301 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire size designation, load and speed
rating
1Tire width
2Aspect ratio in %
3Radial tire code
4Rim diameter
5Tire load rating
6Tire speed ratingGeneral:
Depending on the design standards used,
the tire size molded into the sidewall may
have no letter or a letter preceding the tire
size designation.
No letter preceding the size designation
(as illustrated above): Passenger car tire
based on European design standards.
Letter “P” preceding the size designation:
Passenger car tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “LT” preceding the size designation:
Light Truck tire based on U.S. design
standards.
Letter “T” preceding the size designation:
Temporary spare tires which are high
pressure compact spares designed for
temporary emergency use only. Tire width
The tire width1 (
page 301) indicates
the nominal tire width in mm.
Aspect ratio
The aspect ratio2 (page 301) is the
dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width and is
expressed in percentage. The aspect ratio
is arrived at by dividing section height by
section width.
Tire code
The tire code3 (
page 301) indicates
the tire construction type. The “R” stands
for radial tire type. Letter “D” means diag-
onal or bias ply construction; letter “B”
means belted-bias ply construction.
At the tire manufacturer’s option, any tire
with a speed capability above 149 mph
(240 km/h) can include a “ZR” in the size
designation (for example: 245/40 ZR 18).
For additional information, see “Tire speed
rating” (
page 303).
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.
310 OperationTires and wheelsTire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.
386 Practical hintsLocking/unlocking in an emergencyUnlocking the trunk
A minimum height clearance of
6.2 ft (1.89 m) is required to open the
trunk lid.
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the SmartKey, open the trunk with the me-
chanical key.
The handle is located above the rear li-
cense plate recess.Trunk lid lock1Unlocking
2Handle
Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position 1 and hold it in this
position.
Pull the trunk lid handle 2 and lift lid.Unlocking the glove box
Lockable storage areas in the passenger
compartment include:
the glove box
the storage compartment under the
armrest
the rear storage compartments
If these cannot be unlocked by means of
the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*, use the mechanical key to
unlock the glove box.
iUnlocking your vehicle with the me-
chanical key will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system. To cancel the alarm, do
one of the following:
Press button Œ or ‹ on the
SmartKey.
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button (
page 37).
Grasp the outside door handle (ve-
hicles with KEYLESS-GO* only).
iTo unlock the remaining storage com-
partments, the cause for the malfunc-
tion of the SmartKey or the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* must be deter-
mined and corrected, see (
page 99)
and (
page 104).
443 Technical data
Main dimensions
Main dimensions
Model
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Overall vehicle length
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
Overall vehicle length when
opening/closing hardtop
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
Overall vehicle width
(exterior rear view mirrors folded out)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
Overall vehicle height
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
Overall vehicle height when
opening/closing hardtop
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
Wheelbase
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
Track, front
61.4 in (1 559 mm)
61.4 in (1 559 mm)
61.8 in (1 569 mm)
61.8 in (1 569 mm)
Track, rear
60.5 in (1 537 mm)
60.5 in (1 537 mm)
61.1 in (1 551 mm)
61.1 in (1 551 mm)
472 IndexPower seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 41
Adjusting head restraint height 41
Adjusting head restraint tilt 41
Adjusting seat cushion depth 41
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 41
Adjusting seat height 41
Power train 457
Power window
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 194
Power windows 192
Cleaning 327
Side windows 192
Synchronizing 194
Problems while driving 56
Production options weight 311, 457
Program mode selector switch 457
Automatic transmission 30, 168
PSI 312, 457
PULSE function (Massage function) 117
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 160R
Radio
Satellite* 141
Select station 141
Radio transmitters
Control and operation 266
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 158
Reading lamp 31
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear luggage compartment 231
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Recommended inflation pressure 312
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 457
Redial memory 161
Refuelling 269
Regular checks 271
Regular driving style 219
Replacing
Batteries (SmartKey) 389
High beam bulbs 394
Low beam bulbs 394
Rear lamp bulbs 392, 396
Wiper blades 397
Replacing SmartKey batteries 389Reset button 25
Resetting
All functions (control system) 146
Fuel consumption statistics 158
Trip odometer 133
Restraint systems 64
Airbags 64
Child seat recognition 64
Child seats 64
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 64
ETD 74
Seat belts 64, 71
Resume function
Cruise control 207
Distronic* 214
Retractable hardtop 458
Closing (SmartKey) 200
Closing (switch) 197
Convenience feature 200
Locking after raising/lowering 198
Message in display 371
Opening (SmartKey) 199
Opening (switch) 196
Problems when operating 200
Summer opening feature 199
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
474 IndexSide windows
Automatic closing 194
Automatic opening 193
Closing 192, 193
Closing fully 194
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 194
Express-close 194
Express-open 193
Opening 192, 193
Opening fully 193
Stopping 194
Synchronizing power windows 194
Sidewall 312, 458, 459
SmartKey 96
Checking the batteries 99
Closing retractable hardtop 200
Global locking 98
Global unlocking 98
Loss of 100
Positions in starter switch 36
Restoring factory settings 98, 104
Selective setting 98
Starting the engine 49
Turning off the engine 60
SmartKey batteries 389
SmartKey positions 36SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking the battery 106
Global locking 104
Global unlocking 103
Locking 105
Loss of 106
Messages in display 373
Reprogramming 104
Selective setting 104
Unlocking 100
Snow chains 317
Spare fuses 425
Spare fuses see Vehicle tool kit
Spare tire see Spare wheel 399
Spare wheel 383, 384, 404, 441
Inflating tire 408
Tire inflation pressure 408
Speed settings
Cruise control 206
Speedometer 25
Setting units 149
Sporty driving style 219
SRS 458
Indicator lamp 341
Standing lamps 123, 392
Standing waterDriving instructions 265
Starter battery 279, 413
Starter switch 23, 36
Starter switch positions 36
Starting difficulties 50
Starting position 36
Starting the engine
With the SmartKey 49
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 50
Steering column
In/out adjustment 42
Length adjustment 42
Up/down adjustment 42
Steering wheel
Adjusting 42
Buttons 28
Cleaning 330
Heating* 235
Height adjustment 42
Steering wheel adjustment lever 23
Steering wheel gearshift control 170
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG 172
Vehicles with Sport Package* 170
Stopping
Windows 194