2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG ignition

116 Controls in detailSeatsMulticontour backrest* (standard on SL 600, SL 55 AMG, and SL 65 AMG)
The multicontour backrest has inflatable
air cushions built into the seat backrest to
provide additional lumbar and side sup-
port.
The seat backrest cushion height and cur-
vature can be continuously varied with
switches on the lower side of the seat
when the ignition is switched on.
1Shoulder region support
2Side bolsters adjustment
3Massage function (PULSE)
4Lumbar region support

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Shoulder region support

Press æ or ç on switch1.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Lumbar region support

Press k or j on rocker
switch4.
This selects the air cushion you wish to
adjust.

Press æ or ç on rocker
switch4.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Side bolsters adjustment

Press switch2 to the right or left.
The lateral support increases or de-
creases.Massage function (PULSE)
You can reduce muscle tension during long
trips by periodically using the massage
function.

Press button3.
The indicator lamp on button3 comes
on. The air cushions in the lumbar re-
gion inflate and deflate rhythmically.iThe massage function switches off au-
tomatically after approximately eight
minutes. The indicator lamp goes out.

117 Controls in detailSeats
Seat heating
Vehicles without seat ventilation*
The switch is located on the door.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Switching on seat heating

Press lower switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on. Switching off seat heating

Press lower switch position1 again.
Switching on rapid seat heating

Press upper switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
come on. Switching off rapid seat heating

Press upper switch position2 again.
iThe seat heating will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes. iThe system switches to normal heating
mode after approximately five minutes.
Only the right-hand indicator lamp re-
mains lit.
!If one or both of the lamps on the seat
heating switch are flashing, there is in-
sufficient voltage available since too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat heating switches off auto-
matically.
The seat heating will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.

118 Controls in detailSeatsVehicles with seat ventilation*
The switch is located on the door. The red
indicator lamps on the switch indicate the
selected heating level:
1Seat heating switch
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).Switching on seat heating

Press upper switch position1 twice.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press upper switch position1 again.
Switching on rapid seat heating

Press upper switch position1 once.
Both indicator lamps on the switch
come on. Switching off rapid seat heating

Press upper switch position1 twice.
Leveloff
No indicator lamp on
1
One indicator lamp on
2
Two indicator lamps on
iThe seat heating will be automatically
switched off after approximately
30 minutes. iThe system switches to normal heating
mode after approximately five minutes.
Only the right-hand indicator lamp re-
mains lit.
!If one or both of the lamps on the seat
heating switch are flashing, there is in-
sufficient voltage available since too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat heating switches off auto-
matically.
The seat heating will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.

119 Controls in detailSeats
Seat ventilation* (standard on SL 600 and SL 65 AMG)
The switch is located on the door. The blue
indicator lamps on the switch indicate the
selected ventilation level:
1Seat ventilation switch

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
Switching on seat ventilation

Press switch1.
Three blue indicator lamps on the
switch come on.

Continue pressing switch 1 until the
desired seat ventilation level is
reached.Switching off seat ventilation

Press switch1 repeatedly until all in-
dicator lamps go out.
Level3
Three indicator lamps on
2
Two indicator lamps on
1
One indicator lamp on
off
No indicator lamp on
iIn normal operation the seat ventilation
will switch off automatically after about
30 minutes. !If one or all of the lamps on the seat
ventilation switch are flashing, there is
insufficient voltage available since too
many electrical consumers are turned
on. The seat ventilation switches off au-
tomatically.
The seat ventilation will switch back on
again automatically as soon as suffi-
cient voltage is available.

120 Controls in detailMemory function
With the memory switch you can store up
to three different settings per SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.
The following settings are saved for each
stored position:

Driver’s seat and backrest position


Steering wheel position


Driver’s side exterior rear view mirror
position


Passenger side exterior rear view mir-
ror position
These key-dependent memory settings
can be deactivated if desired
(
page 158).The memory switch is located on the door.
M Memory button
1, 2, 3 Stored positions

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
or

Open the respective door.
!Prior to operating the vehicle, the driv-
er should check and adjust the seat
height, seat position fore and aft, and
seat backrest angle if necessary, to en-
sure adequate control, reach and com-
fort. The head restraint should also be
adjusted for proper height. See also the
section on airbags (
page 63) for
proper seat positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, opera-
tion and comfort. Both the interior and
exterior rear view mirrors should be
adjusted for adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in a properly
secured restraint system that complies
with U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard 213 and Canadian Motor Ve-
hicle Safety Standard 213.
Warning!
G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

122 Controls in detailMemory function1Passenger-side exterior rear view mir-
ror
2Adjustment button
MMemory button
Stop the vehicle.

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Press button1 in center console.
The passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror is selected.

Adjust the passenger-side exterior rear
view mirror with button2 so that you
see the rear wheel and the road curb.

Press memory buttonM.

Within three seconds, press adjust-
ment button2 in the center console.
The parking position is stored if the
mirror does not move.iIf the mirror does move, repeat the
above steps. After the setting is stored,
you can move the mirror again.

129 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching on the hazard warning
flasher
Press hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signals are flashing.
Switching off the hazard warning
flasher

Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
Interior lighting
1Left reading lamp
2Right reading lamp
3Interior lighting on/off
4Slide switch for interior lighting controlAutomatic control
Activating

Slide switch4 to the left.
Interior lamps are switched on in dark-
ness when you

unlock the vehicle


open a door


remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch


open the trunk
In addition, the entry/exit lamps in the
door trays will come on when you open
a door.
The interior lamps are switched off af-
ter a preset time (
page 155).
iWith the hazard warning flasher acti-
vated and the combination switch set
for either left or right turn, only the re-
spective turn signals will operate when
the ignition is switched on.iIf the hazard warning flasher was
switched on automatically because of
an airbag that has deployed, press haz-
ard warning flasher switch 1 once to
switch it off.
iIf the door remains open, the interior
lamps switch off automatically after ap-
proximately five minutes.

131 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(page 24).
The instrument cluster is activated when
you


open a door


switch on the ignition


press the reset button (
page 24)


switch on the exterior lamps
Opening a door will activate the instrument
cluster only for about 30 seconds.
You can change the instrument cluster set-
tings in the Instrument cluster submenu of
the control system (
page 148).
Instrument cluster illumination
Use the reset button to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness for the instrument cluster
and the switches on the center console.
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset button in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination

Turn the reset button in the instrument
cluster (
page 24) counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Coolant temperature gauge
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened to suit ambient
light conditions.
Warning
G


Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.


Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns an can occur just by
opening the 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.