2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Top

224 OperationDriving instructionsEmission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the exhaust
gases within permissible limits required by
law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments on the engine should therefore
be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing re-
quirements. For details refer to the Service
Booklet.
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approx. 266°F
(130°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.
Warning!
G


Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.


Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
f r o m t h e e n g i n e i f y o u s e e o r h e a r s t e a m
coming from it. Turn off the engine, get
out of the vehicle and do not stand near
the vehicle until it cools down.

225 Operation
At the gas station
At the gas station
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the remote control or the KEYLESS-GO*
card automatically locks/unlocks the fuel
filler flap.

Remove the key from the starter
switch.

Open the fuel filler flap by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow.
The fuel filler flap springs open.

Turn the fuel cap to the left and hold on
to it until possible pressure is released.

Take off the cap and set it in the recess
on the fuel filler flap.

Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or over-
fill.

Replace the fuel cap by turning it to the
right.
You will hear when the fuel cap is tight-
ened.

Close the fuel filler flap.
You should hear the latch close shut.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious inju-
ry. Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish
all smoking materials. Never allow sparks,
flame or smoking materials near gasoline!
Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
iOnly use premium unleaded gasoline
with a minimum Posted Octane Rating
of 91 (average of 96 RON / 86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can
normally be found on the fuel pump.
More information on gasoline can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(page 344).
iLeaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause the
?
lamp to
illuminate.
More information can be found in the
“Practical hints” section (
page 256).

244 OperationVehicle careScratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or
damage due to negligent or incorrect care
cannot always be removed or repaired with
the car-care products recommended here.
In such cases it is best to seek aid at your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following topics deal with the cleaning
and care of your vehicle and give important
“how-to” information as well as references
to Mercedes-Benz approved car-care prod-
ucts.
Additional information can be found in the
“Vehicle Care Guide” booklet.
Power washer
When using a power washer for cleaning
the vehicle, always observe manufactur-
er’s operating instructions.
Tar stains
Quickly remove tar stains before they dry
and become more difficult to remove. A tar
remover is recommended.Paintwork, painted body components
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Care
should be applied when water drops on the
paint surface do not “bead up”, normally
every 3 to 5 months, depending on climate
and washing detergent used.
Mercedes-Benz approved Paint Cleaner
should be applied if the paint surface
shows signs of dirt embedding (i.e. loss of
gloss).
Do not apply any of these products or wax
if your vehicle is parked in the sun or if the
hood is still hot.
Use the appropriate MB-Touch-Up Stick
for quick and provisional repairs of minor
paint damage (i.e. chips from stones, vehi-
cle doors, etc.).
iVehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:
If a door handle is hit by a strong jet of
water, and a KEYLESS-GO* card is in
close proximity, i.e. within approx. 3 ft.
(approx. 1 m), the vehicle could be in-
advertently locked or unlocked.!Never use a round nozzle to power
wash tires. The intense jet of water can
result in damage to the tire.
Always replace a damaged tire.
Always keep the jet of water moving
across the surface. Do not aim directly
at electrical parts, electrical connec-
tors, seals, or other rubber parts.

253 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
3
(Canada only)
;
except Canada)
The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The red brake warning lamp
lights up while driving
You are driving with the parking brake set,
or
there is a malfunction in the SBC brake system.
There is insufficient brake fluid in the reservoir.

Release the parking brake
(page 41).

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 257).

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not add
brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Don’t add
brake fluid before checking the brake sys-
tem.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks.

254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up when the engine is run-
ning.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp lights up frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 230).

Have the cooling system checked.

If the coolant temperature is below
257 °F (125 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257 °F (125 °C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it
cools down.

255 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
C
The yellow roll bar warning lamp
lights up or flickers when the en-
gine is running.
The roll bar is not operational.

For safety reasons, always have the
roll bar raised when driving with the
retractable hardtop open. Attempt to
raise the roll bar manually.

Have the roll bar checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
A
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has gone below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 225).
The fuel cap is not closed tight.

Check the fuel cap (
page 225).
Warning!
G
If the roll bar warning lamp does not light up,
does not go out after a long time, flickers or
lights up while driving as described above,
then the roll bar system is not operating
properly and may not activate in an acci-
dent. In this case, raise the roll bar manually
(page 61) before continuing to drive.

257 Practical hints
What to do if …
Messages in the display
The control system shows warning and
malfunction messages in the multifunction
display.
Certain warning and malfunction messag-
es are accompanied by an audible signal.
Address these messages accordingly and
follow the additional instructions given in
this Operator’s Manual.
High priority messages appear in the mul-
tifunction display in red color.
Certain messages of high priority cannot
be cleared from the multifunction display
using the reset knob (
page 21) or a
steering wheel button.
Other high priority messages and messag-
es of less immediate priority (regular dis-
play colors) can be cleared from the
multifunction display using the reset knob
or one of the steering wheel buttons.
These are then stored in the malfunction
message memory (
page 118).Selecting the malfunction memory menu in
the control system (
page 118) displays
both cleared and uncleared messages.On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of all the messages that may
appear in the display. High priority mes-
sages appear on a red background.
Warning!
G
All messages contain important information
which should be taken note of and, where a
malfunction is indicated, addressed as soon
as possible at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Failure to repair condition noted may cause
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty, or result in property dam-
age or personal injury.Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative.
Contact your nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iTurning the key in starter switch to
position2, or pressing the KEY-
LESS-GO* start/stop button (if so
equipped) twice to position2 causes
all lamps as well as the multifunction
display to come on. Ensure that they
are all in working order before starting
your journey.

258 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Drive carefully!
The capability of the ABC system is re-
stricted. This can impair handling.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
The vehicle is losing oil.

Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do
so.
Stop, car too low
The car is parked on an extremely un-
even surface.

Press the vehicle level control button to se-
lect level 2 (
page 184).
ABC is malfunctioning.

Stop and press the ABC button to select a
higher vehicle level (
page 183).

Do not turn steering wheel too far to avoid
damaging the front fenders.

Listen for scraping noises.

Do not exceed a speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h).

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.