
Contents
Control system .................................. 127
Multifunction display .................... 127
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 128
Menus .......................................... 130
Standard display menu ................ 132
AUDIO menu ................................ 132
NAVI menu ................................... 134
Distronic* menu........................... 135
Malfunction memory menu .......... 136
Settings menu .............................. 137
Trip computer menu..................... 150
TEL menu* ................................... 152
Automatic transmission ..................... 155
One-touch gearshifting................. 156
Gear ranges ................................. 157
Gear selector lever position ......... 158
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift) SL 55 AMG ............... 160
Program mode selector switch..... 161
Accelerator position ..................... 162
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG 163
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 165Good visibility ..................................... 166
Rear view mirrors .......................... 166
Windshield wipers ......................... 168
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 168
Rear window defroster .................. 169
Sun visors ..................................... 169
Automatic climate control .................. 170
Setting the temperature................ 172
Adjusting air volume ..................... 173
Adjusting air distribution............... 174
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 174
Defrosting ..................................... 175
Air recirculation mode .................. 175
Rear window defroster .................. 177
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 178
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 179
Air conditioning............................. 179
Ventilated storage compartments. 180
Power windows .................................. 181
Opening and closing the windows. 181
Synchronizing power windows ...... 183Retractable hardtop ........................... 184
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 184
Driving systems .................................. 193
Cruise control ............................... 193
Distronic* ..................................... 196
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 207
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 210
Useful features ................................... 214
Storage compartments ................. 214
Ashtray ......................................... 219
Cigarette lighter............................ 219
Heated steering wheel*
(SL 500, SL 600)........................... 220
Load assist in the trunk ................ 221
Electrical outlet............................. 222
Telephone* ................................... 222
Tele Aid......................................... 223
Garage door opener ...................... 231

ContentsOperation......................................... 237
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 238
Driving instructions ............................ 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 239
Drinking and driving ..................... 239
Pedals .......................................... 239
Power assistance ......................... 240
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off..................................... 242
Parking ......................................... 242
Tires ............................................. 243
Hydroplaning ................................ 243
Tire traction .................................. 244
Tire speed rating .......................... 244
Winter driving instructions ........... 245
Standing water ............................. 246
Passenger compartment .............. 246
Driving abroad .............................. 246Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 247
Catalytic converter ....................... 247
Emission control .......................... 248
Coolant temperature .................... 249
At the gas station .............................. 250
Refuelling ..................................... 250
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 252
Engine compartment ......................... 253
Hood ............................................ 253
Engine oil ..................................... 255
Transmission fluid level ................ 258
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 258
Coolant ........................................ 258
Battery ......................................... 260
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 261Tires and wheels................................ 262
Important guidelines .................... 262
Life of tires................................... 263
Direction of rotation..................... 263
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 263
Rotating wheels ........................... 267
Winter driving .................................... 268
Winter tires .................................. 268
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 269
Snow chains................................. 269
Maintenance...................................... 271
Clearing the service indicator ...... 271
Service term exceeded ................ 272
Calling up the service indicator .... 272
Resetting the service indicator .... 272
Vehicle care....................................... 274
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 274

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

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

414 IndexMaximum cooling MAXCOOL 174
Memory function 399
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing positions 115
Storing key-dependent settings 149
Menus 128
AUDIO 132
Distronic* 135
Malfunction memory 136
NAVI 134
Standard display 132
TEL* 152
Trip computer 150
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 141
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 211
Mirrors 38, 166
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 167
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 38
Automatic antiglare for interior rear
view mirror 166Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 149
Exterior rear view mirrors 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 115
Misfiring 49
MON 251, 399
Mph or km/h in speedometer 141
Multicontour backrest* 109
Multifunction display 127, 400
Left display field 23
Right display field 23
Selecting language 141
Standard display 127
Multifunction display messages
ABC 292
ABS 293
Battery 297, 298
Brake pads 298
Brake system 302
CHECK ENGINE 303Coolant 304
Coolant level 303, 305
Display malfunction 306
Doors 306
Easy-entry/exit feature 306
Fuel reserve tank 309
Hood 309
Luggage cover 322
Retractable hardtop 309
Roll bar 316
SBC brake system 299, 300
Seat belts 316
SmartKey 309
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 311
Tele Aid 316
Telephone* 317
Tires 317
Trunk 322
Washer fluid 322
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 128,
400
Buttons 128

421 Index
Unlocking storage
compartments 217, 326
Ventilated compartments 180
Submenus 131
Convenience 148
Instrument cluster 140
Lighting 142
Resetting functions 138
Selecting 138
Settings menus 138
Vehicle 145
Summer opening feature 188
Sun blind see Sunshade
Sun visors 169
Sunshade 191
Closing 192
Opening 192
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 208
For sporty driving style 208
Setting 207Switching off
ABC 26
Switching on
ABC 26
Front fog lamps 120
Rear fog lamp 120
Switching on headlamps 46
Symbol
Distance warning function* 135, 199
Synchronizing
ESP 295
Power windows 183
T
Tachometer 23, 125
Displaying gear range 157
Tail lamps 332, 335
Technical data
Electrical system 383
Main dimensions 384
Rims and tires 378Weights 385
Windshield and headlamp washer
system 393
Tele Aid 223
Emergency calls 225
Information 228
Initiating an emergency call
manually 226
Messages in display 316
Roadside Assistance 227
SOS button 27, 226
Tele Aid system 223
Tele Aid System 401
Telephone* 24, 222
Answering a call 153
Dialing 153
Ending a call 154
Hands-free microphone 27
Loading phone book* 154
Messages in display 317
Operating 152
Redialing 154
Signal strength 153