2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Negative

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Operating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

358 Practical hintsBatteries
BatteriesYour vehicle is equipped with two
batteries:

The starter battery (located in the en-
gine compartment)


The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)
Starter battery in the engine compartment1Positive terminal
2Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regu-
larly by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.

360 Practical hintsBatteriesDisconnecting the batteries Disconnecting the battery for electrical
consumers

Unhook the luggage cover in the trunk.

Remove the trunk floor.
The battery for electrical consumers is
located in the right hand area of the
trunk (
page 323).

Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
battery negative lead.

Remove the cover from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.Disconnecting the starter battery

Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
battery negative lead.

Remove the cover from the positive ter-
minal.

Disconnect the battery positive lead.
!To avoid damage to electrical compo-
nents, always disconnect the battery
for electrical consumers (in trunk) first.
This applies even if you only wish to
charge the starter battery. Otherwise
the electronics of the vehicle can be
damaged.

361 Practical hints
Batteries
Removing the batteries
Removing the battery for electrical con-
sumers
Remove the screws securing the bat-
tery in the trunk.

Remove the battery support and brack-
et. Take out the battery.
Removing the starter battery

Remove the screws securing the start-
er battery in the engine compartment.

Lift the retaining bracket and remove
the battery.
Charging and reinstalling batteries
Charge batteries in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged battery. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the batteries
Reconnecting the starter battery
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.

Connect the negative lead.
Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.
!To avoid damage to electrical compo-
nents, always reconnect the starter
battery (in engine compartment) first. !Never invert the terminal connections!!The battery, its filler caps, and the vent
tube must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.

362 Practical hintsBatteriesReconnecting the battery for electrical
consumers
Turn off all electrical consumers.

Connect the positive lead and fasten its
cover.

Connect the negative lead.

Reinstall the trunk floor.

Rehook trunk luggage cover into hold-
ers.
!Never invert the terminal connections!iThe following procedures must be car-
ried out following any interruption of
battery power (e.g. due to reconnec-
tion):

Resynchronize the ESP
(page 295).


Resynchronize side windows
(page 183).

364 Practical hintsJump startingThe starter battery is located on the right
side of the engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Apply parking brake.

Shift gear selector lever to positionP.

Remove the red cover from positive ter-
minal on both vehicles (
page 358).1Negative terminal of charged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of discharged battery
4Positive terminal of charged battery

Connect positive terminals 3 and 4
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery 4
first.

Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.

Connect negative terminals 1 and 2
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery 1
first.

Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.

Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals 1 and 2 and then
from positive terminals 3 and 4.
You can now turn on the lights.

Have the battery checked at the near-
est Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 260).
!Never invert the terminal connections.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.