2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Battery warning

320 Practical hintsBatteries
Disconnecting the batteriesDisconnecting the battery for electrical
consumers

Unhook the luggage cover in the trunk.

Remove the trunk floor.
The battery for electrical consumers is
located in the right hand area of the
trunk (
page 289).

Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
battery negative lead.

Remove the cover from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Disconnecting the starter battery

Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
battery negative lead.

Remove the cover from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its
limp-home (emergency operation) mode.
The same applies if battery is disconnected.
To brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and de-
press the pedal much further to obtain the
expected braking effect. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes are
only applied to the front wheels. Stopping
distance is increased! Adjust your driving
style accordingly. SBC brake system
(page 72).
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

y o u w i l l n o l o n g e r b e a b l e t o t u r n t h e k e y
in the starter switch and pressing the
KEYLESS-GO
* start/stop button (if so
equipped) on the selector lever will have
no effect


the selector lever will remain locked in
positionP!To avoid damage to electrical compo-
nents, always disconnect the battery
for electrical consumers (in trunk) first.
This applies even if you only wish to
charge the starter battery. Otherwise
the electronics of the vehicle can be
damaged.

321 Practical hints
Batteries
Removing the batteries
Removing the battery for electrical con-
sumers
Remove the screws securing the bat-
tery in the trunk.

Remove the battery support and brack-
et. Take out the battery.
Removing the starter battery

Remove the screws securing the start-
er battery in the engine compartment.

Lift the retaining bracket and remove
the battery.
Charging and reinstalling batteries
Charge batteries in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the batteries
Reconnecting the starter battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.

Connect the negative lead.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
!To avoid damage to electrical compo-
nents, always reconnect the starter
battery (in engine compartment) first. !Never invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps, and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.

323 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the starter battery is discharged, the en-
gine can be started with jumper cables and
the battery of another vehicle.Observe the following:


Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.


Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.


Only use 12V batteries to jump start
your vehicle. Jump starting with a more
powerful battery could damage the ve-
hicle’s electrical system, which will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.


Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure that the jumper ca-
bles are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when the engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, 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 if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking etc.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed
on the battery installed in the engine
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by
repeated failed starting attempts may
damage the catalytic converter and
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not
touch any other metal part while the
other end is still attached to a battery.

324 Practical hintsJump startingThe starter battery is located in the engine
compartment.
Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off the engine.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift selector lever to positionP.1Negative terminal of charged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of discharged battery
4Positive terminal of charged battery

Remove the red cover from positive ter-
minal on both vehicles (
page 319).

Connect the positive terminals 3 and 4
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Start with the charged battery.

Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect the negative terminals 1 and 2
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Start with the charged battery.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electri-
cal consumers. Do not turn on the
lights under any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals 1 and 2 of the
batteries and then from the positive
terminals 3 and 4.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Never lean over the battery while connect-
ing or jump starting.Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 232).
iThe vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.

362 IndexE
Easy-entry/exit 129
Interrupting movement 130
Message in display 271
Easy-Pack 198
Lowering manually 292
Electric air pump 316
Electrical consumer battery 232
Electrical outlet 199
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Emergency call system*
Initiating emergency call 203
Requirements 201
Emergency engine shut-down 50
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 144
Emergency operations
Locking the vehicle 292
Lowering Easy-Pack 292
Unlocking interior storage
compartments 291
Unlocking the trunk 291
Unlocking the vehicle 290
Emission control 224
Emission control label 334Engine
Compartment 227
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 40
Starting with the key 40
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 49
Turning off with the key 48
Engine number 352
Engine oil 228, 343
Adding 229
Additives 343
Checking level 228
Consumption 228
Filler neck 229
Messages in display 280
Engine oil level see Oil level 226
ESP 68, 70, 352
Messages in display 261
Switching off 71
Switching on 72
ESP control switch 24
ESP/ABS warning lamp 21
ETD (emergency tensioning device) 52,
60, 352F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 122
Fastening the seat belts 37
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 170
Distronic* 177
First aid kit 288
Flat tire 302
Spare wheel 312
TIREFIT kit 302, 308
Flexible Service System (FSS) 241
Fog lamp, rear 104, 296
Replacing bulb 299
Fog lamps, front 104
Replacing bulbs 296
Front airbags 57
Front lamps 296
Replacing bulbs 298
FSS (Flexible Service System) 241, 352

364 IndexI
Ignition 29, 31
Switching on 29
Immobilizer 75
Activating 48, 75
Deactivating 75
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 62
Instrument cluster 20, 108, 353
Select language 123
Instrument lighting 108
Interior lighting 106
Automatic control 106
Delayed switch-off 127
Manual operation 107
Interior lighting control 25
Interior storage spaces 190
Locking storage compartments 194
Unlocking storage
compartments 194, 291
Intermittent wiping 44
J
Jack 289K
Key
Opening retractable hardtop 163
Key dependent memory 130
Key positions 29
Key, electronic
Battery check lamp 81
Changing the batteries 293
Checking the batteries 82
Closing retractable hardtop 164
Factory setting 81
Global locking 81
Global unlocking 81
Individual setting 81
Messages in display 286
Positions in starter switch 29
Remote controls 80
Reprogramming 81
Starting the engine 40
Turning off the engine 48
Unlocking 28
Key, Mechanical 290
KEYLESS-GO* 353
Key positions 30
Starting the engine 40
Turning off the engine 49KEYLESS-GO* card 84
Changing the batteries 294
Checking the batteries 87
Checking vehicle lock status 87
Factory setting 86
Global locking 86
Global unlocking 86
Locking 88
Loss of 89
Messages in display 269
Reprogramming 86
Unlocking 30, 84
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button 23, 30,
40
Keys 80
Loss of 84
Kickdown 142, 353
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 123
Kneebag 57

371 Index
Starter battery 232, 319
Starter switch 19, 29
Starting difficulties 41
Starting position 29
Starting the engine
With KEYLESS-GO* 40
With the key 40
Steering column
Height adjustment 35
Length adjustment 34
Steering wheel 34
Adjusting 34
Buttons 22
Heating* 197
Height adjustment 35
Shifting gears (SL 55 AMG) 142
Steering wheel adjustment stalk 19
Steering wheel gearshift control
Activating 143
Deactivating 143
Storage spaces
Armrest 193
Cup holder 190
Glove box 190
In door 192
In rear 193Locking 194
Locking compartments
separately 194
Rear 193
Storage tray 193
Unlocking 194
Unlocking compartments
separately 194
Ventilated compartments 156
Submenus 114
Convenience 129
Instrument cluster 122
Lighting 124
Selecting 120
Settings menus 120
Vehicle 127
Sun blind see Sunshade
Sun visors 146
Sunshade* 166
Closing 167
Opening 167
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 183
For sporty driving style 183
Setting 183Switching off
ABC 24
Switching on
ABC 24
Front fog lamps 104
Rear fog lamp 104
Switching on headlamps 43
Symbol
Distance warning function* 117, 174
Synchronizing
Power windows 158
T
Tachometer 21, 109
Displaying gear range 139
Tail lamps 296, 299
Technical data 332
Electrical system 339
Main dimensions 340
Rims and tires 337
Weights 341
Windshield and headlamp washer
system 347