2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 Manually retract hard top

83 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
When activated, emergency tensioning
devices remove slack from the seat belts in
such a way that the seat belts fit more
snugly against the body. Seat belt force
limiters reduce the force exerted by the
seat belts on occupants during a crash.
Automatic comfort-fit feature seat belt
The automatic comfort-fit feature reduces
the retracting force of the seat belts when
they are in normal use.Roll bar
The roll bar raises automatically in an acci-
dent or in a critical driving situation.You can also raise and lower the roll bar
manually using the buttons provided.
The buttons for the roll bar are on the cen-
ter console under the retractable hardtop
switch.
1Raise roll bar
2Lower roll bar
The roll bar can be moved manually when
the ignition is switched on (
page 40).
Warning!G
An emergency tensioning device (ETD) that
was activated must be replaced.
When disposing of the emergency tension-
ing device, our safety instructions must be
followed. These are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
This vehicle is a two occupant vehicle. The
rear storage area is not intended for use by
occupants and is not equipped for properly
seating or restraining occupants. Thus this
area should never be used by any persons.
Make sure that the roll bar’s path is clear
and no persons are injured by the moving
roll bar. Raising or lowering of the roll bar
could injure someone in it’s proximity.
For your own safety, we recommend to drive
with the roll bar raised if the outside temper-
ature is below +5°F (-15°C).
!If the outside temperature falls below
+5°F (-15°C), the roll bar must be raised manu-
ally using the buttons provided to avoid damag-
ing the hydraulics.
iWhen the roll bar is raised automatically,
you will hear a ratcheting sound.

84 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
Raising the roll bar
Lift the switch for the retractable hard-
top.
Press and hold button1 until the roll
bar is raised.Lowering the roll bar
Lift the switch for the retractable hard-
top.
If the roll bar was raised manually:
Press and hold button2 until the roll
bar is lowered.
If the roll bar was raised automatically:
Press and hold button1 until you hear
the roll bar lock into place.
Press and hold button2 until the roll
bar is lowered.
Children in the vehicle
If an infant or child is traveling with you in
the vehicle:
Secure the child using an infant or child
restraint appropriate to the age and
size of the child.
Make sure the infant or child is
properly secured at all times while
the vehicle is in motion.
Warning!G
If the roll bar warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not go out after
starting the engine, flickers, or if it comes on
while driving, the roll bar system is not
operating properly and may not activate in
an accident. At the same time, the message
Raise Roll-over Bar appears in the
multifunction display. In this case, raise the
roll bar manually before continuing to drive.
For safety reasons, drive only with the roll
bar raised until the malfunction has been
repaired. Have your vehicle checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iIf you have raised the roll bar manually using
the button, the roll bar will automatically be low-
ered and then raised again when you close and
open the retractable hardtop.
Warning!G
Do not leave children unattended in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system. The children could

injure themselves on parts of the vehicle

be seriously or fatally injured through
excessive exposure to extreme heat or
cold

351 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
CThe yellow roll bar warning lamp
comes on or flickers when the
engine is running.The roll bar system is malfunctioning.For safety reasons, always have the roll
bar raised when driving with the retract-
able hardtop open.
Attempt to raise the roll bar manually
(
page 83).
Have the roll bar checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Warning!G
If the roll bar warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not go out after
starting the engine, flickers, or if it comes on
while driving, the roll bar system is not oper-
ating properly and may not activate in an
accident. At the same time, the message
Raise Roll-over Bar appears in the
multifunction display. In this case, raise the
roll bar manually before continuing to drive
(
page 83).
For safety reasons, drive only with the roll
bar raised until the malfunction has been
repaired. Have your vehicle checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

406 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Lowering the load assist manually
If the load assist feature does not fully
lower the retractable hardtop into the
trunk compartment and you are unable to
close the trunk lid, follow the instructions
below.
1Hex-socket wrench
2Locking screw
Remove the trunk floor from the trunk.
Lift up the lid located at the lower left
side of the trunk.
Have a second person lift and hold the
retracted hardtop.
Using hex-socket wrench 1 provided
in the vehicle tool kit, carefully turn the
locking screw 2 approximately one
quarter of a turn.
Hook luggage cover into holders
(
page 210).
Let go of the hardtop.
It should gradually lower into the trunk.
When top is completely lowered,
return locking screw 2 to its original
position.
Close the lid.
Replace the trunk floor.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
!Do not overtighten the screw.