2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 Brake warning

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).

405 Index
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 109
Shoulder region 109
Backrest tilt 35
Backup lamp bulbs 332
Backup lamps 335
BAS 75, 77, 397
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 328
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 329
Check lamp 98
Batteries, vehicle 260
Charging 361
Disconnecting 360
For electrical consumers 260, 324,
358
For starter 260, 358
Messages in display 297, 298
Reconnecting 361
Removing 361
Service 358Battery
For electrical consumers 324
Bi-Xenon* 397
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 397
Block heater 269
Brake fluid 252, 386, 389
Brake lamp bulb, high mounted 332
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 332
Brake pads
Message in display 298
Brake system
Messages in display 302
Brakes 240
Warning lamp 284
Break-in period 238
Bulbs, replacing
Backup lamps 335
Brake lamps 332
Front lamps 331, 334
License plate lamps 336Parking lamps 335
Rear fog lamp 335
Standing lamps 335
Tail lamp assemblies 335
Turn signal lamps, front 334
Turn signal lamps, rear 335
C
CAC see Customer Assistance Center
CAN System 398
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 386
Catalytic converter 247
CD player
Operating 134
Center air vents 25
Center console
Lower part 26
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 140

412 IndexI
Identification labels 374
Ignition 31, 33
Switching on 31
Immobilizer 84
Activating 53, 84
Deactivating 84
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 70
Instrument cluster 22, 124, 399
Select language 141
Instrument lighting 124
Interior lighting 122
Automatic control 122
Delayed switch-off 145
Interior lighting control 27
Manual operation 123
Intermittent wiping 48J
Jack 324
K
Key, Mechanical 325
Key-dependent memory 149
KEYLESS-GO* 399
Closing power window with 183
Closing windows with 183
Important notes 94
Key positions 32
Starting the engine 44
Turning off the engine 54
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button 25, 33,
44
Keys
Loss of 93
Kickdown 162, 399
Kilometers/miles in speedometer 141
Kneebag 64L
Labels, identification 374
Lamp bulbs, exterior 331
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 143
Exterior lamp switch 21, 46
Front 332
Headlamps 276
Light sensor 313
Replacing bulbs for rear 332, 335
Switching off 117
Switching on 117
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 23, 283
ABS/ESP 282
AIRBAG OFF 290
Airbag Off 64
Brakes 284
CHECK ENGINE 285

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