ESP MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2006 R230 Service Manual

185 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Adjusting air distribution
Use air distribution controls2 and6
(page 181) to separately adjust the air
distribution on each side of the passenger
compartment. The following symbols are
found on the controls:

Press control button 2 or 6
(page 181) until the control button
sticks up slightly and the U symbol
on the control button is out.
Automatic air distribution for the re-
spective side of the passenger com-
partment is switched off.

Turn control button to the desired sym-
bol.
The air distribution is adjusted accord-
ing to the chosen setting.
Opening the center air vents

Turn the thumbwheel 7 (
page 180)
upward to the first stop.
Center air vents 1 and 5
(
page 180) are open.
Opening the cockpit air vent and center
air vents

Turn the thumbwheel 7 (
page 180)
upward all the way.
Cockpit air vent 2 and center air vents
1 and 5 (
page 180) are open.Closing the cockpit air vent and center
air vents

Turn the thumbwheel 7 (
page 180)
downward.
Cockpit air vent 2 and center air vents
1 and 5 (
page 180) are closed.
Opening the side air vents

Turn the thumbwheel 6 and 8
(page 180) upward.
The corresponding side air vent is
open.
Closing the side air vents

Turn the thumbwheel 6 and 8
(page 180) upward.
The corresponding side air vent is
closed.
Symbol
Function
h
Directs air through the cen-
ter and side air vents
j
Directs air to the windows
V
Directs air into the entire
vehicle interior
k
Directs air to the footwells
iYou can also turn the air distribution
control to a position between two sym-
bols.
iThe air vents are continuously variable.

186 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAdjusting air volume
Use air volume controla (
page 181) for
both automatic (
page 183) and manual
air volume adjustment. Nine blower
speeds are available.

Press control buttona (
page 181).
The control button sticks up slightly.
The U symbol on the control button
goes out. Automatic air volume control
is switched off. The air volume is ad-
justed corresponding to the set blower
speed.
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.
“MAXCOOL” appears on the temperature
controls 1 and 7 (
page 181).
This provides the fastest possible cooling
of the vehicle interior (when retractable
hardtop is closed).
Automatic climate control panel with
MAXCOOL activated
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up.
You can also defog the windshield and the
side windows.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are
clear again.

192 Controls in detailPower windowsOpening and closing the windows
The windows are opened and closed elec-
trically. The switches for all the windows
are on the driver’s door. The switch for the
passenger side windows is on the passen-
ger door.
1Left door and rear side windows
2Right door and rear side windows

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Warning!
G
When closing the windows, make sure that
there is no danger of anyone being injured
by the closing procedure.
The closing of the door windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pulled past the resistance
point and released, by either pressing or
pulling the respective switch.
The closing of the rear side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch.
If a door window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you pulled the switch past the resistance
point and released it to close the door win-
dow, the automatic reversal function will
stop the door window and open it slightly.
If the door window encounters an obstruc-
tion that blocks its path in a circumstance
where you are closing the door window by
pulling and holding the switch, by pressing
and holding button ‹on the SmartKey,
by pressing and holding the lock button (ve-
hicles with KEYLESS-GO*) on an outside
door handle, by pressing and holding the re-
tractable hardtop switch, or by pressing and
holding button
,
on the climate control
panel, the automatic reversal function will
not operate.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment can
cause an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
iDepending on the current position, the
windows may also open or close when
the air recirculation button , on the
control panel of the automatic climate
control (
page 187) is pressed and
held.

193 Controls in detail
Power windows
Opening the door windows
Press switch1 or2 to the resistance
point.
The corresponding door window will
move downwards until you release the
switch.
Opening the rear side windows if the
hardtop is closed:

Open the door window.

Press switch1 or 2 to the resistance
point again.
The corresponding rear side window
will open completely.Closing the door windows

Pull switch1 or2 to the resistance
point.
The corresponding door window will
move upwards until you release the
switch.
Closing the rear side windows if the
hardtop is closed:

Close the door window.

Pull and hold switch1 or 2.
The corresponding rear side window
will move upwards until you release the
switch. Fully opening the door windows
(Express-open)

Press switch1 or2 past the resis-
tance point and release.
The corresponding door window opens
completely.
iIf the hardtop is open, the respective
rear side window will open automatical-
ly as soon as the door window is com-
pletely open.
Warning!
G
If you pull and hold the switch up when clos-
ing the door window, and upward movement
of the door window is blocked by some ob-
struction including but not limited to arms,
hands, fingers, etc., the automatic reversal
will not operate.
iIf the hardtop is open, the respective
rear side window will open automatical-
ly as soon as the door window is com-
pletely open.

194 Controls in detailPower windowsFully closing the door windows
(Express-close)
Pull switch1 or2 past the resis-
tance point and release.
The corresponding door window closes
completely.
If the upward movement of the door win-
dow is blocked during the closing proce-
dure, the door window will stop and open
slightly.
Stopping windows

Press or pull the respective switch
again.Closing the windows with
KEYLESS-GO*

Press and hold lock button on an out-
side door handle (
page 62) until the
windows are closed.
Synchronizing power windows
The power window must be resynchro-
nized each time

after the battery has been disconnect-
ed


if the power windows cannot be fully
opened (Express-open) or closed
(Express-close)
Synchronizing the power windows

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Pull the power window switches until
the side windows are closed.
Hold the switches for approximately
1 second.
The power windows are synchronized.
Warning!
G
Driver’s door only:
If within 5 seconds the switch is again
pulled past the resistance point and re-
leased, the automatic reversal will not
operate.
Warning!
G
When closing the windows make sure that
there is no danger of anyone being harmed
by the closing procedure.
The windows will not automatically re-open
if blocked during convenience closing.
If potential danger exists, proceed as fol-
lows:

Release the lock button.


Pull on the door handle and hold firmly.
The side windows open for as long as
the door handle is held but the door not
opened.

204 Controls in detailDriving systemsThe driving systems of your vehicle are de-
scribed on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed


ABC with vehicle level control systems,
with which you can change vehicle sus-
pension characteristics


Parktronic*, which assists the driver
during parking maneuvers
For information on the BAS, ABS, and
ESP®, see “Driving safety systems”
(
page 82).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. Cruise control can be set
at any speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column (
page 22).
Warning!
G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must remain at
all times responsible for the vehicle speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it ad-
visable to travel at a steady speed.

The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on winding roads or in heavy traffic
because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.


The use of cruise control can be danger-
ous on slippery roads. Rapid changes in
tire traction can result in wheel spin and
loss of control.


Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

205 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Set current or higher speed
2Set current or lower speed
3Cancel cruise control
4Resume at last set speedSetting current speed

Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The selected speed appears in the multi-
function display.Canceling cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
Warning!
G
Cruise control brakes automatically so that
the set speed is not exceeded.
Keep in mind that cruise control is a conve-
nience system designed to assist the driver
during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must remain at all times responsible for the
vehicle speed and for safe brake operation.
iOn uphill or downhill grades, the cruise
control may not be able to maintain the
set speed. Once the grade eases, the
set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control
maintains the set speed with active
braking action. In addition, on longer
downhill grades, the automatic trans-
mission will automatically downshift.

206 Controls in detailDriving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control in direction of
arrow1 (
page 205) and hold it
there until the desired speed is
reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control in direction
of arrow2 (
page 205) and hold it
there until the desired speed is
reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
iThe cruise control switches off auto-
matically if

you step on the brake pedal


you depress the parking brake
pedal
The cruise control also switches off au-
tomatically when


the vehicle speed is below
20 mph (30 km/h) (
page 204)


the ESP
® is in operation or switched
off with the ESP
® switch
(
page 86)


you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving
An acoustic warning sounds and the
message
CC Off
appears in the multi-
function display for approximately
5 seconds.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does
not deactivate the cruise control. After
brief acceleration (e.g. for passing), the
cruise control will resume the last
speed set.iThe last stored speed is canceled when
you turn off the engine.!Moving the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving also cancels
cruise control. However, the gear se-
lector lever should not be moved to
positionN while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skid-
ding (e.g. on icy roads).
iWhen you use the cruise control lever
to decelerate, the brake system will au-
tomatically brake the vehicle if the en-
gine’s braking power does not brake
the vehicle sufficiently.

208 Controls in detailDriving systemsIt is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to road, weather and traffic con-
ditions and to provide the steering, braking
and other driving inputs necessary to retain
control of the vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system, its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not
however, intended to, nor does it, replace
the need for extreme care. The responsibili-
ty for the vehicle speed and the distance to
the vehicle ahead, including most impor-
tantly brake operation to assure safe stop-
ping distance, always rests with the driver.
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.iUSA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
(2) this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject
to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any inter-
ference received, including interfer-
ence that may cause undesired
operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user’s authority
to operate the equipment.Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account. Only use Distronic if
the weather and traffic conditions make it
advisable to travel at a steady speed.


209 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic displays in the speedometer
dial
If Distronic detects a vehicle directly
ahead, the DTR indicator lamp E in the
speedometer dial comes on white.
If Distronic calculates that there is a dan-
ger of collision

the DTR warning lamp E in the
speedometer comes on red


an intermittent warning sounds

Immediately brake the vehicle to avoid
a collision.
Under no circumstances should the
driver await the intermittent warning
sound before braking. See the follow-
ing warning note.
The intermittent warning sound ceases
and the red DTR warning lamp E
goes out when the necessary distance
to the vehicle ahead is again estab-
lished.
Warning!
G
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on slip-
pery roads. Rapid changes in tire traction
can result in wheel spin and loss of control.
Distronic does not act upon adverse sight
distance conditions. Do not use Distronic
during conditions of fog and heavy rain,
snow or sleet.Warning!
G
Close attention to road and traffic condi-
tions is imperative at all times, regardless of
whether or not Distronic is activated.
Use of Distronic can be dangerous on wind-
ing roads or in heavy traffic because condi-
tions do not allow safe driving at a steady
speed.
Distronic will not react to stationary objects
in the roadway (e.g. a stopped vehicle in a
traffic jam or a disabled vehicle). Distronic
will also not respond to oncoming vehicles.
Switch off Distronic:

when changing from the left to the right
lane if vehicles are moving more slowly
in the left lane


when entering a turn lane or highway off
ramp


in complex driving situations, such as in
highway construction zones
In these situations, Distronic will continue to
maintain the set speed unless deactivated.
Distronic is designed and intended only to
maintain a set speed and keep a set dis-
tance from moving objects in front of it.
Warning!
G
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.