2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 alarm

202 Controls in detailUseful features
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated automatical-
ly:

following an accident in which the
emergency tensioning devices (ETDs)
or airbags deploy,


if the anti-theft alarm or the tow-away
alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds. See anti-theft alarm sys-
tem (
page 75) and tow-away alarm
(
page 77).
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
inside rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See below for instructions on
initiating an emergency call manually.Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message
Emergency call –
Connecting call
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. When the connection is estab-
lished, the message
Emergency call –
Call connected
appears in the multifunc-
tion display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the ve-
hicle (determined by the GPS satellite loca-
tion system), vehicle model, identification
number and color are generated.
A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
When a voice connection is established the
audio system mutes and the message
Tele Aid
Emergency call active
appears
in the multifunction display. The Response
Center will attempt to determine more pre-
cisely the nature of the accident provided
they can speak to an occupant of the vehi-
cle.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or in
the Information button do not come on dur-
ing the system self-check, or if any of these
indicators remain illuminated continuously
in red and/or the message
TELE AID -
VISIT WORKSHOP!
is displayed in the mul-
tifunction display after the system
self-check, a malfunction in the system has
been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible

290 Practical hintsLocking/unlocking in an emergency
Locking/unlocking in an emergencyUnlocking the vehicle
Unlocking the driver’s door
If you are unable to unlock the driver’s
door using the key, open the door using
the mechanical key.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key

Move locking tab 1 direction of arrow
and slide the mechanical key out of the
housing.
3Unlocking
4Locking

Unlock the door with the mechanical
key. To do so, push the mechanical key
in the lock until it stops and turn it to
the left.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:

Press button
Œ
or
‹
on the
key.


Insert the key in the starter switch.


Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 30).

325 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with key in starter switch turned
to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(key in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP will immediately be
engaged and will apply the rear wheel
brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the selector lever must
be in positionN and the key must be in
starter switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50
km/h).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.

357 Index
A
ABC 183, 351
Messages in display 258
Oil level 230
Setting vehicle level 184
ABC switch 24
ABS 68, 351
Malfunction indicator lamp 21, 251
Messages in display 259
Warning lamp 70, 251
ABS/ESP
Warning lamp 250
ABS/ESP warning lamp 21
Activating
Air circulation mode 152
Air conditioning (cooling) 155
Anti-theft alarm system 76
Central locking (control system) 128
Distance warning function* 180
Distronic* 175
Easy-entry/exit feature 129
Electric air pump 316
ESP 72
Exterior lamps 102
Hazard warning flasher 105
High beams 104Ignition 29
Immobilizer 48, 75
Parktronic* 189
Rear window defroster 153
Residual heat 154
Seat heater 97, 98
Seat ventilation* 96
Steering wheel gearshift control
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 143
Tow-away alarm 77
Windshield wipers 44
Active Body Control (ABC) switch 24
Adjusting
Air distribution 151
Air volume 150
Backrest tilt 33
Exterior rear view mirrors 35
Head restraint height 33
Head restraint tilt 34
Inside rear view mirror 35
Lumbar support 93
Mirrors 35
Multicontour backrest* 93
Seat cushion depth 33
Seat cushion tilt 33
Seat height 33Seat in the lumbar region 94
Seat in the shoulder region 94
Seats 32
Steering wheel 34
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 155
Turning on 155
Air conditioner refrigerant 343
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 289
Turning on 316
Air recirculation mode 152
Air volume adjustment 150
Airbags 53
Children 54
Front 57
Head-thorax 57, 58
Kneebag 57
Passenger 57
Alarm
Audible 67, 75
Canceling 76
Visual 75
Alignment bolt 351
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 288, 314
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 342, 346

358 IndexAnti-theft alarm system 75
Arming 76
Canceling the alarm 76
Disarming 76
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 75
Tow-away alarm 77
Aquaplaning see Hydroplanning 219
Armrest
Storage space 193
Ashtray 23, 196
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 230
Automatic climate control 23, 147
Center air vents 23
Deactivating 154
Residual heat utilization 154
Side air vents 23
Temperature sensor 25
Automatic transmission 137
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 144
Gear ranges 139
Gear shifting malfunctions 144
Kickdown 142
Manual shift program mode
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 142Manual shifting 138
One-touch gearshifting 138
Program mode selector switch 24,
141
Selector lever 24
Selector lever position 137
Transmission fluid 230
Winter program mode 141
Auxiliary cup holder 191
Inserting 191
Removing 192
B
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 64, 351
BabySmartTM compatible child
seats 351
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 94
Shoulder region 94
Backrest tilt 33
Backup lamp bulbs 296
Backup lamps 299
BAS 68, 69, 351
Messages in display 260Batteries, electronic key
Changing 293
Check lamp 81
Checking 82
Batteries, KEYLESS-GO* card
Changing 294
Check lamp 87
Checking 87
Batteries, vehicle 232
Charging 321
Disconnecting 320
For electrical consumers 232, 289,
319
For starter 232, 319
Messages in display 263, 264
Reconnecting 321
Removing 321
Service 319
Bi-Xenon headlamps 351
Block heater 240
Brake fluid 226, 342, 343
Brake lamp bulb, high mounted 296
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 296
Brake pads
Message in display 265

360 IndexCombination switch 19, 43, 104
Consumer information 348
Control system 110, 113, 352
AUDIO menu 115
Convenience submenu 129
Distronic* menu 117
Functions 111
Instrument cluster submenu 122
Lighting submenu 124
Malfunction memory menu 118
Menus 111
Multifunction display 110
Multifunction steering wheel 111
NAVI menu 117
Standard display menu 110, 115
Submenus 114
TEL* menu 133
Trip computer menu 131
Vehicle submenu 127
Coolant 345
Adding 231
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 346
Checking level 230
Messages in display 272, 273, 274
Temperature 224Temperature gauge 108
Temperature warning lamp 21
Warning lamp 254
Cooling see Air conditioner
Courtesy lighting 107
Cruise control 168, 262, 352
Canceling 169
Driving downhill 169
Driving uphill 169
Fine adjustment 170
Setting 170
Setting a higher speed 170
Setting a lower speed 170
Setting speed 169, 170
Cruise control lever 19, 168
For cruise control 168
For Distronic* 175
Cup holder 23, 190
Opening 190
Customer Assistance Center 351
D
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Setting 124
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 155
Air recirculation mode 152Alarm 76
Anti-theft alarm system 76
Automatic climate control 154
Central locking (control system) 128
Cruise control 169
Distance warning function* 180
Distronic* 178
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 49
Engine with the key 48
ESP 71
Exterior lamps 102
Hazard warning flasher 105
Headlamps 48, 102
Immobilizer 75
Interior light delayed switch-off 127
Parktronic* 189
Rear window defroster 153
Residual heat 154
Seat heater 97, 98
Seat ventilation* 96
Steering wheel gearshift control
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 143
Tow-away alarm 77
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 151

367 Index
N
Navigation system
Operating 117
Night security illumination 125
O
Octane number 355
Odometer, main 21
Oil
Adding 229
Checking level 228
Consumption 228
Dipstick 228
Filler neck 229
Oil level
Checking 226
One-touch shifting 138
Opening
Ashtray 196
Cup holders 190
Doors from the inside 89
Fuel filler flap 225
Glove box 190
Hood 227
Luggage cover 160
Retractable hardtop (key) 163
Retractable hardtop (switch) 160Side windows 158
Storage space in the armrest 193
Storage space in the center
console 193
Sunshade* 167
Trunk from inside vehicle 89
Trunk lid 83
Operating
CD player 116
Navigation system 117
Radio 116
Telephone* 133
Operator’s Manual 8
Overhead control panel 25
Overspeed range 109, 354
P
Panic alarm 67
Panic button on SmartKey 67
Panorama roof*
Sunshade* 166
Sunshade* closing 167
Sunshade* opening 167
Parcel net in passenger footwell 194
Parcel net in trunk 195
Parctronic* deactivation switch 24
Parking 218Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 186
Parking brake
Engaging 47
Message in display 271
Releasing 41
Parking brake pedal 19
Parking lamps 296
Replacing the bulbs 299
Switching on 102
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 100, 131
Parktronic* 24, 186, 354
Activating 189
Cleaning sensors 246
Deactivating 189
Malfunctioning 189
Minimum distance 187
Range 187
Rear sensors 187
Sensors 246
Warning indicators 19, 187
Passenger side
Front airbag 57
Head-thorax airbag 58
Parcel net in footwell 194
Pedals 215

372 IndexTele Aid 200
Emergency calls 202
Information 205
Initiating an emergency call
manually 203
Messages in display 263
Roadside assistance 204
SOS button 25, 203
Tele Aid system 201
Tele Aid System 355
Telephone* 22, 199
Answering a call 134
Dialing 135
Ending a call 135
Hands-free microphone 25
Loading phone book* 135
Messages in display 270
Operating 133
Redialing 136
Signal strength 134
Telephones and two-way radios 223Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 109
Sensor 25
Setting interior temperature 149
Setting units in display 122
Tires 236
Tightening torque 318, 355
Tilt
Head restraint 34
Time display mode
Setting 122
Tire inflation pressure 305, 310
Checking 226, 235
Setting units 129
Tire speed rating 220, 355
Tire traction 220
TIREFIT 355
TIREFIT kit 289, 302, 308
TIREFIT kit 1
Instructions for use 302
TIREFIT kit 2
Instructions for use 308Tires 234, 348
Direction of rotation 235
Driving instructions 219
Messages in display 281
Retreads 234
Rims and tires 337
Rotating 238
Service life 235
SL 500 338
SL 55 AMG Kompressor 338
Temperature 236, 349
Tread depth 239
Wear pattern 238
Winter 239
Tools 288
Tow-away alarm 24, 77
Arming 77
Disarming 77
Disarming for transport 77
Tow-away alarm switch 24
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 288
Installing 327
Towing the vehicle 325
Traction 141, 355
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Fluid level 230