Lower the top MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2005 R230 Owner's Manual

73 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Roll barThe roll bar raises automatically in an acci-
dent or in a critical driving situation. You
can also raise and lower the roll bar manu-
ally using the buttons provided.
The buttons for the roll bar are on the cen-
ter console under the roof switch.
1Lower roll bar
2Raise roll bar
The roll bar can be moved manually when
the ignition is switched on (
page 36).Raising the roll bar

Lift the switch for the retractable hard-
top.

Press and hold button2 until the roll
bar is raised.
Warning!
G
This vehicle is a two occupant vehicle. The
rear storage area is not intended for use by
occupants and is not equipped for properly
seating or restraining occupants. Thus this
area should never be used by any persons.
Before operating the roll bar switch make
sure that the roll bar’s path is clear and no
persons are injured by the moving roll bar
due to inattention. Raising or lowering of the
roll bar could injure someone inadvertently
occupying the rear storage area.
For your own safety, we recommend to drive
with the roll bar raised if the outside temper-
ature is below +5°F (-15°C).!If the outside temperature falls below
+5°F (-15°C), the roll bar must be
raised manually using the buttons pro-
vided to avoid damaging the hydraulics.
iWhen the roll bar is raised automatical-
ly, you will hear a ratcheting sound.
Warning!
G
If the roll bar warning light in the ta-
chometer remains lit after starting the en-
gine, there is a malfunction. In the display
you see the message
Raise the
roll-over bar
.
For safety reasons, drive only with the roll
bar upright until the malfunction is repaired.
Have your vehicle checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

74 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyLowering the roll bar
If the roll bar was raised manually:
Lift the switch for the retractable hard-
top.

Press and hold button1 until the roll
bar is lowered.
If the roll bar was raised automatically:

Press and hold button2 until you hear
the roll bar lock into place.

Press and hold button1 until the roll
bar is lowered.
Children in the vehicle
If an infant or child is traveling with you in
the vehicle:

Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and
size of the child.


Make sure the infant or child is proper-
ly secured by a belt at all times while
the vehicle is in motion.
Infant and child restraint seats and infor-
mation on choosing an appropriate re-
straint system can be obtained from any
Mercedes-Benz Center.Infant and child restraint systems
Only use a BabySmart
TM1
compatible child
restraint for the front passenger seat in
this vehicle.
We recommend all infants and children be
properly restrained at all times while the
vehicle is in motion.
The passenger lap-shoulder belt has a spe-
cial seat belt retractor for the secure fas-
tening of child restraints.
To fasten a child restraint follow child re-
straint instructions for mounting. Then pull
the shoulder belt out completely and let it
retract. During the seat belt retraction a
ratcheting sound can be heard to indicate
that the special seat belt retractor is acti-
vated. The belt is now locked. Push down
on child restraint to take up any slack.
To deactivate, release seat belt buckle and
let seat belt retract completely. The seat
belt can again be used in the usual man-
ner.
iIf you raised the roll bar manually using
the button, the roll bar will be automat-
ically lowered and then raised again
when you close and open the retract-
able hardtop.
1BabySmart
TM
is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

87 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The SBC brake servo assistance switches
off automatically

approximately two minutes after you
turned the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or removed the
SmartKey


approximately two minutes after you
pressed the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button to turn off the engine or power
supply and opened the driver’s door
(with driver’s door open, the starter
switch is set to position 0, same as
SmartKey removed from starter
switch)


approximately 20 seconds after you
locked the vehicle from outside Note on driving with the SBC brake
system


Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads.
After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks and help prevent corro-
sion.


On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear.


After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes fast-
er.


Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be in-
stalled on your vehicle. Brake pads not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may im-
pair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!
G
Be very careful not to endanger other road
users when you apply the brakes.

104 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Global locking using the lock button at
trunk lid
1Lock button at trunk lid

Press lock button 1 at trunk lid.
All turn signals flash three times. The
locking knobs in the doors move down.
The anti-theft alarm system is armed.


Use the mechanical key to unlock
the driver’s door (
page 374).


Have the vehicle batteries and their
connections checked
(page 401).


Use the mechanical key to lock or
unlock the doors (
page 376).
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is
malfunctioning, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: To pre-
vent a possible inadvertent lockout, the
trunk lid will open automatically if a
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is recog-
nized inside the trunk.
When the hardtop is retracted, it must
be completely lowered in the trunk be-
fore the trunk lid can be closed
(page 235).
iYou can also lock the vehicle using the
lock button at the outside door handle
(page 60).

107 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the trunk
A minimum height clearance of
6.2 ft (1.88 m) is required to open the
trunk lid.Opening the trunk from the outside
The handle is located above the rear li-
cense plate recess.
1Handle

Pull on handle 1 and lift the trunk lid.
iIf you open a door, the side windows on
that side of the vehicle will lower slight-
ly. The windows close again when you
close the door.!Always make sure that there is suffi-
cient overhead clearance.
iVehicles without KEYLESS-GO*:
The vehicle must be unlocked.
iTo facilitate trunk loading and unload-
ing when the hardtop is retracted, you
can raise the hardtop from its storage
position in the trunk using the load as-
sist feature (
page 235). You may also
unhook the luggage cover.
Remember to resecure the luggage
cover after loading/unloading the
trunk. Otherwise you will not be able to
lower the retractable hardtop.
Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO*:
If the trunk lid does not open, the en-
tire vehicle is still locked globally
(
page 94).

108 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingThe trunk can also be opened using

the SmartKey, see “Locking and un-
locking” (
page 94)


the remote trunk lid release switch, see
“Opening the trunk from the inside”
(page 108)


the trunk lid emergency release button,
see “Trunk lid emergency release”
(page 109)Opening the trunk from the inside
You can open the trunk from the inside if
the vehicle is stationary and the retract-
able hardtop is fully opened or closed.
The switch is located on the driver’s door.
1Remote trunk lid release switch
2Indicator lamp

Pull remote trunk lid release switch1.
The trunk lid unlocks. Indicator
lamp2 comes on and remains lit until
the trunk is closed again.

Lift the trunk lid.The trunk can also be opened using


the SmartKey, see “Locking and un-
locking” (
page 94)


the remote trunk lid release switch, see
“Opening the trunk from the inside”
(page 108)


the trunk lid emergency release button,
see “Trunk lid emergency release”
(page 109)
iTo facilitate trunk loading and unload-
ing when the hardtop is retracted, you
can raise the hardtop from its storage
position in the trunk using the loading
aid feature (
page 235). You may also
unhook the luggage cover.
Remember to resecure the luggage
cover after loading/unloading the
trunk. Otherwise you will not be able to
lower the retractable hardtop.

109 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Closing the trunk
1Handle
Lower trunk lid by firmly pulling on
handle1.

Close trunk lid with hands placed flat
on trunk lid.
Trunk lid emergency release
The emergency release button is located
on the left side of the trunk.
1Emergency release button
Briefly press emergency release
button1.
The trunk unlocks and the trunk lid
opens slightly.

Push up the trunk lid to fully open.
Warning!
G
To prevent possible personal injury, always
keep hands and fingers away from the trunk
opening when closing the trunk lid. Be espe-
cially careful when small children are
around.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed. Among oth-
er dangers, such as your view being blocked,
exhaust fumes may enter the vehicle interi-
or.iTo prevent an inadvertent lockout, do
not place the SmartKey in the trunk.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: To pre-
vent a possible inadvertent lockout, the
trunk lid will open automatically if a
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is recog-
nized inside the trunk.
When the hardtop is retracted, it must
be completely lowered in the trunk be-
fore the trunk lid can be closed
(page 235).


115 Controls in detailSeats
Moving the seats forward and backward
You can move the seats forward and back
to facilitate loading and unloading.The switch is located on the top side of the
seat.
1Seat forward
2Seat backward
Moving the seat forward

Press switch at1.
Moving the seat backward

Press switch at2.
Lumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the seat’s
lumbar support to best support your spine.
The thumbwheel is located on the lower
side of the seat.
1Thumb wheel
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Set the lumbar support between 0
and 5.
Warning!
G
When moving the seats, be sure that no one
can be caught by them. Never place hands
under seat or near any moving parts during
a seat adjustment procedure. To stop the
seat from moving when potential danger ex-
ists:

press the switch again


move the seat adjustment switch on the
door (
page 39)
!When moving the seats, make sure that
there are no items in the footwell or be-
hind the seats. Otherwise you could
damage the seats.

171 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Driving tips
Accelerator position
Your driving style influences the
transmission’s shifting behavior:
Less throttle Earlier upshifting
More throttle Later upshifting
Kickdown
Use kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
Press the accelerator past the point of
resistance.
The transmission shifts into a lower
gear.

Ease on the accelerator when you have
reached the desired speed.
The transmission shifts up again.Stopping
When you stop briefly, e.g. at traffic lights:

Leave the transmission in gear.

Hold the vehicle with the brake.
When you stop longer with the engine
idling or on an uphill gradient:

Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.

Set the parking brake.Maneuvering
When you maneuver in tight areas,
e.g. when pulling into a parking space:

Control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes.

Accelerate gently.

Never abruptly step on the accelerator.
Working on the vehicleWarning!
G
When working on the vehicle, set the
parking brake and move gear selector lever
to positionP. Otherwise the vehicle could
roll away.

172 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionSteering wheel gearshift control (Speedshift)
Steering wheel gearshift control is avail-
able on vehicles with Sport Package*, on
SL 55 AMG, and on SL 65 AMG only.
When driving in the automatic program
modesC orS, or in the MANUAL program
mode (SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG only),
you can change the gears manually on the
steering wheel or by using the gear selec-
tor lever (
page 166).Steering wheel gearshift control
SL 500 with Sport Package* and
SL 600 with Sport Package*
The steering wheel gearshift buttons are
located to the left and right of the steering
wheel.
1Button, outside: downshift
2Button, inside: upshift
iTo avoid overrevving the engine when
downshifting with steering wheel
gearshift buttons, the transmission will
not shift to a lower gear if the engine’s
max. speed would be exceeded.
!Allow engine to warm up under low
load use. Do not place full load on the
engine until the operating temperature
has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or parking
positionP only when the vehicle is
stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period when driving off on
slippery road surfaces. This may cause
serious damage to the drivetrain which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.