cooling MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2005 R230 Owner's Manual

Contents
Vehicle status message memory
menu ............................................ 143
Settings menu .............................. 144
Trip computer menu..................... 159
TEL menu* ................................... 161
Automatic transmission ..................... 164
One-touch gearshifting................. 166
Gear ranges ................................. 167
Gear selector lever position ......... 168
Automatic shift program .............. 170
Driving tips ................................... 171
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift).................................. 172
Manual shift program
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG ......... 175
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 177
Good visibility .................................... 178
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 178
Rear window defroster ................. 178
Rear view mirrors ......................... 178
Sun visors .................................... 180Automatic climate control .................. 182
Setting the temperature................ 185
Adjusting air volume ..................... 185
Adjusting air distribution............... 186
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 186
Defrosting windshield ................... 187
Air recirculation mode .................. 187
Rear window defroster .................. 189
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 190
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 191
Air conditioning............................. 191
Ventilated storage compartments. 192
Power windows .................................. 193
Opening and closing the windows. 193
Synchronizing power windows ...... 195
Retractable hardtop............................ 196
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 196Driving systems .................................. 205
Cruise control ............................... 205
Distronic* ..................................... 208
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 220
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 223
Useful features ................................... 228
Storage compartments ................. 228
Ashtray ......................................... 233
Cigarette lighter ............................ 233
Heated steering wheel*
(SL 500, SL 600)........................... 234
Load assist in the trunk ................ 235
Electrical outlet............................. 236
Telephone* ................................... 236
Tele Aid ......................................... 237
Garage door opener ...................... 246

55 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature gauge is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 276).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.

183 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control panel
Item
1
Center air vent, adjustable
2
Center air vent, fixed
3
Side defroster vent
4
Side air vent, adjustable
5
Center air vent, adjustable
6
Air volume control for center and
side air vents
7
Automatic climate control paneliFor draft-free ventilation, move the slid-
ers for the center air vents to the mid-
dle position.
Item
1
Temperature control, left
2
Air distribution, left (automatic or
manual operation)
3
Defrosting
4
Air recirculation
5
Rear window defroster
6
Air distribution, right (automatic or
manual operation)
7
Temperature control, right
8
Automatic climate control on/off
(complete system)
9
Residual heat/ventilation
a
Air volume control (automatic, man-
ual)
b
AC cooling on/off

184 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlThe automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold (de-
pending on the set temperature). This may
cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin
in the immediate area of the air vents. Al-
ways keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the footwell
air vents. If necessary change the air flow
using the air distribution controls to direct
the air away from the footwell air vents
(page 186).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.iIf the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
When the retractable hardtop is closed,
do not obstruct air flow by placing ob-
jects on the air flow-through exhaust
slots below the rear window.

186 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAdjusting air distribution
Use air distribution controls2 and6
(page 183) to separately adjust the air
distribution on each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
found on the controls:
Adjusting manually

Press the control knob.
The U light on the control knob
goes out. The air distribution can be ad-
justed manually.Adjusting automatically

Press the control knob.
The U light on the control knob
comes on. The air distribution is adjust-
ed automatically.
Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on.

Turn the air distribution control to h
or j.
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL
If the left and right air distribution controls
as well as the airflow volume control are
set to U and there is a high need for
cooling, MAXCOOL is activated.
This provides the fastest possible cooling
of the vehicle interior (when retractable
hardtop is closed).
Symbol
Function
h
Directs air through the cen-
ter air vents
j
Directs air to the windows
V
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
k
Directs air to the footwells

191 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating the automatic climate control system
Deactivating
It is possible to completely deactivate the
automatic climate control system. 
Press button M (
page 183).
The indicator lamp on button M
comes on.Reactivating
There are several ways to reactivate the
automatic climate control system:

Press any button on the automatic cli-
mate control panel (
page 183).
The indicator lamp on button M
switches off.
or

Turn one of the control knobs on the
automatic climate control.
The indicator lamp on button M
switches off.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning is operational while
the engine is running and cools the interior
air to the temperature set by the operator.
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the air condi-
tioning (cooling) function of the automatic
climate control system. The air in the vehi-
cle will then no longer be cooled or dehu-
midified.
Press ± button (
page 183).
The indicator lamp on the ±
button comes on.
iThis setting is only recommended when
the retractable hardtop is open.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.

192 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlActivating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press ± again (
page 183).
The indicator lamp on the ± button
goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134A. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Ventilated storage compartments
The glove box and the armrest storage
compartment have their own air vents that
allow for cooling ventilation when the auto-
matic climate control system is activated.Glove box1Thumbwheel
2Air ventOpening the air vent

Turn thumbwheel1 upwards.
Closing the air vent

Turn thumbwheel1 downwards.
Storage compartment under the armrest1Thumbwheel
2Air vent
Opening the air vent
Turn thumbwheel1 to the right.
Closing the air vent

Turn thumbwheel1 to the left.
!If the ± button on the automatic cli-
mate control panel starts to flash, this
indicates that the air conditioning is
losing refrigerant. The compressor has
turned off. The air conditioning cannot
be turned on again.

Have the air conditioning checked
at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iYou should keep these air vents closed
when outside temperatures are low.

276 OperationEngine compartmentCoolantThe engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank

Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level


for cold coolant: is up to the upper
mark on the bracing rib of the coolant
expansion tank (translucent)


for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 435).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
!SL 600 and SL 65 AMG: Only open the
cap on coolant expansion tank1.
Never open the cap between the two
charge-air coolers. Otherwise, the en-
gine could be damaged.

328 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on while
driving.
Your fuel tank is empty.

After refuelling, start, turn off, and re-
start the engine three or four times in
succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You
do not need to have your vehicle
checked.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 276).

Have the cooling system checked.

If the coolant temperature is below
248 °F (120 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
248 °F (120 °C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.

351 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
?
Engine
Service
There may be a malfunction in the

fuel injection system


ignition system


exhaust system


fuel system

Have the engine checked as soon as possible
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
(page 327).
B
Coolant
Check level
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 276).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have the
cooling system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
this message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty. Do not drive without suffi-
cient amount of coolant in the cooling
system. The engine will overheat, caus-
ing major engine damage.