418 Practical hintsBatteries
Charge batteries in accordance with
the instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.
Reinstall the charged batteries. Follow
the previously described steps in re-
verse order.
Reconnecting the batteries
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Install starter battery in the designated
location in the engine compartment.
Install consumer battery in the desig-
nated location in the trunk.
Attach supports and brackets.
Tighten support and bracket screws.
Connect positive lead 4 (
page 414)
of the consumer battery and positive
lead 1 (
page 414) of the starter bat-
tery and fasten covers.
Connect negative lead 2
(page 414) of the starter battery.
Connect negative lead 5
(page 414) of the consumer battery.
Reinstall the trunk floor.
Close trunk luggage cover
(page 206).
!
Always connect the batteries in the order
described below. Otherwise the vehicle’s elec-
tronics can be damaged.
!
Never invert the terminal connections!
i
The following procedures must be carried
out following any interruption of battery power
(e.g. due to reconnection):
Resynchronize the ESP
® (page 355).
Resynchronize side windows (
page 198).
419 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump starting
If the starter battery is discharged, the en-
gine can be started with jumper cables and
the battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:
Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic
converter are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross section and insulated terminal
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, 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 very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
Jump starting may only be performed on the
battery installed in the engine compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuc-
cessful starting attempts, have it checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the
catalytic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.
420 Practical hintsJump startingThe starter battery is located on the right
side of the engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply the parking brake (
page 61).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to position P (
page 168).
Open the hood (
page 274).
Remove the red cover from positive ter-
minal on both vehicles (
page 414).1Positive terminal of charged battery
2Positive terminal of discharged battery
3Negative terminal of discharged
battery
4Negative terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminals 1 and 2
of the batteries with the red jumper ca-
ble. Clamp cable to charged battery 1
first.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminals 3 and 4
of the batteries with the black jumper
cable. Clamp cable to charged
battery3 first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals 4 and 3 and then
from positive terminals 2 and 1.
You can now turn on the lights.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 281).
!
Never invert the terminal connections.
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).
441 Technical data
Electrical system
Electrical system
Model
SL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Generator (alternator)
14 V/150 A
14 V/180 A
14 V/180 A
14 V/180 A
Starter motor
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
12 V/1.7 kW
Starter battery
12 V/35 Ah
12 V/35 Ah
12 V/35 Ah
12 V/35 Ah
Battery for electrical consumers
12 V/70 Ah
12 V/70 Ah
12 V/70 Ah
12 V/70 Ah
Spark plugs
Bosch Y 7 MPP 33
NGK PLKR6A
NGK IFR6QG
NGK ILFR6A
NGK IFR6QG
Electrode gap
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.028 in (0.7 mm)
0.031 in (0.8 mm)
0.028 in (0.7 mm)
Tightening torque
15 – 18 lb-ft
(20 – 25 Nm)
18 – 22 lb-ft
(25 – 30 Nm)
18 – 22 lb-ft
(25 – 30 Nm)
18 – 22 lb-ft
(25 – 30 Nm)
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
455 Index
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central locking
Automatic 119, 162
Central locking/unlocking switch 31,
119
Locking/unlocking from inside 119
Certification label 430
Check engine see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*,
(Canada only) 298
Children in the vehicle
Air bags 83
Front passenger front air bag off indica-
tor lamp 76, 345
Infant and child restraint systems 83
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 72
Cigarette lighter 239
Clock 25, 157
Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 312COMAND system 31
Driving instructions 268
Combination switch
High beam 56, 133
Turn signals 56
Windshield wipers 57
Consumer battery 281
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 268
Control system 139, 142
Control system menus
AMG Menu 146
AUDIO 149
NAV 151
Settings 153
Standard display 145
TEL* 165
Trip computer 163
Vehicle status message memory 152
Control system submenus 143
Convenience 162
Instrument cluster 156
Lighting 159
Time 157
Vehicle 162
Convenience feature 201Coolant 449
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 451
Checking coolant level 280
Coolant warning lamp 337
Messages in the multifunction
display 371, 373
Temperature 270
Temperature gauge 137
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps 132
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
Replacing bulbs 397
Courtesy lighting 135
Cruise control 209
Messages in the multifunction
display 352, 353
Cup holder 238
Curb weight 312
D
Daytime running lamp mode 130
Setting 159
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 191
Defrosting, Front 190
Defrosting, Rear 183
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