2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 trunk

1 Contents
Introduction Product information .......................... 7
Operator’s manual ............................. 8
Where to find it ................................ 13
Problems with your vehicle ........... 14
Reporting Safety Defects ................ 15Instruments and controls Instruments and controls ............... 18
Door control panel ....................... 20
Overhead control panel ............... 21
Dashboard ..................................... 22
Center console .............................. 24Operation Vehicle keys ...................................... 28
Remote control with
folding master key ....................... 28
Central locking system ................... 29
Remote control ............................. 29
Locking and unlocking ................ 30Choosing global or
selective mode on
remote control ...............................31
Opening the trunk ........................31
Panic button ................................. 32
Start lock-out .................................... 33
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 33
Doors ................................................. 34
Central locking switch .................... 36
Automatic central locking .......... 37
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 38
Trunk ................................................. 38
Trunk lid release switch ................ 39
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 40
Power windows .................................41
Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm ............................... 43
Power seats ....................................... 44
Storing position in memory ....... 46
Backrest ............................................ 48
Multicontour seats .......................... 49
Seat heater ........................................ 50Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 52
Seat belts ........................................... 52
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 53
Fastening of seat belts ................. 54
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system .................... 58
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ................................ 58
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ................................ 59
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................. 59
Airbags .............................................. 60
Front airbags ................................ 62
Side impact airbags ..................... 62
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag ..................... 67
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 68
Adjusting steering column ............. 70

5 Contents
Practical hints First aid kit ..................................... 216
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 216
Vehicle tools .................................... 217
Vehicle jack ..................................... 218
Fuses ................................................ 219
Hood .................................................220
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................222
Checking engine oil level .............222
Coolant level ...................................224
Adding coolant ...............................225
Windshield and
headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio ......................226
Wheels .............................................227
Tire replacement ............................227
Rotating wheels ..............................228
Spare wheel ....................................229
Changing wheels ........................... 231
Tire inflation pressure ..................235
Battery .............................................237
Battery Recycling .......................238Jump starting ................................. 239
Towing the vehicle ........................ 241
Exterior lamps ............................... 243
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .................................... 244
Taillamp assemblies .................. 250
Changing batteries in the
remote control ........................... 252
Synchronizing ............................ 253
Raising soft top manually ............ 254
Replacing wiper blade ................. 258
Manual release of
fuel filler flap ............................ 260
Trunk lamp ..................................... 260
Vehicle care Cleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 262
Power washer ............................. 263
Tar stains .................................... 263
Paintwork, Painted Body
Components ................................ 263
Engine cleaning ......................... 264
Vehicle washing ......................... 264Ornamental moldings ................264
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................264
Window cleaning .......................265
Light alloy wheels ......................265
Instrument cluster .....................265
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................265
Cup holder ...................................265
Seat belts .....................................266
Headliner, shelf behind
roll bars, and other hard
plastic trim items .......................266
Soft top .........................................266
Headliner .....................................267
Wind screen ................................267
Automatic antenna .....................267
Wiper blade .................................267
Headlamp cleaning
system ..........................................267
Leather upholstery .....................268
Plastic and rubber parts ............268
Illuminated door sill panels .....268

23 Instruments and controls
Te ch n ica l
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 220
6Parking brake pedal, see page 175
7Combination switch, see page 86
8Cruise control switch, see page 184
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 39
25Switch for tow-away alarm, see page 43
Indicator lamp for antitheft alarm system,
see page 42
26Central locking switch, see page 36
27Hazard warning flasher 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

26 Contents - Operation
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Operation Vehicle keys ...................................... 28
Remote control with
folding master key ....................... 28
Central locking system ................... 29
Remote control ............................. 29
Locking and unlocking ................ 30
Choosing global or selective
mode on remote control .............. 31
Opening the trunk ....................... 31
Panic button .................................. 32
Start lock-out .................................... 33
General notes on the
central locking system ............... 33
Doors .................................................. 34
Central locking switch .................... 36
Automatic central locking .......... 37
Emergency unlocking in case of
accident ........................................ 38
Trunk ................................................. 38
Trunk lid release switch ................. 39
Trunk lid emergency release ......... 40
Power windows ................................. 41Antitheft alarm system ................... 42
Tow-away alarm ............................... 43
Power seats ....................................... 44
Storing position in memory ....... 46
Backrest ............................................ 48
Multicontour seats .......................... 49
Seat heater ........................................ 50
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................... 52
Seat belts .......................................... 52
Seat belt nonusage
warning system ............................ 53
Fastening of seat belts ................ 54
BabySmart
TM airbag
deactivation system ................... 58
Self-test BabySmart
TM
without special child
seat installed ............................... 58
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) ............................... 59
Emergency tensioning
retractor (ETR) ............................ 59
Airbags .............................................. 60
Front airbags ................................ 62Side impact airbags ..................... 62
Safety guidelines for the
seat belt, emergency tensioning
retractor and airbag ..................... 67
Infant and child
restraint systems .......................... 68
Adjusting steering column ............. 70
Storing steering column
position in memory ..................... 70
Rear view mirrors ............................ 71
Inside rear view mirror ............... 71
Antiglare night position .............. 71
Exterior rear view mirrors .......... 72
Storing mirror positions in
memory .......................................... 73
Instrument cluster ........................... 74
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

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.

31 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Choosing global or selective mode on remote control
Press and hold transmit buttons ‹ and Œ
simultaneously for five seconds to reprogram the
remote control. Battery check lamp will blink two times
indicating the completed mode change.Opening the trunk
Press the transmit button Šuntil the trunk lid is
open.
Important!
Do not place remote control in trunk since trunk is
locked when the lid is closed if the vehicle is centrally
locked.
Note:
If the trunk was previously locked separately, it will
remain locked. See page 38.

34 Central locking system
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Doors
1Opening – pull handle
2Unl ock ing
3Locking
4Individual door from inside:
• Push lock button down to lock.
• Pull inside door handle to unlock.The entire vehicle may be locked or unlocked by either
using the master key in driver’s door or trunk locks, or
central locking switch located in center console. The
master key also locks or unlocks the storage
compartment in the armrest, and the fuel filler flap.
Note:
If the fuel filler flap cannot be opened, see page 260.