2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Tow away alarm switch

ContentsSafety and Security........................... 57
Occupant safety................................... 58
Airbags ........................................... 59
Seat belts ....................................... 65
Roll bar ........................................... 69
Children in the vehicle.................... 70
Panic alarm .......................................... 74
Activating ....................................... 74
Deactivating ................................... 74
Driving safety systems ......................... 75
ABS ................................................ 76
BAS ................................................ 77
ESP................................................. 78
SBC brake system .......................... 81
Anti-theft systems................................ 84
Immobilizer..................................... 84
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 85
Tow-away alarm ............................. 86
Controls in detail............................... 89
Locking and unlocking ......................... 90
SmartKey ....................................... 90
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 93
Opening the doors from the
inside ............................................. 99
Opening the trunk .......................... 99
Closing the trunk lid ..................... 102
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 102
Separately locking the trunk ........ 103
Automatic central locking ............ 105
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 105
Seats ................................................. 107
Easy-entry / exit feature ............... 107
Moving the seats forward and
backward ..................................... 108
Lumbar support............................ 108
Multicontour backrest*
(standard on SL 600 and
SL 55 AMG) .................................. 109Seat heating................................. 110
Seat ventilation*
(standard on SL 600) ................... 112
Memory function ............................... 114
Storing positions into memory ..... 115
Recalling positions from memory. 115
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position ........................... 115
Lighting ............................................. 117
Exterior lamp switch .................... 117
Combination switch ..................... 120
Hazard warning flasher ................ 121
Interior lighting ............................ 122
Courtesy lighting .......................... 123
Instrument cluster ............................. 124
Instrument cluster illumination .... 124
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 124
Trip odometer .............................. 125
Tachometer.................................. 125
Outside temperature indicator ..... 126

26 At a glanceCenter consoleLower part
Item
Page
1
Parking assist (Parktronic
system)* deactivation
switch
210
2
Active Body Control (ABC)
switch
207
3
Tow-away alarm switch
86
4
Hardtop open/close con-
trol with buttons for roll bar
184
69
5
Exterior rear view mirror
adjustment
38
Item
Page
6
Vehicle level control switch
208
7
ESP control switch
79
8
Thumbwheel for setting
distance for Distronic*
203
9
Distance warning func-
tion* on/off switch
203
a
Program mode selector for
automatic transmission
163
b
Gear selector lever for
automatic transmission
158

86 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsDisarming the alarm system
The alarm system is disarmed when you
unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*. The turn signal lamps flash
once to indicate that the alarm system is
deactivated.Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
iThe alarm system will rearm automati-
cally again after approximately 40 sec-
onds if no door was opened.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is trig-
gered, for example, if the vehicle is lift-
ed on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than
20 seconds, an emergency call is initi-
ated automatically by the Tele Aid sys-
tem (
page 225) provided Tele Aid
service was subscribed to and properly
activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are avail-
able.

87 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Arming tow-away alarm
When you lock your vehicle, the tow-away
alarm is automatically armed after about
30 seconds.
When you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms automatical-
ly.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature be-
fore towing the vehicle, or when parking on
a surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
The switch is located on the center console
between the driver’s seat and the passen-
ger seat.1Tow-away alarm off switch
2Indicator lamp

Switch off ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press switch1.
The indicator lamp2 in the switch
comes on briefly.

Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey or (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*) the lock button at each
door handle.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed un-
til you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling tow-away alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or

Press the Œ or ‹ button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*

Grasp the outside door handle.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
if the ignition is switched on.

365 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).

403 Index
A
ABC 207, 397
Messages in display 292
Oil level 258
Setting vehicle level 208
ABC switch 26
ABS 75, 76, 397
Messages in display 293
Warning lamp 23, 283
ABS/ESP
Warning lamp 23, 282
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 162
Activating
Air circulation mode 175
Air conditioning (cooling) 180
Anti-theft alarm system 85
Central locking (control system) 146
Distance warning function* 204
Distronic* 200
Easy-entry/exit feature 148Electric air pump 355
ESP 80
Exterior lamps 117
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 167
Hazard warning flasher 121
High beams 121
Ignition 31
Immobilizer 53
Parktronic* 212
Rear window defroster 177
Residual heat 178
Seat heating 110, 111
Seat ventilation* 113
Tow-away alarm 87
Windshield wipers 48
Active Body Control (ABC) switch 26
Active Body Control see ABC
Adding
Engine oil 257Adjusting
Air distribution 174
Air volume 173
Backrest tilt 35, 36
Exterior rear view mirrors 38
Head restraint height 36
Head restraint tilt 36
Interior rear view mirror 38
Lumbar support 108
Mirrors 38
Multicontour backrest* 109
Seat cushion depth 36
Seat cushion tilt 36
Seat height 36
Seat in the lumbar region 109
Seat in the shoulder region 109
Seats 34
Steering column in/out 37
Steering column up/down 37
Steering wheel 37
Air conditioner refrigerant 388

404 IndexAir conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 179
Turning on 179
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 324
Turning on 355
Air recirculation mode 175
Air volume adjustment 173
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 290
Airbags 59
Children 60
Front 64
Head-thorax 64, 65
Kneebag 64
Passenger 64
Alarm
Audible 74, 85
Canceling 86
Visual 85
Alignment bolt 397
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 353Anticorrosion/antifreeze 387, 392
Anti-theft alarm system 85
Arming 85
Canceling the alarm 86
Disarming 86
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 84
Tow-away alarm 86
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment 215
Ashtray 25, 219
At the gas station 250
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 258
Automatic climate control 25, 170
Center air vents 25
Deactivating 179
Residual heat utilization 178
Side air vents 25
Temperature sensor 27Automatic transmission 155
Accelerator position 162
Comfort program mode 161
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 165
Gear range 157
Gear selector lever 26
Gear selector lever position 155, 158
Gear shifting malfunctions 165
Kickdown 162
Manual shift program mode
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 163
Manual shifting 156
One-touch gearshifting 156
Program mode selector switch 26,
161
Transmission fluid 258
B
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 72, 397
BabySmartTM compatible child
seats 397

408 Index
Engine with the SmartKey 53
ESP 79
Exterior lamps 117
Hazard warning flasher 121
Headlamps 52, 117
Immobilizer 84
Interior light delayed switch-off 145
Parktronic* 212
Rear window defroster 177
Residual heat 178
Seat heating 110, 111
Seat ventilation* 113
Tow-away alarm 87
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 175
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 143
Interior lighting 145
Digital clock 21
Direction of rotation (tires) 263Displays
Distronic* 198
Messages 256, 306
Parktronic* 211
Service indicator 271
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 152
Distance warning function* 204
Activating 204
Deactivating 204
Intermittent warning sound 204
Symbol 135, 199
Distance warning function* switch 26
Distronic indicator lamp* 23
Distronic* 196, 398
"Resume" function 202
Activating 200
Calling up settings 135, 199
Cleaning system sensors 277
Cruise control lever 200Deactivating 202
Deceleration 199
Decreasing time interval 204
Displays 198
Distance warning function 204
Distance warning function switch 26
Driving hints 205
DTR warning lamp 198
Increasing time interval 203
Intermittent signal tone 198
Setting a higher speed 201
Setting a slower speed 202
Setting distance 26
Setting last stored speed 202
Setting speed 201
System sensor cover 277
Warning and indicator lamps 198
Distronic* warning lamp 23
Door control panel 21, 28
Door handle 28