2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class service indicator

162 Tele Aid
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Important!
If the indicator lamp continues to flash or the system
does not reset, contact the Response Center at
1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or 1-888-923-8367 (in
Canada), or Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (1-800-367-6372) in the USA or
Customer Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
Notes:
The indicator lamp in the respective button f lashes until
the call is concluded and this can only be completed by
a Response Center or Client Assistance Center
representative.
When a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the audio
system is muted and the selected mode (radio, tape or
CD) pauses. The optional cellular phone (if installed)
switches off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle
must be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call. Stolen vehicle tracking services
In the event your vehicle was stolen, report the incident
to the police who will issue a numbered incident report.
Pass this number on to the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center.
The Response Center will then attempt to covertly
contact the vehicle’s Tele Aid system. Once the vehicle
is located, the Response Center will contact the local
Law Enforcement and you. The vehicle’s location will
only be provided to Law Enforcement.
Important!
Tele Aid utilizes the cellular network for
communication and the GPS (Global Positioning
System) satellites for vehicle location. If either of these
signals are unavailable, the Tele Aid system may not
function and if this occurs, assistance must be
summoned by other means.

172 Automatic transmission
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Maneuvering
To maneuver in tight areas, e.g. when pulling into a
parking space, control the vehicle speed by gradually
releasing the brakes. Accelerate gently and never
abruptly step on the accelerator.
To rock a vehicle out of soft ground (mud or snow),
alternately shift from forward to reverse, while applying
only slight partial throttle.
Rocking a vehicle free in this manner may cause the
ABS malfunction indicator lamp to come on. Turn off
and restart the engine to clear the malfunction
indication.
Stopping
For brief stops, e.g. at traffic lights, leave the
transmission in gear and hold vehicle with the service
brake.
For longer stops with the engine idling, shift into “N”
or “P” and hold the vehicle with the service brake.
When stopping the vehicle on an uphill gradient, do not
hold it with the accelerator, use the brake. This avoids
unnecessary transmission heat build up.
Wa r n i n g !
Getting out of your vehicle with the selector lever
not fully engaged in position “P” is dangerous.
Also, when parked on an incline, position “P” alone
may not prevent your vehicle from moving,
possibly hitting people or objects.Always set the parking brake in addition to shifting
to position “P”.When parked on an incline, also turn front wheel
towards the road curb.When leaving the vehicle always remove the key
from the steering lock, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could move
the selector lever from position “P”, which could
result in an accident or serious injury.

209 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Low engine coolant level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, then the coolant
level has dropped below the required level. If no leaks
are noticeable and the engine temperature does not
increase, continue to drive to the nearest service station
and have coolant added to the coolant system,
see page 225.
The low engine coolant level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
may cause serious engine damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.In cases of major or frequent minor coolant loss, have
the cooling system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Note:
Do not drive without coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major engine damage.
Monitor the coolant temperature gauge while driving.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine parts.
You can be seriously burned.

210 Malfunction and indicator lamps
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Low windshield and headlamp washer system fluid
level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, the level of the
reservoir has dropped to approx. 1/3 of the total volume.
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water (or commercially
available premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient temperature - see
page 88) at the next opportunity. The reservoir for the
windshield and headlamp washer systems is located in
the engine compartment.Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on. It should
go out immediately when the engine is
running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip,
see page 222.

213 Malfunction and warning messages
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index High beam indicator lamp
High beam indicator lamp, see page 86
Additional function indicator lamps
(in the odometer display)
FSS indicator (distance, Service A),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (distance, Service B),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (days, Service A),
seepage80.
FSS indicator (days, Service B),
seepage80.
Start lock-out malfunction, see page 33.Malfunction and indicator lamp
(in the dashboard)
Passenger airbag indicator lamp
üPassenger airbag automatically switched off,
see page 60.

288 Index
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Failure indicator lamp .............................................. 211
Headlamp assembly (Halogen) ...............................244
Headlamp assembly (Xenon) ..................................246
License plate lamps .................................................. 251
Replacing bulbs .........................................................243
Taillamp assemblies .................................................250
Turn signal, parking,
side marker and standing lamp .........................245
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 216
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 80
FSS indicator lamp ..................................................... 77
Fuel consumption gauge ................................................. 83
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...................................260
Fuel requirements .........................................................280
Fuel reserve and
fuel cap placement warning ....................................207
Fuel supply .....................................................................200
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
etc. - capacities ..........................................................277
Fuses ................................................................................ 219
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 133
Gasoline
Additives ..................................................................... 281
Fuel requirements ................................................... 280
Premium unleaded .................................................. 280HHardtop
Attaching hardtop .....................................................140
Removing .................................................................... 137
Hardtop or panorama roof ............................................ 137
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 89
Head restraints .................................................................44
Headlamp assembly (Halogen) ................................... 244
Headlamp cleaning system .............................................87
High beam indicator lamp ............................................ 213
Hood ................................................................................ 220

291 Index
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SSafety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................................................... 67
Seat belt nonusage warning system ............................. 53
Seat belts ........................................................................... 52
Fastening ...................................................................... 54
Unfastening .................................................................. 56
Warning lamp ............................................................206
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................................................... 52
Seats ................................................................................... 44
Seat heater ................................................................... 50
Snow chains .................................................................... 181
Soft top ............................................................................ 143
Lowering ..................................................................... 144
Raising ........................................................................ 145
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 156
Spare parts service ........................................................270
Spare wheel ....................................................................229
SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 59
Indicator lamp ...........................................................206
Start lock-out .................................................................... 33
Malfunction lamp ........................................................ 77Starting 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 ...................................... 216
Sun visors ........................................................................123
Sunshade, electrical ...................................................... 122
Sunshade, manual ......................................................... 121
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ...........................59
Synchronizing power windows .................................... 117
TTachometer ........................................................................79
Taillamp assemblies ..................................................... 250
Technical ........................................................................ 273
Technical data ................................................................ 273
Electrical system ....................................................... 276
Main dimensions ...................................................... 276
Rims – Tires ...............................................................274
Weights ....................................................................... 276
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 156