2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 roof

221 Controls in detail
Useful features
Load assist in the trunk
To facilitate trunk loading after opening the
lid, use the load assist feature to raise the
retracted hardtop from its storage position
in the trunk.
1Retracted hardtop
2Luggage cover
3Load assist buttonRaising the hardtop
The hardtop can only be raised when the
luggage cover is closed and the trunk lid is
completely opened.

Press button3.
The hardtop rises a short distance.
Button3 comes on brightly. You can
now open the luggage cover.Lowering the hardtop
The hardtop can only be lowered when the
luggage cover is closed and the trunk lid is
completely opened.

Close the luggage cover.

Press button3.
The hardtop lowers. Button3 is dimly
lit.
Warning!
G
To prevent injuries, make sure that there is
no possibility of body parts getting caught in
moving parts. If potential danger exists,
press the switch again. This will immediately
stop the movement of the hardtop.
!Only close the trunk if the roof is com-
pletely lowered. Otherwise you could
damage the hardtop.
If you begin to close the trunk lid before
the hardtop is completely lowered,
button3 will flash and a warning will
sound.

274 OperationVehicle care
Vehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and / or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.

309 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below
the reserve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station (
page 250).
Check
gas cap!
See Oper’s Man.
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap (
page 250).
K
Visit
workshop!
The retractable hardtop is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the retractable hardtop checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
Lock
Vario-Roof
The retractable hardtop is not
locked properly.

Push or pull on the retractable hardtop switch
until the indicator lamp in the switch goes out
and the retractable hardtop is completely
open or closed (
page 184).
O
Close hood!
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 254).
I
Remove
key!
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Replace
key!
The batteries in the SmartKey are
discharged.

Change the batteries (
page 328).

359 Practical hints
Batteries
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.
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. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. 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! Adjust your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see “SBC brake
system” (
page 81).
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP

401 Technical terms
Retractable hardtop
Hardtop roof that can be opened and
closed at the push of a button and
stored in the trunk.
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic. The roll bar is lowered into the
car body during normal driving condi-
tions and raised automatically. It may
also be manually raised and lowered by
operating a button during critical driv-
ing situations.
RON
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.SBC
(S
ensotronic B
rake C
ontrol)
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of posi-
tion P without SmartKey turned and
brake pedal depressed.
SRS
(S
upplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e--
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.

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