2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 steering

237 Battery
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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.

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.

253 Remote control
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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

261 Contents - Vehicle care
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data Instruments
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
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 ....................... 266Soft 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

265 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
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.

272 Technical data
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Layout of poly-V-belt drive
SL 500
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Crankshaft
3Air conditioner compressor
4SL 500: Coolant pump
SL 600: FanSL 600
5Generator (alternator)
6Idler pulley
7Power steering pump
8Air pump
9Coolant pump
For dimensions of the poly-V-belts, see page 273.