2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class key battery

29 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Note:
Do not give the master key to an unauthorized person.
Obtaining replacement keys
Your vehicle is equipped with a theft deterrent locking
system requiring a special key manufacturing process.
For security reasons, replacement keys can only be
obtained from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Central locking system
Remote control
Due to the extended operational range of the remote
control, it could be possible to unintentionally lock or
unlock the vehicle by pressing the transmit button.
The vehicle doors, trunk, storage compartment in
armrest, and fuel filler flap can be centrally locked and
unlocked via remote control.1Transmit button
‹ Locking
ΠUnlocking
ŠOpening trunk
2PANIC button
3Release button for master key
4Transmitter eye and lamp for battery check

30 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Locking and unlocking with remote control
Unlocking:
Press transmit button Œ. All turn signal lamps blink
once to indicate that the vehicle is unlocked.
The remote control can be programmed for two kinds of
unlocking modes (see below):
Selective unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Œonce to unlock driver’s door,
storage compartment in armrest, and fuel filler flap.
Press transmit button Πtwice to unlock both doors,
storage compartment in armrest, fuel filler flap, and
trunk.
Global unlocking mode –
Press transmit button Πonce to unlock both doors,
storage compartment in armrest, fuel filler flap, and
trunk.
Notes:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked, see page 38.
The presently active unlocking mode (selective or
global) can only be determined by unlocking the vehicle
with the remote control (see below for changing mode).If within 40 seconds of unlocking with the remote
control, neither door is opened, the key is not inserted
in the steering lock, or the central locking switch is not
activated, the vehicle will automatically lock.
Locking:
Press transmit button ‹ once. All turn signal lamps
blink three times to indicate that the vehicle is locked.
Note:
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked by pressing
the transmit button, then it may be necessary to change
the batteries in the remote control (if ok, battery check
lamp in transmitter will light briefly when transmitting)
or to synchronize the remote control, see page 252 and
page 253.

33 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Start lock-out
Important!
Removing the key from the steering lock activates the
start lock-out. The engine cannot be started.
Turning the key in the steering lock to position 2
deactivates the start lock-out.
Note:
In case the engine cannot be started (vehicle’s battery is
in order), and Á and î are shown in the
odometer display field, the system is not operational.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or 1-800-387-0100
(in Canada).General notes on the central locking system
If the key in the steering lock is in position 2, the
vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked with the remote
control.
If the vehicle cannot be locked or unlocked:
• Aim transmitter eye at a receiver of either door
handle and press button‹ orŒ.
• Check the batteries of the remote control,
see page 252.
• Synchronize the remote control,
see page 253.

40 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Trunk lid emergency release
The emergency release button (1) is located in the
center of the inside trunck rear wall.
Briefly press emergency release button (1).
All doors, the fuel filler flap, and the trunk unlock; and
the trunk lid opens.Note:
The emergency release button (1) only unlocks and
opens the trunk while the vehicle is standing.
Important!
The emergency trunk lid release button (1) does not
open the trunk lid, if:
• the vehicle battery is discharged or disconnected,
• the trunk lid was previously locked separately with
the mechanical key, see page 38.
Illumination of the emergency release button (1):
The button will blink for 30 minutes after opening the
trunk.
The button will blink for 60 minutes after closing the
trunk.
1

81 Flexible service system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The counter can also be set by any individual. To do so:
1. Turn key in steering lock to position 2.
2. Within 4 seconds press button (1) twice.
3. The present status for days or distance is displayed.
Within 10 seconds turn key in steering lock to
position 0.
4. Press and hold button (1), while turning key in
steering lock to position 2 again. The present status
for days or distance is displayed once more.
Continue to hold button (1).
After approx. 10 seconds a signal sounds, and the
display shows 10 000 miles (Canada: 15 000 km) for
approx. 10 seconds.
5. Release button (1).
If the FSS counter was inadvertently reset, have a
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.Note:
When disconnecting vehicle battery for one or more
days at a time, such days will not be counted. Any such
days not counted by FSS can be added by your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
The interval between services is determined by the kind
of vehicle operation. For example driving at extreme
speeds, and cold starts combined with short distance
driving in which the engine does not reach normal
operating temperature, reduce the interval between
services.
Model SL 500
The FSS allows for distances between 10 000 miles
(Canada: 15 000 km) and 20 000 miles (Canada:
30 000 km), or from 365 to 730 days between services.
Model SL 600
The FSS allows for distances between 10 000 miles
(Canada: 15 000 km) and 16 000 miles (Canada:
25 000 km), or from 365 to 730 days between services.
However you choose to set your reference numbers, the
scheduled services as posted in the Service Booklet
must be followed to properly care for your vehicle.

95 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Rear window defroster
(only functions with hardtop installed)
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2.
To select, press F button.
To cancel, press F button again.
Note:
Heavy accumulation of snow and ice should be removed
before activating the defroster.
The rear window defroster uses a large amount of power.
To keep the battery drain to a minimum, turn off the
defroster as soon as the window is clear.
The defroster is automatically turned off after a
maximum of 12 minutes of operation.
If several power consumers are turned on
simultaneously, or the battery is only partially charged,
it is possible that the defroster will automatically turn
itself off. When this happens, the indicator lamp inside
the switch starts blinking.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
defroster automatically turns itself back on.Air distribution
Press b button repeatedly until the requested
symbol is displayed.
Air volume
Press “-” or “+” side of rocker switch ï until the
requested blower speed is attained. A choice of 7 blower
speeds is available.
To switch the automatic climate control off, press
“-” side of rocker switch ï until symbol OFF is
displayed.
The fresh air supply to the car interior is shut off.
While driving, use this setting only temporarily,
otherwise the windshield could fog up.
To switch the automatic climate control on again,
pressU, P, or “+” side ofï.

96 Automatic climate control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Air recirculation
This mode can be selected to temporarily reduce the
entry of annoying odors or dust into the vehicle’s
interior.
Outside air is not supplied to the car’s interior.
To select, press O button.
To cancel, press O button again.
The system will automatically switch from recirculated
air to fresh air:
• after approx. 5 minutes at outside temperatures
below approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 30 minutes, at outside temperatures
above approx. 40°F (5°C),
• after approx. 5 minutes, if button S is pressed.
Notes:
If the windows should fog up from the inside, switch
from recirculated air back to fresh air.
At high outside temperatures, the system automatically
engages the recirculated air mode thereby increasing
the cooling capacity performance, switching to partially
fresh air within 20 minutes.Residual engine heat utilization
With the engine switched off, it is possible to continue
heating the interior for a short while.
Air volume and distribution are controlled
automatically.
To select:
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 1 or 0 or
remove electronic key.
Press T button.
This function selection will not activate if the battery
charge level is insufficient.
To c a n c e l :
Press T button.
The system will automatically shut off:
• If you turn electronic key in steering lock to
position 2,
•after approx. 30minutes,
• if the battery voltage drops.

102 Audio system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Operation
Switching on and off
Press the control knob .
The radio is switched off when the ignition key is turned
to position 0 or removed from the ignition. The radio is
switched on again when the ignition key is turned to
position 1 or 2.
Note:
The radio can also be switched on even if the ignition
key is not inserted, but will switch itself off
automatically after one hour to conserve vehicle battery
power.
Adjusting the volume
Turn the control knob - turning the knob clockwise will
increase the volume, counterclockwise will decrease the
volume.Audio functions
The AUD key is used to select the BASS, TREBLE and
BALANCE functions. Settings for bass and treble are
stored separately for the radio, cassette and CD modes.
Tone level settings are identified by the vertical bars.
The center (flat) setting is shown by one longer bar in
the center of the display.
Bass
Press the AUD key repeatedly
until “BASS” appears in the
display.
Treble
Press the AUD key repeatedly
until “TREBLE” appears in the
display.
Press the “+” key to increase
or the “-” key to decrease the level.