2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG tow

410 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see “SBC brake
system” (
page 85).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2, or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position2, the ve-
hicle doors lock if the left front wheel
as well as the right rear wheel are turn-
ing at vehicle speeds of approx. 9 mph
(15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic cen-
tral locking (
page 110).
Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.
iIf the battery is disconnected or dis-
charged

the SmartKey will not turn in the
starter switch


the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP.
For more information, see “Batteries”
(
page 401) and
“Jump starting” (
page 406).

411 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front of vehicle
1Cover on right side of front bumper.
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 in direction of
arrow.

Lift cover1off to reveal threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover and snap into place.Rear of vehicle
2Cover on right side of rear bumper
To remove cover:

Pull cover 2 in the direction of arrow.

Fold cover 2 down to reveal threaded
hole for the towing eye bolt.
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
tool kit (located in the storage compart-
ment under the trunk floor).

Screw towing eye bolt in to its stop and
tighten with lug wrench.
To reinstall cover:

Fit cover 2 and snap into place.

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

446 IndexAir conditioner refrigerant 433
Air conditioning (cooling)
Turning off 191
Turning on 191
Air pressure 305
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 373
Turning on 398
Air recirculation mode 187
Air volume adjustment 185
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 334
Airbags 63
Children 64
Front 68
Head-thorax 68, 69
Kneebag 68
Passenger 68Alarm
Audible 78, 88
Canceling 90
Visual 88
Alignment bolt 439
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 396
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 432, 437
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Arming 89
Canceling the alarm 90
Disarming 89
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 88
Tow-away alarm 90
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest
Storage compartment 229
Ashtray 29, 233
Aspect ratio 305
At the gas station 267
ATF (automatic transmission fluid) 275Automatic climate control 29, 182
Center air vents 29
Deactivating 191
Residual heat utilization 190
Side air vents 29
Temperature sensor 31
Automatic shift program 170
Automatic transmission 164
Accelerator position 171
Comfort program mode 170
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 177
Gear ranges 167
Gear selector lever 30, 164
Gear selector lever position 164, 168
Gear shifting malfunctions 177
Kickdown 171
Manual shifting 166
One-touch gearshifting 166
Program mode selector switch 30,
170
Transmission fluid 275

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

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

466 IndexTurn signals 23, 52
Additional in mirrors 381
Front bulbs 381
Indicator lamps 25
Rear bulbs 381
Turning off the engine 58
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 307
Units
Setting speedometer units 148
Setting temperature units 148
Setting tire inflation pressure
units 156
Unlocking 34
Centrally from inside 111
Driver’s door in an emergency 374
Fuel filler flap 267
Storage compartments 231, 375
Trunk 98, 108
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Trunk in an emergency 375
Vehicle in an emergency 374
With the SmartKey 34With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 99
Uphill driving
Cruise control 206
Upholstery
Cleaning 321
Upshifting 166
V
Vehicle
Individual settings 144
Locking 29
Locking in an emergency 376
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 225
Towing 408
Unlocking 29
Unlocking in an emergency 374
Vehicle capacity weight 307
Vehicle care
Cup holder 320
Gear selector lever 320
Hard plastic trim items 320Headliner 320
Leather upholstery 321
Plastic and rubber parts 321
Seat belts 320
Steering wheel 320
Upholstery 321
Wood trims 321
Vehicle level 221, 444
Changing 222
Setting 222
Vehicle level control 444
Vehicle level control switch 30
Vehicle lighting
Checking 269
Vehicle loading terminology 305
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 307
Vehicle status messages 335
Vehicle tool kit 372
Ventilation and residual heat 190
VIN (vehicle identification number) 418,
444
Voice control system* 23, 444
Hands-free microphone 31