2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 suspension

207 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Narrow vehicles
Because of their narrow profile, the vehi-
cles traveling near the outer edges of the
lane have not yet been detected by Dis-
tronic. There will be insufficient distance to
the vehicles ahead.
Active Body Control (ABC)
The ABC system automatically selects the
optimum suspension tuning and ride
height for your vehicle.
Suspension tuning
The suspension tuning is set according to:

Your driving style


Road surface conditions


The vehicle loading


Your choice of suspension style,
“sporty” or “regular”, which you select
using the ABC switch.
The selected suspension style is stored
in memory, even after the SmartKey is
removed from the starter switch.The ABC switch with the indicator lamp is
located in the lower section of the center
console.
1ABC switch
2Indicator lamp

Start the engine.

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.

262 OperationTires and wheels
Tires and wheelsSee an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation. They can also offer advice con-
cerning tire service and purchase.
Retreaded tires are not tested or recom-
mended by Mercedes-Benz, since previous
damage cannot always be recognized on
retreads. Mercedes-Benz can therefore
not assure the operating safety of the vehi-
cle when such tires are used.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for information on tested and recommend-
ed rims and tires for summer and winter
operation.
Important guidelines

Only use sets of tires and rims of the
same type and make.


Tires must be of the correct size for the
rim.


Break in new tires for approximately
60 miles (100 km) at moderate
speeds.


Regularly check the tires and rims for
damage. Dented or bent rims can
cause tire pressure loss or damage the
tire beads.


If vehicle is heavily loaded, check tire
pressure and correct as required.


Do not allow your tires to wear down
too far. Adhesion properties on wet
roads are sharply reduced at tread
depths under
1/8in (3 mm).


When replacing individual tires, you
should mount new tires on the front
wheels first (on vehicles with
same-sized wheels all around).
Warning!
G
Replace rims or tires with the same designa-
tion, manufacturer and type as shown on the
original part. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further informa-
tion. If incorrectly sized rims and tires are
mounted:

The wheel brakes or suspension compo-
nents can be damaged.


The correct operating clearance of the
wheels and the tires is no longer guaran-
teed.
Warning!
G
Worn, old tires can cause accidents. If the
tire tread is badly worn, or if the tires have
sustained damage, replace them.
When replacing rims, only use genuine
Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts specified for the
particular rim type. Failure to do so can re-
sult in the bolts loosening and may lead to
an accident.

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).

367 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. SBC brake system (
page 81).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 105).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See notes on the battery (
page 358)
or on jump starting (
page 363).

418 Index
Self-check 82
Warning lamp 81
Seat belt force limiter 68
Seat belts 40, 58, 65
Cleaning 279
Messages in display 316
Telltale 289
Seat heating
Switching off 110
Switching on 110
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 113
Switching on 113
Seats
Adjusting height 35
Adjusting lumbar support 109
Adjusting shoulder support 109
Easy entry/exit feature 107
Heating 110
Massage function 110
Moving 108Service
Batteries 358
Calling up the service indicator 272
Major service (Service B) 271
Minor service (Service A) 271
Overdue 272
Types 271
When due 271
Service indicator 271
Clearing 271
Service life (tires) 263
Service System see FSS
Setting
Convenience functions 148
Daytime running lamp mode 142
Digital clock 21
Distronic* time interval 203
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 149
Instrument lighting 124Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 145
Key-dependent memory 149
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 142
Locator lighting 143
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 141
Multifunction display language 141
Night security illumination 143
Radio station 133
Speedometer display mode 141
Station selection mode 146
Suspension tuning 207
Temperature (interior) 172
Temperature indicator 140
Time display mode 140
Tire inflation pressure units 147
Units
Temperature 140
Tire inflation pressure 147
Units in speedometer 141
Vehicle level control 208

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