2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS Owners Manual

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.

214 Contents – Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
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 ...............................224Windshield and headlamp
washer f luid mixing ratio ....... 225
Wheels ............................................ 226
Tire replacement ........................... 226
Rotating wheels ............................. 227
Spare wheel .................................... 228
Changing wheels ........................... 230
Tire inflation pressure ................. 234
Battery ............................................. 236
Battery Recycling ....................... 237
Jump starting ................................. 238
Towing the vehicle ........................ 240Exterior 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

215 First aid kit
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in the storage compartment
behind the seats.Stowing things in the vehicle
Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury during a collision or
sudden maneuver, exercise care when stowing
things. Put luggage or cargo in the trunk if
possible.

216 Vehicle tools
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Vehicle tools 1Trunk f loor
2Strap
3Structured spare wheel
4Wing nut and washer
5Jack arm
6Jack base
7To o l k i t
Roll back the floor mat, lift the trunk floor (1) and
engage strap (2) in the hooks on the upper edge of the
trunk lid.
First remove the vehicle jack, then the spare wheel;
reinstall in reverse order.

217 Vehicle jack
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Ve h i c l e j a c k
See illustration for proper storage of jack.
Before storing t he ja ck, the ja ck arm (5) must be lowered
almost to the base (6) of the jack.
Note:
First remove the vehicle jack, then the spare wheel;
reinstall in reverse order.
Wa r n i n g !
The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the
veh icle at th e jack tu bes bu ilt into eit her side of th e
vehicle. To help avoid personal injury, use the jack
only to lift the vehicle during a wheel change.
Never get beneath the vehicle while it is supported
by t he jack. Keep hands and feet away from th e area
under the lifted vehicle. Always firmly set parking
brake and block wheels before raising vehicle with
jack.Do not disengage parki ng brake wh ile th e vehi cle i s
raised. Be certain that the jack is always vertical
when in use, especially on hills. Always try to use
the jack on level surface. Be sure that the jack arm
is fully inserted in the jack tube. Always lower the
vehicle onto sufficient capacity jackstands before
working under the vehicle.

218 Fuses
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Fuses
1Main fuse box in engine compartment
2Auxiliary fuse box in trunk on rear wall
Before replacing a blown fuse, determine the cause of
the short circuit.Spare fuses are supplied inside the fuse box. Observe
amperage and color of fuse.
Always use a new fuse for replacement. Never attempt to
repair or bridge a blown fuse.
A fu se ch art ca n be fou nd insid e t he correspond ing f use
box cover.
After replacing a blown fuse, close fuse box cover.

219 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Hood
To o pen :
To unlock the hood, pull release lever under the driver’s
side of the instrument panel.
Pull handle (2) up and open hood.
Caution!
To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or hood, open
the hood only with wipers in the parked position.Pull handle (2) to its stop out of radiator grill, and open
hood (do not pull up on handle).
Note:
Do not lift hood at louvers of grill! Make certain the
windshield wiper arm is not folded forward.
P68.00-0514-26
3
2
3
P88.40-0312-26

220 Engine compartment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
To cl os e:
Lower hood and let it drop into lock from a height of
a pprox. 1 f t. (30 cm), assisting w it h h ands pla ced f la t on
edges of hood (3).
To avoid hood damage, please make sure that hood is
fully closed. If not, repeat closing procedure. Do not
push down on hood to attempt to fully close it.
Wa r n i n g !
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts wh en t he hood is open and th e engine
is running. Be sure the hood is properly closed
before driving. When closing hood, use extreme
caution not to catch hands or fingers.The radiator fan may continue to run another
approximate 30 seconds or even restart after the
engine has been turned off. Stay clear from fan
blades.
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage it is
dangerous to touch any components (ignition coils,
spark plug sockets, diagnostic socket) of the
ignition system
• with the engine running,
• while starting the engine,
• if ignition is “on” and the engine is turned
manually.If you see flames, steam or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant temperature
gauge indicates that the engine is overheated, do
not open the hood. Move away from vehicle and do
not open the hood until the engine has cooled. If
necessary, call a fire department.