2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 Key function

392 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.
1Unlocking in an emergency
2Handle
Insert the mechanical key into the
trunk lid lock until it stops.

Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to position 1.
The trunk is unlocked

Pull handle 2 and lift lid.

Turn the mechanical key back and re-
move it from the trunk lid lock.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.1Separately unlocking the glove box

Slide mechanical key out of SmartKey
housing (
page 391).

Insert the mechanical key into the
glove box lock and turn it to
position1.
You can now open the glove box.
i
To unlock the remaining storage compart-
ments, the cause for the malfunction of the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
must be determined and corrected, see
(
page 104) and (
page 109).

396 Practical hintsReplacing SmartKey batteries3Batteries
4Contact spring
Pull out batteries3.

Using a lint-free cloth, insert new bat-
teries 3 under contact springs 4 with
the positive terminal (+) side facing up.

Return battery compartment 2 into
housing until it locks into place.

Slide mechanical key 1 back into
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.

Check the operation of the SmartKey
or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* as well
as the KEYLESS-GO* function.


415 Practical hints
Batteries
!
The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the
factory-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation and the later-
al plug must always be securely installed when
the vehicle is in operation.
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 terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
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.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adjust your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(page 92).

421 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.!
Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the automatic
central locking.
!
If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1).
Otherwise, the ESP
® will immediately be en-
gaged and will apply the rear wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).
To be certain to avoid a possibility of damage to
the transmission, however, we recommend the
drive shaft be disconnected at the rear axle drive
flange for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.
Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.

422 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleWarning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is
increased! Adapt your driving style
accordingly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(page 92).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as
well as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approx. 9 mph (15 km / h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 119).
Towing of the vehicle should only be done using
the properly installed towing eye bolt. Never
attach tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to the
vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
i
To signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position2 and activate the
combination switch for the left or right turn
signal in the usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
i
If the battery is disconnected or discharged


the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch


the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP.
For more information, see “Batteries”
(
page 414) and “Jump starting” (
page 419).

424 Practical hintsFusesThe electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and sys-
tems secured by that fuse will stop operat-
ing.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The following aids are available to help you
replace fuses. They are located in the trunk
with the vehicle tool kit (
page 388).


Fuse chart
The fuse chart explains the fuse alloca-
tion and fuse amperages.


Spare fuses


Fuse extractor
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:


on the driver’s side of the engine com-
partment (
page 425)


on the passenger side of the engine
compartment (
page 425)


under passenger-side rear storage
compartment (
page 426)


in the trunk (
page 426)Before replacing fuses:

Apply the parking brake (
page 61).

Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to position P (
page 168).

Turn off all electrical consumers.

Turn off the engine (
page 62).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Open
the driver’s door.
Warning!
G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than ap-
proved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Centeri
A blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
piate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart.
Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to advise
you on this subject.

454 Index
Gear shifting malfunctions 179
Kickdown 171
Manual shifting 174
One-touch gearshifting 174
Program mode selector switch 32,
173
Starting the engine 52
Transmission fluid level 279
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATF
B
Backrest
Lumbar support 122
Multicontour seat* 122
Power seat 44
Shoulder region support 122
Backup lamp
Messages in the multifunction
display 382
Replacing bulb 398, 402
Bar 312
BAS 89
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 105
Replacing 395Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 110
Replacing 395
Batteries, Vehicle 281
Charging 417
Consumer battery 281, 389, 414
Jump starting 419
Messages in the multifunction
display 366
Starter battery 281, 414
Bead 312
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 398
Block heater (Canada only) 317
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake lamps 398
High mounted 398
Messages in the multifunction
display 380
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 366
Brake system
Messages in the multifunction
display 370Brakes 260
BAS 89
Brake fluid 272, 445, 447
Electro-hydraulic brake system 92
High-performance brake system (AMG
vehicles only) 262
Warning lamp 335
Break-in period 258
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 380
Replacing 397
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid 249
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 444
Cargo area see Trunk
Carpets, cleaning 329
Catalytic converter 269
CD changer 150
CD player 150
Operating 151

456 IndexDelayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 160
Interior lighting 161
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 59
With starting the engine 53
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 145
Dimensions, Vehicle 442
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (tires) 286
Displays
Digital speedometer 145
Distronic* 215
Maintenance service indicator 319
Multifunction display 139
Outside temperature 138, 145
Symbol messages 365
Text messages 349
Vehicle status message memory 152
Vehicle status messages 347
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 165Distance warning function* 224
Activating 225
Deactivating 225
Intermittent warning sound 224
Symbol 217
Distronic indicator lamp* 27
Distronic* 213
“Resume” function 220
Activating 218
Cleaning system sensor cover 325
Control system 151, 217
Distance warning function 224
Driving hints 222
System sensor cover 325
Warning and indicator lamps 215,
216, 224, 339
Door
Control panel 36
Handle, Inside 36
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 39, 64
Locking/unlocking, Mechanical
key 391, 393
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 38, 63
Messages in the multifunction
display 374Opening from inside 111
Storage compartment 233
Door control panel 36
Door handle 36
DOT 312
Drinking and driving 259
Driving
Abroad 268
Driving off 262
Electro-hydraulic brake system 95
Hydroplaning 264
In winter 266, 316
Instructions 54, 259
Problems 59
Safety systems 87
Systems 209
Through standing water 267
With Distronic* 222
Driving safety systems 87
ABS 87
BAS 87, 89
Electro-hydraulic brake system 87,
92
Electronic traction system 91
ESP
®
87, 89