2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 audio

Contents
Instrument cluster ............................. 140
Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 140
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 141
Resetting trip odometer ............... 141
Tachometer .................................. 142
Outside temperature indicator ..... 142
Control system .................................. 143
Multifunction display .................... 143
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 144
Menus .......................................... 146
Standard display menu ................ 149
AMG menu ................................... 150
AUDIO menu ................................ 153
NAV menu .................................... 155
Distronic* menu........................... 156
Vehicle status message memory
menu ............................................ 156
Settings menu .............................. 157
Trip computer menu..................... 167
TEL* menu ................................... 169Automatic transmission...................... 172
Gear selector lever........................ 172
Shifting procedure ........................ 173
Gear selector lever positions ........ 174
Driving tips.................................... 175
Gear ranges .................................. 176
Automatic shift program ............... 177
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting ................................... 179
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ................ 180
Manual shift program
(SL55AMGandSL65AMG only) 182
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 184
Good visibility ..................................... 185
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 185
Rear view mirrors .......................... 185
Sun visors ..................................... 186
Rear window defroster .................. 187Automatic climate control .................. 188
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 191
Operating the automatic
climate control system in
automatic mode............................ 192
Setting the temperature ............... 193
Adjusting air distribution .............. 194
Adjusting air volume ..................... 195
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 195
Front defroster ............................. 195
Air recirculation mode .................. 196
Air conditioning ............................ 198
Residual heat and ventilation........ 199
Ventilated glove box ..................... 200

145 Controls in detail
Control system
Depending on the selected menu, pressing
the buttons on the multifunction steering
wheel will alter what appears in the multi-
function display.
The information available in the multifunc-
tion display are arranged in menus and
accompanying functions or submenus.
The individual functions are then found
within the relevant menu (radio or CD op-
erations under
AUDIO, for example). These
functions serve to call up relevant informa-
tion or to customize the settings for your
vehicle.It is helpful to think of the menus, and the
functions within each menu, as being ar-
ranged in a circular pattern.

If you press button è or ÿ re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
menu one after the other.

If you press button k or j re-
peatedly, you will pass through each
function display, one after the other, in
the current menu. In the
Settings menu, instead of functions
you will find a number of submenus for
calling up and changing settings. For in-
structions on using these submenus, see
“Settings menu” (
page 157).
The number of menus available in the sys-
tem depends on which optional equipment
is installed in your vehicle.
The menus are described on the following
pages.

147 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Table continued on next page.
Menu 1Menu 2Menu 3Menu 4Menu 5
Standard displayAMG1AUDIO NAVDistronic*
(page 149)(page 150)(page 153)(page 155)(page 156)
Commands/submenus
Calling up digital
speedometer/Outside
temperatureEngine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationShow route guidance
instructions, current
direction traveledCalling up settings
Calling up maintenance
service indicatorVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station
Checking tire inflation
pressureRACETIMEROperating CD player
Checking engine oil
level*Overall analysis
Lap analysis
1AMG vehicles only.

153 Controls in detail
Control system
Overall analysis
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the overall analysis.
1Overall analysis of RACETIMER
2Overall driving time
3Maximum speed
4Average speed
5Overall distance drivenLap analysis
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the lap analysis.
1Lap number
2Lap time
3Maximum speed
4Average speed during lap
5Lap length
Press button j or k to see other
lap analyses.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
AUDIO menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
AUDIO OFF appears in the
right multifunction display.
The following functions are available:
iThese functions are only available if you
have saved at least one lap and have stopped the
RACETIMER.iThese functions are only available if you
have saved at least two laps and have stopped
the RACETIMER.
iEach lap is shown in its own submenu. The
fastest lap is indicated by flashing symbol 1.
FunctionPage
Selecting radio station154
Selecting satellite radio station154
Operating CD player155

252 Controls in detail
Useful features
Emergency calls
An emergency call is initiated
automatically following an accident in
which the emergency tensioning devices
(ETDs) or air bags deploy.
An emergency call can also be initiated
manually by opening the cover next to the
interior rear view mirror labeled SOS, then
briefly pressing the button located under
the cover. See (
page 253) for instruc-
tions on initiating an emergency call man-
ually.
Once the emergency call is in progress, the
indicator lamp in the SOS button will begin
to flash. The message
Connecting Call
appears in the multifunction display and
the audio system is muted. When the con-
nection is established, the message
Call Connected appears in the multifunc-
tion display. All information relevant to the
emergency, such as the location of the ve-
hicle (determined by the GPS satellite loca-
tion system), vehicle model, identification
number and color are generated.A voice connection between the Response
Center and the occupants of the vehicle
will be established automatically soon af-
ter the emergency call has been initiated.
The Response Center will attempt to deter-
mine more precisely the nature of the
emergency provided they can speak to an
occupant of the vehicle.
The Tele Aid system is available if

it has been activated and is operational
Activation requires a subscription for
monitoring services, connection and
cellular air time.

the relevant cellular phone network
and GPS signals are available and pass
the information on to the Response
Center
iLocation of the vehicle on a map is only pos-
sible if the vehicle is able to receive signals from
the GPS satellite network and pass the informa-
tion on to the Response Center.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamp in the SOS button is
flashing continuously and there was no
voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could
not initiate an emergency call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available).
The message
Call Failed appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
10 seconds.
Should this occur, assistance must be sum-
moned by other means.

254 Controls in detail
Useful features
The message Connecting Call will ap-
pear in the multifunction display and
the audio system is muted.
When the connection is established, the
message
Call Connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for as-
sistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may
apply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance
Manual for more information.The following is only available in the USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire with the
vehicle spare tire are obtainable.Information button ¡
The Information button¡ is located
below the center armrest cover.
1Information button¡
Open the telephone* compartment
(
page 239).
Press and hold button 1 (for longer
than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance Cen-
ter will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
Connecting Call will appear
in the multifunction display and the
audio system is muted.
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illuminated in
red for approximately 10 seconds during the
system self-check after switching on the ignition
(together with the SOS button and the Informa-
tion button¡).
See system self-check (
page 251) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• is flashing continuously and there
was no voice connection to the Response Center
established, then the Tele Aid system could not
initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g. the rele-
vant cellular phone network is not available). The
message
Call Failed appears in the multi-
function display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing the tbutton on the multifunction steer-
ing wheel or the respective button for ending a
telephone call on the COMAND headunit.


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.

469 Index
Brake system
Messages in the multifunction
display 382
Brakes 268
BAS 91
Brake fluid 280, 458, 460
Electro-hydraulic brake system 94
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 270
Warning lamp 345
Break-in period 266
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 392
Replacing 409
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid 256
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 457
Cargo area see Trunk
Carpets, cleaning 339
Catalytic converter 277
CD changer 155, 240CD player
Operating 155
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central locking
Automatic 122, 166
Central locking/unlocking
switch 31, 122
Locking/unlocking from inside 122
Certification label 444
Check engine see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 308
Children in the vehicle
Air bags 84
Infant and child restraint systems 84
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 74
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78, 357
Cigarette lighter 244
Clock 25, 161Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 323
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) 453
COMAND system 31
Driving instructions 276
Combination switch
High beam 57, 135
Turn signals 57
Windshield wipers 58
Consumer battery 290
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 276
Control system 143, 146
Control system menus
AMG 150
AUDIO 153
Distronic* 156, 222
NAV 155
Settings 157
Standard display 149
TEL* 169
Trip computer 167
Vehicle status message memory 156