2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 light

ContentsControls in detail............................... 79
Locking and unlocking ......................... 80
Keys ............................................... 80
KEYLESS-GO card*......................... 84
Opening the doors from the inside . 89
Opening the trunk from the inside.. 89
Trunk lid emergency release .......... 90
Closing the trunk lid ....................... 91
Automatic central locking .............. 91
Locking and unlocking
from the inside ............................... 92
Seats.................................................... 93
Lumbar support .............................. 93
Multicontour backrest* .................. 93
Moving the seats forward and
backward........................................ 95
Seat ventilation* ............................ 96
Seat heater..................................... 97
Memory function.................................. 99
Storing positions into memory ..... 100
Recalling positions from memory . 100
Storing parking position ............... 100
Lighting .............................................. 102
Exterior lamp switch ..................... 102
Combination switch...................... 104Hazard warning flasher ................ 105
Interior lighting............................. 106
Courtesy lighting .......................... 107
Instrument cluster ............................. 108
Instrument cluster illumination .... 108
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 108
Trip odometer .............................. 109
Tachometer .................................. 109
Outside temperature indicator ..... 109
Control system .................................. 110
Multifunction display .................... 110
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 111
Menus .......................................... 113
Standard display menu ................ 115
AUDIO menu ................................ 115
NAVI menu ................................... 117
Distronic* menu........................... 117
Malfunction memory menu .......... 118
Settings menu .............................. 119
Trip computer menu ..................... 131
TEL menu* ................................... 133
Automatic transmission ..................... 137
One-touch gearshifting................. 138
Gear ranges.................................. 139
Gear selector lever position ......... 140
Program mode selector switch..... 141Accelerator position ..................... 142
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) and manual shift program
SL 55 AMG................................... 142
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) .......................................... 144
Good visibility .................................... 145
Rear view mirror .......................... 145
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 146
Rear window defroster ................. 146
Sun visors .................................... 146
Automatic climate control ................. 147
Setting the temperature............... 149
Adjusting air volume .................... 150
Adjusting air distribution .............. 151
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 151
Defrosting .................................... 151
Air recirculation mode.................. 152
Rear window defroster ................. 153
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 154
Deactivating the automatic climate
control system ............................. 154
Air conditioning ............................ 155
Ventilated storage compartments 156
Power windows.................................. 157
Opening and closing the windows 157

Contents
Retractable hardtop........................... 159
Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop ........................................ 159
Driving systems ................................. 168
Cruise control .............................. 168
Distronic* .................................... 171
Active Body Control (ABC) ........... 183
Parktronic system* ...................... 186
Useful features .................................. 190
Interior storage spaces ................ 190
Ashtray......................................... 196
Cigarette lighter ........................... 197
Heated steering wheel* (Canada
only–model SL 500) ..................... 197
Easy-Pack load assist in the trunk 198
Electrical outlet ............................ 199
Telephone* .................................. 199
Tele Aid ........................................ 200
Garage door opener ..................... 208Operation......................................... 213
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 214
Driving instructions............................ 215
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 215
Drinking and driving ..................... 215Pedals ........................................... 215
Power assistance .......................... 216
Brakes........................................... 216
Driving off ..................................... 218
Parking.......................................... 218
Tires .............................................. 219
Hydroplaning................................. 219
Tire traction .................................. 220
Tire speed rating ........................... 220
Winter driving instructions ............ 221
Standing water.............................. 222
Passenger compartment ............... 222
Driving abroad .............................. 222
Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters .......................................... 222
Catalytic converter........................ 223
Emission control ........................... 224
Coolant temperature..................... 224
At the gas station ............................... 225
Check regularly and before a
long trip ........................................ 226Engine compartment .......................... 227
Hood ............................................. 227
Engine oil ...................................... 228
Transmission fluid level ................ 230
Oil level in the ABC system ........... 230
Coolant ......................................... 230
Battery .......................................... 232
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 233
Tires and wheels ................................ 234
Important guidelines ..................... 234
Life of tires ................................... 235
Direction of rotation ..................... 235
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 235
Rotating wheels ............................ 238
Winter driving ..................................... 239
Winter tires ................................... 239
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 240
Snow chains ................................. 240
Maintenance ...................................... 241
Clearing the service indicator ....... 241
Service term exceeded ................. 241
Calling up the service indicator .... 242
Resetting the service indicator ..... 242
Vehicle care ....................................... 243
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 243

8 IntroductionOperator’s Manual
Operator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great
deal of useful information. We urge you to
read it carefully and familiarize yourself
with the vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life
of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in-
structions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in dam-
age to the vehicle or personal injury to you
or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail-
ure to follow instructions is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
the operation of any equipment, your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to demonstrate the proper proce-
dures.We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations, and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t
care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Book-
let are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
Booklet contains detailed information
about the warranties covering your
Mercedes-Benz, including:

New Car Limited Warranty,


Emission System Warranty,


Emission Performance Warranty,


California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont Emission Control System
Warranty
(California, Maine, Massachusetts, and
Vermont only),


State Warranty Enforcement Laws
(Lemon Laws).

11 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

Service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5We continuously strive to improve our
product, and ask for your understanding
that we reserve the right to make changes
in design and equipment. Therefore, infor-
mation, illustrations and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from
your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in
this manual, including operating instruc-
tions wherever necessary. Since they are
special-order items, the descriptions and
illustrations herein may vary slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are
not shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz
C e nt e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f co r r e c t
care and operating procedures.
The Operator’s Manual and Service Book-
let are important documents and should be
kept with the vehicle.

13 Introduction
Symbols
Symbols
The following symbols are found in this
Operator’s Manual:
* Optional equipment is identified
with an asterisk. Since standard
equipment varies between models,
the descriptions and illustrations in
this manual may differ slightly from
the actual equipment of your vehi-
cle.

This symbol points to instructions for
you to follow.

A number of these symbols appearing
in succession indicates a multiple-step
procedure.
 Page This symbol tells you where to
look for further information on a
topic.
This continuation symbol marks
an interrupted procedure which
will be continued on the next
page.
-> In the glossary of technical
terms, this symbol is used to
cross-reference term defini-
tions.
Display
Words appearing in the multi-
function display are printed in
the type shown here.
Warning!
G
Warning notices draw your attention to haz-
ards that may endanger your health or life,
or the health or life of others.!Highlights hazards that may result in
damage to your vehicle.iHelpful hints or further information you
may find useful.

23 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Central locking switch
92
2
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
105
3
Central unlocking switch
92
4
Center and side air vent
adjustment
147
5
COMAND system, see
separate operating in-
structions
113
6
Automatic climate control
149
7
Right cup holder
190
8
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
30
9
Ashtray
Cigarette lighter
196
197
10
Left cup holder
190

25 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
Item
Page
1
Left reading lamp on/off
106
2
Temperature sensor for
automatic climate control
147
3
Right reading lamp on/off
106
4
Interior lighting control
106
5
Hands-free microphone
for Tele Aid (emergency
call system), telephone*
and voice control system*
(see separate operating
instructions)
199
6
Rear view mirror
35,
145
7
Garage door opener
208
8
Tele Aid (emergency call
system) button
200

28 Getting startedUnlockingThe “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section will help you with further in-
formation. The corresponding page refer-
ences are at the end of each segment.
UnlockingUnlocking with the SmartKeyElectronic key with remote control1‹
Lock button
2
Š
Unlock button for trunk lid
3
Œ
Unlock button
4
Â
Panic button

Press unlock button3
Œ
on the key.
The indicator lamps light up for a short
time. The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

Get in the vehicle and insert the key in
the starter switch.iThe SBC brake system is activated.iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up position when
the door is closed.