MERCEDES-BENZ SL65AMG 2008 R230 Owner's Manual

420 Practical hints
Flat tire
1Jack support tube cover (except
SL 55 AMG, SL 65 AMG and vehicles
with Sport Package*)
Open cover1 by pressing at point
indicated by arrow.
Remove cover1, taking care not to
damage the locking tabs.2Jack support tube cover (SL 55 AMG,
SL 65 AMG and vehicles with
Sport Package* only)
Insert a flat blade screwdriver in the
opening of cover2 and pry it out.
Remove cover2, taking care not to
damage the locking tabs.3Crank
4Jack arm
5Jack support tube hole
Insert jack arm4 fully into tube
hole5 up to the stop.
Warning!G
Insert the jack arm fully into the jack
support tube hole up to the stop. Otherwise
the vehicle may fall from the jack and cause
personal injury or damage to the vehicle.


421 Practical hints
Flat tire
Keeping jack in this position, turn
crank3 clockwise until the jack base
meets the ground. Make sure the jack
is vertical (plumb line).
Continue to turn the crank until the tire
is a maximum of 1.2 in (3 cm) from the
ground.Removing the wheel
1Alignment bolt
Unscrew upper-most wheel bolt and
remove.
Replace this wheel bolt with alignment
bolt1 supplied in the tool kit.
Remove the remaining bolts.
Remove the wheel.Mounting the new wheel
Clean contact surfaces of wheel and
wheel hub.
Guide the spare wheel onto the align-
ment bolt and push it on.
Insert wheel bolts and tighten them
slightly.
!Do not place wheel bolts in sand or dirt. This
could result in damage to the bolt and wheel hub
threads.
Warning!G
Inflate spare wheel tire only after the wheel
is properly mounted.
Inflate the spare wheel tire using the
electric pump (
page 422) before lowering
the vehicle.

422 Practical hints
Flat tire
Unscrew the alignment bolt, install last
wheel bolt and tighten slightly.
Inflating the spare tire (collapsible tire)
Take the electric air pump out of the
trunk (
page 400).1Flap
2Air pump switch
3Electrical plug
4Air hose with pressure gauge and vent
screw
5Union nut
Open flap 1 on air pump.
Pull out electrical plug 3 and air hose
with the pressure gauge 4.
Remove the valve cap from the tire
valve.
Screw union nut 5 onto the tire valve.
Warning!G
Always replace wheel bolts that are dam-
aged or rusted.
Never apply oil or grease to wheel bolts.
Damaged wheel hub threads should be
repaired immediately. Do not continue to
drive under these circumstances! Contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
Roadside Assistance.
Incorrect wheel bolts or improperly tight-
ened wheel bolts can cause the wheel to
come off. This could cause an accident. Be
sure to use the correct wheel bolts.
Warning!G
Only use genuine Mercedes-Benz wheel
bolts. They are identified by the Mercedes
star. Other wheel bolts may come loose.
Do not tighten the wheel bolts when the ve-
hicle is raised. Otherwise the vehicle could
fall off the jack.
!Do not lower the vehicle before inflating the
spare wheel tire. Otherwise the rim may be dam-
aged.
Warning!G
Observe instructions on air pump label.

423 Practical hints
Flat tire
Insert electrical plug 3 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket (
page 244)
or the power outlet in the trunk
(
page 246).
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever once
without depressing the brake pedal.
PressI on the electric air pump
switch2.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.
Inflate the spare tire:

SL 550 to 36 psi (2.5 bar)

SL 600, SL 55 AMG, SL 55 AMG
(Performance Package*), and
SL 65 AMG to 51 psi (3.5 bar)
This takes about 5 minutes.
Air hose4 and union nut5 can be-
come hot during inflation. Exercise
proper caution to avoid burning your-
self when using the equipment.
Press0 on the electric air pump
switch2.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
or
Press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
on the gear selector lever twice without
depressing the brake pedal.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.
If the spare tire inflation pressure is
above the recommended tire inflation
pressure for the respective collapsible
tire (
page 453), release excess spare
tire inflation pressure using the vent
screw.
!Compare the recommended tire inflation
pressure for your vehicle with the tire inflation
pressure on the yellow label located on the spare
wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the tire to
the recommended tire inflation pressure given
on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim.
!Do not operate the electric air pump longer
than 8 minutes without interruption. Otherwise it
may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again after it has
cooled off.


424 Practical hints
Flat tire
Detach the electric air pump.
Stow the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the air
pump back in the trunk.
Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until the full weight of the
vehicle is resting on the ground.
Pull the jack out of the jack support
tube.1 - 5 Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence
illustrated (1 to 5), until all bolts
are tight. Observe a tightening torque
of 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Warning!G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
iThe flat tire may be transported in the trunk
when the retractable hardtop is raised. If avail-
able, use a protective sheet on the spare wheel.
Vehicles with TPMS or Advanced TPMS*:
Do not activate the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor until a full size wheel/tire with functioning
sensor has been placed back into service on the
vehicle.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).


425 Practical hints
Flat tire
Before storing the jack in the trunk,
crank back to storage position and fold
in the arm.Replacing jack support tube cover
Slide tongue of cover under the upper
edge of the tube opening.
Applying even pressure, press cover
until it snaps into place.
Be careful not to damage the locking
tabs or clamp the plastic retaining
strap.
MOExtended system*
The MOExtended system allows you to
continue driving your vehicle even if there
is a total loss of pressure in one or more
tires.
You may only use the MOExtended system
in conjunction with the Run Flat Indicator*
(Canada vehicles) (
page 303), TPMS
(U.S. vehicles) (
page 305), or Advanced
TPMS* (Canada vehicles) (
page 308).
Warning!G
When turning the wheel wrench to tighten
the wheel bolts, make sure you position
hands on the wrench in such a way that you
avoid injury to yourself, such as scraping
your hands against the wheel. Make sure
turning the wheel wrench will not scratch or
damage the wheel rim.
iFor information on storing the spare wheel
back into the trunk, see “Storing the spare wheel
after use” (
page 402).
!The maximum distance in emergency
mode depends on the vehicle’s load. It is
30 miles (50 km) if the vehicle is partially
loaded and 18 miles (30 km) if the vehicle is
fully loaded.
The point at which the maximum driving distance
begins in emergency mode is when the warning
message appears in the multifunction display
indicating that there is a loss of tire inflation
pressure.
Do not exceed the maximum speed of
50 mph (80 km/h).

426 Practical hints
Flat tire
Warning!G
In emergency mode, your vehicle’s driving
characteristics are diminished in such situa-
tions as:

driving around curves

while braking

while accelerating rapidly
Therefore, your driving style must be adapt-
ed accordingly. Avoid abrupt steering and
driving maneuvers, as well as driving over
obstacles (road curbs, potholes, or off-road
areas). This is especially important if the ve-
hicle is heavily loaded.
The emergency driving distance that can be
achieved greatly depends on the demands
placed on the vehicle. Depending on speed,
load, driving maneuvers, road conditions,
outside temperature, etc., the distance can
be significantly shorter or, if the vehicle is
driven cautiously, somewhat longer.
Do not continue driving in emergency mode
if

you notice knocking sounds

the vehicle starts to shake

smoke develops and you smell rubber

ESP® is intervening continuously

you notice tears on the tire sidewalls
After driving in emergency mode, you must
have the rims inspected by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to check if they are
suitable for further use. The failed tire must
be replaced in any case.
iWhen replacing individual or all tires on the
vehicle, make sure only matching tires marked
with “MOExtended” are mounted in the size
specified for your vehicle (
page 449).

427 Practical hints
Batteries
Batteries
For more information on batteries, see
“Battery” (
page 290).
Your vehicle is equipped with two
batteries:

The starter battery

The battery for electrical consumers
(consumer battery), located in the
trunk
The starter battery is located on the
right-hand side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Positive terminal
2Negative terminal
3Battery ventilationThe consumer battery is located on the
right-hand side of the trunk.
4Positive terminal
5Negative terminal
!The starter battery, its filler caps, and the
ventilation hose must always be securely
installed when the vehicle is in operation.!The consumer battery located in the trunk is
a valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery, also
referred to as “fleece” battery. Such batteries do
not require topping-up of the electrolyte level.
VRLA batteries therefore do not have cell caps
and the battery cover is non-removable. Do not
attempt to open the consumer battery as other-
wise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not require top-
ping-up of the electrolyte level and cannot be
opened to check the electrolyte level, the bat-
tery condition must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for battery condition test-
ing intervals.
As with any other battery, disconnect the con-
sumer battery if you do not intend to operate
your vehicle for an extended period of time to
prevent battery discharge or connect an acces-
sory battery charge unit expressly approved by
Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle model to main-
tain the battery charge. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.

428 Practical hints
Batteries
!The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the
factory-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation and the
lateral plug must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.
Warning!G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels.
Stopping distance is increased! Adjust your
driving style accordingly. For more informa-
tion, see “Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(
page 94).

429 Practical hints
Batteries
Disconnecting the batteries
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to position P (
page 172).
Close the retractable hardtop
(
page 204).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 64).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Open
the driver’s door.
Open the trunk.
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 290).
Open the luggage cover in the trunk
(
page 211).
Remove the trunk floor.
The battery for electrical consumers is
located in the right hand area of the
trunk (
page 400).
Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
negative lead from negative
terminal5 of the consumer battery
(
page 427).
Warning!G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect

the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
!Always disconnect the batteries in the order
described below, even if you only want to charge
the starter battery, for example. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.