2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 service indicator

256 Controls in detail
Useful features
Call priority
If other service calls such as a Roadside
Assistance call or Information call are
active, an Emergency call is still possible.
In this case, the Emergency call will take
priority and override all other active calls.Remote door unlock
In case you have locked your vehicle unin-
tentionally (e.g. SmartKey inside vehicle),
and the reserve SmartKey is not handy:
Contact the Mercedes-Benz Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA)
or 1-888-923-8367 (in Canada).
You will be asked to provide your pass-
word which you provided when you
completed the subscriber agreement.
Then return to your vehicle and pull the
trunk recessed handle for a minimum
of 20 seconds until the SOS button is
flashing.
The message
Call Connected appears
in the multifunction display.
As an alternative, you may unlock the vehi-
cle via Internet using the ID and password
sent to you shortly after the completion of
your acquaintance call.
iThe indicator lamp in the respective button
flashes until the call is concluded. Calls can only
be terminated by a Response Center or
Customer Assistance Center representative
except Roadside Assistance and Information
calls, which can also be terminated by pressing
button t on the multifunction steering wheel
or the respective button for ending a telephone
call on the COMAND headunit.
!If the indicator lamp continues to flash or
the system does not reset, contact the Response
Center at 1-800-756-9018 (in the USA) or
1-888-923-8367 (in Canada), or Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes
(1-800-367-6372) in the USA or Customer
Service at 1-800-387-0100 in Canada.
iWhen a Tele Aid call has been initiated, the
COMAND system audio is muted and the
selected mode (radio or CD) pauses.
The optional cellular phone (if installed) switches
off. If you must use this phone, the vehicle must
be parked. Disconnect the coiled cord and place
the call. The COMAND navigation system (if
engaged) will continue to run. The display in the
instrument cluster is available for use and
spoken commands are only available by pressing
the RPT button on the COMAND unit. A pop-up
window will appear in the COMAND display to
indicate that a Tele Aid call is in progress.

262 Controls in detail
Useful features
Operation of integrated remote control
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Select and press the appropriate inte-
grated signal transmitter button (2,
3 or4) to activate the remote con-
trolled device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as
long as the button is pressed – up to
20 seconds.
Erasing the integrated remote control
memory
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Simultaneously press and hold outer
signal transmitter buttons2 and 4,
for approximately 20 seconds, until the
indicator lamp1 flashes rapidly. Do
not hold for longer than 30 seconds.
The codes of all three channels are
erased.Programming tips
If you are having difficulty programming
the integrated remote control, here are
some helpful tips:

Check the frequency of hand-held re-
mote control5 (typically located on
the reverse side of the remote). The in-
tegrated remote control is compatible
with radio-frequency devices operating
between 280-390 MHz.

Put a new battery in hand-held remote
control5. This will increase the likeli-
hood of the hand-held remote control
sending a faster and more accurate sig-
nal to the integrated remote control.

While performing step 3, hold
hand-held remote control5 at
different lengths and angles from the
signal transmitter button (2, 3 or4)
you are programming. Attempt varying
angles at the distance of
2 to 5 in (5 to 12 cm) away or the
same angle at varying distances.

If another hand-held remote control is
available for the same device, try the
programming steps again using that
other hand-held remote control. Make
sure new batteries are in the hand-held
remote control before beginning the
procedure.

Straighten the antenna wire from the
garage door opener assembly. This
may help improve transmitting and/or
receiving signals.
iIf you sell your vehicle, erase the codes of all
three channels.
iCertain types of garage door openers are in-
compatible with the integrated remote control. If
you should experience further difficulties with
programming the integrated remote control,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, or
call Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA only) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.

280 Operation
At 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 457).
Open the hood (page 282).
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
2Brake fluid
3Coolant level
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.
iOnly 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. Please contact gas
station personal in case labels on the pump
cannot be found.
For more information on gasoline, see “Premium
unleaded gasoline” (
page 461), refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz-Center.
iLeaving 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 346).


330 Operation
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Maintenance Booklet at the times
called for by the maintenance service indi-
cator.Maintenance service indicator
message
The maintenance service indicator mes-
sage will notify you when the next mainte-
nance service is due.
Starting approximately 1 month before the
next maintenance service is due, one of
the following messages will appear in the
right multifunction display while you are
driving or when you switch on the ignition
(example service A):
Service A In XXXXX Miles (Km)
Service A In XXX Days
Service A Due Now
The type of maintenance service due is in-
dicated in the left multifunction display:
9Basic service (A)
½Extended service (B)
!Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet and
the maintenance service indicator at the desig-
nated times/mileage may result in vehicle dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iThe Maintenance System in your vehicle
tracks distance driven and the time elapsed
since the last maintenance service and calcu-
lates other maintenance service work required.

331 Operation
Maintenance
Clearing the maintenance service indi-
cator message
The maintenance service indicator mes-
sage is automatically cleared after approx-
imately 30 seconds

after you have switched on the ignition

after you have reached the mainte-
nance service threshold while driving
You can also clear the maintenance ser-
vice indicator message yourself.
1Reset button
Press reset button1 on the instru-
ment cluster.
The maintenance service indicator
message is cleared and the standard
display appears in the multifunction
display (
page 149).Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the right multifunction
display:Service A Exceeded By XXXX Miles (Km)
Service A Exceeded By XXX Days
In addition, a signal sounds when the mes-
sage appears.
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance ser-
vice.

332 Operation
Maintenance
Calling up the maintenance service
indicator display
You can call up the maintenance service in-
dicator display at any time to check when
the next maintenance service is due.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Press button è or ÿ on the mul-
tifunction steering wheel repeatedly
until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display (
page 149).
Press button k or j on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator display
with the maintenance service symbol
9 or ½ appears in the left multi-
function display and the maintenance
service deadline appears in the right
multifunction display.Resetting the maintenance service
indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator
reset. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the
maintenance service indicator in the main-
tenance-relevant information for your vehi-
cle. Such information is available from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
directly from Mercedes-Benz.
iThe menu overview can be found on
(
page 146).
iIf the battery supplying the vehicle’s electri-
cal consumers is disconnected, the days of dis-
connection will not be included in the count
shown by the maintenance service indicator. To
arrive at the true maintenance service deadline,
you will need to subtract these days from the
days shown in the maintenance service indicator
message or maintenance service indicator dis-
play.
Do not confuse the maintenance service indica-
tor with the engine oil level indicator N.
!If the maintenance service indicator was in-
advertently reset, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance service has
been performed. Resetting the system without
performing proper maintenance service as
called for by the maintenance service indicator
will result in engine damage and/or other vehicle
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

346 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
ú(USA only)
±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on when
the engine is running.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel injection system

The ignition system

The emission control system

Systems which effect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the engine
to its limp-home (emergency operation)
mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as
possible by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is
used by the service station to link the
vehicle to the shop diagnostics
system. It allows the accurate identifi-
cation of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic
trouble codes. It is located in the front
left area of the footwell next to the
parking brake pedal.
iSome states may by law require you to visit
a workshop as soon as the engine malfunction
indicator lamp comes on. Check local require-
ments.

470 Index
Control system submenus 147
Convenience 166
Instrument cluster 160
Lighting 163
Time 161
Vehicle 166
Convenience feature 206
Coolant 463
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 464
Checking coolant level 288
Coolant warning lamp 348
Messages in the multifunction
display 383, 385
Temperature 278
Temperature gauge 141
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 136
Replacing bulbs 409
Courtesy lighting 139
Cruise control 214
Messages in the multifunction
display 364, 365
Cup holder 243
Curb weight 323D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 163
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 196
Defrosting, Front 195
Defrosting, Rear 187
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 164
Interior lighting 165
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 60
With starting the engine 54
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 149
Dimensions, Vehicle 455
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (tires) 294
Displays
Digital speedometer 149
Distronic* 156, 220, 222
Maintenance service indicator 330
Multifunction display 143Outside temperature 142, 149
Symbol messages 376
Text messages 361
Vehicle status message memory 156
Vehicle status messages 359
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 169
Distance warning function* 229
Activating 230
Deactivating 230
Intermittent warning sound 229
Symbol 222
Distronic* 218
“Resume” function 225
Activating 223
Cleaning system sensor cover 336
Control system 156, 222
Distance warning function* 229
Driving hints 227
System sensor cover 336
Warning and indicator
lamps 27, 220, 221, 229, 350