2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 PARK ASSIST

261 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 89).If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system
(
page 92) or the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than to park im-
mediately, so the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 94).
!
When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.

367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
T
Reduced
brake effect
Depress brake
pedal fully!
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is in emergency operation mode.
Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping
distance is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph (90 km/h).

Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.

Apply the parking brake (
page 61).

Do not drive any further.

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
blocking the wheels with wheel chocks or oth-
er sizable objects.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call for Roadside Assistance (
page 247).
Warning!
G
Driving while this message is displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much fur-
ther than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 421).

368 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:3
Reduced
brake effect
Visit
workshop
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is in emergency operation mode.
Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping
distance is increased.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.

Apply the parking brake (
page 61).

Do not drive any further.

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
blocking the wheels with wheel chocks or oth-
er sizable objects.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call for Roadside Assistance (
page 247).
Warning!
G
Driving while this message is displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much fur-
ther than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 421).

457 Index
Driving systems 209
ABC 225
Cruise control 209
Distronic* 213
Parktronic* 228
DTR see Distronic*
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 46, 162
Messages in the multifunction
display 375
Electric air pump 389, 410
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 87, 92
Activation 93
Deactivation 94
Driving hints 95
Messages in the multifunction
display 367, 368
Self-check 94
Warning lamp 92
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 244, 245
Emergency engine shut-down 426
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode) 179Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp-Home
Mode) 179
Glove box, Unlocking 392
Load assist, Lowering 394
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 391,
393
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 250
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 117
Trunk lid, Unlocking 392
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 269
Information label 431
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 431
Engine
Block heater (Canada only) 317
Break-in recommendations 258
Cleaning 324
Compartment 274
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 336
Number 431
Poly-V-belt layout 432
Starting 52Tachometer 29
Technical data 433
Turning off 62
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 275, 446
Adding 278, 444
Additives 446
Checking level, With control
system 276
Checking level, With oil dipstick 278
Consumption 275
Filler neck 278, 279
Messages in the multifunction
display 277, 375
Oil dipstick 278
ESP
®
87, 89
Switch 32
Switching off 91
Switching on 92
Synchronizing 355
Warning lamp 27, 332
ETD 81
Safety guidelines 70
Warning and indictor lamps 342
Exterior lamp switch 128
Exterior rear view mirrors 48, 180

463 Index
P
Paintwork code see Certification label
Panic alarm 86
Panic button on SmartKey 86
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 208
Sunshade closing 208
Sunshade opening 208
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 236
Parcel net in trunk 237
Parking 263
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 228
Parking brake
Engaging 61
Releasing 54
Parking brake pedal 25
Parking lamps 398
Switching on 128
Parktronic* 32, 228
Activating 231
Cleaning system sensors 326
Malfunctioning 231
Minimum distance 230
Range 229Rear sensors 230
System sensors 326
Warning indicators 25, 230
Parktronic* deactivation switch 32
Parts service 428
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger side
Front air bag 72
Pedals 259
Phone book* 166
Loading 167
Quick search 167
Phone number*
Dialing 166
Redialing 167
Plastic parts, cleaning 328
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 432
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 301
Power assistance 260
Power closing assist for trunk lid 118
Power outlet 242Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 44
Adjusting head restraint height 44
Adjusting head restraint tilt 44
Adjusting seat cushion depth 44
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 44
Adjusting seat height 44
Power windows 196
Cleaning 326
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 198
Side windows 196
Synchronizing 198
Problems while driving 59
Production options weight 313
Program mode selector switch
Automatic transmission 32, 173
PSI 313
PULSE function (Massage function) 122
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 167