2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 roof

236 Controls in detailUseful featuresLoad assist in the trunk
To facilitate trunk loading after opening the
lid, use the load assist feature to raise the
retracted hardtop from its storage position
in the trunk.
1Retracted hardtop
2Luggage cover
3Load assist buttonRaising the hardtop
The hardtop can only be raised when the
luggage cover is closed and the trunk lid is
completely opened.

Press button3.
The hardtop rises a short distance.
Button3 comes on brightly. You can
now open the luggage cover.Lowering the hardtop
The hardtop can only be lowered when the
luggage cover is closed and the trunk lid is
completely opened.

Close the luggage cover.

Press button3.
The hardtop lowers. Button3 is dimly
lit.
Warning!
G
To prevent injuries, make sure that there is
no possibility of body parts getting caught in
moving parts. If potential danger exists,
press the switch again. This will immediately
stop the movement of the hardtop.
!Only close the trunk if the roof is com-
pletely lowered. Otherwise you could
damage the hardtop.
If you begin to close the trunk lid before
the hardtop is completely lowered,
button3 will flash and a warning will
sound.

311 Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.

321 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external in-
fluences which, if gone unchecked, can at-
tack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.Such damage is caused not only by ex-
treme and varying climatic conditions, but
also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should imme-
diately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underbody
of the vehicle. A prerequisite for a thor-
ough check is a washing of the underbody
followed by a thorough inspection. Dam-
aged areas need to be re-undercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the facto-
ry with a wax-base rustproofing in the body
cavities which will last for the lifetime of
the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by
Mercedes-Benz because of the possibility
of incompatibility between materials used
in the production process and others ap-
plied later.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not de-
signed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and
keep them out of reach of children.

371 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below
the reserve mark.

Refuel at the next gas station (
page 269).
Check
fuel cap
See Oper. Manual
A loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaky.

Check the fuel cap (
page 269).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
being lowered
The retractable hardtop is not com-
pletely opened or closed. The roof
hydraulics will start to lose pres-
sure.

Make sure the retractable hardtop is com-
pletely opened or closed (
page 195).
Lock
retractable roof
The retractable hardtop is not
locked properly.

Push or pull on the retractable hardtop switch
until the indicator lamp in the switch goes out
and the retractable hardtop is completely
open or closed (
page 195).
locked
in driving mode
You have attempted to open the re-
tractable hardtop while driving.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to
open the hardtop again.
Visit
workshop
The retractable hardtop is malfunc-
tioning.

Have the retractable hardtop checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

414 Practical hintsBatteries
have cell caps and the battery cover is
non-removable. Do not attempt to
open the consumer battery as other-
wise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not
require topping-up of the electrolyte
level and cannot be opened to check
the electrolyte level, the battery condi-
tion must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for bat-
tery condition testing intervals.
As with any other battery, disconnect
the consumer battery if you do not in-
tend to operate your vehicle for an
extended period of time to prevent bat-
tery discharge or connect an accessory
battery charge unit expressly approved
by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle
model to maintain the battery charge.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for further information.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regu-
larly by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.

458 Technical termsRetractable hardtop
Hardtop roof that can be opened and
closed at the push of a button and
stored in the trunk.
Rim
(
page 312)
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic. The roll bar is lowered into the
car body during normal driving condi-
tions and raised automatically. It may
also be manually raised and lowered by
operating a button during critical driv-
ing situations.
RON
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of posi-
tion P without SmartKey turned and
brake pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(
page 312)
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 312)
Tire load rating
(page 312)

471 Index
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 169
Canceling gear range limit 169
Downshifting 169
Upshifting 169
Opening
Doors from the inside 107
Fuel filler flap 269
Hood 272
Luggage cover 196
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 199
Retractable hardtop (switch) 196
Side windows 193
Storage compartment in the
armrest 229
Storage compartment in the center
console 229
Sunshade 203
Trunk from inside vehicle 108
Trunk lid 108
Windows 192
Operating
CD player 142
Navigation system 143
Radio 141
Telephone* 159Ornamental moldings 325
Overdue maintenance service 319
Overhead control panel 31
Overspeed range 133, 457
P
Paintwork code see Certification label
Panic alarm 81
Panic button on SmartKey 81
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 203
Sunshade closing 203
Sunshade opening 203
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 231
Parcel net in trunk 231
Parking 261
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 223
Parking brake
Engaging 59
Releasing 51
Parking brake pedal 23
Parking lamps 392
Switching on 123
Parktronic* 30, 223, 457
Activating 226
Cleaning system sensors 326Malfunctioning 227
Minimum distance 225
Range 224
Rear sensors 225
System sensors 326
Warning indicators 23, 225
Parktronic* deactivation switch 30
Parts service 428
Passenger side
Front airbag 70
Head-thorax airbag 71
Pedals 257
Phone book* 160
Loading 160
Quick search 160
Phone number*
Dialing 160
Redialing 161
Poly-V-belt drive 457
Layout 431
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 299
Pounds per square inch see PSI
Power assistance 258
Power outlet 237

473 Index
Rim 312, 458
Roll bar 75, 458
Lowering 76
Messages in display 379
Raising 76
Warning lamp 27
Roll bar buttons 30
RON 270, 458
Roof see Retractable hardtop
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 293
S
Satellite-radio* 141
Seat belt force limiter 74
Seat belts 46, 64, 71
Cleaning 330
Messages in display 379
Warning lamp 340
Seat heating
Switching on 117
Seat ventilation* 120
Switching on 120
Seating capacity 286
Seats
Adjusting height 40
Adjusting lumbar support 116
Adjusting shoulder support 116Heating 117
Massage function 117
Moving 115
Service
Basic service (Service A) 318
Batteries 413
Extended service (Service B) 318
Types 318
Service life (tires) 282
Service System see Maintenance
Setting 151
Convenience functions 156
Daytime running lamp mode 152
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 155
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 152
Language, multifunction display 150
Locator lighting 153
Lower speed in cruise control 206
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 149
Night security illumination 154
Radio station 141
Slower speed in cruise control 206
Speedometer display mode 149Time (control system) 150
Units in speedometer 149
Setting the time (hours) 151
Setting the time (minutes) 151
Settings
Convenience functions 156
Resetting all (control system) 146
Selective (SmartKey) 98
Settings menu
Submenus 147
Shelf below rear window, cleaning 330
Shifting
Gear selector lever 162
Gear selector lever positions 164
Into optimal gear range (Automatic
transmission) 169
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 116
Side marker lamps 392
Cleaning lenses 325