2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 fuel pressure

333 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
H
The yellow warning lamp for the
tire pressure monitoring system
comes on.
The tire pressure monitoring system de-
tects a loss of pressure in at least one tire.

Bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding
abrupt steering and braking maneuvers.
Observe the traffic situation around you.

Take note of the messages in the multi-
function display.
The warning lamp goes out once the tire in-
flation pressure monitor has been reactivat-
ed after the tire inflation pressure has been
corrected.
Warning!
G
When the tire pressure monitoring system
warning light is lit, one or more of your tires
is significantly under-inflated. You should
stop and check your tires as soon as possi-
ble, and inflate them to the proper pressure
as indicated on the vehicle’s tire information
placard. Driving on a significantly under-in-
flated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure.
Under-inflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affect the vehi-
cle’s handling and stopping ability. Each tire,
including the spare, should be checked
monthly when cold and set to the recom-
mended inflation pressure as specified in
the vehicle placard and owner’s manual.
iThe recommended tire inflation pres-
sures for your vehicle can be found on
the tire placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar, not in the owner’s manual.

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).

392 Practical hintsFlat tire
After driving vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check tire inflation pres-
sure using the pressure gauge on the
air pump.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a
new TIREFIT kit.

Bring used TIREFIT materials to an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
proper disposal.

Replace your TIREFIT container every
four years. Replacement containers are
available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the road-
way and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside
Assistance.
If tire inflation pressure is at least
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate tire to correct pres-
sure (see placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar), and drive vehicle to nearest tire re-
pair facility to have tire repaired or replaced.
Recommended duration of use:
300 miles (500 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h)
with the recommended tire inflation pres-
sure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.
Warning!
G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not designed
to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.


398 Practical hintsFlat tire
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
or

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever once
without depressing the brake pedal.

Press I on the electric air pump switch.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.

Inflate the tire to approx. 36 psi
(2.5 bar).
This takes about five minutes for the
spare tire. Air hose 2 and union
nut3 can become hot duration infla-
tion. Exercise proper caution to avoid
burning yourself when using the equip-
ment.

Press 0 on the electric air pump switch.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
or

Press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
on the gear selector lever twice without
depressing the brake pedal.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

If the tire inflation pressure is above
36 psi (2.5 bar), release excess tire in-
flation pressure using the vent screw.!Do not operate the air pump longer
than eight minutes without interrup-
tion. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again af-
ter it has cooled off.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.


422 Technical dataRims and tiresOnly use tires and rims which have been
specifically developed for your vehicle and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
Other tires and rims can have detrimental
effects, such as

Poor handling characteristics


Increased noise


Increased fuel consumption
!Moreover, tires and rims not approved
by Mercedes-Benz may, under load,
exhibit dimensional variations and dif-
ferent tire deformation characteristics
that could cause them to come into
contact with the vehicle body or axle
parts. Damage to the tires or the vehi-
cle may be the result.
iFurther information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. A placard with
the recommended tire inflation pres-
sures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have sup-
plemental tire pressure information for
driving at high speeds (
page 289) or
for vehicle loads less than the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle condition. If such
information is provided, it can be found
on the placard located on the inside of
the fuel filler flap. The tire inflation
pressure should be checked regularly
and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s main-
tenance recommendation included
with vehicle.

434 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:

The octane number (posted at the
pu mp ) m ust b e 91 m i n. It is an a ve ra ge
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M) / 2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:

have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible


avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration


do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage


do not exceed
2/3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain

459 Index
Power train 442
Power window
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 195
Power windows 193
Side windows 193
Synchronizing 195
Problems while driving 55
Production options weight 306
Program mode selector switch 443
Automatic transmission 30, 170
PSI 306
PULSE function (Massage function) 116
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 163
R
Radio
Satellite* 140
Select station 140Radio transmitters
Control and operation 264
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 161
Reading lamp 31
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear luggage compartment 232
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 178, 189
Recommended inflation pressure 306
Redial memory 163
Refuelling 267
Regular checks 269
Regular driving style 220
Replacing
Backup lamp bulbs 385
Brake lamp bulbs 381
Bulbs 380
Front lamp bulbs 383
Front turn signal bulbs 383
Fuses 412High beam bulbs 383
License plate lamp bulbs 385
Low beam bulbs 383
Rear fog lamp bulb 385
Rear lamp bulbs 381, 385
Rear turn signal bulbs 385
Wiper blades 386
Reset button 25
Resetting
All functions (control system) 145
Fuel consumption statistics 160
Maintenance service indicator
(FSS) 314
Trip odometer 132
Residual heat utilization 190
Restraint systems 62
Airbags 62
Child seat recognition 62
Child seats 62
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 62, 72
Seat belts 62, 69

465 Index
Tire inflation pressure see the placard on
the fuel filler flap
Tire inspection 280
Tire load rating 307
Tire ply composition and material
used 307
Tire speed rating 261, 297, 307, 444
Tire terminology 305
Tire traction 261
TIREFIT
Instructions for use 388
TIREFIT kit 373, 388
Tires 279
Direction of rotation 282
Driving instructions 259
Messages in display 365
Messages in the display 343, 344
Retreads 279
Rims and tires 422
Rotating 308
Service life 280Temperature 289, 304
Tire pressure monitor warning
lamp* 333
Tread depth 281, 309
Wear pattern 308
Winter 309
Tools 372
Tow-away alarm 90
Arming 90
Disarming 90
Disarming for transport 90
Tow-away alarm switch 30
Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 411
Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 408
Traction 170, 307, 444
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Tread 307
Tread depth 281Treadwear indicators 307
Trip computer 159
Trip odometer 25
Resetting 132
Trunk
Closing the lid 109
Lighting 130
Load assist 235
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 104
Messages in display 371
Opening from inside vehicle 108
Parcel net 231
Trunk lid lock 375
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Unlocking in an emergency 375
Unlocking separately 98
Trunk lid
Opening 107
Trunk lid emergency release 109