2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class ECU

69 Restraint systems
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Important!
The use of infant or child restraints is required by law in
all 50 states and all Canadian provinces.
Infants and small children should be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system properly
secured by a lap-shoulder belt, and that complies with
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 213.
A statement by the child restraint manufacturer of
compliance with this standard can be found on the
instruction label on the restraint and in the instruction
manual provided with the restraint.
When using any infant or child restraint system, be sure
to carefully read and follow all manufacturer’s
instructions for installation and use.
Please read and observe warning labels affixed to inside
of vehicle and to infant or child restraints.
U.S.A. Mod els only:
Since 1986 all U.S. child restraints comply with
U.S. regulations without the use of a tether strap.
Wa r n i n g !
Children 12 years old and under must never ride in
this vehicle, except in a Mercedes-Benz authorized
BabySmart
TM compatible child seat, which operates
with the BabySmart
TM system installed in the
vehicle to deactivate the passenger front airbag
when it is properly installed. Otherwise they will
be struck by the airbag when it inflates in a crash.
If this happens, serious or fatal injury can result.
Infants and small children must be seated in an
appropriate infant or child restraint system, which
is properly secured with the vehicle’s seat belt,
fully in accordance with the child seat
manufacturer’s instructions.Infants and small children should never share a
seat belt with another occupant. During an
accident, they could be crushed between the
occupant and seat belt.When the child restraint is not in use, remove it
from the vehicle or secure it with the seat belt to
prevent the child restraint from becoming a
projectile in the event of an accident.

85 Exterior lamp switch
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Standing lamps
When the vehicle is parked on the street the standing
lamps (right or left side parking lamps) can be turned
on, making the vehicle more visible to passing vehicles.
The standing lamps cannot be operated with the key in
steering lock position 2.
Daytime running lamp mode
When the engine is running and the selector lever is in
a driving position, the low beam headlamps (includes
parking lamps, side marker lamps, taillamps and
license plate lamps) are automatically switched on.
When shifting from a driving position to position “N”
or “P”, the low beam switches off (2 seconds delay).
For nighttime driving the exterior lamp switch should
be turned to position B to permit activation of the
high beam headlamps.Night security illumination
When exiting the vehicle after driving with the exterior
lamps on, they switch on again for added illumination
for approximately 30 seconds after closing the last door.
The lamp-on time period can be changed at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.

124 Interior equipment
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Interior Storage compartment (eyeglasses compartment) in
the dashboard
1Storage compartment (eyeglasses compartment)
2Button for storage compartment
3Lock
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.Luggage nets cannot secure hard or heavy objects.

147 Soft top
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index For safety reasons, the soft top cannot be unlocked
while driving.
However, if the soft top is not completely locked, it can
be locked while driving by pushing the soft/hardtop
switch forward.
If the indicator lamp in the soft top switch blinks while
activating the switch,
• the battery voltage may be insufficient - start engine
and let run while activating switch,
• the system may be overloaded (for example after
lowering or raising the soft top approx.
5 consecutive times) - after approx. 2 minutes the
soft top switch may be activated again,
• and the power supply was interrupted (battery
disconnected or empty), the soft top cannot be fully
raised or lowered.
To raise the soft top, for safety reasons, first remove key
from steering lock. Lower soft top by hand into
compartment, and resynchronize the power windows.
See page 116.
To lower the soft top, first resynchronize the power
windows. See page 116.If t he indicator la mp continues to bl ink, l ock th e sof t top
manually. See page 254.
Have the system checked at your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
If the roll bar was raised automatically, the process of
raising or lowering the soft top will take somewhat
longer, as the roll bar must first be lowered.
Whenever possible, park vehicle in the shade as
continuous exposure to sun rays can prematurely
deteriorate the soft top material.
Permanent creases in the plastic window, caused by
storage of the soft top in the storage compartment,
cannot be avoided.
The soft top may become moldy if it is kept in the
storage compartment for an extended period.
Therefore, we recommend raising and airing it
thoroughly with the side windows open (do not expose
it to the sun) at regular intervals during the wet and
cold seasons.

170 Automatic transmission
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Park position
The park position is to be used when parking the
vehicle. Engage only with the vehicle stopped.
The park position is not intended to serve as a
brake when the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always use the parking brake in
addition to placing the selector lever in park to
secure the vehicle.
Note:
The key can be removed from the steering lock
only with the foot off the brake pedal and the
selector lever in position “P”. With the key
removed, the selector lever is locked in
position “P”.
Reverse gear
Shift to reverse gear only with the vehicle
sto pp ed.
Depending on the program mode selector switch
position “S” or “W” the maximum speed in the
reverse gear is different. However, it is not
possible to change the program mode while in
reverse.Neutral
No power is transmitted from the engine to the
drive axle. When the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely (pushed or towed). Do
not engage “N” while driving except to coast
when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e.g. on
icy roads, see page 182).
Important!
Coasting the vehicle, or driving for any other
reason with selector lever in “N” can result in
transmission damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The transmission automatically upshifts through
5th gear. Position “D” provides optimum driving
characteristics under all normal operating
conditions.
Upshift through 4th gear only. Suitable for
performance driving. To shift from position “D”
to “4”, push selector lever to the left.
Upshift through 3rd gear only. Suitable for
moderately steep hills. Since the transmission
does not shift higher than 3rd gear, this gear
selection will allow use of the engine’s braking
power downhill.

204 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Malfunction and indicator lamps
in the instrument cluster
General information:
If a bulb in the instrument cluster fails to light up
during the bulb self-check when turning the electronic
key in steering lock to position 2, have it checked and
replaced if necessary.
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp
Engine malfunction indicator lamp. If the
“CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator
lamp comes on when the engine is running,
it indicates a malfunction of the fuel management
system, emission control system, systems which impact
emissions, or the fuel cap is not closed tight (check the
fuel cap). If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp is illuminated
continuously and the vehicle is driving normally, you
may still drive the vehicle, however, in all cases, we
recommend that you have the system checked at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible. If the “CHECK ENGINE” lamp comes on continuously
and / or the vehicle is not driving normally, serious
damage can occur to the emission system. Please
contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
The Sequential Multiport Fuel Injection (SFI) control
module monitors emission control components that
either provide input signals to or receive output signals
from the control module. Malfunctions resulting from
interruptions or failure of any of these components are
indicated by the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction
indicator lamp in the instrument cluster and are
simultaneously stored in the SFI control module.
If the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp
comes on, have the system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
With some exceptions, the control module switches off
the “CHECK ENGINE” malfunction indicator lamp if the
condition, causing the lamp to come on, no longer exists
during three consecutive cycles. See also page 207 for
fuel cap placement warning.

237 Battery
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Battery
Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk
behind the right side cover panel.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
key is in steering lock position 0. The battery must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components will be
damaged.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get injured.Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not allow
this fluid to come in contact with eyes, skin or
clothing. In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water and seek medical help.A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which is
flammable and explosive. Keep flames or sparks
away from battery, avoid improper connection of
jumper cables, smoking etc.

241 Towing the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Tow in g t h e ve hic l e
All except Sport Package
The rear towing eye is located at the right, below the
bumper. The front towing eye is located on the
passenger side behind a flap in the bumper panel.
Cover removal for all except Sport Package version:
Insert finger in recess of flap and pull flap out.
Cover removal for Sport Package version: Pull cover
away from bumper.Sport Package
Cover installation for all except Sport Package version:
Engage cover at bottom and press in top securely.
Cover installation for Sport Package version: Engage
right cover end, and press in left cover end securely.
We recommend that the vehicle be transported using
flat bed equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
P88.20-0315-26
P31.10-0300-26