air conditioning MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2006 R230 Owner's Manual

Contents
Settings menu .............................. 146
Trip computer menu..................... 157
TEL menu* ................................... 159
Automatic transmission ..................... 162
Gear selector lever position ......... 164
Driving tips ................................... 166
Gear ranges ................................. 167
Automatic shift program .............. 168
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 169
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting................. 170
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG
and SL 65 AMG ............................ 173
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 176
Good visibility .................................... 177
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 177
Rear view mirrors ......................... 177
Sun visors .................................... 178
Rear window defroster ................. 179Automatic climate control .................. 180
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 183
Operating the climate control
system in automatic mode............ 183
Setting the temperature................ 184
Adjusting air distribution............... 185
Adjusting air volume ..................... 186
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 186
Front defroster.............................. 186
Air recirculation mode .................. 187
Air conditioning............................. 189
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 190
Ventilated storage compartments. 191
Power windows .................................. 192
Opening and closing the windows. 192
Synchronizing power windows ...... 194
Retractable hardtop............................ 195
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 195Driving systems .................................. 204
Cruise control ............................... 204
Distronic* ..................................... 207
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 219
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 223
Useful features ................................... 228
Storage compartments ................. 228
Cup holders .................................. 232
Ashtray ......................................... 233
Cigarette lighter............................ 234
Heated steering wheel* ................ 235
Load assist in the trunk ................ 236
Power outlet ................................. 237
Telephone* ................................... 237
Tele Aid......................................... 238
Garage door opener ...................... 247

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 445
Capacities .................................... 445
Engine oils .................................... 447
Engine oil additives ...................... 447
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 447
Brake fluid .................................... 447
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 448
Fuel requirements ........................ 448
Gasoline additives ........................ 449
Coolants ....................................... 450
Windshield and headlamp washer
system.......................................... 452
Technical terms............................... 453Index................................................. 461

182 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.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/Cmode is deactivated
(
page 189).
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents can be very
hot or very cold (depending on the set tem-
perature). This may cause burns or frostbite
on unprotected skin in the immediate area
of the air vents. Always keep sufficient dis-
tance between unprotected parts of the
body and the air vents. If necessary, use the
air distribution control (
page 181) to di-
rect the air to air vents in the vehicle interior
that are not in the immediate area of unpro-
tected skin.
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.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollu-
tion) may require replacement of the
filter before its scheduled interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air vol-
ume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off. The
climate control will then adjust the
interior temperature to the set value
much faster.
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.

187 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Activating
Press button P (
page 181).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches to the fol-
lowing functions automatically:


cooling on to dehumidify


maximum blower speed and
heating power


air flows onto the windshield
and the front side windows


the air recirculation mode is
switched off
Deactivating

Press button P (
page 181).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are in effect
again.Windshield fogged on the outside

Switch the windshield wipers on
(page 54).
If the automatic air distribution and air vol-
ume are switched off:

Turn air distribution controls2 and 6
(page 181) to position h ork.
or

Press control buttons 2, 6 and a
(page 181).
The control buttons are engaged. The
U symbol on the control buttons
come on. Air distribution and air vol-
ume are adjusted automatically.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
iThe cooling remains switched on.iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
Warning!
G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 189) is activated, or
press buttonP.

189 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26 °C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning (cooling) function is
operational when the engine is running and
cools the vehicle interior down to the se-
lected temperature. In addition, the cool-
ing function dehumidifies the air in the
vehicle interior, thus preventing the win-
dows from fogging up.Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the cooling
function of the automatic climate control
system. The air in the vehicle will then no
longer be cooled or dehumidified.

Press button 2 (
page 181).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The cooling function switches off
after a short delay.
iPress and hold button,. The win-
dows will open.
The opening of the windows can be im-
mediately halted by releasing
button,.
iCondensation may drip out from under-
neath the vehicle. This is normal and
not an indication of a malfunction.Warning!
G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and
others.

190 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlActivating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air condition-
ing.
Press button 2 once more
(page 181).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134A. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.Activating
With the SmartKey:

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or0 , or remove it from
the starter switch.

Press button T (
page 181).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
With KEYLESS-GO*:

Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, the starter switch is in posi-
tion 0, same as with the SmartKey re-
moved from the starter switch)

Press button T (
page 181).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
!If the 2 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.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the selected temperature. The
blower will run at low speed regardless
of the air distribution control setting.

310 OperationTires and wheelsTire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.

431 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
SL 500
1Automatic belt tensioner
2ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
SL 55 AMGThe SL 55 AMG has two poly-V-belts (belt
one shown in purple/belt two shown in
black).1Idler pulley
2Automatic belt tensioner
3ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
4Air conditioning compressor
5Crankshaft
6Coolant pump
7Generator (alternator)
8Idler pulley
9Automatic belt tensioner
aSupercharger
SL 600, SL 65 AMG
1Automatic belt tensioner
2ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
8Idler pulley
9Idler pulley

446 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling system
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
approx. 12.3 US qt (11.6 l)
approx. 13.6 US qt (12.9 l)
approx. 14.5 US qt (13.7 l)
approx. 16.4 US qt (15.5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
SL 600
SL 65 AMG
approx. 2.2 US qt (2.1 l)
approx. 3.1 US qt (2.9 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
All models
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON /86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
Hydraulic system for retractable hardtop
0.42 US qt (0.4 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system
7.4 US qt (7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 452).

447 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
er system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles), or changing oil and oil filter at
change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles) will result in engine damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) recommendations for scheduled
oil changes. Failure to do so could re-
sult in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus
reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.