2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 ABC display

230 OperationEngine compartmentOther display messages
If there is excessive engine oil with the en-
gine at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear: Engine oil level – Reduce oil level!
Have excess oil siphoned.
If the key is not turned to position2 in the
starter switch:
Engine oil level – Switch on ignition!
Switch on the ignition.
If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
Wait five minutes before repeating
check procedure. If you see the message:
Engine oil level – Not while engine on
Turn off the engine. If engine is at nor-
mal operating temperature, wait five
minutes before checking oil. If the en-
gine is not yet at normal operating tem-
perature, you must wait 30 minutes
before checking oil.
More information on engine oil can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 343).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission.
Oil level in the ABC system
The oil level in the ABC system does not
need to be checked. If there is visible oil
loss or if malfunction messages appear in
the display, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center check the ABC
system.Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.

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.

259 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABC
Visit workshop!
The capability of the ABC system is re-
stricted.

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

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The ABC display or the ABC system it-
self is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
ABS
Defective!
Visit workshop!
The ABS has detected a malfunction
and has switched off. The ESP and
BAS are also deactivated. The SBC
brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without ABS available.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of accident.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
ABS or the ABS display is malfunction-
ing.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the
risk of accident.

357 Index
A
ABC 183, 351
Messages in display 258
Oil level 230
Setting vehicle level 184
ABC switch 24
ABS 68, 351
Malfunction indicator lamp 21, 251
Messages in display 259
Warning lamp 70, 251
ABS/ESP
Warning lamp 250
ABS/ESP warning lamp 21
Activating
Air circulation mode 152
Air conditioning (cooling) 155
Anti-theft alarm system 76
Central locking (control system) 128
Distance warning function* 180
Distronic* 175
Easy-entry/exit feature 129
Electric air pump 316
ESP 72
Exterior lamps 102
Hazard warning flasher 105
High beams 104Ignition 29
Immobilizer 48, 75
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
Windshield wipers 44
Active Body Control (ABC) switch 24
Adjusting
Air distribution 151
Air volume 150
Backrest tilt 33
Exterior rear view mirrors 35
Head restraint height 33
Head restraint tilt 34
Inside rear view mirror 35
Lumbar support 93
Mirrors 35
Multicontour backrest* 93
Seat cushion depth 33
Seat cushion tilt 33
Seat height 33Seat in the lumbar region 94
Seat in the shoulder region 94
Seats 32
Steering wheel 34
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 155
Turning on 155
Air conditioner refrigerant 343
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 289
Turning on 316
Air recirculation mode 152
Air volume adjustment 150
Airbags 53
Children 54
Front 57
Head-thorax 57, 58
Kneebag 57
Passenger 57
Alarm
Audible 67, 75
Canceling 76
Visual 75
Alignment bolt 351
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 288, 314
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 342, 346

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*

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

371 Index
Starter battery 232, 319
Starter switch 19, 29
Starting difficulties 41
Starting position 29
Starting the engine
With KEYLESS-GO* 40
With the key 40
Steering column
Height adjustment 35
Length adjustment 34
Steering wheel 34
Adjusting 34
Buttons 22
Heating* 197
Height adjustment 35
Shifting gears (SL 55 AMG) 142
Steering wheel adjustment stalk 19
Steering wheel gearshift control
Activating 143
Deactivating 143
Storage spaces
Armrest 193
Cup holder 190
Glove box 190
In door 192
In rear 193Locking 194
Locking compartments
separately 194
Rear 193
Storage tray 193
Unlocking 194
Unlocking compartments
separately 194
Ventilated compartments 156
Submenus 114
Convenience 129
Instrument cluster 122
Lighting 124
Selecting 120
Settings menus 120
Vehicle 127
Sun blind see Sunshade
Sun visors 146
Sunshade* 166
Closing 167
Opening 167
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 183
For sporty driving style 183
Setting 183Switching off
ABC 24
Switching on
ABC 24
Front fog lamps 104
Rear fog lamp 104
Switching on headlamps 43
Symbol
Distance warning function* 117, 174
Synchronizing
Power windows 158
T
Tachometer 21, 109
Displaying gear range 139
Tail lamps 296, 299
Technical data 332
Electrical system 339
Main dimensions 340
Rims and tires 337
Weights 341
Windshield and headlamp washer
system 347