2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 cluster

99 Controls in detail
Memory function
Memory function
With the memory switch you can store up
to three different settings per key and KEY-
LESS-GO* card.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position:

Driver’s seat and backrest position


Steering wheel position


Inside rear view mirror position


Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
position


Passenger side exterior rear view mir-
ror position
These key dependent memory settings can
be deactivated if desired (
page 130).The memory switch is located on the door.
MMemory button
1, 2, 3Stored positions

Be sure that the ignition is switched on
or one door is open.
All the lamps in the instrument cluster
light up when the ignition is switched
on.
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. Also see air-
bag section (
page 53) for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the inside and
outside rear view mirrors should be ad-
justed for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standard 213.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

108 Controls in detailInstrument cluster
Instrument clusterA full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section of this manual (
page 20).
The instrument cluster is activated when
you:


open a door


turn on the ignition


press the reset knob (
page 20)


switch on the exterior lamps
Only opening a door will activate the in-
strument cluster for approximately
30 seconds.
You can change the instrument cluster set-
tings in the Instrument cluster submenu of
the control system (
page 122).
Instrument cluster illumination
Use the reset knob to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness for the instrument cluster
and the switches on the center console.
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset knob in the instrument
cluster (
page 20) clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.To dim illumination

Turn the reset knob in the instrument
cluster (
page 20) counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Coolant temperature gauge
Under normal driving conditions, the cool-
ant temperature may rise to 248°F
(120°C). The coolant temperature may
rise to 266°F (130°C) at high outside tem-
peratures or when driving in hilly terrain.
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 266°F
(130°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened to suit ambient
light conditions.

109 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Trip odometer
Make sure that you are viewing the trip
odometer display (
page 110).
Press the
j
or
k
button on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly until
the trip odometer appears if it is not dis-
played.

Press and hold reset knob4
(page 20) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer de-
notes excessive engine speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
SL 55 AMG
O n t h e S L 5 5 A M G , t h e r e i s n o r e d m a r k i n g
denoting excessive engine speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated at
an excessive speed.
Outside temperature indicator
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate tem-
perature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine
speeds, as it may result in serious en-
gine damage that is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an Ice-Warning Device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

110 Controls in detailControl system
Control systemThe control system is activated as soon as
the key in the starter switch is turned to
position1. The control system enables you
to

call up information about your vehicle


change vehicle settings
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster dis-
play, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
The multifunction display consists of the
display fields in the speedometer and the
tachometer. In its default state, the left
display field shows the trip and main
odometer, while the present outside tem-
perature appears in the right display field.
This default setting is referred to as the
standard display.
1Main odometer
2Trip odometer
3Current gear selector lever position
4Outside temperature
5Automatic transmission program mode
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his /her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions per-
mit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km / h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 13.5 m) every second.

119 Controls in detail
Control system
The stored messages will now be displayed
in order. See the “Practical hints” section
for malfunction and warning messages
(page 257).
Should any malfunctions occur while driv-
ing, the number of malfunctions will reap-
pear in the right display field when the key
in the starter switch is turned to position0
or removed from the starter switch.
Settings menu
In the
Settings
menu there are two func-
tions:


The function
Reset to factory set-
tings using reset button
, with which
you can reset all the settings to those
set at the factory.


A collection of submenus with which
you can make individual settings for
your vehicle.

Press button
è
or
ÿ
repeatedly
until the
Settings...
menu is seen in
the left display.The following settings and submenus are
available:
iThe message memory will be cleared
when you turn the key in the starter
switch to position1 or2. You will then
only see Priority 1 malfunctions
(page 257).
Function
Page
Resetting all settings
120
Submenus in the Settings menu
120
Resetting the functions of a sub-
menu
120
Instrument cluster submenu
122
Lighting submenu
124
Vehicle submenu
127
Convenience submenu
129

120 Controls in detailControl systemResetting all settings
You can reset all the functions of all sub-
menus to the factory settings.
Press the reset knob in the instrument
cluster for approximately three sec-
onds.
In the right display you will see the re-
quest to press the reset knob again to
confirm.

Press the reset knob again.
The functions of all the submenus will
reset to factory settings.Submenus in the Settings menu

Press button
k
or
j
.
In the right display you see the collec-
tion of submenus.

Press button
ç
.
The selection marker moves to the next
submenu.
The submenus are arranged by hierarchy.
Scroll down with the ç
button, scroll up
with the
æ
button.
Move within the submenus with the
k

or
j
button to the individual functions.
The settings themselves are made with
button æ
or
ç
.Resetting the functions of a submenu
For each submenu you can reset all the
functions to the factory settings.

Move to a function in the submenu.

Press the reset knob in the instrument
cluster for approximately three sec-
onds.
In the right display you will see the re-
quest to press the reset knob again to
confirm.

Press the reset knob again.
All functions of the submenu will reset
to factory settings.
iThe settings you have changed will not
be reset unless you confirm the action
by pressing the reset knob a second
time.

121 Controls in detail
Control system
The table below shows what settings can
be changed within the various menus. De-
tailed instructions on making individual
settings can be found on the following pag-
es.Instrument cluster
Lighting
Vehicle
Convenience
Select time display mode
Set daytime running
lamp mode (USA only)
Set station selection
mode (radio)
Activate easy-entry/exit
feature
Select temperature dis-
play mode
Set locator lighting
Set automatic locking
Set key dependency
Select speedometer dis-
play mode
Exterior lamps delayed
switch-off
Tire pressure display*
Set parking position for
exterior rear view mirror
Select language
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off

122 Controls in detailControl systemInstrument cluster submenu
Access the
Inst. cluster
menu via the
Settings
menu. Use the
Inst. cluster

submenu to change the instrument cluster
display settings. The following functions
are available:Selecting time display mode

Move the selection marker with the æ
or
ç
button to the
Inst.
cluster
submenu.

Press button
j
or
k
repeatedly
until you see this message in the left
display:
Clock
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press
æ
or
ç
to set the
12-hour

or
24-hour
time display mode.Selecting temperature display mode

Move the selection marker with button æ
or
ç
to the
Inst. cluster

submenu.

Press button
j
or
k
repeatedly
until you see this message in the left
display:
Temp. indicator
.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press
æ
or
ç
to set temperature
unit to degrees Celsius (
°C) or degrees
Fahrenheit (
°F).
Function
Page
Select time display mode
122
Select temperature display
mode
122
Select speedometer display
mode
123
Select language
123