2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 stop start

389 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
AFuel Cap
OpenA loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 279).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
KRetract. Roof Oper.
Please Wait
See Oper. Manual
The on-board voltage is too low.Start the engine.
The hardtop drive system was shut
down for safety reasons after multi-
ple, consecutive attempts to raise
or lower the hardtop.After about 10 minutes you can open or close the
retractable hardtop.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
Retractable Roof
LoweringThe retractable hardtop is not com-
pletely opened or closed. The roof
hydraulics will start to lose pres-
sure.Make sure the retractable hardtop is com-
pletely opened or closed (
page 204).
Retractable Roof
Operation
Only At StandstillYou have attempted to open the re-
tractable hardtop while driving.Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to
open the hardtop again.

390 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
KRetractable Roof
Not Opened/Closed
CompletelyThe retractable hardtop is not
locked properly.Stop the vehicle in a safe location. Observe
the traffic situation around you.
Push or pull on the retractable hardtop switch
until the indicator lamp in the switch goes out
and the retractable hardtop is completely
open or closed (
page 204).
OYou are driving with the hood open.Risk of accident!
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Close the hood (page 283).
IRemove
KeyYou have forgotten to remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Replace
KeyThe SmartKey is no longer
functional.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
FChange
Key BatteriesThe batteries in the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* are discharged.Replace the batteries (page 407).

391 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
FKey
Not DetectedThe SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
not recognized while the engine is
running because:

The SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not in the vehi-
cle.

There is strong radio-frequency
interference.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Search for the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again af-
ter the engine is stopped.
Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.
Key
Not DetectedThe SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
not recognized when attempting to
start the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* on
the gear selector lever because:

The SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not in the vehi-
cle.

The battery in the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* is not insert-
ed properly or completely dis-
charged.
Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.
Make sure the batteries in the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* are properly inserted
(
page 407) and are not discharged
(
page 113).
Start the engine with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch if
necessary.

395 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
.Tail Lamp
Right
Auxiliary Bulb OnThe right tail lamp is malfunction-
ing. An auxiliary bulb has been
brought into use.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn Signal
Left MirrorThe turn signal in the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror is malfunc-
tioning. This message will only ap-
pear if all light emitting diodes have
stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn Signal
Right MirrorThe turn signal in the passenger
side exterior rear view mirror is mal-
functioning. This message will only
appear if all light emitting diodes
have stopped working.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Lights Are
still OnYou have removed the SmartKey
from the starter switch and opened
the driver’s door and left the head-
lamps on or removed the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* from the vehicle
and left the headlamps on.Turn the exterior lamp switch toM
orU.
Turn Signal
Front Left
Auxiliary Bulb OnThe left front turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. An auxiliary bulb
has been brought into use.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 409).

403 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Unlocking the vehicle
If you cannot unlock the vehicle using the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO*, unlock the
driver’s door and the trunk using the
mechanical key.
1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key
Move locking tab 1 direction of arrow
and slide the mechanical key 2 out of
the housing.Unlocking the driver’s door
Insert mechanical key 2 into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key 2 counterclock-
wise to position 1.
The driver’s door is unlocked. You can
now open the driver’s door.
iUnlocking the vehicle with the mechanical
key and opening the driver’s door or the trunk
will trigger the anti-theft alarm system
(
page 98).
To cancel the alarm, insert the SmartKey or the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* in the starter
switch.
1Unlocking
2Mechanical key

405 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical key
as follows:
Close the passenger door and the
trunk.
Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 122).
Check whether the locking knob on the
passenger door has moved down.
If necessary push it down manually.
Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (
page 403).
Check whether the trunk is locked.
If necessary, lock the trunk with the
mechanical key (
page 120).
Except for the driver’s door, the vehicle
should now be locked.
Insert mechanical key 2 into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key 2 clockwise to
position 1.
The driver’s door is locked.
iUnlocking the glove box with the mechanical
key will trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the following:

Press button Œ or ‹on the
SmartKey.

Insert the SmartKey in the starter switch.

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(
page 41).

Grasp an outside door handle (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO* only).
1Locking
2Mechanical key
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-theft
alarm system, nor does it lock the fuel filler flap
and the storage compartments.
The storage compartments can be locked
separately (
page 240).

423 Practical hints
Flat tire
Insert electrical plug 3 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket (
page 244)
or the power outlet in the trunk
(
page 246).
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever once
without depressing the brake pedal.
PressI on the electric air pump
switch2.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.
Inflate the spare tire:

SL 550 to 36 psi (2.5 bar)

SL 600, SL 55 AMG, SL 55 AMG
(Performance Package*), and
SL 65 AMG to 51 psi (3.5 bar)
This takes about 5 minutes.
Air hose4 and union nut5 can be-
come hot during inflation. Exercise
proper caution to avoid burning your-
self when using the equipment.
Press0 on the electric air pump
switch2.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
or
Press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
on the gear selector lever twice without
depressing the brake pedal.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.
If the spare tire inflation pressure is
above the recommended tire inflation
pressure for the respective collapsible
tire (
page 453), release excess spare
tire inflation pressure using the vent
screw.
!Compare the recommended tire inflation
pressure for your vehicle with the tire inflation
pressure on the yellow label located on the spare
wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the tire to
the recommended tire inflation pressure given
on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim.
!Do not operate the electric air pump longer
than 8 minutes without interruption. Otherwise it
may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again after it has
cooled off.


428 Practical hints
Batteries
!The factory-equipped VRLA battery is
leak-proofed. Only use a battery as replacement
that has the same security features and is of
identical size, voltage, and capacity as the
factory-equipped battery.
The battery, the battery ventilation and the
lateral plug must always be securely installed
when the vehicle is in operation.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
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 explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery terminal
clamps while the engine is running or the
SmartKey is in the starter switch. Otherwise the
alternator and other electronic components
could be severely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for maintenance
intervals or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for further information.
Warning!G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.
Warning!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. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. 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! Adjust your
driving style accordingly. For more informa-
tion, see “Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(
page 94).