2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 brake light

324 Practical hintsJump startingThe starter battery is located in the engine
compartment.
Make sure that the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off the engine.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift selector lever to positionP.1Negative terminal of charged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of discharged battery
4Positive terminal of charged battery

Remove the red cover from positive ter-
minal on both vehicles (
page 319).

Connect the positive terminals 3 and 4
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Start with the charged battery.

Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect the negative terminals 1 and 2
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Start with the charged battery.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
Now you can again turn on the electri-
cal consumers. Do not turn on the
lights under any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
the negative terminals 1 and 2 of the
batteries and then from the positive
terminals 3 and 4.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Never lean over the battery while connect-
ing or jump starting.Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 232).
iThe vehicle cannot be started via
tow-start.

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.

359 Index
Brakes 216
Warning lamp 253
Break-in period 214
Bulbs, replacing
Backup lamps 299
Brake lamps 296
Front lamps 295, 298
License plate lamps 300
Parking lamps 299
Rear fog lamp 299
Standing lamps 299
Tail lamp assemblies 299
Turn signal lamps, front 298
Turn signal lamps, rear 299
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 351
CAN System 351
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 342
Catalytic converter 223
CD player
Operating 116
Center air vents 23
Center console
Lower part 24
Upper part 23Centigrade
Setting temperature units 122
Central locking
Automatic 91
Central locking switch 92
Switching on/off (control
system) 128
Unlocking from inside 92
Central locking switch 23
Central unlocking switch 23
Changing
Batteries (key) 293
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 294
Key setting 81
KEYLESS-GO* card setting 86
Vehicle level 185
Charging
Vehicle batteries 321
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 21, 256
Checking
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 87
Coolant level 230
Oil level 226, 228
Tire inflate pressure 226
Vehicle lighting 226Vehicle lock status (KEYLESS-GO*
card) 87
Child safety
Airbags 54
Automatic child seat recognition 64
Infant and child restraint systems 52
Cigarette lighter 23, 197
Cleaning
Headlamps 146
Windshield 44
Clock 19
Closing
Glove box 190
Hood 228
Retractable hardtop (electronic
key) 164
Retractable hardtop (switch) 161
Side windows 158
Side windows (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Sunshade* 167
Trunk lid 83, 91
Cockpit 352
Collapsible tire 352
COMAND 23
COMAND* 352
COMAND*, radio and telephone 222

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

366 IndexManual operations
Interior lighting control 107
Locking the vehicle 292
Lowering Easy-Pack 292
Unlocking interior storage
compartments 291
Unlocking the driver’s door 290
Unlocking the trunk 291
Massage function 94
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL 151
Memory function 353
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 100
Storing key dependent settings 130
Menus 111, 353
AUDIO 115
Distronic* 117
Malfunction memory 118
NAVI 117
Standard display 115
TEL* 133
Trip computer 131
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 25
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 123
Minimum distance 187Mirrors 35
Adjusting inside rear view mirror 35
Automatic antiglare for inside
mirror 145
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 131
Exterior rear view mirrors 35
Storing exterior mirror parking
position 100
Misfiring 45
MON 225, 353
Mph or km/h in speedometer 123
Multicontour backrest* 93
Multifunction display 110, 354
Left display field 21
Right display field 21
Selecting language 123
Standard display 110
Multifunction display messages
ABC 258
ABS 259
BAS 260
Battery 263, 264
Brake pads 265
Coolant 273
Coolant level 272, 274Display 287
Distronic* 262
Doors 286
Easy-entry/exit feature 271
Engine oil level 280
ESP 261
Fuel reserve tank 286
Hood 279
Key 286
KEYLESS-GO* card 269
Lamps 274
Luggage cover 272
Parking brake 271
Retractable hardtop 287
Roll bar 286
SBC brake system 265, 266, 268
Seat belts 272
Tele Aid 263
Telephone* 270
Tires 281
Trunk lid 272
Washer fluid 287
Multifunction steering wheel 22, 111,
354
Buttons 111

369 Index
Retractable hardtop 354
Closing (electronic key) 164
Closing (switch) 161
Locking after raising/lowering 162
Message in display 287
Opening (key) 163
Opening (switch) 160
Problems when operating 164
Roll bar 61, 354
Installing wind screen 165
Lowering 62
Message in display 286
Raising 62
Warning lamp 21
Roll bar buttons 24
RON 225, 355
Roof see Retractable hardtop
S
SBC brake system 68, 72, 355
Activation 73
Deactivation 74
Driving hints 74
Messages in display 265, 266, 268
Self-check 74
Warning lamp 72
Screwdriver (vehicle tool kit) 288Seat belt force limiter 60
Seat belts 37, 52, 58
Message in display 272
Warning lamp 256
Seat cushion depth 33
Seat heater
Switching off 97
Switching on 97
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 96
Switching on 96
Seats
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting cushion depth 33
Adjusting height 33
Adjusting lumbar support 94
Adjusting shoulder support 94
Heater 97
Massage function 94
Moving 95
Selector lever 24
Lock 39, 355
Position (automatic
transmission) 137Service
Batteries 319
Calling up the service indicator 242
Major service (Service B) 241
Minor service (Service A) 241
Overdue 241
Types 241
When due 241
Service indicator 241
Clearing 241
Service life (tires) 235
Service System see FSS 241
Setting
Convenience functions 129
Cruise control 170
Daytime running lamp mode 124
Distronic* time interval 179
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 131
Individual vehicle 119
Instrument lighting 108
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 127
Key dependent memory 130
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 124