2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS belt

1 Contents
IntroductionProduct information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Problems with your vehicle ........... 14
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controlsInstruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Remote control with folding
master key ..................................... 28
Central locking system ................... 30
Remote control ............................. 30
Locking and unlocking ................ 31Choosing global or selective mode
on remote control ........................ 32
Opening the trunk ....................... 32
Panic button ................................. 33
Start lock-out .................................... 34
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 34
Doors ................................................. 35
Central locking switch .................... 37
Automatic central locking .......... 38
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 39
Trunk ................................................. 39
Trunk lid release switch ................ 40
Power windows .................................41
Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm ............................... 43
Power seats ....................................... 44
Storing position in memory ....... 46
Backrest ............................................ 48
Multicontour seats .......................... 49
Seat heater ........................................ 50
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 52Seat belts ........................................... 52
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 53
Fastening of seat belts ................. 54
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system ........................................... 58
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ........ 59
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 59
Emergency tensioning retractor
(ETR) ............................................. 60
Airbags .............................................. 60
Front airbags ................................ 62
Side impact airbags ..................... 63
Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 66
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 67
Adjusting steering column ............. 70
Storing steering column
position in memory ..................... 70
Rear view mirrors ............................ 71
Inside rear view mirror ............... 71

4 Contents
Ve h i c l e s w i t h s p o r t
package ........................................ 181
Winter driving
instructions ................................. 182
Winter driving ............................ 183
Block heater ................................ 183
Deep water .................................. 184
Traveling abroad ........................ 184
Cruise control ................................. 185
Brake assist system (BAS) ............ 188
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....... 190
ABS control ................................. 191
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) ........................................... 192
Synchronizing ESP .................... 193
ESP Control Switch .................... 194
Level control system ...................... 196
Level control switch
positions ...................................... 196
Normal Level ............................... 197
Wheel Change Switch ............... 198
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS) ........................................... 199Adaptive damping system
adjustment ...................................199
What you should know at the gas
station ......................................... 200
Fuel supply ................................. 200
Fuel .............................................. 200
Check regularly and before
a long trip .................................. 202
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster ......................................... 204
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 204
Brake warning lamp .................. 204
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp ............................ 205
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 206
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp .... 206
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 207Electronic stability program
(ESP) - warning lamp .................207
BAS-/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp .............................207
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp .............................208
Low engine coolant
level warning lamp ....................209
Low windshield and headlamp
washer system fluid level
warning lamp .............................. 210
Low engine oil level
warning lamp .............................. 210
Charge indicator lamp ............... 211
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp ............................. 211
Roll bar warning lamp ............... 212
ADS indicator lamp .................... 212
High beam indicator lamp ........ 213
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) .......... 213
Malfunction and indicator
lamp (in the dashboard) .......... 213

5 ContentsPassenger airbag
indicator lamp ............................. 213
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 215
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 215
Vehicle tools .................................... 216
Vehicle jack ..................................... 217
Fuses ................................................ 218
Hood ................................................. 219
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................221
Checking engine oil level .............221
Coolant level ...................................223
Adding coolant ...............................224
Windshield and headlamp
washer fluid mixing ratio ........225
Wheels .............................................226
Tire replacement ............................226
Rotating wheels ..............................227
Spare wheel ....................................228
Changing wheels ...........................230
Tire inflation pressure ..................234
Battery .............................................236Battery Recycling ....................... 237
Jump starting ................................. 238
Towing the vehicle ........................ 240
Exterior lamps ............................... 242
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .................................... 243
Taillamp assemblies .................. 249
Changing batteries in
the remote control .................... 251
Synchronizing ............................ 252
Raising soft top manually ............ 253
Replacing wiper blade insert ...... 257
Manual release of
fuel filler flap ............................ 259
Trunk lamp ..................................... 259
Vehicle careCleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 261
Power washer ............................. 262
Tar stains .................................... 262
Paintwork, Painted Body
Components ................................ 262
Engine cleaning ......................... 263Vehicle washing .........................263
Ornamental moldings ................263
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................263
Window cleaning .......................264
Light alloy wheels ......................264
Instrument cluster .....................264
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................264
Cup holder ...................................264
Seat belts .....................................265
Headliner, shelf behind
roll bars, and other hard
plastic trim items .......................265
Soft top .........................................265
Headliner .....................................266
Wind screen ................................266
Automatic antenna .....................266
Wiper blade .................................266
Headlamp cleaning system .......266
Leather upholstery .....................267
Plastic and rubber parts ............267
Illuminated door sill panels .....267

6 Contents
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................269
Warranty coverage .........................269
Identification labels .......................270
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............ 271
Engine ..............................................272
Rims - Tires .....................................273
Weights ............................................275
Main Dimensions ...........................275Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ....................................276
Engine oils ...................................... 278
Engine oil additives ...................... 278
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 278
Brake fluid ...................................... 278
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 279
Fuel requirements ........................ 279
Gasoline additives ......................... 280
Coolants .......................................... 280
Consumer information ................. 282
IndexIndex ................................................285

26 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
OperationVehicle keys ...................................... 28
Remote control with folding
master key ..................................... 28
Central locking system ................... 30
Remote control ............................. 30
Locking and unlocking ................ 31
Choosing global or selective mode
on remote control ......................... 32
Opening the trunk ....................... 32
Panic button .................................. 33
Start lock-out .................................... 34
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 34
Doors .................................................. 35
Central locking switch .................... 37
Automatic central locking .......... 38
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 39
Trunk ................................................. 39
Trunk lid release switch ................. 40
Power windows ................................. 41
Antitheft alarm system ................... 42Tow-away alarm ............................... 43
Power seats ....................................... 44
Storing position in memory ....... 46
Backrest ............................................ 48
Multicontour seats .......................... 49
Seat heater ........................................ 50
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 52
Seat belts .......................................... 52
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 53
Fastening of seat belts ................ 54
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system .......................................... 58
Self-test BabySmart
TM without
special child seat installed ........ 59
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 59
Emergency tensioning retractor
(ETR) ............................................. 60
Airbags .............................................. 60
Front airbags ................................ 62
Side impact airbags ..................... 63Safety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor
and airbag ..................................... 66
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 67
Adjusting steering column ............. 70
Storing steering column
position in memory ..................... 70
Rear view mirrors ............................ 71
Inside rear view mirror ............... 71
Antiglare night position .............. 71
Exterior rear view mirrors .......... 72
Storing mirror positions in
memory .......................................... 73
Instrument cluster ........................... 74
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................... 76
Additional function indicator
lamps .............................................. 77
Instrument lamps ......................... 77
Display illumination .................... 77
Coolant temperature gauge ........ 78
Outside temperature
indicator ........................................ 78

45 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 5Head restraint
(with shoulder belt height adjustment)
Adjust the head restraint so that the upper portion
of the shoulder belt is located as close as possible to
the middle of the shoulder. The head restraint can
be tilted forward by hand.
Note:
To prevent the backrest from touching the soft top
storage compartment cover when the seat is moved
back, the backrest will automatically move to a more
upright position.
When reclining the backrest, the seat will automatically
move forward to prevent the backrest from touching the
soft top storage compartment cover.
Wa r n i n g !
When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle.The power seats can also be operated with a door
open. Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, or with access to an unlocked vehicle.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment may cause
serious personal injury.
Do not adjust the driver’s seat while driving.
Adjusting the seat while driving could cause the
driver to lose control of the vehicle.Never ride in a moving vehicle with the backrest
reclined.
Sitting in an excessively reclined position can be
dangerous. You could slide under the seat belt in a
collision. If you slide under it, the belt would apply
force at the abdomen or neck. That could cause
serious or even fatal injuries. The backrest and seat
belt provide the best restraint when the wearer is
in an upright position and the belt is properly
positioned on the body.The rear storage area should never be occupied by
passengers since the vehicle is a 2 seater.
Fu rth ermore, there i s a ri sk of inju ry i n the rear by
adjusting the power assisted front seats.Never place hands under seat or near any moving
parts while a seat is being adjusted.

47 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust
the seat height for proper vision as well as fore/aft
placement and backrest angle to insure adequate
control, reach, operation, and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for proper height.
Adjust head restraint to support the back of the head
approximately at ear level. See also airbag section for
proper seat positioning on page 60.
In addition, also adjust the steering wheel to ensure
adequate control, reach, operation, and comfort.
Both the inside and outside rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rearward vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small children should be
seated in a properly secured restraint system that
complies with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213.
All seat, head restraint, rear view mirror, and steering
wheel adjustments as well as fastening of seat belts
should be done before the vehicle is put into motion.
BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens Automotive Corp.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, which operates
with the BabySmart
TM system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the passenger side front
airbag when it is properly installed.
Otherwise they will be struck by the airbag when it
inflates in a crash. If this happens, serious or fatal
injury will result.Infants and small children must be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system, which
is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt,
fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.A child’s risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints are
not properly secured in the vehicle and the child is
not properly secured in the child restraint.

48 Seats
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Backrest
Folding forward:
Lift lever and fold forwards.
Folding back:
Fold backrest back until it audibly locks in place.Note:
If the backrest and seat belt warning lamp< does
not go out, but is instead lit continuously, then a
backrest is not engaged in its lock.
Always provide sufficient room behind the backrest and
fold the backrest all the way back until it can be heard
locking in place.
The warning lamp goes out as soon as both backrests
are locked in place.
If both backrests are locked in place and the warning
lamp does not go out, have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
P91.10-0461-26
Wa r n i n g
The seat belts provide protection only with the
backrest locked in place and, therefore, it must be
locked in place with the vehicle in motion. Do not
drive the vehicle when the backrest is not locked in
place.