
2 Contents
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
Trip odometer  ............................... 79
Clock  .............................................. 79
Tachometer  .................................... 79
Flexible service system (FSS)  ........ 80Engine oil level indicator in 
odometer display field  ............... 82
Fuel consumption gauge  ................ 83
Engine oil temperature gauge  ....... 83
Engine oil consumption  ................. 83
Exterior lamp switch ....................... 84
Standing lamps  ............................ 85
Night security illumination  ....... 85
Combination switch  ........................ 86
Blocked windshield wiper  .......... 88
Windshield wiper smears  .......... 88
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  .......... 88
Hazard warning flasher switch ..... 89
Automatic climate control .............. 90
Display and controls  ................... 92
Basic setting - automatic mode  . 93
Economy ........................................ 93
Special settings  ............................ 94Audio and telephone, operation  .... 98
Power windows ................................116
Express opening of 
door windows ...............................117
Synchronizing power 
windows ........................................117
Roll bar  .............................................118
Interior lighting  ............................. 120
Interior lamps  ............................. 120
Reading lamps  ............................ 120
Entrance lamps in footwells, 
exit lamps in doors  .................... 120
Sunshade, manual  ......................... 121
Power sunshade  ............................. 122
Sun visors  ....................................... 123
Illuminated vanity mirror  ............ 123
Interior  ............................................ 124 

3 ContentsStorage compartment 
(eyeglasses compartment) 
in the dashboard  ....................... 124
Interior central 
locking system  ............................ 125
Integration with vehicle 
central locking system  .............. 126
Separate locking of storage 
compartments  ............................. 126
Armrest  ........................................... 127
Console storage 
compartments ............................ 127
Cup holder  ...................................... 128
Parcel net in 
passenger footwell  .................... 128
Door pockets  ................................... 129
Rear storage compartment  ........... 129
Ashtray with lighter  ...................... 130
Lighter  ............................................. 131
Telephone, general  ........................ 132
Garage door opener  ....................... 133
Hardtop or panorama roof  ............ 137
Removing hardtop  ...................... 137
Attaching hardtop  ...................... 140Soft top  ............................................ 143
Lowering soft top  ....................... 144
Raising soft top  .......................... 145
Wind screen  ................................... 148
Antenna  ...........................................151
DrivingControl and operation of radio 
transmitters ................................153
Radio, telephone and 
two-way radio  ..............................153
Telep ho n es  an d  
two-way radio  ..............................153
The first 1 000 miles 
(1 500 km)  ..................................154
Maintenance  ...................................154
Tele Aid  ............................................155
Catalytic converter  .........................163
Emission control .............................164
Steering lock  ...................................165
Starting and turning off 
the engine  ...................................167
Before starting .............................167
Starting .........................................167Turning off  .................................. 167
Automatic transmission  ............... 168
Driving  ......................................... 168
Accelerator Position ................... 169
Selector lever positions  ............. 169
Maneuvering ............................... 172
Stopping ....................................... 172
Program mode 
selector switch  ............................ 173
Emergency Operation ................ 174
Parking brake  ................................. 175
Driving instructions  ...................... 176
Drive sensibly - Save fuel .......... 176
Drinking and driving ................. 176
Pedals ........................................... 176
Power assistance  ........................ 177
Brakes  .......................................... 177
Driving off  ................................... 178
Parking  ........................................ 178
Tires  ............................................. 179
Aquaplaning  ............................... 180
Tire traction  ................................ 180
Tire speed rating  ........................ 181
Snow chains  ................................ 181 

21 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Overhead control panel1Hands-free microphone for Tele Aid, and optional 
telephone with voice recognition system
2Interior lighting, see page 120
3Tele Aid (emergency call system), see page 155
4Rear view mirror, see page 71
5 Garage door opener, see page 133 

27 Contents – Operation
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Trip odometer  ............................... 79
Clock  .............................................. 79
Tachometer  .................................... 79
Flexible service system (FSS)  ........ 80
Engine oil level indicator in 
odometer display field ................ 82
Fuel consumption gauge ................. 83
Engine oil temperature gauge ........ 83
Engine oil consumption  .................. 83
Exterior lamp switch  ....................... 84
Standing lamps  ............................. 85
Night security illumination  ........ 85
Combination switch  ........................ 86
Blocked windshield wiper  .......... 88
Windshield wiper smears  ........... 88
Windshield and headlamp 
washer fluid mixing ratio  ........... 88
Hazard warning flasher switch  ..... 89
Automatic climate control  .............. 90
Display and controls  .................... 92
Basic setting - automatic mode  .. 93
Economy  ........................................ 93
Special settings  ............................ 94Audio and telephone, operation .... 98
Power windows  ............................... 116
Express opening of 
door windows  .............................. 117
Synchronizing power 
windows  ....................................... 117
Roll bar ............................................. 118
Interior lighting  ............................. 120
Interior lamps ............................. 120
Reading lamps ............................ 120
Entrance lamps in footwells, 
exit lamps in doors  .................... 120
Sunshade, manual ..........................121
Power sunshade ............................. 122
Sun visors  ....................................... 123
Illuminated vanity mirror  ............ 123
Interior  ............................................ 124
Storage compartment 
(eyeglasses compartment) 
in the dashboard  ...................... 124
Interior central 
locking system  ........................... 125
Integration with vehicle 
central locking system  .............. 126Separate locking of storage 
compartments ............................. 126
Armrest  ........................................... 127
Console storage 
compartments ............................ 127
Cup holder  ...................................... 128
Parcel net in 
passenger footwell  .................... 128
Door pockets  ................................... 129
Rear storage compartment  ........... 129
Ashtray with lighter  ...................... 130
Lighter  ............................................. 131
Telephone, general  ........................ 132
Garage door opener  ....................... 133
Hardtop or panorama roof  ............ 137
Removing hardtop ...................... 137
Attaching hardtop  ...................... 140
Soft top  ............................................ 143
Lowering soft top ........................ 144
Raising soft top ........................... 145
Wind screen .................................... 148
Antenna  ........................................... 151 

82 Checking engine oil level indicator
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator in odometer display field
(Model SL 500)
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2 and 
wait until the symbols : and I appear in the 
odometer display field.
Within 1 second press button “1” twice.The following messages are available:
“OK”
“-1.0 Q” (Canada: -1.0 L)
“-1.5 Q” (Canada: -1.5 L)
“-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L)
If the message “-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L) blinks and a 
signal sounds, add oil to upper (max) mark of the 
dipstick.
“HI”
The message “HI” blinks and a signal sounds.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could 
cause damage to engine and catalytic converter not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The symbol I f la sh es in th e od ome ter display f ield  if 
a proper oil level check cannot be performed.
The oil level check can be repeated after a short time.
Perform the oil level check with the dipstick, if it cannot 
be completed via the odometer display field.
In this case we recommend that you have the system 
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center. 

98 Audio system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help you become 
acquainted with your Mercedes-Benz vehicle radio. 
They contain useful tips and a detailed description of 
the user functions.
The right to correct errors and make technical amendments is 
reserved.
Operating safety1 Optional equipment 
Dolby and the double-D symbol 
Ù
 are trademarks of Dolby 
Laboratories Licensing Corporation. The Dolby noise reduction 
system is manufactured under licence from Dolby Laboratories 
Licensing Corporation.
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid distraction which could lead to an 
accident, system settings should be entered with 
the vehicle at standstill and systems should be 
operated by the driver only when traffic conditions 
permit. Always pay full attention to traffic 
conditions first before operating system controls 
while driving. Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph 
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is covering 
a distance of approximately 50 feet (approximately 
14 m )   e v e r y   s e c o n d .
Wa r n i n g !
Any alternations made to electronic components 
can cause malfunctionsThe radio, cassette deck, CD changer
1 and 
telephone
1 are interconnected. Therefore, when 
one of the components is defective or has not been 
removed/replaced properly this may impair the 
function of other components.
These malfunctions might seriously impair the 
operating safety of your vehicle.We recommend that you have any service work or 
alternations on electronic components done in an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. 

99 Audio system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Operating and display elements
1On/off, volume, see page 102
2Telephone mode selector, see page 113
3Seek, see page 104, 107 and 111
4Radio mode selector, see page 104
5Tune, see page 104 and 105
Fast Forward/Reverse, see page 108 and 111
6CD mode selector, see page 1107Display panel, see page 106
8Alpha-numeric keypad for
station storage and frequency entry, see page 105
optional telephone, see page 113
Tape eject, see page 107
Tape track select, see page 107
Dolby, see page 108
CD Random/repeat, see page 112
9Function button, see page 105 and 112 

113 Audio system
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Telephone operation
Various functions of the Mercedes-Benz integrated 
cellular telephone
1 can be performed and displayed via 
the car radio. Further instructions for operating the car 
telephone can be found in the operation guide for the 
cellular telephone1 .
Switching the telephone on and off
Switching on: Press the   
button, “TEL” appears in the 
corner of the display.
Switching off: Press and hold 
the   button until the telephone symbol “TEL” no 
longer appears in the display, or press the “PWR” button 
on the phone’s keypad.
1 Optional equipment
Entering telephone number and starting dialing 
process
Enter the desired telephone 
number using the alpha-
numeric keypad. The number 
can have up to 32 digits, but 
only 13 of these can be 
displayed. The dialing process is started by pressing the 
SND button. The entered number can be corrected using 
the “CLR” key.
Press the CLR key briefly - 
and the last digit will be 
deleted.
Press the CLR key longer - and 
the complete number will be deleted.
Calling up the phone book
The numbers stored in the telephone memory can be 
called up via either name or number entries. The 
memory contents from the portable phone must be 
downloaded and the telephone menu must be selected 
in order to call up the phone book. Refer to the 
“Memory download” section of the cellular telephone 
operation guide for more information.