2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 distronic

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

21 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Parking brake pedal
45
2
Hood lock release
253
3
Parking brake release
52
4
Door control panel
28
5
Exterior lamp switch
46,
117
6
Headlamp washer button
168
7
Combination switch

Turn signals


Windshield wipers


High beam
47
47
120
Item
Page
8
Cruise control switch

Cruise control


Distronic*
193
196
9
Instrument cluster
22,
124
a
Multifunction steering
wheel
24,
128
b
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
c
Front Parktronic* warn-
ing indicator
210
d
Digital clock
140
e
Overhead control panel
27
Item
Page
f
Interior storage compart-
ments (locking/unlock-
ing)
216
g
7 indicator lamp
72
h
Glove box
214
j
Center console
25, 26
k
Starter switch
33
l
Horn
m
Steering wheel adjust-
ment lever
Heated steering wheel*
37
220

23 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature
gauge with:DCoolant tempera-
ture warning lamp
286
2
Speedometer with:;Brake warning
lamp, USA only
284
3Brake warning
lamp, Canada onlyvABS/ESP warning
lamp
282
EDistronic* indica-
tor lamp (white) or
warning lamp (red)
Vehicles without
Distronic*: Warning lamp
without function. It illumi-
nates when the ignition is
on. It should go out when
the engine is running.
287
Item
Page
KRight turn signal in-
dicator lampLLeft turn signal indi-
cator lamp
3
Left multifunction dis-
play with:

Trip odometer
125


Main odometer


Stored speed for
Distronic*
135
4
Reset button
5
Tachometer with:
125
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
120
?Engine malfunction
indicator lamp
285
Item
Page
CRoll bar warning
lamp
288
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp
283
1Supplemental re-
straint system indi-
cator lamp
289
289
6
Right multifunction
display with

Gear selector lever
position
158


Outside temperature
display
126


Program mode
161
7
Fuel gauge with:AFuel reserve warn-
ing lamp
287

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

78 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsESP
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
monitors the vehicle's traction (force of
adhesive friction between the tires and the
road surface) and handling.
The ESP recognizes when a wheel is spin-
ning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By ap-
plying brakes to the appropriate wheel and
by limiting engine output, the ESP works to
stabilize the vehicle. The ESP is especially
useful while driving off and on wet or slip-
pery road surfaces.
The ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster (
page 23) flashes when
the ESP is engaged.
The ABS/ESP warning lamp v in the in-
strument cluster (page 23) comes on
when you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position2 or press the
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button twice. It
goes out when the engine is running.
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP when you see the
ABS/ESP warning lamp
v
flashing in the
instrument cluster. In this case proceed as
follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving, ease up on the accelera-
tor.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents resulting
from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the us-
er’s safety or the safety of others.iDistronic* is switched off when the ESP
is engaged.

79 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 282).Switching off the ESP
To improve the vehicle's traction, turn off
the ESP in driving situations where it would
be advantageous to have the drive wheels
spin and thus cut into surfaces for better
grip such as:


starting out on slippery surfaces and in
deep snow in conjunction with snow
chains


in sand or gravelThe switch is located in the lower part of
the center console.
1ESP switch

Press ESP switch1 until the ABS/ESP
warning lamp v in the instrument
cluster comes on.
ESP is deactivated.
!Because of the ESP’s automatic opera-
tion, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position 0
or 1 or KEYLESS-GO* start/stop but-
ton in position 0 or 1) when

the parking brake is being tested on
a brake test dynamometer


the vehicle is being towed with the
front/rear axle raised
Active braking action through the ESP
may otherwise seriously damage the
brake system.
The ESP will only function properly if
you use wheels of the recommended
tire size (
page 378).
Warning!
G
ESP should not be switched off during nor-
mal driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Disabling of the system
will reduce vehicle stability in standard driv-
ing maneuvers.!Turn on the ESP immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not
apply anymore.
iDistronic* cannot be activated when
the ESP has been deactivated.


131 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu 1
Menu 2
Menu 3
Menu 4
Menu 5
Menu 6
Menu 7
Menu 8
Standard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAVI
Distronic*
Malfunction
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone
Commands/submenusDigital speed-
ometer
Select radio
station
Activate
route guid-
ance
Call up set-
tings
Call up malfunc-
tion messages
Reset to factory
settings
Fuel consump-
tion statistics af-
ter start
Load phone
book
Call up FSS
Select satel-
lite radio sta-
tion*
(USA only)
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consump-
tion statistics
since the last re-
set
Search for
name in
phone book
Check tire
pressure*
Operate CD
player
Lighting sub-
menu
Call up range
Check engine
oil level
Vehicle sub-
menuConvenience
submenu

135 Controls in detail
Control system
Distronic* menu
Use the Distronic menu to display the cur-
rent settings for your Distronic system.
What information is shown in the left dis-
play field depends on whether the Distron-
ic system is active or inactive.
Please refer to the “Driving systems” sec-
tion of this manual (
page 196) for in-
structions on how to activate Distronic.

Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see one of the following two
pictures in the display.Distronic deactivated
When Distronic is deactivated you will see
the standard display in the left display
field.
1Vehicle ahead, if detected
2Actual distance to vehicle ahead
3Preset distance threshold to vehicle
ahead
4Your vehicle
5Symbol for activated distance warning
functionDistronic activated
When Distronic is activated the DTR sym-
bol and the set speed are seen in the left
display.
1Symbol for activated Distronic
2Set speed