2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG ignition

200 Controls in detailRetractable hardtop
Opening the retractable hardtop with
the SmartKey (Summer opening
feature)

Aim the transmitter eye at the door
handle.

Press and hold button Πuntil the
retractable hardtop is completely
open.
The seat ventilation for the driver’s seat
switches on. The rear side windows
open. In the tachometer display you
will see the message Retractable roof Open
.

Release button Πto interrupt pro-
cedure.
Warning!
G
If the retractable hardtop does not com-
pletely open or close, the roof hydraulics will
lose pressure and the retractable hardtop is
lowered

after approximately seven minutes
when the ignition is switched on


after approximately 15 seconds when
the ignition is switched off
Shortly before the hardtop is lowered, a
warning will sound and the hardtop switch
lamp will flash. In the speedometer display
you will see K, in the tachometer display
you will see the message
being lowered
.


Properly lock the retractable hardtop
(page 199) before continuing to drive.
Warning!
G
Before operating the retractable hardtop,
make sure there is no danger of anyone
being injured by the moving parts (retract-
able roof, roof frame, and trunk lid) due to in-
attention.
Hands must never be placed near the roof
frame, upper windshield area, hardtop, shelf
behind roll bars, or trunk lid while the re-
tractable hardtop is being raised or lowered.
Serious personal injury may occur.
If potential danger exists, release the re-
spective button on the SmartKey. This im-
mediately interrupts the raising or lowering
procedure. You then can operate Πor
‹ to raise or lower the hardtop away
from the danger zone.

223 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic* (Parking assist)
The Parktronic system is an electronic aid
designed to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers. It visually and audibly indi-
cates the relative distance between the
vehicle and an obstacle.
The Parktronic system is automatically ac-
tivated when you switch on the ignition, re-
lease the parking brake, or place the gear
selector lever in Position D, R, or N. The
Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
above 11 mph (18 km/h). At lower speeds
the Parktronic system turns on again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates
when you place the gear selector lever in
Position P or depress the brake pedal.The Parktronic system monitors the sur-
roundings of your vehicle with six sensors
in the front bumper and four sensors in the
rear bumper.
1Sensors in the front bumperWarning!
G
Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the
need for extreme care. The responsibility
during parking and other critical maneuvers
always rests with the driver.
Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts, or road
curbs). Such objects may not be detected by
the system and can damage the vehicle.
The operational function of the Parktronic
system can be affected by dirty sensors, es-
pecially at times of snow and ice. See
“Cleaning the Parktronic* system sensors”
(page 318).
Interference caused by other ultrasonic sig-
nals (e.g. working jackhammers, car wash,
or the air brakes of trucks) can cause the
system to send erratic indications, and
should be taken into consideration.
Warning!
G
Make sure no persons or animals are in the
area in which you are maneuvering. Other-
wise you run the risk of causing injury.

227 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and a warning sounds, there is a mal-
function in the Parktronic system. The
Parktronic system will automatically
switch off after 20 seconds and the indica-
tor lamp in the Parktronic switch comes
on.
Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and no warning sounds, the Parktron-
ic system sensors are dirty or there is an
interference from other radio or ultrasonic
signals. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.

Switch off the ignition.

Clean Parktronic system sensors
(page 318).

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).
or

Check the Parktronic system operation
at another location to rule out interfer-
ence from outside radio or ultrasonic
signals.

233 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtray
1Cover plate
2Sliding knob
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.Removing the ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the gear
selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Press sliding knob2 to the right.
The insert will eject a short distance.
Replacing the ashtray insert

Press the insert into the frame until it
snaps into place.
Cigarette lighter
The lighter socket can be used to accom-
modate electrical accessories up to a
maximum of 180 W.
1Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Push in cigarette lighter1.
The lighter will pop out automatically
when hot.
Warning!
G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Move gear selector lever to
positionN. With gear selector lever in
positionN, turn off the engine.


234 Controls in detailUseful features
Heated steering wheel* (SL 500, SL 600)
The steering wheel heating warms up the
leather area of the steering wheel.
The lever is on the lower left-hand side of
the steering wheel.
1Switching on
2Indicator lamp
3Switching offSwitching on

Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Turn switch at tip of stalk in the direc-
tion of arrow1.
The steering wheel is heated. Indicator
lamp2 comes on.
Switching off

Turn switch at tip of stalk in the direc-
tion of arrow3.
The steering wheel heating is turned
off. Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause serious personal injury.
iThe steering wheel heating does not
turn off automatically.


236 Controls in detailUseful featuresElectrical outlet
An electrical outlet is located on the right
side of the trunk.
Switch on the ignition (
page 36).

Flip up cover and insert electrical plug
(cigar lighter type).
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
iThe electrical outlet can be used to ac-
commodate electrical consumers (e.g.
air pump, auxiliary lamps) up to a max-
imum of 180 W.
Warning!
G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.
Warning!
G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his /her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather, and traffic conditions permit.
Some jurisdictions prohibit the driver from
using a cellular telephone while driving a ve-
hicle.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System)
1 if road, weath-
er, and traffic conditions permit.
1Observe all legal requirements

238 Controls in detailUseful featuresShortly after the completion of your Tele
Aid acquaintance call, you will receive a
user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, and
more.System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ stay on longer
than ten seconds or do not come on). The
message
TeleAid malfunction – Visit workshop appears for approximately ten seconds in
the multifunction display.
iThe SOS button is located above the in-
terior rear view mirror.
The Roadside Assistance button•
and the Information button¡ are
located below the center armrest cov-
er.!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the
GPS (Global Positioning System) satel-
lites for vehicle location. If either of
these signals are unavailable, the Tele
Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned
by other means.
Warning!
G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or in
the Information button do not come on dur-
ing the system self-check, or if any of these
indicators remain illuminated continuously
in red and/or the message
TeleAid
malfunction – Visit workshop
is dis-
played in the multifunction display after the
system self-check, a malfunction in the sys-
tem has been detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible

241 Controls in detail
Useful features
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and / or towing, charges may ap-
ply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance
Manual for more information.The following is only available in the USA:


Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illumi-
nated in red for approximately ten sec-
onds during the system self-check after
switching on the ignition (together with
the SOS button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 238) if
the indicator lamp does not come on in
red or stays on longer than approxi-
mately ten seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• is flashing con-
tinuously and there was no voice con-
nection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assis-
tance call (e.g. the relevant cellular
phone network is not available). The
message
Call failed
appears in the
multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be ter-
minated using the ìbutton on the
multifunction steering wheel or the re-
spective button for ending a telephone
call on the COMAND headunit.