2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 snow chains

Contents
Retractable hardtop........................... 159
Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop ........................................ 159
Driving systems ................................. 168
Cruise control .............................. 168
Distronic* .................................... 171
Active Body Control (ABC) ........... 183
Parktronic system* ...................... 186
Useful features .................................. 190
Interior storage spaces ................ 190
Ashtray......................................... 196
Cigarette lighter ........................... 197
Heated steering wheel* (Canada
only–model SL 500) ..................... 197
Easy-Pack load assist in the trunk 198
Electrical outlet ............................ 199
Telephone* .................................. 199
Tele Aid ........................................ 200
Garage door opener ..................... 208Operation......................................... 213
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 214
Driving instructions............................ 215
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 215
Drinking and driving ..................... 215Pedals ........................................... 215
Power assistance .......................... 216
Brakes........................................... 216
Driving off ..................................... 218
Parking.......................................... 218
Tires .............................................. 219
Hydroplaning................................. 219
Tire traction .................................. 220
Tire speed rating ........................... 220
Winter driving instructions ............ 221
Standing water.............................. 222
Passenger compartment ............... 222
Driving abroad .............................. 222
Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters .......................................... 222
Catalytic converter........................ 223
Emission control ........................... 224
Coolant temperature..................... 224
At the gas station ............................... 225
Check regularly and before a
long trip ........................................ 226Engine compartment .......................... 227
Hood ............................................. 227
Engine oil ...................................... 228
Transmission fluid level ................ 230
Oil level in the ABC system ........... 230
Coolant ......................................... 230
Battery .......................................... 232
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 233
Tires and wheels ................................ 234
Important guidelines ..................... 234
Life of tires ................................... 235
Direction of rotation ..................... 235
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 235
Rotating wheels ............................ 238
Winter driving ..................................... 239
Winter tires ................................... 239
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 240
Snow chains ................................. 240
Maintenance ...................................... 241
Clearing the service indicator ....... 241
Service term exceeded ................. 241
Calling up the service indicator .... 242
Resetting the service indicator ..... 242
Vehicle care ....................................... 243
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 243

68 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
Driving safety systemsIn this section you will find information on
the following driving safety systems:

ABS (A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)


BAS (B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)


ESP (E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)


SBC brake system (S
ensotronic B
rake
C
ontrol)
ABS
The ABS regulates the brake pressure so
that the wheels do not lock during braking.
This allows you to maintain the ability to
steer your vehicle.
The ABS is functional above a speed of ap-
proximately 5 mph (8 km/h) independent
of road surface conditions.
On slippery road surfaces, the ABS will re-
spond even with light brake pressure.
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP warning lamp
v
in the speed-
ometer dial flashes. Because of the SBC
brake system, you will not feel any pulsa-
tion in the brake pedal.
iIn winter operation, the maximum ef-
fectiveness of the ABS, the BAS, the
ESP, and SBC is only achieved with win-
ter tires (M + S tires), or snow chains as
required.
Warning!
G
The following factors increase the risk of ac-
cidents:

excessive speed, especially in turns


wet and slippery road surfaces


following another vehicle too closely
ABS, BAS, ESP and SBC cannot reduce this
risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
Warning!
G
Do not pump the brake pedal, rather use
firm, steady brake pedal pressure. Pumping
the brake pedal defeats the purpose for ABS
and significantly reduces braking effective-
ness.

71 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Switching off ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have drive wheels spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
such as:

starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravel
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.
!Because of ESP’s automatic operation,
the engine must be shut off when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer.


the vehicle is being towed with the
front axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
rear axle brake system.
ESP will only function properly if you
use wheels of the recommended tire
size (page 337).
Warning!
G
ESP should not be switched off during nor-
mal driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Disabling of the system
will reduce vehicle stability in standard driv-
ing maneuvers.iDistronic* cannot be activated when
ESP has been deactivated.

185 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The following vehicle level settings can be
selected when the vehicle is stationary:
The switch and the indicator lamps are lo-
cated in the lower section of the center
console.
Briefly press switch3 to change from
one level setting to the next.
At level 1, indicator lamp2 is illuminat-
ed and at level 2 both indicator lamps
are illuminated. When the vehicle is at
level 2, pressing the switch will return
the vehicle to normal level.
1Indicator lamp 1
2Indicator lamp 2
3Vehicle level control switch
Vehicle level when
stationary
Use for
Height increase over
normal
Automatic lowering
Indicator lamps
(page 185)
Normal
Normal operation
None
Max. approx. 0.5 in (12 mm)
Both lamps off
Level 1
Driving with snow chains
(page 240)
Max. 0.6 in (15 mm)
1
Max. approx. 0.6 in (15 mm)
One lamp on
Level 2
Very rough road surface
conditions
Max. 1.0 in (25 mm)
1
Max. approx. 1.0 in (25 mm)
Both lamps on
1Dependent on loading
iPressing the switch twice in quick suc-
cession will cause the vehicle to imme-
diately raise or lower to the new vehicle
level as selected.
The selected vehicle level setting re-
mains stored in memory even if the en-
gine is turned off and restarted.

220 OperationDriving instructionsTire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.
Mercedes-Benz recommends M+S rated
radial-ply tires for the winter season for all
four wheels to insure normal balanced
handling characteristics. On packed snow,
they can reduce your stopping distance as
compared with summer tires. Stopping
distance, however, is still considerably greater than when the road is not covered
with snow or ice. Exercise appropriate cau-
tion.
Tire speed rating
SL 500
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km / h).
SL 500 with Sport Package* and
SL 55 AMG
Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“W”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of 168 mph (270 km / h) or “Y”-rated tires,
which have a speed rating of 188 mph
(300 km / h)
An electronic speed limiter prevents your
vehicle from exceeding a speed of
155 mph (250 km / h).Despite the tire rating, local speed limits
should be obeyed. Use prudent driving
speeds appropriate to prevailing condi-
tions.
Warning!
G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
Warning!
G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire fail-
ure, causing loss of vehicle control and pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.iInformation on driving with snow
chains (
page 240).
iInformation on tire speed rating for
winter tires (
page 239).

240 OperationWinter drivingBlock heater (Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heat-
er.
The electrical cable may be installed at
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Snow chains
When driving with snow chains, always se-
lect setting 1 of the level control system
(page 184). Other settings may result in
damage to your vehicle.
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to ex-
ceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow. Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Chains should only be used on the rear
wheels. Follow the manufacturer's
mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz. Your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center will be
glad to advise you on this subject.
Warning!
G
If you use your spare tire when winter tires
are fitted on the other wheels, be aware that
the difference in tire characteristics may
very well impair turning stability and that
overall driving stability may be reduced.
Adapt your driving style accordingly.
Have the spare tire replaced with a winter
tire at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
(page 71) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the vehi-
cle‘s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes 285 / 35 R18.

338 Technical dataRims and tiresMixed size tiresSpare wheel
SL 500 (Sport Package*)
SL 55 AMG
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
81/2J x18
81/2J x18
Wheel offset
1.18 in (30 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/40 R18 95W or 255/40 R18 95Y
255/40 R18 95W or 255/40 R18 95Y
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
91/2Jx18
91/2Jx18
Wheel offset
1.30 in (33 mm)
1.30 in (33 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
285/35 R18 97W
1 or 285/35 R18 97Y
1
285/35 R18 97W
1 or 285/35 R18 97Y
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
SL 500
Rim
6B x17 ET25
Wheel offset
0.98 in (25 mm)
Collapsible tire
185/60-17-93P
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
iThe SL 55 AMG is not equipped with a
spare wheel. TIREFIT (
page 302).

370 Index
Locator lighting 125
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 123
Multifunction display language 123
Night security illumination 125
Radio station 116
Speedometer display mode 123
Station selection mode 128
Suspension tuning 183
Temperature (interior) 149
Temperature indicator 122
Time display mode 122
Tire inflation pressure 129
Units
Speedometer 123
Temperature 122
Tire inflation pressure 129
Vehicle level control 184
Setting speed
Cruise control 169, 170
Distronic* 176, 177Settings
Calling up Distronic* 117, 174
Convenience functions 129
Factory (electronic key) 81
Individual (electronic key) 81
Resetting all (control system) 120
Settings menu
Individual vehicle settings 119
Submenus 120
Shifting
into optimal gear range 138
Shifting gears
On steering wheel (SL 55 AMG) 142
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 94
Side air vents 23
Side marker lamps 296, 299
Side windows 157
Automatic opening 158
Closing 158
Closing (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Opening 158
Opening fully 158
Stopping 158
Synchronizing power windows 158SL 500
Spare wheel 338
Tires 338
SL 55 AMG Kompressor
Tires 338
SL 55 AMG Kompressor
MANUAL shift program mode 142
Steering wheel gearshift control 143
Snow chains 240
Spare fuses 288, 329
Spare tire see Spare wheel 302
Spare wheel* 289, 312
Inflating tire 316
Tire inflation pressure 316
Speed settings
Cruise control 170
Distronic* 177
Speedometer 21
Setting units 123
Sporty driving style 183
SRS 355
Indicator lamp 252
Standing lamps 102, 296
Replacing bulbs 299
Standing water
Driving instructions 222