401 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Parking and standing lamp bulbs
Press ends of cover tab together and
remove high beam headlamp cover 2.
Pull out bulb socket 6 with the bulb.
Pull the bulb out of bulb socket 6.
Insert a new bulb in bulb socket 6.
Reinstall bulb socket 6.
Align high beam headlamp cover 2
and click it into place.Additional turn signal lamp bulbs
The additional turn signal lamps in the
exterior rear view mirrors have LEDs.
If a malfunction occurs or LEDs fail to func-
tion, the entire turn signal unit must be re-
placed. Have the turn signal unit replaced
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Front side marker lamp bulbs
Since replacing the side marker lamp bulbs
is a technically highly demanding process,
we recommend you have the side marker
lamp bulbs replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
442 Technical dataMain dimensionsModel
SL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Overall vehicle length
178.5 in (4 540 mm)
178.5 in (4 540 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)
80.0 in (2 033 mm)
80.0 in (2 033 mm)
80.0 in (2 033 mm)
80.0 in (2 033 mm)
Overall vehicle width
(exterior rear view mirrors folded in)
71.9 in (1 827 mm)
71.9 in (1 827 mm)
71.9 in (1 827 mm)
71.9 in (1 827 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)
61.2 in (1 555 mm)
61.1 in (1 551 mm)
Turning circle
36.1 ft (11.0m)
36.1 ft (11.0m)
36.1 ft (11.0m)
36.1 ft (11.0m)
453 Index
A
ABC 225
Messages in display 349
Oil level 279
ABS 87
Indicator lamp 29, 334
Messages in the multifunction
display 351, 352
Warning lamp 27, 332
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 171
Accessory weight 312
Accident 59
Active Body Control see ABC
Air bags 68
Children in the vehicle 83
Front 71
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 76
Head-thorax 72
Knee bag 72
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 72
Passenger 72
Air conditioning system see Automatic cli-
mate control systemAir distribution 188, 189
Air pressure 312
Tire inflation pressure 291
Air pump 410
Air recirculation mode 191
Air vents 185
Air volume 188, 190
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 409
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 445, 451
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 180
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 96
Immobilizer 96
Tow-away alarm 98
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 234
Ashtray 31, 239
Aspect ratio 312
ATF 279
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 180
Automatic central locking 119
Control system 162Automatic climate control system 184
Air conditioning, Cooling 193
Air conditioning refrigerant 446
Air distribution 188, 189
Air recirculation mode 191
Air vents 185
Air volume 188, 190
Control panel 185
Deactivating system 187
Defrosting 183, 190
Residual heat utilization 194
Temperature 188
Temperature sensor 33
Ventilated glove box 195
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 135
Automatic locking when driving 119
Automatic shift program 173
Automatic transmission 168
Accelerator position 171
Comfort program mode 173
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 179
Gear ranges 172
Gear selector lever 32, 168
Gear selector lever position 168, 170
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
459 Index
H
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 328
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hazard warning flasher 133
Head restraints 44
Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 129
Cleaning lenses 325
Cleaning system 180
Manual mode 129
Messages in the multifunction
display 380
Replacing bulbs 397
Switch 55, 128
Headliner, cleaning 329
Head-thorax air bag 72
Heated steering wheel* 240
High beam flasher 56, 133
High beam headlamps 56, 128, 398
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the multifunction
display 380
Replacing bulbs 397, 400
Switching on 133High mounted brake lamp 398
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 262
Hood 274
Messages in display 377
Opening 274
Horn 25
HVAC see Automatic climate control
Hydroplaning 264
I
Identification labels 430
Identification number, Vehicle (VIN) 431
Ignition 40
Immobilizer 96
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 83
Infant and child restraint systems see
Children in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see
Tires, Inflation pressure
Inside door handle 111Instrument cluster 26, 136
Illumination brightness 136
Lamps 332
Language 156
Messages in the multifunction
display 26, 347
Multifunction display 139
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 134
Delayed switch-off 161
Interior rear view mirror 48
Antiglare position 180
Auto-dimming 180
J
Jack 389
Jacking up the vehicle 406
Jump starting 419
462 IndexMinimum distance (Parktronic*) 230
Mirrors 47, 180
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 48
Exterior rear view mirrors 48
Misfiring 59
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 301, 413
MOExtended tires* 439
MON 272
Mph or km/h in speedometer 156
Multifunction display 139
Displaying gear range 173
Left display field 27
Right display field 29
Selecting language 156
Standard display 139
Multifunction display messages
ABC 349
ABS 351, 352
Battery 366
Brake pads 366
Brake system 370
CHECK ENGINE 374
Coolant 371
Coolant level 373
Display malfunction 374Doors 374
Easy-entry/exit feature 375
Electro-hydraulic brake system 367,
368
Front passenger front air bag 358
Hood 377
Luggage cover 387
Restraint systems 361
Roll bar 384
SmartKey 378
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 379
SRS 361
Tele Aid 384
Telephone* 384
Tires 385
Trunk 387
Washer fluid 387
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 140
Buttons 140
N
Navigation system
Operating 151
Night security illumination 160
Normal occupant weight 313O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 313
Occupant safety
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 76
OCS 72
SRS 66
OCS 72
Self-test 76
Odometer, main 27
Oil
Adding 278
Consumption 275
Oil dipstick 278
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 174
Canceling gear range limit 175
Downshifting 174
Upshifting 175
Ornamental moldings 325
Overdue maintenance service 320
Overhead control panel 33
Overspeed range 138
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
468 IndexTires 283
Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 298
Cleaning 285
Direction of rotation 286
Driving instructions 263
Low tire pressure telltale 343
Messages in display 385
Messages in the multifunction
display 364
MOExtended*413
Retreads 283
Rims and tires 435
Rotating 315
Run Flat Indicator 293
Service life 284
Temperature 292, 311
TPMS malfunction telltale 343
Tread depth 285, 317
Wear pattern 315
Winter 316
Tools 388
Tow-away alarm 98
Tow-away alarm switch 32Towing eye bolt (vehicle tool kit)
Installing 423
Towing eye bolt see Vehicle tool kit
Towing the vehicle 421
TPMS (USA only) 295
Traction 91, 174, 314
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Tread 314
Tread depth 285
Treadwear indicators 314
Trip computer 163
Trip odometer 27
Resetting 137
Trunk
Closing the lid 113
Lighting 135
Load assist 241
Lock button (KEYLESS-GO*) 110
Messages in display 387
Opening from inside vehicle 111
Opening/closing system* 113, 114
Parcel net 237
Power closing assist for trunk lid 118
Unlocking 111
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 111Unlocking in an emergency 392
Unlocking separately 111
Valet locking 117
Trunk lid
Opening 112
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 325
Replacing bulbs 398, 401
Turn signals 25, 56
Exterior rear view mirrors 398, 401
Front bulbs 398
Indicator lamps 27
Rear bulbs 398
Turning off the engine 62
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 314
Units
Setting speedometer units 156
Unlocking the vehicle 38
In an emergency 391
Upholstery
Cleaning 329
Upshifting 175