2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 roll bar

188 Controls in detailRetractable hardtop
Opening the retractable hardtop with
the SmartKey (Summer opening
feature)

Aim the transmitter eye at the door
handle.

Press and hold button Πuntil the
retractable hardtop is completely
open.
The seat ventilation for the driver’s seat
switches on. The rear side windows
open. In the tachometer display you
will see the message
Vario-Roof open
.

Release button Πto interrupt pro-
cedure.
Warning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately seven minutes
when the ignition is switched on


after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound and the hardtop switch
lamp will flash. In the speedometer display
you will see
K
, in the tachometer display
you will see the message
being lowered!


Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(page 187) before continuing to drive.
Warning!
G
Before operating the switch for the retract-
able hardtop make sure that no persons can
be injured by the moving parts (retractable
roof, roof frame, and trunk lid) due to inat-
tention.
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, hardtop, shelf
behind roll bars, or trunk lid while the re-
tractable hardtop is being raised or lowered.
Serious personal injury may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
spective button on the SmartKey. This im-
mediately interrupts the raising or lowering
procedure. You then can operate
Œ
or
‹
to raise or lower the hardtop away
from the danger zone.

190 Controls in detailRetractable hardtopIndicator lamp in the retractable hard-
top switch lights when vehicle is
stopped
If the indicator lamp in the retractable
hardtop switch lights while the vehicle is
standing still and the switch was not acti-
vated, then the retractable hardtop is not
locked.
Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(page 187) before continuing to
drive.
The retractable hardtop will not lock
There is a malfunction in the retractable
hardtop system.

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.Wind screen
The wind screen deflects drafts away from
the driver and passenger when the hardtop
is lowered. It is stored in a separate stor-
age bag.
Installing

Leave the wind screen folded and place
it on the roll bar.1Guide tabs

Slide the wind screen into the roll bar
until the guide taps on each side latch
underneath the roll bar. Make sure the
fastening straps do not get caught.

Raise the roll bar slightly (
page 69).
Warning!
G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s vi-
sion to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent a
possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.

191 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
2Buckle
Guide the fastening straps around the
top of the roll bar and close buckles 2.

Tighten the fastening straps if neces-
sary.

Lower the roll bar.

Fold the upper section of the wind
screen up towards the head restraints
until it stops.Removing

Fold the upper section of the wind
screen back down.

Raise the roll bar slightly (
page 69).
1Release button

Undo the buckles on the upper section
of the roll bar by pressing release
button1.

Lower the roll bar. Make sure the fas-
tening straps do not get caught.

Pull the wind screen out towards the
front of the vehicle. Be careful not to
damage interior trim with the guide
tabs.

Place the wind screen back into the
bag.
Sunshade for panorama roof*
The sunshade protects you from excessive
sunlight coming in through the panorama
roof.Warning!
G
Do not operate the sunshade while driving.
Adjusting the sunshade while driving could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehi-
cle.

214 Controls in detailUseful features
Useful featuresStorage compartments Glove box
An AUX socket to the audio system for por-
table audio devices is installed in the glove
box.
1Button to open
2Glove box
Opening the glove box

Press button1.
The glove box lid opens downward.
Closing the glove box

Push lid up to close.Cup holders
1Left cup holder
2Right cup holder
Opening

Briefly press cup holder cover.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when stowing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on shelf be-
hind roll bar.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects. Warning!
G
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.

288 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
C
The yellow roll bar warning lamp
comes on or flickers when the
engine 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.
Warning!
G
If the roll bar warning lamp does not come
on, does not go out after a long time, flickers
or comes on while driving as described
above, then the roll bar system is not oper-
ating properly and may not activate in an ac-
cident. In this case, raise the roll bar
manually (
page 69) before continuing to
drive.

316 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
C
Raise
roll-over bar
The roll bar is malfunctioning.

Raise the roll bar using the roll bar button
(page 69).

Have the roll bar checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
<
Seat belt system
Drive to
workshop!
The seat belt system is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
L
Tele Aid
Drive to
workshop!
One or more main functions of the
Tele Aid system are malfunctioning.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Tele Aid battery
Drive to
workshop!
The emergency power battery for
the Tele Aid system is malfunction-
ing. If the vehicle battery is also dis-
charged, Tele Aid will not be
operational.

Have the Tele Aid system checked by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

401 Technical terms
Retractable hardtop
Hardtop roof that can be opened and
closed at the push of a button and
stored in the trunk.
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic. The roll bar is lowered into the
car body during normal driving condi-
tions and raised automatically. It may
also be manually raised and lowered by
operating a button during critical driv-
ing situations.
RON
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.SBC
(S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol)
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of posi-
tion P without SmartKey turned and
brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e--
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.

413 Index
Coolant 286
DTR* 198
Engine diagnostics 285
ESP 78
Fuel reserve 287
SBC 81
Seat belts 289
Service indicator 271
SRS 59, 289
Turn signals 23
Language
Multifunction display 141
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 280
License plate lamps 142, 332
Replacing bulbs 336
Light sensor 313
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Instruments 124
Interior 122
Settings (control system) 142
Trunk 123Limiting the gear range 157
Limp Home Mode 165
Load assist 221
Lowering manually 327
Lock buttons 30
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 55
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 98
Locking 51
Automatic while driving 105
Centrally from inside 105
Fuel filler flap 250
Global (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 96
Global (SmartKey) 91
Storage compartments 216
Trunk separately 103
Vehicle in an emergency 327
Low beam headlamps 117, 332
Replacing bulbs 334
Lowering
Load assist manually 327
Roll bar 70
Luggage compartment, rear 218Luggage cover 185
Messages in display 322
Opening/closing 185
Lumbar support adjustment 108
M
Main fuse box 369
Maintenance 271
Malfunction memory 136
Calling up 136
Clearing 136
MANUAL
Shift program mode
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 163
Manual operation
Interior lighting control 123
Locking the vehicle 327
Lowering load assist 327
Unlocking storage
compartments 326
Unlocking the driver’s door 325
Unlocking the trunk 326
Massage function 110