2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 sensor

351 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
ABC
(A
ctive B
ody C
ontrol)
Active, computer-controlled system
that hydraulically adjusts the suspen-
sion at all four wheels in response to
various driving situations.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The alignment
bolt, or centering bolt, is an aid used
when changing a tire to align the wheel
with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp
7
on the glove box lights up).
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for availability.
BabySmartTM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger side airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.
BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping depending on vehi-
cle settings and/or ambient condi-
tions.

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

361 Index
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 125
Interior lighting 127
Digital clock 19
Direction of rotation (tires) 235
Displays
Distronic* 173
Messages 287
Parktronic* 187
Service indicator 241
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 133
Distance warning function* 179
Activating 180
Deactivating 180
DTR* warning lamp 179
Intermittent warning sound 179
Symbol 117, 174
Distance warning function* switch 24
Distronic indicator lamp* 21
Distronic* 171, 352
Activating 175
Calling up settings 117, 174
Cleaning sensors 246
Cover 246
Cruise control lever 175Deactivating 178
Deceleration 174
Decreasing time interval 179
Displays 173
Distance warning function 179
Distance warning function switch 24
Driving hints 180
DTR warning lamp 173
Fine adjustment 177
Increasing time interval 179
Intermittent signal tone 173
Messages in display 262
Setting a higher speed 176
Setting a slower speed 177
Setting distance 24
Setting speed 176
Setting stored speed 177
Warning and indicator lamps 173
Distronic* warning lamp 21
Door control panel 19, 26
Door handle 26
Doors
Message in display 286
Opening 89
Opening from inside vehicle 89
Storage compartments 192Downhill driving
Cruise control 169
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 215
Drive sensibly - save fuel 215
Driving 37, 42
Driving abroad 222
Driving hints
Distronic* 180
SBC brake system 74
Driving instructions 215
Driving off 218
Driving safety systems 68
ABS 68
BAS 69
ESP 70
Driving systems 168
ABC 183
Cruise control 168
Distronic* 171
Parktronic* 186
Vehicle level control 184
DTR* see Distronic*

365 Index
L
Labels, identification 334
Lamp bulbs, exterior 295
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 125
Exterior lamp switch 19, 43
Front 296
Headlamps 245
Light sensor 279
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs for rear 296, 299
Switching off 102
Switching on 102
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 21, 69, 70, 251
ABS/ESP 250
Airbag Off 57
Brakes 253
CHECK ENGINE 256
Coolant 254
Distronic* 173
DTR* 173
Engine diagnostics 256
Fuel reserve 255
SBC 72
Seat belts 256Service indicator 241
SRS 52
Turn signals 21
Language
Multifunction display 123
License plate lamps 124, 296
Replacing bulbs 300
Light sensor 279
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Instruments 108
Interior 106
Settings (control system) 124
Trunk 107
Lock buttons 28, 30
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 50
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Locking 47
Automatic while driving 91
Centrally from inside 92
Fuel filler flap 225
Global (electronic key) 81
Global (KEYLESS-GO* card) 86
Storage compartments 194
Trunk separately 83
Vehicle in an emergency 292Low beam headlamps 102, 296
Replacing bulbs 298
Lowering
Easy-Pack manually 292
Roll bar 62
Luggage compartment, rear 195
Luggage cover 160
Message in display 272
Opening/closing 160
Lumbar support adjustment 93
M
Main fuse box 329
Maintenance 241
Malfunction memory 118
Calling up 118
Clearing 119
MANUAL
Shift program mode
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 142

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