2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG lower

82 Safety and SecurityOccupant safetyThe roll bar raises automatically in an acci-
dent or in a critical driving situation. You
can also raise and lower the roll bar manu-
ally using the buttons provided.
The buttons for the roll bar are on the cen-
ter console under the retractable hardtop
switch.
1Raise roll bar
2Lower roll bar
The roll bar can be moved manually when
the ignition is switched on (
page 39).Raising the roll bar

Lift the switch for the retractable hard-
top.

Press and hold button1 until the roll
bar is raised.Lowering the roll bar

Lift the switch for the retractable hard-
top.
If the roll bar was raised manually:

Press and hold button2 until the roll
bar is lowered.
If the roll bar was raised automatically:

Press and hold button1 until you hear
the roll bar lock into place.

Press and hold button2 until the roll
bar is lowered.
i
When the roll bar is raised automatically,
you will hear a ratcheting sound.
Warning!
G
If the roll bar warning light in the ta-
chometer remains lit after starting the en-
gine, there is a malfunction. In the display
you see the message
Raise roll-over
bar
.
For safety reasons, drive only with the roll
bar upright until the malfunction is repaired.
Have your vehicle checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
If you have raised the roll bar manually using
the button, the roll bar will automatically be low-
ered and then raised again when you close and
open the retractable hardtop.

92 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systemsThe switch is located in the lower part of
the center console.
1ESP
® switch

Press ESP
® switch1 until the
ABS/ESP® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Switching on the ESP
®

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp v in
the instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
Electro-hydraulic brake system
The electro-hydraulic brake system com-
bines a hydraulic brake circuit with elec-
tronically controlled brake servo
assistance. You have increased braking
safety and improved braking comfort.
Warning!
G
When the ABS/ESP
® warning lampv is
illuminated continuously, the ESP
® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers reduces.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex-
tended period with the ESP
® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated
in the speedometer display, for example by
the;(USA only) or3(Canada only)
indicator lamp. Refer to the “Practical hints”
section (
page 335). Also read and ob-
serve the messages in the instrument clus-
ter multifunction display (
page 366).

95 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Notes on driving with the
electro-hydraulic brake system

Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads.
After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks and help prevent corro-
sion.


On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear.


After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes fast-
er.


Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be in-
stalled on your vehicle. Brake pads not
approved by Mercedes-Benz may im-
pair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!
G
Be very careful not to endanger other road
users when you apply the brakes.

110 Controls in detailLocking and unlockingGlobal locking using the lock button on
the trunk lid
1Lock button

Press lock button 1 on the trunk lid.
With the trunk and all doors closed, all
turn signals flash three times. The lock-
ing knobs in the doors move down.
The anti-theft alarm system is armed.
Checking the batteries

Press button ‹or Œ.
Battery check lamp5 (
page 106)
comes on briefly to indicate that the
SmartKey batteries are in order.Loss of SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
If you lose your SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO, you should do the following:

Have the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO
deactivated by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Report the loss of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO or the mechanical key to
your car insurance company immedi-
ately.

Have the mechanical lock replaced if
necessary.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will be glad to supply you with a replace-
ment.
i
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: To prevent a
possible inadvertent lockout, the trunk lid will
open automatically if a SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO is recognized inside the trunk.
When the hardtop is retracted, it must be com-
pletely lowered in the trunk before the trunk lid
can be closed (
page 242).
i
You can also lock the vehicle using the lock
button on an outside door handle (
page 64).
i
If battery check lamp5 (
page 106) does
not come on briefly during check, then the
SmartKey batteries are discharged.


Replace the batteries (
page 395).
You can obtain the required batteries at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
If the batteries are checked within signal
range of the vehicle, pressing the‹orŒ
button will lock or unlock the vehicle according-
ly.

111 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Opening the doors from the inside
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
1Locking knob
2Inside door handle
Pull on inside door handle2 in direc-
tion of arrow.
If the door was locked, locking knob1
will move up.
Opening the trunk
You can open the trunk if the vehicle is sta-
tionary and the retractable hardtop is fully
opened or closed.
A minimum height clearance of
6.2 ft (1.88 m) is required to open the
trunk lid.
i
If you open a door, the side windows on that
side of the vehicle will lower slightly. The win-
dows close again when you close the door.
i
If the vehicle has previously been locked
with the SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, opening a
door from the inside will trigger the anti-theft
alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the following:


Press buttonŒ or‹on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*:


Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be
within 3 ft. (1 m) of the vehicle.


Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(page 40).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must be in-
side the vehicle.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed as, among
other dangers such as blocked visibility, ex-
haust fumes may enter the vehicle interior.i
If the trunk lid does not open, the trunk lid is
still locked separately (
page 117).
i
To facilitate trunk loading and unloading
when the hardtop is retracted, you can raise the
hardtop from its storage position in the trunk us-
ing the load assist feature (
page 241). You
may also unhook the luggage cover.
Remember to re-secure the luggage cover after
loading/unloading the trunk. Otherwise you will
not be able to lower the retractable hardtop.

113 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Vehicles with trunk opening/closing
system*
1Remote trunk opening/closing* switch
2Indicator lamp
Pull and hold switch1 until the trunk
unlocks and begins to open.
Indicator lamp2 comes on and re-
mains lit until the trunk closed.

Release switch1.
To interrupt the opening procedure:

Press or pull switch1.
Closing the trunk Closing trunk from outside manually
1Handle

Lower trunk lid by pulling firmly on
handle1.

Close trunk lid with hands placed flat
on trunk lid.
The power closing assist automatically en-
sures that the lid is pulled closed com-
pletely (
page 118).
!
The trunk lid swings open upwards automat-
ically. Always make sure that there is sufficient
overhead clearance.
Warning!
G
Only drive with the trunk closed as, among
other dangers such as blocked visibility, ex-
haust fumes may enter the vehicle interior.i
When the hardtop is retracted, it must be
completely lowered in the trunk before the trunk
can be closed (
page 199).
i
Do not place the SmartKey in the open
trunk. You may lock yourself out.
i
If the vehicle was previously centrally
locked, the trunk will lock automatically after
closing it. All turn signal lamps flash three times
to confirm locking.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: To prevent a possi-
ble inadvertent lockout, the trunk will open auto-
matically if a SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is
recognized inside the vehicle or in the trunk.
The vehicle is only locked when the turn signals
flash three times. If you are carrying a second
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you, you can
still lock the vehicle.

122 Controls in detailSeatsMulticontour backrest*
The multicontour backrest has inflatable
air cushions built into the seat backrest to
provide additional lumbar and side sup-
port.
The seat backrest cushion height and cur-
vature can be continuously varied with
switches on the lower left side (driver’s
seat) or the lower right side (passenger
side) of the seat when the ignition is
switched on.
1Lumbar region support
2Shoulder region support
3Side bolsters adjustment
4Massage function (PULSE)

Switch on the ignition (
page 39).
Shoulder region support

Press æ or ç on switch2.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Lumbar region support

Press k or j on rocker
switch1.
This selects the air cushion you wish to
adjust.

Press æ or ç on rocker
switch1.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Side bolsters adjustment

Press switch3 to the right or left.
The lateral support increases or de-
creases.Massage function (PULSE)
You can reduce muscle tension during long
trips by periodically using the massage
function.

Press button4.
The indicator lamp on button4 comes
on. The air cushions in the lumbar re-
gion inflate and deflate rhythmically.
i
The massage function switches off automat-
ically after approximately 8 minutes. The indica-
tor lamp goes out.

123 Controls in detailSeats
Seat heating
Vehicles without seat ventilation*
The red indicator lamps on the switch indi-
cate the selected heating level:The switch is located on the door control
panel.
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating

Switch on the ignition (
page 39).
Switching on seat heating

Press lower switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating

Press lower switch position1 once
more.Switching on rapid seat heating

Press upper switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
come on.
Switching off rapid seat heating

Press upper switch position2 again.
Level2
Two red indicator lamps on
(rapid seat heating)
The seat heating automatically
switches to level1 after approxi-
mately 5 minutes.
1
One red indicator lamp on
(normal seat heating)
The seat heating automatically
switches off after approximately
30 minutes.
off
No red indicator lamp on
i
If one lamp or both lamps on the seat heat-
ing switch are flashing, there is insufficient volt-
age available since too many electrical
consumers are turned on. The seat heating
switches off automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again auto-
matically as soon as sufficient voltage is avail-
able.