2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS service indicator

160 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Upgrade Signals
Tele Aid system processes calls using the following
priority.
• Automatic emergency – First priority
• Manual emergency – Second priority
• Roadside assistance – Third priority
• Information – Fourth priority
Should a higher priority call be initiated while you are
connected, an upgrade (alternating) tone will be heard,
and the appropriate indicator lamp will f lash. If certain
information such as vehicle identification number or
client information is not available, the operator may
need to retransmit. During this time you will hear a
chirp and voice contact will be interrupted. Voice
contact will resume once the retransmission is
c omplete. Once a cal l is concl uded , a ch irp w ill be hea rd ,
the appropriate indicator lamp will stop flashing and a
tone will be heard indicating that the system has reset.
The audio system operation will resume.Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button flashes until
the call is concluded and this can only be completed by
a Response Center or Client Assistance Center
representative.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio
system is muted and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle
must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call. A message will appear in the radio display to
indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.

172 Automatic transmission
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
only slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS malfunction indicator lamp to come on. Turn off
and restart the engine to clear the malfunction
indication.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, posi tion “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set t he parki ng brake in addi tion to sh ifting
to position “P”.When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.

209 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Low engine coolant level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, then the coolant
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station
and have coolant added to the coolant system,
see page 224.
The low engine coolant level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts.
You can be seriously burned.

210 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Low windshield and headlamp washer system fluid
level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, the level of the
reservoir has dropped to approx. 1/3 of the total volume.
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate "S" and water (or commercially
available premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient temperature - see
page 88) at the next opportunity. The reservoir for the
windshield and headlamp washer systems is located in
the engine compartment.Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on. It should
go out immediately when the engine is
running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip,
see page 221.

213 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index High beam indicator lamp
High beam indicator lamp, see page 86
Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (distance, Service A),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (distance, Service B),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (days, Service A),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (days, Service B),
seepage80.
Start lock-out malfunction, see page 34.Malfunction and indicator lamp
(in the dashboard)
Passenger airbag indicator lamp
üPassenger airbag automatically switched off,
see page 60.

288
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Taillamp assemblies .................................................249
Turn signal, parking, side marker
and standing lamp ...............................................244
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 215
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 80
FSS indicator lamp ..................................................... 77
Fuel consumption gauge ................................................. 83
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...................................259
Fuel requirements .........................................................279
Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement warning ..........207
Fuel supply .....................................................................200
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities ............... 276
Fuses ................................................................................ 218GGarage door opener ....................................................... 133
Gasoline
Additives ....................................................................280
Fuel requirements ....................................................279
Premium unleaded ...................................................279
HHardtop
Attaching hardtop .....................................................140
Removing .................................................................... 137
Hardtop or panorama roof ............................................ 137
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 89
Head restraints .................................................................44
Headlamp assembly (Halogen) ................................... 243
Headlamp cleaning system .............................................87
High beam indicator lamp ............................................ 213
Hood ................................................................................. 219IIdentification labels ...................................................... 270
Illuminated vanity mirror ............................................. 123
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster .......... 76, 204
Infant and Child Restraint Systems
SRS indicator lamp .................................................. 206
Infant and child restraint systems ................................67
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 74
Display illumination ...................................................77
Indicator lamps ............................................................ 76
Instrument lamps ........................................................ 77

291
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Raising ........................................................................ 145
Spare parts service ........................................................269
Spare wheel ....................................................................228
SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 59
Indicator lamp ...........................................................206
Start lock-out .................................................................... 34
Malfunction lamp ........................................................ 77
Starting and turning off the engine ............................ 167
Steering column
Adjusting ...................................................................... 70
Steering lock ................................................................... 165
Storage compartment (eyeglasses compartment)
in the dashboard ....................................................... 124
Stowing things in the vehicle ...................................... 215
Sun visors ....................................................................... 123
Sunshade, electrical ...................................................... 122
Sunshade, manual ......................................................... 121
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 59
Synchronizing power windows .....................................117
TTachometer ....................................................................... 79
Taillamp assemblies ......................................................249
Technical .........................................................................272Technical data ................................................................ 272
Electrical system ...................................................... 275
Main dimensions ..................................................... 275
Rims – Tires .............................................................. 273
Weights ...................................................................... 275
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 155
Information ................................................................ 159
Initiating an emergency call ................................... 157
Roadside Assistance ................................................. 158
Telephone, general ......................................................... 132
Telephones and two-way radio ..................................... 153
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km) ................................ 154
Tires
Driving instructions .................................................179
Inflation pressure .................................................... 234
Replacement ............................................................. 226
Speed rating ............................................................... 181
Traction ....................................................................... 180
Tow-away alarm ................................................................43
Tow-away protection ........................................................ 43
Towing the vehicle ........................................................ 240
Trip odometer ...................................................................79
Trunk .................................................................................39
Trunk lamp .................................................................... 259
Trunk lid release switch ................................................. 40