2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 roll bar

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

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

23 Instruments and controls
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 1Side air outlet, adjustable, see page 91
2Level control switch and wheel change switch,
see page 196
3Exterior lamp switch, see page 86
4Parking brake release, see page 175
5Hood lock release, see page 219
6Parking brake pedal, see page 175
7Combination switch, see page 86
8Cruise control switch, see page 185
9Horn
10Airbag, see page 60
11Voice recognition system switch, see separate
operating instructions
12Instrument cluster, see page 74
13Steering lock with ignition/starter switch,
see page 165
14Center air outlets adjustable, see page 91
15Heated air supply button - center air outlet,
see page 9116Non-heated/cooled air supply button - center air
outlet, see page 91
17Storage/eyeglasses compartment, see page 124
18Air volume control for left air outlet, see page 91
19Air volume control for center air outlets, see page 91
20Air volume control for right air outlet, see page 91
21Airbag off indicator lamp, see page 213
22Automatic climate control, see page 90
Rear window defroster switch, see page 95
23Audio system, see page 98
24Trunk lid release switch, see page 40
25Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 43
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system,
see page 42
26Central locking switch, see page 37
27Hazard warning f lasher switch, see page 89
28Adaptive damping system adjustment switch,
see page 199
29ESP control switch, see page 194
30Roll bar operation switch, see page 118

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

76 Instrument cluster
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement
warning, see page 207
High beam, see page 86
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 211
Low windshield and headlamp washer
system fluid level see page 210
Coolant level low, see page 209
Engine oil level low, see page 210
Exterior lamp failure indicator lamp,
see page 211
Roll bar warning lamp, see page 212
ESP warning lamp. Adjust driving to road
condition, see page 207
ADS indicator lamp, see page 212BAS/ESP malfunction, see page 207
ABS malfunction, see page 208
Brake pads worn down, see page 205
Brake fluid low (except Canada)
Parking brake engaged, see page 204
Brake fluid low (Canada only)
Parking brake engaged, see page 204
SRS malfunction, see page 206
Fasten seat belt, see page 206
If the lamp comes on when the engine is
running, it indicates a malfunction of the
fuel management system or the emission
control system, or the fuel cap is not closed
tight. In all cases, we recommend that you
have the malfunction checked as soon as
possible, see page 204.
ABS

118 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roll bar
The switch is located in the center console.
Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
Press switch
Upper half = to raise
Lower half = to lower
The lowering or raising procedure is immediately
interrupted by releasing the roll bar switch.If the roll bar was raised using the switch, it will be
automatically lowered when activating the soft top
switch.
The roll bar will be automatically raised in an accident
or in a potentially dangerous driving situation. A ratchet
noise can be heard when the roll bar is automatically
raised.
The roll bar can be lowered again after an automatic
deployment by pressing the upper half of the roll bar
switch (for at least 5 seconds) until the roll bar drive
mechanism audibly engages. Then press the lower half
of the switch to lower the roll bar.
P91.59-0202-26

119 Interior equipment
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Items being transported in the area behind the seats
should be placed in such a manner as not to affect the
movement of the roll bar when being raised.Note:
If t he indicator lamps in t he sw itch a re blinking or if t he
warning lamp in the instrument cluster comes on, then
a malfunction has been detected.
In this case, drive only with the roll bar raised until the
problem has been corrected. Raise the roll bar by
pressing the upper half of the roll bar switch. The
indicator lamps in the switch will go out, however, the
warning lamp in the instrument cluster will stay on.
Have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Important!
The roll bar is intended to be a safety enhancement to
the other features designed into the vehicle. No system
in any vehicle can eliminate the possibility of serious
injury or fatality in an accident. Properly fastened seat
belts and child restraints must be used!
Wa r n i n g
This vehicle is a two occupant vehicle. The rear
storage area should never be used by any persons.
Raising or lowering of t he roll bar cou ld i nju re rear
seated occupants.Before operating the roll bar switch make sure that
the roll bar’s path is clear and no persons due to
inattention are injured by the moving roll bar.For your own safety we recommend to drive with
the roll bar raised, if• the outside temperature is below +5°F (-15°C)
• the soft top is closed and pets are placed in the
rear storage area.