2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class key

242 Towing the vehicle
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The vehicle may be towed with all wheels on the ground
and the selector lever in position “N” for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h). The key must be in steering lock position 2.
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to the
transmission, however, we recommend the drive shaft
be disconnected at the rear axle drive f lange for any
towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing with
sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will damage
radiator and supports.
The use of wheel lift equipment will damage engine oil
pan.
Important!
When towing the vehicle, please, note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and the
key in steering lock position 2, the vehicle doors lock if
the left front wheel as well as the right rear wheel 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.When transporting vehicle on flat bed equipment, the
front end of the vehicle must be loaded first. Additional
ramping may be required for loading to protect bumper
fascia.
Note:
To signal turns while being towed with hazard warning
flasher in use, turn key in steering lock to position 2 and
activate combination switch for left or right turn signal
in usual manner – only the selected turn signal will
operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warning
flasher will operate again.
Wa r n i n g !
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the braking and steering systems. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort in necessary to
brake and steer the vehicle.

252 Remote control
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Changing batteries in the remote control
Checking batteries
If the transmit buttonŒ or‹ is pressed longer
than 1 second, the battery check lamp in the transmitter
eye (1) lights up briefly – indicating that the batteries
are in order.
Change batteries if the battery check lamp does not light
up briefly.Changing batteries
Unfold master key from holder by pressing key release
button (2). Pull off battery cover (3).

253 Remote control
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Change batteries, inserting new ones with plus (+) side
facing up.
Press battery cover onto housing until locked in place.Important!
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment if disposed of improperly. Recycling of
batteries is the preferred method of disposal. For
disposal, please follow manufacturer’s recommendation
on battery package.
Replacement Battery:
Lithium, type CR 2025 or equivalent.
Synchronizing remote control
The system may have to be resynchronized, if the
transmitter is without voltage for several minutes.
To synchronize system, aim transmitter eye at vehicle
and briefly press transmit buttonŒ or‹ twice.
Within approx. 30 seconds insert key in steering lock
and turn it to position 2.
The remote control should once again be operational.

254 Raising soft top manually
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Raising soft top manually
In case of malfunction, the power soft top can also be
raised manually. This procedure should be performed
with great care by 2 persons.
A combination open-end/Allenhead wrench in the
vehicle tool kit is required for this job.
1. Open doors or lower windows.
2. Lower roll bar with roll bar switch. If the roll bar
cannot be lowered, the soft top can be carefully
guided over the roll bar.
3. For safety reasons, remove key from steering lock.
4. Unlock soft top storage compartment lock, located
on vehicle right side:
Place open-end wrench on bolt between roll bar and
storage compartment cover. Turn wrench (1)
towards rear of vehicle.
Open storage compartment cover and place in
upright position (2).
Wa r n i n g !
Do not place your hands near the roll bar, soft top
frame, upper windshield area or soft top storage
compartment while the soft top is being locked.
Serious personal injury may occur.
P77.30-0332-26
1

265 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex Window cleaning
Use a window cleaning solution on all glass surfaces. An
automotive glass cleaner is recommended.
Note:
For safety reasons, switch off wiper and remove key
from steering lock before cleaning the windshield,
otherwise the wiper motor can suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
Light alloy wheels
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care should be used for
regular cleaning of the light alloy wheels.
If possible, clean wheels once a week with
Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care, using a soft
bristle brush and a strong spray of water.
Follow instructions on container.
Note:
Use only acid-free cleaning materials. The acid could
lead to corrosion.Instrument cluster
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild detergent
for delicate fabrics as a washing solution. Wipe with a
cloth moistened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Steering wheel and gear selector lever
Wipe with a damp cloth and dry thoroughly or clean
with Mercedes-Benz approved Leather Care.
Cup holder
Use a gentle dishwashing detergent or mild detergent
for delicate fabrics as a washing solution. Wipe with a
cloth moistened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.
Note:
For ease of cleaning, the cup holder between the front
seats can be removed by pulling it up when in its closed
position.

267 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex In general, regular spraying or cleansing with clear
water is sufficient to keep the top clean.
Wash the top only when heavily soiled.
Light colored soft tops should be cleaned frequently to
prevent spots and dirt from setting in, which could stain
and discolor the soft top material permanently.
Caution!
Never use any gasoline, thinner, tar and stain removers,
glass cleaner, or similar organic solvents to clean the
soft top, plastic window or wind screen. They will cause
damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Headliner
Soft top:
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.Wind screen
Use only water or mild detergent to clean the wind
screen.
Automatic antenna
For trouble-free operation of the automatic antenna, we
recommend that you clean the antenna mast
periodically.
Wiper blade
Clean the wiper blade rubber with a clean cloth and
detergent solution.
Note:
For safety reasons, remove key from steering lock before
cleaning the wiper blade, otherwise the wiper motor
can suddenly turn on and cause injury.
Headlamp cleaning system
The condition of the wiper blades is important for
satisfactory cleaning of the headlamp lenses. We
therefore recommend that the blades be inspected
regularly.

285 Index
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Index
AABS (Antilock brake system) ....................................... 190
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................208
Adj usting steering c ol umn
Storing steering column
position in memory ............................................... 70
ADS indicator lamp ....................................................... 212
ADS warning lamp ......................................................... 212
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................279
Airbags .............................................................................. 60
Airbag OFF indicator lamp ...................................... 213
SRS indicator lamp ...................................................206
Antenna ........................................................................... 151
Antilock brake system (ABS) ....................................... 190
Antitheft alarm system ................................................... 42
Aquaplaning ................................................................... 180
Armrest ........................................................................... 127
Ashtrays .................................................................. 130, 131
Audio system
Anti-theft system ...................................................... 100
Button and soft key operation ................................. 101
Cassette mode ........................................................... 106CD changer ................................................................. 110
CD mode ..................................................................... 109
Operating and display elements ...............................99
Operating safety ..........................................................98
Operation ............................................................. 98, 102
Radio mode ................................................................ 104
Telephone operation ................................................. 113
Automatic climate control ..............................................90
Air distribution ............................................................95
Air recirculation ..........................................................96
Air volume .................................................................... 95
Basic setting - automatic mode ................................. 93
Defogging windows .....................................................94
Defrosting .....................................................................94
Display and controls ...................................................92
Dust filter .....................................................................97
Rear window defroster ............................................... 95
Residual engine heat utilization ...............................96
Automatic transmission ................................................ 168
Emergency operation ............................................... 174
Fluid level .................................................................. 222
Maneuvering ..............................................................172
Program mode selector switch ................................173
Selector lever positions ............................................ 169

286 Index
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 58
Self-test ......................................................................... 58
Backrest ............................................................................. 48
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 188
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................207
Battery .............................................................................237
Charge indicator lamp .............................................. 211
Recycling ....................................................................238
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 188
Brake fluid ......................................................................279
Capacity ......................................................................277
Brake pad wear indicator lamp ....................................205
Brake warning lamp ......................................................205
CCatalytic converter ........................................................ 163
Central locking system ................................................... 29
Automatic central locking ......................................... 37
Central locking switch ............................................... 36
General notes ............................................................... 33
Locking and unlocking
with remote control ............................................... 30
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 29Remote control – changing batteries .................... 252
Vehicle keys .................................................................28
Changing wheels ............................................................231
Charge indicator lamp ................................................... 211
Check engine
malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 204
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 202
Checking engine oil level ............................................ 222
Checking engine oil level indicator .............................. 82
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 262
Clock .................................................................................. 79
Combination switch .........................................................86
Console storage compartments ....................................127
Consumer information ................................................. 283
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ..................................................... 154
Coolant
Adding coolant .......................................................... 225
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 282
Checking level .......................................................... 224
Coolants ......................................................................281
Low engine coolant level
warning lamp ....................................................... 209
Temperature gauge .....................................................78
Cruise control ................................................................. 184
Cup holder .............................................................. 128, 265