Page 318 of 376
318 Practical hintsFlat tireLowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until the full weight of the
vehicle is resting on the ground.
Pull the jack out of the jack support
tube.
1 - 5 Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly, fol-
lowing the diagonal sequence illustrat-
ed (1 to 5), until all bolts are tight.
Observe a tightening torque of 96 ft lb
(130 Nm).
Before storing the jack in the trunk,
crank back to storage position and fold
in the arm.Replacing jack support tube cover
Slide tongue of cover under the upper
edge of the tube opening.
Applying even pressure, press cover
until it snaps into place. Be careful not
to damage the locking tabs or clamp
the plastic retaining strap.
Warning!
G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 ft lb (130 Nm).
Page 337 of 376

337 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
Only use tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Same size tires
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and dif-
ferent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle may be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A tire inflation
pressure table is located on the fuel fill-
er cap of the vehicle. The tire pressure
should be checked regularly and
should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with
vehicle.
SL 500
SL 55 AMG
Rims (light alloy)
81/2J x17
81/2 J x18
Wheel offset
1.38 in (35 mm)
1.18 in (30 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 98W
–
Winter tires (radial-ply tires)
255/45 R17 98V M+S
255/40 R18 95V M+S
Page 357 of 376

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
Page 359 of 376

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
Page 370 of 376

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
Page 372 of 376

372 IndexTele Aid 200
Emergency calls 202
Information 205
Initiating an emergency call
manually 203
Messages in display 263
Roadside assistance 204
SOS button 25, 203
Tele Aid system 201
Tele Aid System 355
Telephone* 22, 199
Answering a call 134
Dialing 135
Ending a call 135
Hands-free microphone 25
Loading phone book* 135
Messages in display 270
Operating 133
Redialing 136
Signal strength 134
Telephones and two-way radios 223Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 109
Sensor 25
Setting interior temperature 149
Setting units in display 122
Tires 236
Tightening torque 318, 355
Tilt
Head restraint 34
Time display mode
Setting 122
Tire inflation pressure 305, 310
Checking 226, 235
Setting units 129
Tire speed rating 220, 355
Tire traction 220
TIREFIT 355
TIREFIT kit 289, 302, 308
TIREFIT kit 1
Instructions for use 302
TIREFIT kit 2
Instructions for use 308Tires 234, 348
Direction of rotation 235
Driving instructions 219
Messages in display 281
Retreads 234
Rims and tires 337
Rotating 238
Service life 235
SL 500 338
SL 55 AMG Kompressor 338
Temperature 236, 349
Tread depth 239
Wear pattern 238
Winter 239
Tools 288
Tow-away alarm 24, 77
Arming 77
Disarming 77
Disarming for transport 77
Tow-away alarm switch 24
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit) 288
Installing 327
Towing the vehicle 325
Traction 141, 355
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Fluid level 230
Page 373 of 376

373 Index
Trip computer 131
Trip odometer 21
Resetting 109
Trunk
Closing the lid 91
Easy-Pack load assist 198
Lighting 107
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Locking separately 83
Message in display 272
Opening from inside vehicle 89
Opening the lid 83
Parcel net 195
Trunk lid lock 291
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Unlocking in an emergency 291
Unlocking separately 82
Trunk lid 82
Trunk lid emergency release 90
Trunk lighting 107
Turn signals 19, 43
Additional in mirrors 296
Front bulbs 296
Indicator lamps 21
Rear bulbs 296U
Units
Setting speedometer units 123
Setting temperature units 122
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 129
Unlocking 28
Centrally from inside 92
Driver’s door in an emergency 290
Fuel filler flap 225
Global (KEYLESS-GO* card) 86
Interior storage compartments 291
Storage compartments 194
Trunk 82, 89
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Trunk in an emergency 291
Vehicle in an emergency 290
With the electronic key 28
With the KEYLESS-GO* card 30, 84
Uphill driving
Cruise control 169
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 119
Locking 23
Locking in an emergency 292Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 187
Towing 325
Unlocking 23
Unlocking in an emergency 290
Vehicle level 184, 356
Changing 185
Setting 185
Automatic 185
Manual 185
Vehicle level control 356
Vehicle level control switch 24
Vehicle lighting
Checking 226
Vehicle lock status
Checking (KEYLESS-GO*) 87
Vehicle tool kit 288
Alignment bolt 288
Fuse chart 288
Fuse extractor 288
Hex-socket wrench 288
Open-end wrench 288
Screwdriver 288
Spare fuses 288
Universal pliers 288
Wheel wrench 288
Ventilation and residual heat 154