2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Storage

318 Practical hintsFlat tireLowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until the full weight of the
vehicle is resting on the ground.

Pull the jack out of the jack support
tube.
1 - 5 Wheel bolts

Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 96 ft lb
(130 Nm).

Before storing the jack in the trunk,
crank back to storage position and fold
in the arm.Replacing jack support tube cover

Slide tongue of cover under the upper
edge of the tube opening.

Applying even pressure, press cover
until it snaps into place. Be careful not
to damage the locking tabs or clamp
the plastic retaining strap.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 ft lb (130 Nm).

328 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleThe towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).
Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Pull cover in the direction of arrow.

Fold cover down to reveal threaded
hole for the towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.

334 Technical dataIdentification labels
Identification labels1Certification label
(above driver’s door lock latch)2Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
(below right rear storage compart-
ment)3Engine number (engraved on engine)
4VIN, visible (lower edge of windshield)
5Emission control label
6Information label, California version
Vacuum line routing for emission con-
trol system
When ordering spare parts, please specify
vehicle identification and engine numbers.

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*

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

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