Page 7 of 474

Contents
Vehicle status message memory
menu ............................................ 143
Settings menu .............................. 144
Trip computer menu..................... 159
TEL menu* ................................... 161
Automatic transmission ..................... 164
One-touch gearshifting................. 166
Gear ranges ................................. 167
Gear selector lever position ......... 168
Automatic shift program .............. 170
Driving tips ................................... 171
Steering wheel gearshift control
(Speedshift).................................. 172
Manual shift program
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG ......... 175
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 177
Good visibility .................................... 178
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 178
Rear window defroster ................. 178
Rear view mirrors ......................... 178
Sun visors .................................... 180Automatic climate control .................. 182
Setting the temperature................ 185
Adjusting air volume ..................... 185
Adjusting air distribution............... 186
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 186
Defrosting windshield ................... 187
Air recirculation mode .................. 187
Rear window defroster .................. 189
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 190
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 191
Air conditioning............................. 191
Ventilated storage compartments. 192
Power windows .................................. 193
Opening and closing the windows. 193
Synchronizing power windows ...... 195
Retractable hardtop............................ 196
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ....................... 196Driving systems .................................. 205
Cruise control ............................... 205
Distronic* ..................................... 208
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 220
Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 223
Useful features ................................... 228
Storage compartments ................. 228
Ashtray ......................................... 233
Cigarette lighter ............................ 233
Heated steering wheel*
(SL 500, SL 600)........................... 234
Load assist in the trunk ................ 235
Electrical outlet............................. 236
Telephone* ................................... 236
Tele Aid ......................................... 237
Garage door opener ...................... 246
Page 186 of 474

184 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlThe automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
Warning!
G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents in the
footwell can be very hot or very cold (de-
pending on the set temperature). This may
cause burns or frostbite on unprotected skin
in the immediate area of the air vents. Al-
ways keep sufficient distance between un-
protected parts of the body and the footwell
air vents. If necessary change the air flow
using the air distribution controls to direct
the air away from the footwell air vents
(page 186).
Warning!
G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.iIf the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate
the interior before driving off.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the
windshield free of snow and debris.
When the retractable hardtop is closed,
do not obstruct air flow by placing ob-
jects on the air flow-through exhaust
slots below the rear window.
Page 187 of 474

185 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls1 and7 to
separately adjust the air temperature on
each side of the passenger compartment.
You should raise or lower the temperature
setting in small increments, preferably
starting at 72°F (22°C).
Increasing
Turn the outer adjustment ring slightly
to the right.
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.Decreasing
Turn the outer adjustment ring slightly
to the left.
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.
Adjusting air volume
Use air volume controla (
page 183) for
both automatic and manual air volume ad-
justment.
Adjusting manually
Press the control knob.
The U light on the control knob
goes out. You can now select one of
nine air volume settings.
Adjusting automatically
Press the control knob.
The U light on the control knob
comes on. The airflow is adjusted auto-
matically.
iWhen operating the climate control
system in automatic mode, you will
only rarely need to adjust the tempera-
ture, air volume and air distribution.
Page 189 of 474

187 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Defrosting windshield
Activating
Press button P (
page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press button P (
page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.Activating
Press button , (
page 183).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
iThese settings should only be selected
for a short time.
Warning!
G
When the outside temperature is below
41°F (5°C), only switch to air recirculation
mode for short periods to prevent window
fogging.
Warning!
G
Never operate the side windows if there is
the possibility of anyone being harmed by
the closing procedure.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the side win-
dows can be immediately halted by
releasing the , button or by pressing or
pulling the respective window switch.
Page 452 of 474

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