2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 Convenience

213 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases the driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
while traveling on expressways and other
major roadways.

If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle’s speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at the pre-
set following distance.


If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as standard cruise control
(page 209).
Warning!
G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is not a
substitute for active driving involvement. It
does not react to pedestrians or stationary
objects, recognize or predict the lane curva-
ture nor the movement of preceding
vehicles.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to the road, weather and traffic
conditions. In addition, the driver must pro-
vide the steering, braking and other driving
inputs necessary to remain in control of the
vehicle.Warning!
G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not
however, intended to, nor does it, replace
the need for extreme care. The responsibili-
ty for the vehicle’s speed, distance to the
preceding vehicle and, most importantly,
brake operation to assure a safe stopping
distance, always rests with the driver.
Warning!
G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.Warning!
G
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account. Only use Distronic if
the road, weather and traffic conditions
make it advisable to travel at a constant
speed.

236 Controls in detailUseful features
Insert the mechanical key into the
glove box lock.

Turn the mechanical key to
position2.
The following storage compartments
will be locked. They remain locked,
even when the vehicle is unlocked with
the SmartKey or with the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO*:

Glove box


Armrest storage compartments


Rear storage compartmentsUnlocking the storage compartments
separately

Insert the mechanical key into the
glove box lock.

Turn the mechanical key to
position1.
You can now open the storage com-
partments.Parcel net in passenger footwell
A small convenience parcel net is located
in the passenger footwell. It is for small
and light items, such as road maps, mail,
etc.
i
The separate locking status of these storage
compartments can only be canceled with the
mechanical key.
The storage compartments in the doors cannot
be locked.
i
If the glove box cannot be unlocked using
the SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*,
see “Unlocking the glove box” (
page 392).
Warning!
G
The parcel net is intended for storing
light-weight items only.
Heavy objects, objects with sharp edges or
fragile objects may not be transported in the
parcel net. In an accident, during hard brak-
ing, or sudden maneuvers, they could be
thrown around inside the vehicle and cause
injury to vehicle occupants.
The parcel net cannot protect transported
goods in the event of an accident.


348 Practical hintsWhat to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may ap-
pear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are di-
vided into two sections:

Text messages (
page 349)


Symbol messages (
page 365)
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction dis-
play is inoperative. Contact your nearest au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
i
Switching on the ignition causes all instru-
ment cluster lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and the
multifunction display are in working order before
starting your journey.

403 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Placing wiper arms in vertical positionWiper blades in vertical positionVehicles with SmartKey
Turn SmartKey to starter switch
position1 (
page 39).

Turn combination switch to wiper
settingII (
page 57).

With wiper arms in the vertical position,
turn SmartKey in starter switch to
position0.

Remove SmartKey from starter switch.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and re-
move SmartKey from starter switch (vehi-
cles with KEYLESS-GO*: Make sure the
vehicle’s on-board electronics have
status0) before replacing a wiper blade.
Otherwise the wiper motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury. Warning!
G
Wiper blades are components that are sub-
ject to wear and tear. Change the wiper
blades twice a year, preferably in the spring
and fall. Otherwise the windows will not be
properly wiped. As a result, you may not be
able to observe surrounding traffic condi-
tions and could cause an accident.
!
To avoid damage to the hood:


The wiper arms should only be folded for-
ward when in the vertical position.


Never open the hood when the wiper arm is
folded forward.
!
Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact the wind-
shield glass without a wiper blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are properly in-
stalled. Improperly installed wiper blades may
cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, we recommend that you
have this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

455 Index
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central locking
Automatic 119, 162
Central locking/unlocking switch 31,
119
Locking/unlocking from inside 119
Certification label 430
Check engine see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 298
Children in the vehicle
Air bags 83
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 76, 345
Infant and child restraint systems 83
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 72
Cigarette lighter 239
Clock 25, 157
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 312COMAND system 31
Driving instructions 268
Combination switch
High beam 56, 133
Turn signals 56
Windshield wipers 57
Consumer battery 281
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 268
Control system 139, 142
Control system menus
AMG Menu 146
AUDIO 149
NAV 151
Settings 153
Standard display 145
TEL* 165
Trip computer 163
Vehicle status message memory 152
Control system submenus 143
Convenience 162
Instrument cluster 156
Lighting 159
Time 157
Vehicle 162
Convenience feature 201Coolant 449
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 451
Checking coolant level 280
Coolant warning lamp 337
Messages in the multifunction
display 371, 373
Temperature 270
Temperature gauge 137
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps 132
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
Replacing bulbs 397
Courtesy lighting 135
Cruise control 209
Messages in the multifunction
display 352, 353
Cup holder 238
Curb weight 312
D
Daytime running lamp mode 130
Setting 159
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 191
Defrosting, Front 190
Defrosting, Rear 183

464 IndexR
RACETIMER see Control system menus,
AMG menu
Radio
Operating 149
Satellite 150
Selecting station 149
Radio transmitters
Control and operation 268
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 165
Reading lamp 33
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear luggage compartment 237
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Recommended inflation pressure 313
Redial memory 167
Refueling 271
Regular checks 272
Regular driving style 228
Remote
Trunk opening/closing* switch 114
Remote trunk opening switch 112
Remote trunk opening/closing*
switch 113Replacing
Batteries (SmartKey) 395
High beam bulbs 400
Low beam bulbs 400
Rear lamp bulbs 398, 402
Wiper blades 403
Reset button 27
Resetting
All functions (control system) 153
Fuel consumption statistics 164
Trip odometer 137
Restraint systems 66
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 81
Messages in the multifunction
display 361
Seat belts 66, 77
Resume function
Cruise control 212
Distronic* 220
Retractable hardtop
Closing (SmartKey) 201
Closing (switch) 200
Convenience feature 201
Locking after raising/lowering 202Opening (SmartKey) 201
Opening (switch) 200
Problems when operating 203
Summer opening feature 201
Rim 313
Roll bar 81
Lowering 82
Messages in display 384
Raising 82
Warning lamp 29
Roll bar buttons 32
RON 272
Rubber parts, cleaning 328
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 293
S
Satellite radio 150
Seat belt force limiter 81
Seat belts 49, 66, 77
Cleaning 329
Messages in the multifunction
display 361
Warning lamp 341
Seat heating
Switching on 123
Seat ventilation* 125
Switching on 125

465 Index
Seating capacity 287
Seats
Adjusting height 43
Adjusting lumbar support 122
Adjusting shoulder support 122
Heating 123
Massage function 122
Moving 121
Self-test
OCS 76
Service
Basic service (Service A) 319
Batteries 414
Extended service (Service B) 319
Types 319
Service life (tires) 284
Service System see Maintenance
Settings
Clock 157
Convenience functions 162
Cruise control 212
Daytime running lamp mode 159
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 161
Lamps and lighting
(control system) 159Language, multifunction display 157
Locator lighting 160
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 156
Night security illumination 160
Resetting all (control system) 153
Selective (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 109
Selective (SmartKey) 104
Speedometer display mode 156
Time 157
Units in speedometer 156
Shifting
Gear selector lever 168
Gear selector lever positions 170
Into optimal gear range (Automatic
transmission) 175
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 122
Side marker lamps 398
Cleaning lenses 325
Side windows
Automatic closing 198
Automatic opening 197
Closing 196, 197
Closing fully 198Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 198
Express-close 198
Express-open 197
Opening 196, 197
Opening fully 197
Stopping 198
Synchronizing power windows 198
Sidewall 313
SmartKey 102
Batteries 395
Checking the batteries 105
Closing retractable hardtop 201
Global locking 103, 104
Global unlocking 103
Loss of 105
Positions in starter switch 40
Restoring factory settings 104, 109
Selective setting 104
Starter switch positions 40
Starting the engine 52
Turning off the engine 62
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking the batteries 110
Global locking 108, 109
Global unlocking 108
Locking 110

466 Index
Loss of 110
Messages in display 379
Reprogramming 109
Selective setting 109
Unlocking 106
Snow chains 318
Spare fuses 424
Spare fuses see Vehicle tool kit
Spare tire see Spare wheel 405
Spare wheel 388, 389, 405, 440
Collapsible tire 410, 440
Inflating collapsible tire 410
Tire inflation pressure 410
Speed settings
Cruise control 212
Speedometer 27
Setting units 156
Sporty driving style 228
SRS
Indicator lamp 342
Messages in the multifunction
display 361
Standing lamps 128, 398
Standing water
Driving instructions 267
Starter battery 281, 414Starter switch 25, 40
Starter switch positions 39
Starting difficulties 53
Starting position 40
Starting the engine
With the SmartKey 52
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 53
Steering column
In/out adjustment 46
Length adjustment 46
Up/down adjustment 46
Steering wheel
Adjusting 45
Buttons 30
Cleaning 328
Heating* 240
Height adjustment 46
Steering wheel adjustment lever 25
Steering wheel gearshift control* 175
Stopping
Windows 198
Storage compartment
Center console 234Storage compartments 233
Armrest 234
Cup holder 238
Glove box 233
In door 233
Locking compartments
separately 235
Locking storage compartments 235
Parcel net 236
Rear 235
Seats 234
Storage tray 234
Unlocking compartments
separately 236
Unlocking storage
compartments 236, 392
Ventilated glove box 195
Storing tires 285
Submenus 143
Convenience 162
Instrument cluster 156, 157
Lighting 159
Selecting 154
Settings menus 154
Time 157
Vehicle 162