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).
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.
441 Technical terms
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency Tensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
FSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags,
head-thorax airbags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key. Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
system tracks distance driven and teh
time elapsed since the last mainte-
nance service, calculates other mainte-
nance service work required, and calls
for the next service accordingly.
451 Index
Intermittent signal tone 211
Setting a higher speed 214
Setting a slower speed 214
Setting distance 30
Setting last stored speed 215
Setting speed 214
System sensor cover 318
Warning and indicator lamps 210
Distronic* warning lamp 25
Door control panel 23, 32
Door handle 32
Doors
Message in display 354
Opening from inside vehicle 106
Storage compartments 229
DOT 305
Downhill driving
Cruise control 206
Downshifting 166
Drinking and driving 255Drive sensibly - save fuel 255
Driving 45, 50
Driving abroad 264
Driving hints
Distronic* 217
SBC brake system 87
Driving instructions 255
Driving off 258
Driving safety systems 79
ABS 79, 80
BAS 81
ESP 82
Driving systems 205
ABC 220
Cruise control 205
Distronic* 208
Parktronic* 223
Vehicle level control 221
DTR see DistronicE
Easy-entry/exit 157
Messages in display 354
Easy-entry/exit feature 113
Electric air pump 373, 397
Electrical consumer battery 277
Electrical outlet 236
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
Emergency call system*
Initiating emergency call 240
Requirements 237
Emergency engine shut-down 60
Emergency operation
Locking the vehicle 376
Lowering load assist 376
Unlocking storage
compartments 375
Unlocking the trunk 375
Unlocking the vehicle 374
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 177
Emergency Tensioning Device (ETD) 72,
440
453 Index
Fuel filler flap 267
Locking 267
Opening 267
Unlocking 267
Fuel requirements 434
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 357
Fuel tank
Filler flap 267
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities 431
Functions (control system) 136
Fuse chart 412
Fuse chart see Vehicle tool kit
Fuses 412
Fuse chart 412
Fuse extractor 412
Main fuse box 412
Spare fuses 412G
Garage door opener 31, 246
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 305
Gear range
Automatic transmission 167
Indicator 27
Limiting 167
Shifting into optimal 166
Gear range limit
Canceling 166
Gear selector lever 30, 164
Cleaning 320
Lock 48, 443
Position (Automatic
transmission) 164, 168
Glove box 23, 228
GPS 441
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 305
GVWR 306H
Hands-free microphone 31
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 320
Hardtop open/close control 30
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hardtop switch 197
Hazard warning flasher 128
Hazard warning flasher switch 29
Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 124
Headlamp cleaning system 178, 278
Manual mode 124
Refilling washer fluid 278
Headliner
Cleaning 320
Head-thorax airbag 76, 441
Heated steering wheel* 234
455 Index
Light sensor 361
Replacing bulbs for rear 381, 385
Switching off 123
Switching on 123
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 27, 325
ABS/ESP 324
AIRBAG OFF 334
Airbag Off 68
Brakes 326
CHECK ENGINE 327, 328
Coolant 328
DTR* 210
Engine diagnostics 327, 328
ESP 82
Fuel reserve 330
SBC 85
Seat belts 332
SRS 63, 332
Turn signals 25Language
Multifunction display 149
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 321
License plate lamps 153, 381
Replacing bulbs 385
Light sensor 361
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Instruments 131
Interior 129
Settings (control system) 152
Trunk 130
Limiting the gear range 167
Limp Home Mode 177
Load assist 235
Lowering manually 376
Loading terminology 305
Loading the vehicle 282
Lock buttons 34
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 60
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 104Locking 56
Automatic while driving 110
Centrally from inside 111
Fuel filler flap 267
Global (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 102
Global (SmartKey) 96
Storage compartments 230
Vehicle in an emergency 376
Low beam headlamps 51, 123, 381
Replacing bulbs 383
Lowering
Load assist manually 376
Roll bar 74
Luggage compartment, rear 232
Luggage cover 197
Messages in display 371
Opening/closing 197
Lumbar support adjustment 115
456 IndexM
Main fuse box 412
Maintenance service
Overdue 313
When due 312
Maintenance service indicator 312
Clearing 313
Maintenance System (U.S.
vehicles) 312, 441
Malfunction memory 143
Calling up 143
Clearing 144
Manual operation
Interior lighting control 130
Locking the vehicle 376
Lowering load assist 376
Unlocking storage
compartments 375
Unlocking the driver’s door 374
Unlocking the trunk 375
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and SL
65 AMG 175
Massage function 116Maximum cooling MAXCOOL 186
Maximum inflation pressure 306
Maximum load rating 306
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 306
Memory function 441
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing positions 121
Storing key-dependent settings 158
Menus 136
AUDIO 139
Distronic* 142
NAVI 142
Standard display 139
TEL* 161
Trip computer 159
Vehicle status message memory 143
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 31
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 148
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 225Mirrors 43, 178
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 179
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 43
Auto-dimming rear view mirror 178
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 158
Exterior rear view mirrors 43
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 121
Misfiring 55
MON 268, 441
Mph or km/h in speedometer 148
Multicontour backrest* 116
Multifunction display 134, 442
Displaying gear range 167
Left display field 25
Right display field 27
Selecting language 149
Standard display 134
463 Index
Starter battery 277, 401
Starter switch 23, 36
Starter switch positions 36
SmartKey 36
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 37
Starting difficulties 49
Starting position 36
Starting the engine
With the SmartKey 48
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 49
Steering column
In/out adjustment 42
Length adjustment 42
Up/down adjustment 42
Steering wheel
Adjusting 42
Buttons 28
Cleaning 320
Heating* 234
Height adjustment 42Steering wheel adjustment lever 23
Steering wheel gearshift control 172
Vehicles with Sport Package*172
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG 174
Stopping
Windows 195
Storage compartments 228
Armrest 229
Cup holder 228
Glove box 228
In door 229
In rear 230
Locking compartments
separately 230
Locking storage compartments 230
Rear 230
Storage tray 230
Unlocking compartments
separately 231
Unlocking storage
compartments 231, 375
Ventilated compartments 192Storing tires 281
Submenus 138
Convenience 157
Instrument cluster 148, 149
Lighting 152
Resetting functions 146
Selecting 145
Settings menus 145
Time 149
Vehicle 156
Summer opening feature 200
Sun blind see Sunshade
Sun visors 180
Sunshade 203
Closing 204
Opening 204
Suspension tuning
For regular driving style 220
For sporty driving style 220
Setting 220