2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 fuel consumption

150 Controls in detailControl system
The selection marker is on the current
setting.

Press æ or ç to switch function On or
Off
.
Trip computer menu
Use the trip computer menu to call up sta-
tistical data on your vehicle. The following
information is available:Fuel consumption statistics after start

Press button ÿ or è repeatedly
until you see the first function of the
Trip computer menu.

Press button j or k repeatedly
until you see this message in the left
display:
After start.
1Distance driven since start
2Average speed since start
3Time elapsed since start
4Average fuel consumption since start
Function
Page
Fuel consumption statistics after
start
150
Fuel consumption statistics
since last reset
151
Call up range (distance to empty)
152
iThe last function called up will reap-
pear the next time you enter the trip
computer menu.


151 Controls in detail
Control system
Fuel consumption since last reset
Press button ÿ or è repeatedly
until you see the first function of the
Trip computer menu.

Press button j or k repeatedly
until you see this message in the left
display:
From reset.
1Distance driven since last reset
2Average speed since last reset
3Time elapsed since last reset
4Average fuel consumption since last re-
setResetting fuel consumption statistics

Press button ÿ or è repeatedly
until you see the first function of the
Trip computer menu.

Press button j or k repeatedly
until you see the reading that you want
to reset in the left display.

Press and hold the reset button in the
instrument cluster (
page 23) until
the value is reset to 0.
iAll statistics stored since the last en-
gine start will be reset approximately
four hours after the SmartKey in the
starter switch is turned to position0 or
removed from the starter switch.
Resetting will not occur if you turn the
SmartKey back to position1 or2 with-
in this time period.

208 Controls in detailDriving systemsSuspension for sporty driving style
The setting for sporty driving is selected
when indicator lamp2 is illuminated.
Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.
Suspension for regular driving style
The setting for regular driving is selected
when the indicator lamp2 is off.

Press switch1.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.Vehicle level control
Your vehicle automatically adjusts its ride
height to:


reduce fuel consumption


increase vehicle safety
The vehicle chassis ride height is raised or
lowered according to the selected level
setting and to the vehicle speed:


With increasing speed, ride height is re-
duced by up to approximately one inch
(25 mm).


With decreasing speed, the ride height
is again raised to the selected vehicle
level.Select the level 1 and 2 settings only when
required by current driving conditions.
Otherwise:


Fuel consumption may increase.


Handling may be impaired.iThese height adjustments are so small
that you may not notice any change.Warning!
G
To help avoid personal injury, keep hands
and feet away from wheel housing area, and
stay away from under the vehicle when low-
ering the vehicle chassis.

239 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent, de-
pends on driving habits and operating con-
ditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended infla-
tion pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the Service
Booklet and as required by the FSS.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by driv-
ing in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic,
on short trips and in hilly country.
Drinking and driving
Pedals
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/ or taking drugs
and driving are a very dangerous combina-
tion. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgement.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal ac-
cident are greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times. Ob-
jects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.

378 Technical dataRims and tires
Rims and tiresOnly use tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as

Poor handling characteristics


Increased noise


Increased fuel consumption
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and dif-
ferent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. This may result in damage to the
tires or the vehicle.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A tire inflation
pressure table is located on the fuel fill-
er flap of the vehicle. The tire pressure
should be checked regularly and
should only be adjusted on cold tires.
Follow tire manufacturer’s mainte-
nance recommendation included with
vehicle.

410 IndexEngine oil 255, 388
Adding 257
Additives 388
Checking level 255
Consumption 255
Display messages 307
Filler neck 257
Messages in display 256
Engine oil level see Oil level
ESP 75, 78, 398
Control switch 26
Switching off 79
Switching on 80
Synchronizing 295
Warning lamp 78
ESP/ABS warning lamp 23
ETD see Emergency Tensioning Device
Express-close front side windows 182
Express-open front side windows 182F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 140
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 195
First aid kit 323
Flat tire 339
Spare wheel 350
TIREFIT kit 340, 345
Flexible Service System (FSS) 271
Fluid level 258
Fog lamp, rear 120, 332
Replacing bulb 335
Fog lamps, front 120
Replacing bulbs 332
Front airbags 64
Front lamps 332
Replacing bulbs 334
FSS (Flexible Service System) 271, 399Fuel 250
Additives 390
Fuel reserve warning lamp 23, 287
Gasoline additives 390
Premium unleaded gasoline 251,
387, 389
Requirements 389
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 150
Since reset 151
Fuel filler flap 250
Locking 250
Opening 250
Unlocking 250
Fuel requirements 389
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 309
Fuel tank
Filler flap 250
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities 386
Functions (control system) 128

415 Index
N
Navigation system
Operating 134
Night security illumination 143
O
Octane number 401
Odometer, main 23
Oil
Adding 257
Consumption 255
Filler neck 257
Oil level
Checking 252
One-touch gearshifting 156
Canceling gear range limit 156
Downshifting 156
Upshifting 156Opening
Doors from the inside 99
Fuel filler flap 250
Hood 253
Luggage cover 185
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 188
Retractable hardtop (switch) 185
Side windows 182
Storage compartment in the
armrest 216
Storage compartment in the center
console 216
Sunshade 192
Trunk from inside vehicle 100
Trunk lid 99
Windows 181
Operating
CD player 134
Navigation system 134
Radio 133
Telephone* 152
Overhead control panel 27
Overspeed range 125, 400P
Panic alarm 74
Panic button on SmartKey 74
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 191
Sunshade closing 192
Sunshade opening 192
Parcel net in passenger footwell 217
Parcel net in trunk 217
Parctronic* deactivation switch 26
Parking 242
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 210
Parking brake
Engaging 52
Releasing 45
Parking brake pedal 21
Parking lamps 332
Replacing the bulbs 335
Switching on 117
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 115, 149,
167

417 Index
Regular checks 252
Regular driving style 208
Remote Vehicle Diagnostics 400
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 335
Brake lamp bulbs 332
Bulbs 331
Front lamp bulbs 334
Front turn signal bulbs 334
Fuses 369
High beam bulbs 334
License plate lamp bulbs 336
Low beam bulbs 334
Rear fog lamp bulb 335
Rear lamp bulbs 332, 335
Rear turn signal bulbs 335
Wiper blades 337
Reset button 23
Resetting
All functions (control system) 137Fuel consumption statistics 151
Service indicator (FSS) 272
Trip odometer 125
Residual heat utilization 178
Restraint systems 58
Airbags 58
Child seat recognition 58
Child seats 58
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 58, 68
Seat belts 58, 65
Resume function
Cruise control 195
Distronic* 202
Retractable hardtop 401
Closing (SmartKey) 189
Closing (switch) 186
Convenience feature 189
Locking after raising/lowering 187
Message in display 309
Opening (SmartKey) 188Opening (switch) 185
Problems when operating 189
Summer opening feature 188
Roll bar 69, 401
Lowering 70
Messages in display 316
Raising 69
Warning lamp 23
Roll bar buttons 26
RON 251, 401
Roof see Retractable hardtop
Rubber parts
Cleaning 280
S
Satellite-radio* 133
SBC brake system 75, 81, 401
Activation 82
Deactivation 83
Driving hints 83
Messages in display 299, 300