2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 tow bar

326 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the key is in
starter switch position2.
If the key is left in the starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move key from starter switch and reinsert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
key in starter switch to position2 and
activate the combination switch for the
left or right turn signal in the usual
manner – only the selected turn signal
will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
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. 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! Adapt your driving
style accordingly. SBC brake system
(page 72).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the steering system. In
this case, it is important to keep in mind that
a considerably higher degree of effort is nec-
essary to steer the vehicle. Adapt your driv-
ing accordingly.

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