423 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
FrontExample illustration (SL 550 and SL 600
without Sport Package)1Cover on passenger side of front
bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 in direction of
arrow.
Lift cover1off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.To reinstall cover:
Fit locking tabs of cover under the
lower edge of the opening in the
bumper.
Apply even pressure on the upper part
of the cover until it snaps into place.
Rear
1Cover on passenger side of rear
bumper
To remove cover:
Insert flat, blunt object as a lever into
upper left or right recess of cover 1.
Loosen cover 1 using the lever.
Fold cover 1 down in direction of ar-
row to reveal the threaded hole for the
towing eye bolt.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover 1 and snap into place.
Installing towing eye bolt
Take the towing eye bolt and the wheel
wrench from the vehicle tool kit
(page 388).
Screw towing eye bolt into threaded
hole to its stop.
Insert wheel wrench into towing eye
and tighten towing eye bolt by turning
it clockwise.
Removing towing eye bolt
Take the wheel wrench from the
vehicle tool kit (
page 388).
Insert wheel wrench into towing eye
and loosen towing eye bolt by turning it
counterclockwise.
Remove towing eye bolt.
425 Practical hintsFuses
Fuse boxes in engine compartment
Open the hood (
page 274).
The fuse boxes are located on the driver’s
and passenger side in front of the bulk-
head (wall separating the engine and pas-
senger compartment).
Fuse box on driver’s side1Fuse box cover
2Locking
3Unlocking
Fuse box on passenger side1Fuse box cover
2Locking
3UnlockingOpening
Move slide to position 3 and lift
cover1.
Closing
Hook cover 1 onto tabs and close it.
Move slide to position 2.
Close the hood after checking or re-
placing fuses (
page 275).
!
The fuse box cover must be properly posi-
tioned with the slide at the ‹ symbol to pre-
vent moisture or dirt from entering the fuse box
and possibly impairing fuse operation.
435 Technical data
Rims and tires
Rims and tires
!
Only use tires which have been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Tires approved by
Mercedes-Benz are developed to provide best
possible performance in conjunction with the
driving safety systems on your vehicle such as
ABS or ESP
®. Tires specially developed for your
vehicle and tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz can be identified by finding the
following on the tire’s sidewall:
MO = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal equipment
tires
AMG vehicles:
Does not apply to all approved tires on AMG
vehicles. For information on tested and ap-
proved tires for AMG vehicles, contact an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
MOE = M
ercedes-Benz O
riginal E
xtended
(tires with limited run-flat characteristics)
original equipment tires
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz may result in damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i
For information on driving with MOExtended
tires, see “MOExtended system”(
page 301).
!
Using tires other than those approved by
Mercedes-Benz can have detrimental effects,
such as
poor handling characteristics
increased noise
increased fuel consumption
Moreover, tires and rims not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may, under load, exhibit dimen-
sional variations and different tire deformation
characteristics that could cause them to come
into contact with the vehicle body or axle parts.
Damage to the tires or the vehicle may be the re-
sult.
i
Further information on tires and rims is
available at any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. A placard with the recommended tire in-
flation pressures is located on the driver’s door
B-pillar. Some vehicles may have supplemental
tire inflation pressure information for driving at
high speeds (
page 292) or for vehicle loads
less than the maximum loaded vehicle condition
(
page 292). If such information is provided, it
can be found on the placard located on the in-
side of the fuel filler flap.The tire inflation pressure should be checked
regularly and should only be adjusted on cold
tires. Follow tire manufacturer’s maintenance
recommendation included with vehicle.
i
The following pages also list the approved
wheel rim and tire sizes for equipping your vehi-
cles with winter tires. Winter tires are not avail-
able as standard or optional factory equipment,
but can be purchased from an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Depending on vehicle model and the standard or
optional factory-equipped wheel rim/tire config-
uration on your vehicle (Performance Package,
Sport Package etc.), equipping your vehicle with
winter tires approved for your vehicle model may
also require the purchase of two or four wheel
rims of the recommended size for use with these
winter tires. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for more information.
447 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus
reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
injury. Whenever you are around gasoline,
avoid inhaling fumes and skin contact,
extinguish all smoking materials. Never
allow sparks, flame or smoking materials
near gasoline!
!
To maintain the engine’s durability and per-
formance, premium unleaded gasoline must be
used. If premium unleaded is not available and
low octane fuel is used, follow these precau-
tions:
have the fuel tank only partially filled with un-
leaded regular and fill up with premium un-
leaded as soon as possible
avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceler-
ation
do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm
if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such
as two occupants and no luggage
do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator
pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or
operating in mountainous terrain
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
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
460 IndexK
Key, Mechanical 391
Valet locking 117
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 102
Factory setting 103
Locking/unlocking 38, 63, 102
Messages in the multifunction
display 378
Opening retractable hardtop 201
Remote control 102
Replacing batteries 395
Selective setting 104
Starter switch positions 40
Turning off the engine 62
Unlocking, Trunk lid 111
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 105
Battery check lamp 106
Closing, Trunk 116
Factory setting 108
Locking/unlocking 39, 63, 105
Messages in the multifunction
display 378
Opening retractable hardtop 201
Remote control 105
Replacing battery 395Selective setting 109
Starter switch positions 40
Turning off the engine 62
Unlocking, Trunk lid 111
KEYLESS-GO*
Closing windows 198
Important notes 107
Locking/unlocking 39, 63, 105
Messages in the multifunction
display 378
Start/stop button 31, 40, 53
Starter switch positions 40
Starting the engine 53
Turning off the engine 62
Unlocking, Trunk lid 111
Kickdown 171
Kilopascal 313
Knee bag 72
L
Labels, identification 430
Lamp bulbs, exterior 397
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 160
Exterior lamp switch 25, 55
Front 398
Light sensor 380Replacing bulbs for rear 398, 402
Switching off 128
Switching on 128
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 334
ABS/ESP
®
332
Brakes 335
CHECK ENGINE 336, 337
Coolant 337
DTR* 216
Electro-hydraulic brake system 92
Engine diagnostics 336, 337
Engine malfunction 29
ESP
®
89
Front passenger front
air bag off 72, 76, 345
Fuel reserve 339
Seat belts 341
SRS 67, 342
Turn signals 27
Language
Multifunction display 156
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 329
License plate lamps 159, 398, 402
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 328
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