2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 open hood

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
•
Coolant
Stop, put engine off!
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle and turn off the engine.

Only start the engine again after the message
disappears. You could otherwise damage the
engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

357 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 267).
Check
fuel cap
See Oper. Manual
A loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaky.

Check the fuel cap (
page 267).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
Visit
workshop
The retractable hardtop is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the retractable hardtop checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
Lock
retractable 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 196).
O
Close hood
You are driving with the hood open.

Close the hood (
page 271).
I
Remove
key
You have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.

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

Change the batteries (
page 377).

383 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to posi-
tion M (
page 123).

Open the hood (
page 270)
(except for side marker lamps).
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2High beam headlamp cover
3Low beam headlamp cover (Xenon or
Bi-Xenon* lamp). Do not remove.4High beam bulbs
5Locking mechanism
6Parking and standing lampsFront turn signal bulb

Turn bulb socket 1 counterclockwise
and pull it out.

Push the bulb into socket 1, turn
socket 1 counterclockwise and re-
move it.

Insert the new bulb in socket 1, push
and turn bulb socket 1 clockwise.

Reinsert bulb socket 1 in lamp and
turn bulb socket 1 clockwise.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Xenon or
Bi-Xenon* headlamp. Because of high volt-
age in Xenon and Bi-Xenon* lamps, it is dan-
gerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp
and its components. We recommend that
you have such work done by a qualified
technician.

387 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Installing wiper blades
Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper
arm until it locks in place.

Rotate the wiper blade into a position
parallel to the wiper arm.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield. Make sure you hold on
to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back.
!Never open the hood when the wiper
arms are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact
the windshield glass without a wiper
blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are proper-
ly installed. Improperly installed wiper
blades may cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, we recommend
that you have this work carried out by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

404 Practical hintsBatteries
Unhook the luggage cover in the trunk.

Remove the trunk floor.
The battery for electrical consumers is
located in the right hand area of the
trunk (
page 372).

Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
negative lead from negative
terminal4 of the consumer battery.

Open the hood (
page 270).

Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
negative lead from negative
terminal2 of the starter battery.

Remove the covers from the positive
terminals 1 and 3.

Disconnect the positive lead from pos-
itive terminal 3 of the consumer bat-
tery.

Disconnect the positive lead from pos-
itive terminal 1 of the starter battery.
Removing the batteries
Removing the consumer battery
Remove the screws securing the bat-
tery in the trunk.

Remove the battery support and
bracket.

Take out the battery.
Removing the starter battery

Remove the screws securing the start-
er battery in the engine compartment.

Lift the retaining bracket.

Remove the battery.
Charging and reinstalling batteries
Charge batteries in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.

Reinstall the charged batteries. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.Warning!
G
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle. Gases may escape during charg-
ing and cause explosions that may result in
paint damage, corrosion or personal injury.


413 Practical hintsFuses
Opening
Open the hood (
page 270).

Move slide to position 2 and lift
cover1.
Closing

Hook cover 1 onto tabs and close it.

Move slide to position 3.!The fuse box cover must be properly
positioned with the slide at the ‹
symbol to prevent moisture or dirt from
entering the fuse box and possibly im-
pairing fuse operation.

457 Index
Multifunction display messages
ABC 337
ABS 338
Battery 345, 346
Brake pads 346
Brake system 350
CHECK ENGINE 351
Coolant 352
Coolant level 351, 353
Display malfunction 354
Doors 354
Easy-entry/exit feature 354
Fuel reserve tank 357
Hood 357
Luggage cover 371
Retractable hardtop 357
Roll bar 364
SBC brake system 347, 348
Seat belts 364
SmartKey 357
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 359
Tele Aid 364
Telephone* 364Tires 365
Trunk 371
Washer fluid 371
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 135,
442
Buttons 135
N
Navigation system
Operating 142
Night security illumination 154
Normal occupant weight 306
O
Occupant distribution 306
Octane number 443
Odometer, main 25
Oil
Adding 274
Consumption 272
Filler neck 274
Oil level
Checking 269One-touch gearshifting 166
Canceling gear range limit 166
Downshifting 166
Upshifting 166
Opening
Doors from the inside 106
Fuel filler flap 267
Hood 270
Luggage cover 197
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 200
Retractable hardtop (switch) 197
Side windows 194
Storage compartment in the
armrest 230
Storage compartment in the center
console 230
Sunshade 204
Trunk from inside vehicle 108
Trunk lid 107
Windows 193