2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 keyles go

327 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper.
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover in direction of ar-
row.

Lift cover off to reveal threaded hole for
towing eye bolt.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the key in starter switch
position2, or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (if so equipped) in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front
wheel as well as the right rear wheel
are turning at vehicle speeds of approx.
9mph (15km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 91).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe selector lever will remain locked in
positionP and the key will not turn in
the starter switch if the battery is dis-
connected or discharged. See notes on
the battery (
page 319) or on jump
starting (
page 323).

353 Technical terms
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the selector lever.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags,
head-thorax airbags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones,
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each key and, if so equipped,
KEYLESS-GO* feature.
Menu
The control system displays are ar-
ranged in menus. Each menu contains
a number of commands for particular
systems. In the Audio menu, for exam-
ple, you will find the commands Select
radio station or Operate CD player. Us-
ing commands you can directly change
the settings for your vehicle.
MON
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as AN-
TI-KNOCK INDEX.

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

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

360 IndexCombination switch 19, 43, 104
Consumer information 348
Control system 110, 113, 352
AUDIO menu 115
Convenience submenu 129
Distronic* menu 117
Functions 111
Instrument cluster submenu 122
Lighting submenu 124
Malfunction memory menu 118
Menus 111
Multifunction display 110
Multifunction steering wheel 111
NAVI menu 117
Standard display menu 110, 115
Submenus 114
TEL* menu 133
Trip computer menu 131
Vehicle submenu 127
Coolant 345
Adding 231
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 346
Checking level 230
Messages in display 272, 273, 274
Temperature 224Temperature gauge 108
Temperature warning lamp 21
Warning lamp 254
Cooling see Air conditioner
Courtesy lighting 107
Cruise control 168, 262, 352
Canceling 169
Driving downhill 169
Driving uphill 169
Fine adjustment 170
Setting 170
Setting a higher speed 170
Setting a lower speed 170
Setting speed 169, 170
Cruise control lever 19, 168
For cruise control 168
For Distronic* 175
Cup holder 23, 190
Opening 190
Customer Assistance Center 351
D
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Setting 124
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 155
Air recirculation mode 152Alarm 76
Anti-theft alarm system 76
Automatic climate control 154
Central locking (control system) 128
Cruise control 169
Distance warning function* 180
Distronic* 178
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 49
Engine with the key 48
ESP 71
Exterior lamps 102
Hazard warning flasher 105
Headlamps 48, 102
Immobilizer 75
Interior light delayed switch-off 127
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
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 151

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