2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 start

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 7
Product information ................................ 7
Operator’s Manual .................................. 8
Service and warranty information ..... 8
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles ............. 9
Maintenance .................................. 10
Roadside Assistance ...................... 10
Change of address or ownership.... 10
Operating your vehicle outside the USA
or Canada ...................................... 11
Where to find it .................................... 12
Symbols ............................................... 13
Operating safety .................................. 14
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 14
Problems with your vehicle .................. 15
Reporting safety defects...................... 16
Reporting safety defects ................ 16At a glance......................................... 17
Cockpit ................................................ 18
Instrument cluster ............................... 20
Multifunction steering wheel ............... 22Center console ..................................... 23
Upper part ...................................... 23
Lower part ...................................... 24
Overhead control panel ........................ 25
Door control panel................................ 26
Getting started................................... 27
Unlocking ............................................. 28
Unlocking with the SmartKey.......... 28
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO* ......... 30
Adjusting .............................................. 32
Seats............................................... 32
Steering wheel ................................ 34
Mirrors ............................................ 35
Driving .................................................. 37
Fastening the seat belts.................. 37
Starting the engine ......................... 39
Switching on headlamps ................. 43
Turn signals and high beam ............ 43
Windshield wipers ........................... 44
Problems while driving .................... 45
Parking and locking .............................. 47
Parking brake.................................. 47
Switching off headlamps................. 48
Turning off engine with the key ....... 48Turning off engine with
KEYLESS-GO* ................................ 49
Emergency engine shut-down ......... 50
Safety and Security........................... 51
Occupant safety ................................... 52
Airbags ........................................... 53
Seat belts ....................................... 58
Roll bar ........................................... 61
Children in the vehicle .................... 62
Panic alarm .......................................... 67
Activating........................................ 67
Deactivating.................................... 67
Driving safety systems ......................... 68
ABS ................................................. 68
BAS ................................................. 69
ESP ................................................. 70
SBC brake system .......................... 72
Anti-theft systems ................................ 75
Immobilizer ..................................... 75
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 75
Tow-away alarm .............................. 77

ContentsPractical hints.................................. 249
What to do if … .................................. 250
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 250
Messages in the display ............... 257
Where will I find ...?............................ 288
First aid kit ................................... 288
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 288
Locking/unlocking in an emergency.. 290
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 290
Locking the vehicle ...................... 292
Lowering the Easy Pack feature
manually ....................................... 292
Changing batteries ....................... 293
Replacing bulbs ................................. 295
Bulbs ............................................ 295
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 298
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 299
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 301
Removing ..................................... 301
Installing....................................... 301
Flat tire .............................................. 302
Preparing the vehicle.................... 302
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1 ..... 302
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2 ..... 308
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 312Batteries ............................................ 319
Disconnecting the batteries ......... 320
Removing the batteries ................ 321
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 321
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 321
Jump starting ..................................... 323
Towing the vehicle ............................. 325
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 327
Fuses ................................................. 329
Main fuse box............................... 329
Technical data................................. 331
Spare parts service ............................ 332
Warranty coverage............................. 333
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 333
Identification labels ........................... 334
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 335
SL 500 ......................................... 335
SL 55 AMG ................................... 335
Engine................................................ 336
Rims and tires.................................... 337
Same size tires ............................. 337
Mixed size tires ............................ 338Spare wheel ................................. 338
Electrical system ............................... 339
Main dimensions ............................... 340
Weights ............................................. 341
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 342
Capacities .................................... 342
Engine oils ................................... 343
Engine oil additives ...................... 343
Air conditioner refrigerant............ 343
Brake fluid.................................... 343
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 344
Fuel requirements ........................ 344
Gasoline additives ........................ 344
Coolants ...................................... 345
Windshield and headlamp washer
system ......................................... 347
Consumer information ....................... 348
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 348
Technical terms............................... 351Index................................................. 357

12 IntroductionWhere to find it
Where to find itThis Operator’s Manual is designed to pro-
vide comprehensive support information
for you, the vehicle operator. For you to
find information quickly each section has
its own reference color:At a glance
Here you will find an overview of all the
controls that can be operated from the
driver’s seat.Getting started
Here you will find all the information you
need for your first drive. You should read
this section first if this is your first
Mercedes-Benz vehicle or if you are rent-
ing or borrowing this vehicle.Safety and Security
H e r e y o u w i l l f i n d d e s c r i p t i o n s o f t h e s a f e t y
features in your vehicle.
Controls in detail
Here you will find detailed information
about the equipment installed on your ve-
hicle. This section expands on the “Getting
started” section and also describes techni-
cal innovations. If you are already familiar
with the basic functions of your vehicle,
this section will be of particular interest to
you.Operation
Here you will find all the information you
need for the proper operation of your vehi-
cle.Practical hints
This section provides fast assistance for
dealing with problems you may encounter.
Technical data
All important technical data for your vehi-
cle can be found in this section.Indexes
The glossary provides explanations of the
most important technical terms.
The table of contents and the index are de-
signed to help you find information quickly
and easily.
The following publications are part of your
vehicle documentation:

this Operator’s Manual


the Service Booklet
Separate operating instructions will be
provided as required depending on the
equipment options installed in your vehi-
cle.

19 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Parking brake pedal
41
2
Hood lock release
227
3
Parking brake release
47
4
Door control panel
26
5
Exterior lamp switch
43,
102
6
Headlamp washer switch
146
7
Combination switch

Turn signals


Windshield wipers


High beam
43
44
104
8
Cruise control switch

Cruise control


Distronic*
168
171
9
Instrument cluster
20,
108
10
Multifunction steering
wheel
22,
111
11
Lever for voice control
system, see separate
operating instructions
12
Front Parktronic* warn-
ing indicator
186
13
Digital clock
122
14
Overhead control panel
25
15
Interior storage compart-
ments (locking/unlock-
ing)
194
16
7
indicator lamp
64
17
Glove box
190
18
Center console
23, 24
19
Starter switch
31
20
Horn
21
Steering wheel adjust-
ment stalk
Heated steering wheel*
34
197
Item
Page

21 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature
gauge with:D
Coolant temperature
warning lamp
254
2
Speedometer with:;
Brake warning lamp,
except Canada
253
3
Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
v
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS)/Electronic
Stability Program
(ESP) warning lamp
250
E
Distronic (DTR)* indi-
cator lamp (white) or
warning lamp (red)
1
1Vehicles without Distronic*: Indicator lamp with-
out function. It illuminates with the key in starter
switch position2. It should go out when the engine
is running.
251
L
K
Turn signal indicator
lamps
Item
Page
3
Left multifunction display
with:
Trip odometer
109
Main odometerStored speed for
Distronic*
117
4
Reset knob
5
Tachometer with:
109
A
High beam headlamp
indicator
104
?
Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp
256
C
Roll bar warning lamp
255
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
251
Item
Page
1
Supplemental
restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp
252
<
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp
256
6
Right multifunction
display with:
Selector lever
position
39
Outside temperature
display
109
Program mode
141
7
Fuel gauge with:A
Fuel reserve warning
lamp
255

23 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Central locking switch
92
2
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
105
3
Central unlocking switch
92
4
Center and side air vent
adjustment
147
5
COMAND system, see
separate operating in-
structions
113
6
Automatic climate control
149
7
Right cup holder
190
8
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button
30
9
Ashtray
Cigarette lighter
196
197
10
Left cup holder
190

27 Getting started
Unlocking
Adjusting
Driving
Parking and locking

28 Getting startedUnlockingThe “Getting started” section provides an
overview of the vehicle’s most basic func-
tions. First-time Mercedes-Benz owners
should pay special attention to the infor-
mation given here.
If you are already familiar with the basic
functions described here, the “Controls in
detail” section will help you with further in-
formation. The corresponding page refer-
ences are at the end of each segment.
UnlockingUnlocking with the SmartKeyElectronic key with remote control1‹
Lock button
2
Š
Unlock button for trunk lid
3
Œ
Unlock button
4
Â
Panic button

Press unlock button3
Œ
on the key.
The indicator lamps light up for a short
time. The locking knobs in the doors
move up.

Get in the vehicle and insert the key in
the starter switch.iThe SBC brake system is activated.iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up position when
the door is closed.