2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS emergency towing

38 Central locking system
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Automatic central locking
The central locking switch also operates the automatic
central locking.
Wit h th e automa tic central locking system activated, t he
doors and trunk are locked at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. The fuel filler f lap remains
unlocked.
To a ctiva te:
With key in steering lock position 2 hold upper portion
of switch (1) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
To dea cti vate :
With key in steering lock position 2 hold lower portion
of switch (2) for a minimum of 5 seconds.
Notes:
If doors are unlocked with the central locking switch
after activating the automatic central locking, and
neither door is opened, then the doors remain unlocked
even at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.If a door is opened from the inside at speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or less with the automatic central
locking activated, the door will again be automatically
locked at speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, or with the vehicle on a
dynamometer test stand, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle doors will
lock if the left front wheel as well as the right rear
wheel spin are turning at vehicle speeds of approx.
9 mph (15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking.
Emergency unlocking in case of accident
The doors unlock automatically a short time after a
strong deceleration is detected, such as in a collision
(this is intended to aid rescue and exit). Driving on
rough roads may cause the vehicle to unlock. If
necessary, the vehicle can be locked again with the
interior central locking switch.

43 Tow-away protection
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Tow -away ala rm
The switch is located in the center console.
1Press to switch off
2Indicator lamp
Once the alarm system has been armed, the exterior
vehicle lamps will flash and an alarm will sound when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.The alarm will last approximately 3 minutes in the form
of f lashing exterior lamps. At the same time an alarm
will sound for 30 seconds. The alarm will stay on even if
the vehicle is immediately lowered.
The tow-away alarm system is switched off automatically
if the vehicle is unlocked with the electronic main key.
If the alarm stays on for more than 20 seconds, an
emergency call is initiated automatically. See Tele Aid
on page 155.
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm feature, switch
off the tow-away alarm before towing the vehicle, or
when parking on a surface subject to movement, such
as a ferry or auto train.
To do so, turn key in steering lock to position 1 or 0, or
remove key from steering lock. Press tow-away alarm
switch (1). The indicator lamp (2) illuminates brief ly.
Exit vehicle, and lock vehicle with key or remote
control.
The tow-away alarm remains switched off until the
vehicle is locked again with key or remote control, at
which time it is automatically reactivated.

158 Tele Aid
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roadside Assistance button 
Located below the center armrest cover is the Roadside
Assistance button. Pressing and holding the
button (for longer than 2 seconds), will initiate a call to
a Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance dispatcher. The
button will flash while the call is in progress. The
Tele Aid system will transmit data generating the
vehicle identification number, model, color and location
(subject to availability of cellular and GPS signals).A voice connection between the Roadside Assistance
dispatcher and the occupants of the vehicle will be
established. The nature of the need for assistance can
then be described. Sign and Drive services (jump start, a
few gallons of fuel or the replacement of a flat tire with
the vehicle spare tire) are available.
If the vehicle requires more than Sign and Drive
services, the Mercedes-Benz Roadside assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to tow your
vehicle to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center.
For other than Sign and Drive services, labor and / or
towing charges may apply. Refer to the Roadside
Assistance manual for more information.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button remains illuminated in red for approx.
5 seconds during the system self-check after turning
key in steering lock to position 2 (together with the
“SOS” button and the Information button¡).
See system self-check on page 155 when the indicator
lamp does not light up in red or stays on longer than
approximately 5 seconds.
Wa r n i n g !
If you feel at any way in jeopardy when in the
vehicle (e.g. smoke or fire in the vehicle, vehicle in
a dangerous road location), please do not wait for
voice contact after you have pressed the emergency
button. Carefully leave the vehicle and move to a
safe location. The Response Center will
automatically contact local emergency officials
with the vehicle’s approximate location if they
receive an “SOS” signal and cannot make voice
contact with the vehicle occupants.

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