towing MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2005 R230 User Guide

372 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in storage com-
partment under the passenger seat.
1Handle
2Lid
Pull handle 1 up.

Fold lid 2 down.
You can now remove the first-aid kit.
Vehicle tool kit, jack, and spare wheel
The vehicle tool kit, jack, and spare wheel
are stored in the space underneath the
trunk floor.
Lift up the trunk floor cover.
You can now remove the tools and ac-
cessories.
The vehicle tool kit includes

One pair of universal pliers


Two open-end wrenches


One hex-socket wrench


One interchangeable slot/Phillips
screwdriver


One towing eye bolt


One alignment bolt


One fuse extractor


One fuse chart for the main fuse
box


Spare fuses
The jack is exclusively designed for lifting
the vehicle during a wheel change. Always
lower the vehicle on sufficient capacity
jack stands before working under the vehi-
cle.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.

408 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

409 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
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 SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in 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 SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

410 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
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 emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see “SBC brake
system” (
page 85).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 110).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP.
For more information, see “Batteries”
(
page 401) and
“Jump starting” (
page 406).

411 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper.
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 in direction of
arrow.

Lift cover1off to reveal threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Pull cover 2 in the direction of arrow.

Fold cover 2 down to reveal threaded
hole for the towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover 2 and snap into place.

465 Index
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 280
Tire load rating 307
Tire ply composition and material
used 307
Tire speed rating 261, 297, 307, 444
Tire terminology 305
Tire traction 261
TIREFIT
Instructions for use 388
TIREFIT kit 373, 388
Tires 279
Direction of rotation 282
Driving instructions 259
Messages in display 365
Messages in the display 343, 344
Retreads 279
Rims and tires 422
Rotating 308
Service life 280Temperature 289, 304
Tire pressure monitor warning
lamp* 333
Tread depth 281, 309
Wear pattern 308
Winter 309
Tools 372
Tow-away alarm 90
Arming 90
Disarming 90
Disarming for transport 90
Tow-away alarm switch 30
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 411
Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 408
Traction 170, 307, 444
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Tread 307
Tread depth 281Treadwear indicators 307
Trip computer 159
Trip odometer 25
Resetting 132
Trunk
Closing the lid 109
Lighting 130
Load assist 235
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 104
Messages in display 371
Opening from inside vehicle 108
Parcel net 231
Trunk lid lock 375
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Unlocking in an emergency 375
Unlocking separately 98
Trunk lid
Opening 107
Trunk lid emergency release 109

466 IndexTurn signals 23, 52
Additional in mirrors 381
Front bulbs 381
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 381
Turning off the engine 58
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 307
Units
Setting speedometer units 148
Setting temperature units 148
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 156
Unlocking 34
Centrally from inside 111
Driver’s door in an emergency 374
Fuel filler flap 267
Storage compartments 231, 375
Trunk 98, 108
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Trunk in an emergency 375
Vehicle in an emergency 374
With the SmartKey 34With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 99
Uphill driving
Cruise control 206
Upholstery
Cleaning 321
Upshifting 166
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 144
Locking 29
Locking in an emergency 376
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 225
Towing 408
Unlocking 29
Unlocking in an emergency 374
Vehicle capacity weight 307
Vehicle care
Cup holder 320
Gear selector lever 320
Hard plastic trim items 320Headliner 320
Leather upholstery 321
Plastic and rubber parts 321
Seat belts 320
Steering wheel 320
Upholstery 321
Wood trims 321
Vehicle level 221, 444
Changing 222
Setting 222
Vehicle level control 444
Vehicle level control switch 30
Vehicle lighting
Checking 269
Vehicle loading terminology 305
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 307
Vehicle status messages 335
Vehicle tool kit 372
Ventilation and residual heat 190
VIN (vehicle identification number) 418,
444
Voice control system* 23, 444
Hands-free microphone 31