ignition MERCEDES-BENZ SL65AMG 2006 R230 User Guide

75 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Automatic comfort-fit feature seat belt
The automatic comfort-fit feature reduces
the retracting force of the seat belts when
they are in normal use.
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).
Warning!
G
An emergency tensioning device (ETD) that
was activated must be replaced.
When disposing of the emergency tension-
ing device, our safety instructions must be
followed. These are available at your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.!Do not place objects heavier than
20 lbs (9 kg) on the front passenger
seat. This could cause the front or side
impact airbag on the passenger side
and, with the seat belt fastened to
secure the object, the ETD to deploy in
a crash which exceeds the system's
deployment threshold.
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.

83 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
ABS
The Antilock Brake System (ABS) regulates
the brake pressure so that the wheels do
not lock during braking. This allows you to
maintain the ability to steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of
approximately 5 mph (8 km/h) indepen-
dent of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even to light brake pressure. The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is run-
ning.
Braking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster dial flashes. Because of
the electro-hydraulic brake system, you
will not feel any pulsation in the brake ped-
al.

Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver

Keep continuous, full pressure on the
brake pedal.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm,
steady brake pedal pressure instead. Pump-
ing the brake pedal defeats the purpose of
the ABS and significantly reduces braking
effectiveness.
Warning!
G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP
® are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.

85 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
ESP
®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP
®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle's traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP
® works
to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP
® is espe-
cially useful while driving off and on wet or
slippery road surfaces. The ESP® also sta-
bilizes the vehicle during braking maneu-
vers.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster (
page 25) flashes
when the ESP
® is engaged.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v flashing in
the instrument cluster. In this case proceed
as follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents result-
ing from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
iThe ESP
® will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (page 434).

91 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
With the SmartKey
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Press the start/stop button on the gear
selector lever once.
The engine is turned off.

Open the driver’s door.Deactivating
With the SmartKey

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position2 (
page 36).
With KEYLESS-GO*

Switch on the ignition (
page 38).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk lid


the hood


a storage compartment in the rear


the glove box


the storage compartment under the
armrest
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.
iStarting the engine will also deactivate
the immobilizer.
In case the engine cannot be started
(yet the vehicle’s battery is charged),
the system is not operational. Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the
USA), or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).

94 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systems1Tow-away alarm off button
2Indicator lamp
Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.

Press button1.
The indicator lamp2 in the switch
comes on briefly.

Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey or (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) with the lock button on
each door handle or trunk lid.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press theŒor‹button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft. (1 m) of the vehicle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 37).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is switched on.

112 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingIllumination of the emergency release but-
ton:

The button flashes for 30 minutes after
opening the trunk.


The button flashes for 60 minutes after
closing the trunk.
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk lid lock automati-
cally when the vehicle is set into motion.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic locking
using the control system (
page 155).
iThe emergency release button unlocks
the trunk while the vehicle is standing
still or in motion.iThe emergency release button does
not open the trunk lid if the vehicle bat-
tery is discharged or disconnected.
iIf the vehicle has previously been
locked with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*, opening the trunk from
the inside using the emergency release
button will trigger the alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the fol-
lowing:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*


Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
must be within 3 ft. (1 m) of the
vehicle.


Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 37).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
must be inside the vehicle.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact ex-
ceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle locks automatically when
the ignition is switched on and the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more. You could therefore lock yourself
out when the vehicle

is pushed


is on a test stand


116 Controls in detailSeatsLumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the seat’s
lumbar support to help enhance support to
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.
Multicontour backrest*
The multicontour backrest has inflatable
air cushions built into the seat backrest to
provide additional lumbar and side sup-
port.
The seat backrest cushion height and cur-
vature can be continuously varied with
switches on the lower side of the seat
when the ignition is switched on.
1Shoulder region support
2Side bolsters adjustment
3Massage function (PULSE)
4Lumbar region support
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).Shoulder region support

Press æ or ç on switch1.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Lumbar region support

Press k or j on rocker
switch4.
This selects the air cushion you wish to
adjust.

Press æ or ç on rocker
switch4.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Side bolsters adjustment

Press switch2 to the right or left.
The lateral support increases or de-
creases.

117 Controls in detailSeats
Massage function (PULSE)
You can reduce muscle tension during long
trips by periodically using the massage
function. 
Press button3.
The indicator lamp on button3 comes
on. The air cushions in the lumbar re-
gion inflate and deflate rhythmically.
Seat heating
Vehicles without seat ventilation*
The switch is located on the door.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).Switching on seat heating

Press lower switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press lower switch position1 once
more.
iThe massage function switches off au-
tomatically after approximately
8 minutes. The indicator lamp goes
out.
iThe seat heating will be switched off
automatically after approximately
30 minutes.

118 Controls in detailSeatsSwitching on rapid seat heating
Press upper switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
come on. Switching off rapid seat heating

Press upper switch position2 again. Vehicles with seat ventilation*
The switch is located on the door. The red
indicator lamps on the switch indicate the
selected heating level:
1Seat heating switch

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
iThe system switches to normal heating
mode after approximately 5 minutes.
Only the right-hand indicator lamp re-
mains lit.
iIf one or both of the lamps on the seat
heating switch are flashing, there is in-
sufficient voltage available since too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat heating switches off auto-
matically.
The seat heating will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.
Leveloff
No indicator lamp on
1
One indicator lamp on
2
Two indicator lamps on

120 Controls in detailSeatsSeat ventilation*
The switch is located on the door. The blue
indicator lamps on the switch indicate the
selected ventilation level:
1Seat ventilation switch

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).Switching on seat ventilation

Press switch1.
Three blue indicator lamps on the
switch come on.

Continue pressing switch 1 until the
desired seat ventilation level is
reached.
Switching off seat ventilation

Press switch1 repeatedly until all in-
dicator lamps go out.
Level3
Three indicator lamps on
(highest level)
2
Two indicator lamps on
1
One indicator lamp on
(lowest level)
off
No indicator lamp on
iIf one or all of the lamps on the seat
ventilation switch are flashing, there is
insufficient voltage available since too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat ventilation switches off au-
tomatically.
The seat ventilation will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.