2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 towing

323 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
Where will I find ...?
First aid kit
The first aid kit is located in storage com-
partment under the passenger seat.
1Handle
2Lid
Pull handle 1 up.

Fold lid 2 down.
You can now remove the first-aid kit.
Vehicle tool kit, jack, and spare wheel
The vehicle tool kit, jack, and spare wheel
are stored in the space underneath the
trunk floor.
Lift up the trunk floor cover.
You can now remove the tools and ac-
cessories.
The vehicle tool kit includes

One pair of universal pliers


Two open-end wrenches


One hex-socket wrench


One interchangeable slot/Phillips
screwdriver


One towing eye bolt


One alignment bolt


One fuse extractor


One fuse chart for the main fuse
box


Spare fuses
The jack is exclusively designed for lifting
the vehicle during a wheel change. Always
lower the vehicle on sufficient capacity
jack stands before working under the vehi-
cle.
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.

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).

366 Practical hintsTowing the vehicle
!
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the SBC brake
system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.
iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.

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).

368 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper.
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 in direction of
arrow.

Lift cover1off to reveal threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Pull cover 2 in the direction of arrow.

Fold cover 2 down to reveal threaded
hole for the towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover 2 and snap into place.

422 IndexTelephones and two-way radios 247
Temperature
Outside temperature indicator 126
Sensor 27
Setting interior temperature 172
Setting units in display 140
Tires 264
Tightening torque 356, 401
Time display mode
Setting 140
Tire inflation pressure 343, 347
Checking 252, 263
Setting units 147
Tire speed rating 244, 401
Tire traction 244
TIREFIT kit 324, 340, 345
TIREFIT kit 1
Instructions for use 340
TIREFIT kit 2
Instructions for use 345Tires 262, 394
Direction of rotation 263
Driving instructions 243
Messages in display 317
Retreads 262
Rims and tires 378
Rotating 267
Service life 263
Temperature 264, 395
Tread depth 268
Wear pattern 267
Winter 268
Tools 323
Tow-away alarm 87
Arming 87
Disarming 87
Disarming for transport 87
Tow-away alarm switch 26
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 368Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 365
Traction 162, 402
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Trip computer 150
Trip odometer 23
Resetting 125
Trunk
Closing the lid 102
Lighting 123
Load assist 221
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 98
Locking separately 103
Messages in display 322
Opening from inside vehicle 100
Parcel net 217
Trunk lid lock 326
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 97
Unlocking in an emergency 326
Unlocking separately 92

423 Index
Trunk lid
Opening 99
Trunk lid emergency release 102
Turn signals 21, 47
Additional in mirrors 332
Front bulbs 332
Indicator lamps 23
Rear bulbs 332
Turning off the engine 53
U
Units
Setting speedometer units 141
Setting temperature units 140
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 147
Unlocking 30
Centrally from inside 105
Driver’s door in an emergency 325
Fuel filler flap 250
Storage compartments 217, 326Trunk 92, 100
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 97
Trunk in an emergency 326
Vehicle in an emergency 325
With the SmartKey 30
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 32, 93
Uphill driving
Cruise control 194
Upholstery
Cleaning 280
Upshifting 156
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 137
Locking 25
Locking in an emergency 327
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 211
Towing 365
Unlocking 25
Unlocking in an emergency 325Vehicle care
Cup holder 279
Gear selector lever 279
Hard plastic trim items 279
Headliner 279
Leather upholstery 280
Plastic and rubber parts 280
Seat belts 279
Steering wheel 279
Upholstery 280
Wood trims 280
Vehicle level 208, 402
Changing 209
Setting 209
Vehicle level control 402
Vehicle level control switch 26
Vehicle lighting
Checking 252
Vehicle tool kit 323
Ventilation and residual heat 178