25 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Exterior lamp switch
55, 128
2
Headlamp washer button
180
3
Cruise control lever
Cruise control
Distronic*
209
213
4
Shift paddle*: downshift
175
5
Instrument cluster
26, 136
6
Multifunction steering
wheel
30, 140
7
Shift paddle*: upshift
175
8
Lever for voice control
system*, see separate
operating instructions
9
Front Parktronic* warning
indicator
230
Item
Page
a
Digital clock
b
Front passenger front
air bag off indicator lamp
76
c
Interior storage compart-
ments (locking/unlocking)
235
d
Overhead control panel
33
e
Glove box
233
f
Center console
31, 32
g
Starter switch
41
h
Horn
j
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
Heated steering wheel*
45
240
Item
Page
k
Combination switch
Turn signals
Windshield wipers
High beam
56
57
133
l
Parking brake pedal
54, 61
m
Parking brake release han-
dle
54
n
Hood lock release
274
o
Door control panel
36
p
Power window switch
196
117 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Valet locking
The lock is located next to the handle
above the rear license plate recess.
1Neutral position
2Locked
Close the trunk (
page 113).
Pull the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (
page 391).
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key clockwise to
position2 and remove the mechani-
cal key in that position to lock the
trunk.
The trunk remains locked even when the
vehicle is centrally unlocked.
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.
Turn the mechanical key counterclock-
wise to neutral position1 and remove
the mechanical key in that position to
unlock the trunk.
You can now open the trunk
(page 111).
Trunk lid emergency release
With the emergency release button, the
trunk can be opened from inside the trunk.
The emergency release button is located
on the left side of the trunk.
1Emergency release button
Briefly press emergency release
button1.
The trunk opens.
i
To deny any unauthorized person access to
the trunk, e.g. when you valet park the vehicle,
lock it separately with the mechanical key. Leave
only the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* less its mechanical key with the
vehicle.
i
You can only cancel the separate trunk lock-
ing mode by means of the mechanical key.
137 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
To brighten illumination
Turn reset button 1 in the instrument
cluster clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn reset button 1 in the instrument
cluster counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Coolant temperature gauge
Trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip
odometer display (
page 139).
If it is not displayed, press the j or
k button on the multifunction
steering wheel repeatedly until the trip
odometer appears.
Press and hold reset button1
(page 136) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.
!
Excessive coolant temperature triggers the
coolant temperature warning lamp (
page 337)
and a warning in the multifunction display
(
page 371).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).
188 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlAir distribution in automatic mode
You can separately adjust the air distribu-
tion for each side of the passenger com-
partment.
Activating
Press control button1 or 5
(page 185).
The control button is engaged.
TheU symbol on the control button
comes on. Air distribution for the re-
spective side of the passenger com-
partment is adjusted automatically.
Deactivating
Press control button 1 or 5
(page 185) once more.
The control button sticks up slightly.
The U symbol on the control button
goes out. Automatic air distribution for
the respective side of the passenger
compartment is switched off. Adjust
the air distribution manually
(page 189).Air volume in automatic mode
The air volume settings are the same for
the entire passenger compartment.
Activating
Press control button 9 (
page 185).
The control button is engaged.
TheU symbol on the control button
comes on.
Deactivating
Press control button 9 (
page 185)
once more.
The control button sticks up slightly.
The U symbol on the control button
goes out. Adjust the air volume manu-
ally (
page 190).
Setting the temperature
Use temperature controls6 andb
(page 185) to separately adjust the air
temperature on each side of the passenger
compartment. You should raise or lower
the temperature setting in small incre-
ments, preferably starting at 72°F (22°C).
The automatic climate control will adjust
to the set temperature as fast as possible.
Increasing
Turn temperature control6
and/orb (
page 185) slightly
clockwise.
The automatic climate control system
will correspondingly adjust the interior
air temperature.
Decreasing
Turn temperature control6
and/orb (
page 185) slightly
counterclockwise.
271 Operation
At the gas station
At the gas station
RefuelingThe fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear. Locking/unlocking the vehicle with
the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* automatically locks/un-
locks the fuel filler flap.
1Fuel filler flap
2Fuel filler cap
3Holder
Turn off the engine
by turning the SmartKey to
position0. Remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch.
by pressing the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button. Open the driv-
er’s door (with the driver’s door
open, starter switch is in position 0,
same as SmartKey removed from
starter switch).
Open fuel filler flap 1 by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel cap 2 counterclockwise and
hold on to it until possible pressure is
released.
Take off fuel cap 2 and place it into
holder 3 located on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top up or over-
fill.
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!
Turn off the engine before refueling.Warning!
G
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create pres-
sure in the system which could cause a gas
discharge. This could cause the gas to spray
back out when removing the fuel pump noz-
zle, which could cause personal injury.
272 OperationAt the gas station
Insert fuel cap 2 into fuel filler neck
and turn fuel cap clockwise until it au-
dibly engages.
Close fuel filler flap 1.
You should hear the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and require-
ments of operating agents, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 444).
Open the hood (
page 274).
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
2Brake fluid
3Coolant levelWindshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system” (
page 282).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 444).
i
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of
96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be
found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see “Premium
unleaded gasoline” (
page 447) or the Factory
Approved Service Pamphlet.
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap
open can cause the engine malfunction indicator
lamp ú (USA only) or the engine malfunction
indicator lamp ± (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practical hints”
section (
page 336).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see the “Practi-
cal hints” section (
page 369).
280 OperationEngine compartmentCoolantThe engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, slowly turn the cap approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level
for cold coolant: is up to the upper
mark on the bracing rib of the coolant
expansion tank (translucent)
for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 449).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
!
SL 600 and SL 65 AMG: Only open the cap
on coolant expansion tank1. Never open the
cap between the two charge-air coolers. Other-
wise, the engine could be damaged.
389 Practical hints
Where will I find ...?
1Spare wheel
2Electric air pump
3Vehicle tool kit
4Storage well casing
Take spare wheel 1 out of the trunk,
see “Removing the spare wheel”
(page 389), to access jack 5 and
wheel wrench 6.5Jack
6Wheel wrench
Removing the spare wheel
Open the trunk (
page 111).
Lift up the trunk floor cover.
Remove storage well casing that con-
tains the vehicle tool kit and the elec-
tric air pump.1Spare wheel
2Tensioning strap (vehicles with
19" spare wheel only)
3Retaining screw
4Storage well casing base
Remove storage well casing base 4.
Remove retaining screw 3 by turning
it counterclockwise.
Remove spare wheel 1.