wheel MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2004 R230 Owner's Manual

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle.................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
At a glance.......................................... 19
Cockpit ................................................. 20
Instrument cluster ................................ 22
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24
Center console ..................................... 25
Upper part ...................................... 25
Lower part ...................................... 26
Overhead control panel ........................ 27
Door control panel................................ 28
Getting started................................... 29
Unlocking ............................................. 30
Unlocking with the SmartKey......... 30
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 32
Adjusting .............................................. 34
Seats .............................................. 34
Steering wheel ................................ 37
Mirrors ............................................ 38
Driving .................................................. 40
Fastening the seat belts ................. 40
Starting the engine......................... 43
Switching on headlamps ................. 46
Turn signals and high beam ............ 47
Windshield wipers........................... 47
Problems while driving .................... 49
Parking and locking .............................. 51
Parking brake ................................. 52
Switching off headlamps................. 52
Turning off the engine..................... 53
Emergency engine shut-down ......... 55

Contents
Control system .................................. 127
Multifunction display .................... 127
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 128
Menus .......................................... 130
Standard display menu ................ 132
AUDIO menu ................................ 132
NAVI menu ................................... 134
Distronic* menu........................... 135
Malfunction memory menu .......... 136
Settings menu .............................. 137
Trip computer menu..................... 150
TEL menu* ................................... 152
Automatic transmission ..................... 155
One-touch gearshifting................. 156
Gear ranges ................................. 157
Gear selector lever position ......... 158
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) SL 55 AMG ............... 160
Program mode selector switch..... 161
Accelerator position ..................... 162
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG 163
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 165Good visibility ..................................... 166
Rear view mirrors .......................... 166
Windshield wipers ......................... 168
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 168
Rear window defroster .................. 169
Sun visors ..................................... 169
Automatic climate control .................. 170
Setting the temperature................ 172
Adjusting air volume ..................... 173
Adjusting air distribution............... 174
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 174
Defrosting ..................................... 175
Air recirculation mode .................. 175
Rear window defroster .................. 177
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 178
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 179
Air conditioning............................. 179
Ventilated storage compartments. 180
Power windows .................................. 181
Opening and closing the windows. 181
Synchronizing power windows ...... 183Retractable hardtop ........................... 184
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 184
Driving systems .................................. 193
Cruise control ............................... 193
Distronic* ..................................... 196
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 207
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 210
Useful features ................................... 214
Storage compartments ................. 214
Ashtray ......................................... 219
Cigarette lighter............................ 219
Heated steering wheel*
(SL 500, SL 600)........................... 220
Load assist in the trunk ................ 221
Electrical outlet............................. 222
Telephone* ................................... 222
Tele Aid......................................... 223
Garage door opener ...................... 231

ContentsOperation......................................... 237
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 238
Driving instructions ............................ 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 239
Drinking and driving ..................... 239
Pedals .......................................... 239
Power assistance ......................... 240
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off..................................... 242
Parking ......................................... 242
Tires ............................................. 243
Hydroplaning ................................ 243
Tire traction .................................. 244
Tire speed rating .......................... 244
Winter driving instructions ........... 245
Standing water ............................. 246
Passenger compartment .............. 246
Driving abroad .............................. 246Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 247
Catalytic converter ....................... 247
Emission control .......................... 248
Coolant temperature .................... 249
At the gas station .............................. 250
Refuelling ..................................... 250
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 252
Engine compartment ......................... 253
Hood ............................................ 253
Engine oil ..................................... 255
Transmission fluid level ................ 258
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 258
Coolant ........................................ 258
Battery ......................................... 260
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 261Tires and wheels................................ 262
Important guidelines .................... 262
Life of tires................................... 263
Direction of rotation..................... 263
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 263
Rotating wheels ........................... 267
Winter driving .................................... 268
Winter tires .................................. 268
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 269
Snow chains................................. 269
Maintenance...................................... 271
Clearing the service indicator ...... 271
Service term exceeded ................ 272
Calling up the service indicator .... 272
Resetting the service indicator .... 272
Vehicle care....................................... 274
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 274

Contents
Practical hints................................. 281
What to do if … .................................. 282
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 282
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ......... 290
Messages in the display ............... 291
Where will I find ...? ........................... 323
First aid kit ................................... 323
Vehicle tool kit, jack, and spare
wheel ........................................... 323
Locking/unlocking in an emergency . 325
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 325
Locking the vehicle ...................... 327
Lowering the load assist manually 327
Replacing batteries in the
SmartKey/SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 328
Replacing bulbs ................................. 331
Bulbs ............................................ 331
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 334
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 335Replacing wiper blades....................... 337
Removing wiper blades ................. 337
Installing wiper blades .................. 338
Flat tire ............................................... 339
Preparing the vehicle .................... 339
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1...... 340
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2...... 345
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 350
Batteries ............................................. 358
Disconnecting the batteries .......... 360
Removing the batteries ................. 361
Charging and reinstalling
batteries ....................................... 361
Reconnecting the batteries ........... 361
Jump starting ...................................... 363
Towing the vehicle .............................. 365
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 368
Fuses .................................................. 369
Main fuse box ............................... 369
Technical data.................................. 371
Spare parts service ............................ 372
Warranty coverage ............................. 373
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 373
Identification labels ............................ 374
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 375
SL 500 .......................................... 375
SL 55 AMG ................................... 375
SL 600 .......................................... 375
Engine ................................................ 376
Rims and tires .................................... 378
Same size tires ............................. 379
Mixed size tires ............................. 380
Spare wheel .................................. 382
Electrical system ................................ 383
Main dimensions ................................ 384
Weights .............................................. 385

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

19 At a glance
Cockpit
Instrument cluster
Multifunction steering wheel
Center console
Overhead control panel
Door control panel

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Parking brake pedal
45
2
Hood lock release
253
3
Parking brake release
52
4
Door control panel
28
5
Exterior lamp switch
46,
117
6
Headlamp washer button
168
7
Combination switch

Turn signals


Windshield wipers


High beam
47
47
120
Item
Page
8
Cruise control switch

Cruise control


Distronic*
193
196
9
Instrument cluster
22,
124
a
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
128
b
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
c
Front Parktronic* warn-
ing indicator
210
d
Digital clock
140
e
Overhead control panel
27
Item
Page
f
Interior storage compart-
ments (locking/unlock-
ing)
216
g
7 indicator lamp
72
h
Glove box
214
j
Center console
25, 26
k
Starter switch
33
l
Horn
m
Steering wheel adjust-
ment lever
Heated steering wheel*
37
220

24 At a glanceMultifunction steering wheel
Multifunction steering wheel
Item
Page
1
Left multifunction display
in speedometer
127
2
Right multifunction display
in tachometer
127
Operating control sys-
tem
128
3
Selecting the submenu or
setting the volumeçdown / to decreaseæup / to increase
4
Telephone*: press buttoníto take a callìto end a call
Item
Page
5
Menu systems: Press but-
tonèfor next systemÿfor previous system
6
Moving within a menu:
Press buttonjfor next displaykfor previous display

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Parking assist (Parktronic
system)* deactivation
switch
210
2
Active Body Control (ABC)
switch
207
3
Tow-away alarm switch
86
4
Hardtop open/close con-
trol with buttons for roll bar
184
69
5
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
38
Item
Page
6
Vehicle level control switch
208
7
ESP control switch
79
8
Thumbwheel for setting
distance for Distronic*
203
9
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off switch
203
a
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
163
b
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
158

28 At a glanceDoor control panel
Door control panel
Item
Page
1
Door handle
99
2
Switches for open-
ing/closing front and rear
side windows
181
3
Memory function (for stor-
ing seat, mirror and steer-
ing wheel settings)
114
4
Seat heating switch
110
Seat ventilation* switch
112
5
Seat adjustment switch
34,
107
6
Remote trunk lid release
switch
102
7
Door pocket
215