2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 distronic

325 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The SBC brake system is still functioning nor-
mally but without ABS available.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as Parktronic*, Distronic*,
or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 335).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS was switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.

Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

330 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
E
The red DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.


You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.


The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.

Apply the brakes immediately.

Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
E
The white DTR indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The Distronic* distance sensor has recog-
nized a vehicle in front of you.
A
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.

Refuel at the next gas station
(page 267).
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.

Check the fuel cap (
page 267).

339 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
ABS
Display malfunction
Visit
workshop!
The ABS or the ABS display is malfunc-
tioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Cruise control
Visit
workshop
Cruise control or Distronic* is mal-
functioning.

Have the cruise control or Distronic*
checked at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.

340 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Distronic
Currently
unavailable.
See Oper. Manual
Distronic* is switched off because

the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille is dirty


functionality is impaired by heavy
rain or thick fog

Clean the Distronic* cover in the radiator
grille (
page 318).

Restart the vehicle.
or
Distronic* becomes operational again with-
out the engine being started again when the
conditions that had impaired the functionality
no longer prevail, e.g. lessening rain or slush
or snow has fallen off the Distronic* cover
while driving. You can then operate Distronic*
as usual again.
Drive to
workshop
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the dis-
play is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
ESP
Malfunction
Visit
workshop
The ESP has detected a malfunction
and switched off.
The ABS may not be operational.
The SBC brake system is still function-
ing normally but without the ESP avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.

440 Technical termsCAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping depending on vehi-
cle settings and/or ambient condi-
tions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.COMAND
(Co
ckpit Man
agement and
D
ata System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio, CD
changer and navigation system, as well
as other optional equipment (e.g. tele-
phone).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:


If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional cruise control.


If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic* will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
DTR
(->Distr
onic*)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.

445 Index
A
ABC 220, 439
Messages in display 337
Oil level 275
Setting vehicle level 221
ABC switch 30
ABS 79, 80, 439
ABS control 80
Messages in display 338
Warning lamp 27, 325
ABS/ESP
Warning lamp 25, 324
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 171
Accessory weight 305
Activating
Air circulation mode 187
Air conditioning (cooling) 192
Anti-theft alarm system 89
Central locking (control system) 156
Distance warning function* 217Distronic* 213
Easy-entry/exit feature 157
Electric air pump 398
ESP 84
Exterior lamps 123
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 179
Hazard warning flasher 129
High beams 128
Ignition 36
Immobilizer 58
Parktronic* 226
Rear window defroster 189
Residual heat 190
Seat heating 117, 118
Seat ventilation* 119
Tow-away alarm 90
Windshield wipers 53
Active Body Control (ABC) switch 30
Active Body Control see ABC
Adding
Engine oil 274Adjusting
Air distribution 186
Air volume 185
Backrest tilt 40, 41
Exterior rear view mirrors 43
Head restraint height 41
Head restraint tilt 41
Interior rear view mirror 43
Lumbar support 115
Mirrors 43
Multicontour backrest* 116
Seat cushion depth 41
Seat cushion tilt 41
Seat height 41
Seat in the lumbar region 116
Seat in the shoulder region 116
Seats 39
Steering column in/out 42
Steering column up/down 42
Steering wheel 42

449 Index
Cockpit 440
Cold tire inflation pressure 305
Collapsible tire 440
COMAND 29, 440
COMAND, radio and telephone 264
Combination switch 23, 52, 128
Comfort driving
Transmission program mode 170
Control system 134, 137, 440
AUDIO menu 139
Convenience submenu 157
Distronic* menu 142
Functions 136
Instrument cluster submenu 148,
149
Lighting submenu 152
Menus 136
Multifunction display 134
Multifunction steering wheel 135
NAVI menu 142
Standard display menu 134, 139Submenus 138
TEL* menu 161
Time submenu 149
Trip computer menu 159
Vehicle status message memory
menu 143
Vehicle submenu 156
Convenience feature 201
Coolant 435
Adding 276
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 437
Checking level 276
Messages in display 351, 352, 353
Temperature 266
Temperature gauge 131
Temperature warning lamp 25
Warning lamp 328
Coolant temperature gauge 25
Cooling see Air conditioner
Courtesy lighting 130Cruise control 205, 440
“Resume” function 208
Canceling 206
Driving downhill 206
Driving uphill 206
Fine adjustment 208
Setting a higher speed 207
Setting current speed 206
Setting to last stored speed 208
Cruise control lever 23, 205
For cruise control 205
For Distronic* 213
Cup holder 29, 228
Cleaning 320
Curb weight 305
Customer Assistance Center 439
D
Daytime running lamp mode 125
Setting 152
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 191

450 Index
Air recirculation mode 188
Alarm 90
Anti-theft alarm system 89
Automatic climate control 191
Central locking (control system) 156
Cruise control 206
Distance warning function* 217
Distronic* 215
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 59
Engine with the SmartKey 58
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 123
Hazard warning flasher 129
Headlamps 57, 123
Immobilizer 88
Interior light delayed switch-off 155
Parktronic* 226
Rear window defroster 189
Residual heat 190
Seat heating 117, 118Seat ventilation* 119
Tow-away alarm 90
Deactivating manual shift program 177
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting windshield 187
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 154
Interior lighting 155
Department of Transportation see DOT
Digital clock 23
Direction of rotation (tires) 282
Displays
Distronic* 210
Maintenance service indicator 312
Messages 273, 354
Parktronic* 225
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 161
Distance warning function* 216
Activating 217Deactivating 217
Intermittent warning sound 216
Symbol 142, 212
Distance warning function* switch 30
Distronic indicator lamp* 25
Distronic* 208, 440
“Resume” function 215
Activating 213
Calling up settings 142, 212
Cleaning system sensors 318
Cruise control lever 213
Deactivating 215
Deceleration 211
Decreasing time interval 216
Displays 210
Distance warning function 216
Distance warning function switch 30
Driving hints 217
DTR warning lamp 210
Increasing time interval 216