2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 lumbar support

Contents
Safety and Security........................... 67
Occupant safety................................... 68
Air bags .......................................... 70
Occupant Classification System ..... 74
Seat belts ....................................... 79
Roll bar ........................................... 83
Children in the vehicle .................... 84
Panic alarm .......................................... 88
Activating ....................................... 88
Deactivating ................................... 88
Driving safety systems ......................... 89
ABS ................................................ 89
BAS ................................................ 91
ESP
®............................................... 91
Electro-hydraulic brake system ...... 94
Anti-theft systems................................ 98
Immobilizer..................................... 98
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 98
Tow-away alarm ........................... 100
Controls in detail............................. 103
Locking and unlocking ....................... 104
SmartKey ..................................... 104
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 108
Checking the batteries in the
SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 113
Loss of the SmartKey or
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 113
Opening the doors from
the inside ..................................... 113
Opening the trunk ........................ 114
Closing the trunk.......................... 116
Valet locking ................................ 120
Trunk lid emergency release ........ 121
Power closing assist for trunk lid . 121
Automatic central locking ............ 122
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 122Seats ................................................. 124
Moving the seats forward and
backward ..................................... 124
Lumbar support ........................... 124
Multicontour backrest*................ 125
Seat heating................................. 126
Seat ventilation* .......................... 128
Memory function ............................... 129
Storing positions into memory ..... 130
Recalling positions from memory. 130
Lighting ............................................. 131
Exterior lamp switch .................... 131
Combination switch ..................... 135
Corner-illuminating front
fog lamps* ................................... 136
Hazard warning flasher ................ 137
Interior lighting ............................ 138
Courtesy lighting .......................... 139
Trunk lamp ................................... 139

124 Controls in detail
Seats
For more information on seat adjustment,
see “Seat adjustment” (
page 44).
Moving the seats forward and
backward
You can move the seats forward and back
to facilitate loading and unloading.The switch is located on the top side of the
seat.
1Seat forward
2Seat backward
Moving the seat forward
Press switch at1 and release.
The seat moves forward automatically.
Moving the seat backward
Press switch at2 and release.
The seat moves backwards to its previ-
ous position automatically.
Lumbar support
You can adjust the contour of the seat’s
lumbar support to help enhance support to
your spine.
1Thumbwheel
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Set the lumbar support
between 0 and 5.
Warning!G
When moving the seats, be sure that no one
can be caught by them. Never place hands
under seat or near any moving parts during
a seat adjustment procedure. To stop the
seat from moving when potential danger
exists:

Press the switch once more.

Move the seat adjustment switch on the
door (
page 43).
!When moving the seats, make sure that
there are no items in the footwell or behind the
seats. Otherwise you could damage the seats.

125 Controls in detail
Seats
Multicontour backrest*
The multicontour backrest has inflatable
air cushions built into the seat backrest
to provide additional lumbar and side
support.
The seat backrest cushion height and
curvature can be continuously varied with
switches on the lower left side (driver’s
seat) or the lower right side (passenger
side) of the seat when the ignition is
switched on.
1Lumbar region support
2Shoulder region support
3Side bolsters adjustment
4Massage function (PULSE)Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Shoulder region support
Press æ or ç on switch2.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Lumbar region support
Press k or j on rocker
switch1.
This selects the air cushion you wish to
adjust.
Press æ or ç on rocker
switch1.
The air cushion inflates or deflates.
Side bolsters adjustment
Press switch3 to the right or left.
The lateral support increases or de-
creases.Massage function (PULSE)
You can reduce muscle tension during long
trips by periodically using the massage
function.
Press button4.
The indicator lamp on button4 comes
on. The air cushions in the lumbar
region inflate and deflate rhythmically.
iThe massage function switches off automat-
ically after approximately 8 minutes. The indica-
tor lamp goes out.

129 Controls in detail
Memory function
Memory function
Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver
should check and adjust the seat height,
seat position fore and aft, and seat back-
rest angle if necessary, to ensure adequate
control, reach and comfort. The head
restraint should also be adjusted for
proper height. See also the section on
air bags (
page 70) for proper seat
positioning.
In addition, adjust the steering wheel to
ensure adequate control, reach, operation
and comfort. Both the interior and exterior
rear view mirrors should be adjusted for
adequate rear vision.
Fasten seat belts. Infants and small
children should be seated in an appropri-
ate infant or child restraint system which is
properly secured by a lap-shoulder belt
and that complies with U.S. Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standards 213 and 225 and
Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
213 and 210.2.With the memory function you can store up
to three different configurations.
Each stored position on the driver’s side
includes the following settings:

Seat position and lumbar support

Multicontour seat*: previously saved
setting

Steering wheel position

Exterior rear view mirrors’ positionEach stored position on the passenger side
includes the following settings:

Seat position and lumbar support

Multicontour seat*: previously saved
setting
The memory switch is located on the door
control panel.
M Memory button
1, 2, 3 Stored positions
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
or
Open the respective door.
Warning!G
Do not activate the memory function while
driving. Activating the memory function
while driving could cause the driver to lose
control of the vehicle.

468 Index
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 139
Automatic locking when driving 122
Automatic shift program 177
Automatic transmission 172
Accelerator position 175
Automatic shift program 177
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 184
Gear ranges 176
Gear selector lever 32, 172
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting 179
Gear selector lever positions 174
Gear shifting malfunctions 184
Kickdown 175
Kickdown, manual shift program
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG 184
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and
SL 65 AMG 182
Program mode selector
switch 32, 177Shifting procedure 173
Starting the engine 53
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* 180
Transmission fluid level 287
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATF
B
Backrest
Lumbar support 125
Multicontour seat* 125
Power seat 45
Shoulder region support 125
Backup lamp
Messages in the multifunction
display 394
Replacing bulb 410, 414
Bar 323
BAS 91
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 113
Replacing 407Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 113
Replacing 407
Batteries, Vehicle 290
Charging 430
Consumer battery 290, 427
Jump starting 432
Messages in the multifunction
display 377
Starter battery 290, 427
Bead 323
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 410
Block heater (Canada only) 328
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake lamps 410
High mounted 410
Messages in the multifunction
display 392
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 380

476 Index
Light sensor 392
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Instruments 140
Interior 138
Settings (control system) 163
Trunk 139
Limp-home mode 184
Load assist 245
Lowering manually 406
Loading terminology 322
Loading the vehicle 294
Lock buttons 38
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 66
Locking the vehicle 62
In an emergency 405
Low beam headlamps 57, 131, 410
Replacing bulbs 412
Lowering
Load assist manually 406
Roll bar 84
Luggage compartment, rear 242
Luggage cover 210
Messages in the multifunction
display 399
Lumbar support adjustment 124M
Main fuse box 438
Maintenance
Calling up maintenance service
indicator display 332
Clearing maintenance service
indicator message 331
Maintenance service indicator
message 330
Maintenance service term
exceeded 331
Resetting maintenance service
indicator 332
Maintenance service
When due 330
Maintenance service indicator 330
Maintenance System 330
Malfunction memory 156
Calling up 157
Clearing 157
Manual operation
Interior lighting control 139
Locking the vehicle 405
Lowering load assist 406
Unlocking storage
compartments 404Unlocking the driver’s door 403
Unlocking the trunk 404
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and
SL 65 AMG 182
Deactivating 184
Massage function 125
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL 195
Maximum inflation pressure 324
Maximum load rating 323
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 323
Mechanical key
Loss of 113
Menus 145
AMG 150
AUDIO 153
Distronic* 156, 222
NAV 155
Standard display 149
TEL* 169
Trip computer 167
Vehicle status message memory 156
Menus see Control system menus
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 160
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 235

480 Index
Retractable hardtop
Closing (SmartKey) 206
Closing (switch) 205
Convenience feature 206
Locking after raising/lowering 207
Opening (SmartKey) 206
Opening (switch) 205
Problems when operating 208
Summer opening feature 206
Reverse gear position, Automatic
transmission 172, 174
Rim 324
Roll bar 83
Buttons 32
Lowering 84
Messages in display 396
Raising 84
Warning lamp 29
RON 280
Rubber parts, cleaning 339
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 303S
Satellite radio 154
Seat belt force limiter 82
Seat belts 50, 68, 79
Cleaning 340
Messages in the multifunction
display 373
Telltale 352
Warning lamp 352–353
Seat heating
Switching on 126
Seat ventilation* 128
Switching on 128
Seating capacity 295
Seats
Adjusting height 45
Adjusting lumbar support 125
Adjusting shoulder support 125
Heating 126
Massage function 125
Moving 124
Selector lever see Gear selector lever
Self-test
OCS 78Service
Basic service (Service A) 330
Batteries 427
Extended service (Service B) 330
Types 330
Service life (tires) 292
Service System see Maintenance
Settings
Clock 161
Convenience functions 166
Cruise control 217
Daytime running lamp mode 163
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 165
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 163
Language, multifunction display 161
Locator lighting 164
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 160
Night security illumination 164
Resetting all (control system) 158
Selective (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 112