2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 roof

235 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.

306 OperationTires and wheelsGVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to one psi; another metric unit for
air pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to one bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (P
ounds per s
quare i
nch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on placard located on driver’s door
B-pillar for normal driving conditions.
Provides best handling, tread life and
riding comfort.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.

315 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning 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.

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).

402 Practical hintsBatteriesWarning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regu-
larly by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.
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.

443 Technical terms
REST
(Residual Engine Heat Utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
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.

458 IndexOperating
CD player 141
Navigation system 142
Radio 140
Telephone* 161
Overhead control panel 31
Overspeed range 132, 442
P
Panic alarm 78
Panic button on SmartKey 78
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 203
Sunshade closing 204
Sunshade opening 204
Parcel net in passenger footwell 231
Parcel net in trunk 231
Parktronic* deactivation switch 30
Parking 259
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 223
Parking brake
Engaging 57
Releasing 50
Parking brake pedal 23Parking lamps 381
Replacing the bulbs 384
Switching on 123
Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors 121, 158,
179
Parktronic* 30, 223, 442
Activating 226
Cleaning system sensors 318
Deactivating 226
Malfunctioning 227
Minimum distance 225
Range 224
Rear sensors 225
System sensors 318
Warning indicators 23, 225
Parts service 416
Passenger side
Front airbag 68
Head-thorax airbag 69
Parcel net in footwell 231Pedals 255
Phone book* 162
Loading 163
Quick search 163
Phone number*
Dialing 162
Redialing 163
Plastic and rubber parts
Cleaning 321
Poly-V-belt drive 442
Layout 419
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 294
Power assistance 256
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 41
Adjusting head restraint height 41
Adjusting head restraint tilt 41
Adjusting seat cushion depth 41
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 41
Adjusting seat height 41

460 IndexResume function
Cruise control 208
Distronic* 215
Retractable hardtop 443
Closing (SmartKey) 201
Closing (switch) 198
Convenience feature 201
Locking after raising/lowering 199
Message in display 357
Opening (SmartKey) 200
Opening (switch) 197
Problems when operating 201
Summer opening feature 200
Rim 306
Roll bar 73, 443
Lowering 74
Messages in display 364
Raising 73
Warning lamp 27
Roll bar buttons 30RON 268, 443
Roof see Retractable hardtop
Rubber parts
Cleaning 321
S
Satellite-radio* 140
SBC brake system 79, 85, 443
Activation 86
Deactivation 87
Driving hints 87
Messages in display 347, 348
Self-check 86
Warning lamp 85
Seat belt force limiter 72
Seat belts 45, 62, 69
Cleaning 320
Messages in display 364
Telltale 332
Seat heating
Switching off 117
Switching on 117Seat ventilation*
Switching off 119
Switching on 119
Seating capacity 284
Seats
Adjusting height 40
Adjusting lumbar support 116
Adjusting shoulder support 116
Easy entry/exit feature 113
Heating 117
Massage function 116
Moving 115
Service
Basic service (Service A) 312
Batteries 401
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator 313
Extended service (Service B) 312
Types 312
Service life (tires) 280