter socket can be used to accom-
modate electrical accessories up to a
maximum of 180 W.
1Cigarette lighter
Switch on ignition.

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!
G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Move gear selector lever to
positionN. With gear selector lever in
positionN, turn off the engine.


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).

287 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
E
The red DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
You are too close to the vehicle in front of you
to maintain selected speed.

Apply the brakes immediately to in-
crease the following distance.
E
The red DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
E
The white DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The Distronic* distance sensor has recog-
nized a vehicle in front of you.
A
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 250).
The fuel cap is not closed tight.

Check the fuel cap (
page 250).

311 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
F
Key
not recognized!
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
not recognized while the engine is
running because

the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not in the vehi-
cle


there is strong radio-frequency
interference

Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.

Search for the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
or continue to operate the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again af-
ter the engine is stopped.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
momentarily not recognized.

Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.

Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey if
necessary.
F
Key
still
in vehicle!
A SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* left
in the vehicle was recognized while
locking the vehicle from the out-
side.

Take the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* out of
the vehicle.
.
3rd brake light
The high mounted brake lamp is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Brake lamp
Left
Back-up
lamp on!
The left brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb has been
brought into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

312 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
.
Brake lamp
Right
Back-up
lamp on!
The right brake lamp is malfunction-
ing. A backup bulb has been
brought into use.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Brake light
!
Drive to
workshop!
Brake lamp illumination is delayed
or lamp is permanently on.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Front foglamp
Left
The left front fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Front foglamp
Right
The right front fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Rear foglamp
Left
The left rear fog lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam
Left
The left high beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
High beam
Right
The right high beam lamp is mal-
functioning.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Left turn signal
Mirror
The left turn signal in the side mirror
is malfunctioning. This message will
only appear if all light emitting di-
odes have stopped working.

Have the LEDs replaced as soon as possible.

331 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp as-
semblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp ad-
justment.
iIf the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity, driv-
ing the vehicle a distance should clear
up the fogging.
iBackup bulbs will be brought into use
when the following lamps malfunction:

Turn signal lamps


Brake lamps


Parking lamps


Tail lamps