2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG keyless

435 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as
well as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 122).
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position2 and activate the
combination switch for the left or right turn
signal in the usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch

the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP.
For more information, see “Batteries”
(
page 427) and “Jump starting” (page 432).

437 Practical hints
Fuses
Fuses
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and sys-
tems secured by that fuse will stop operat-
ing.If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have
the cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
A fuse chart explains the fuse allocation
and fuse amperages. It is located in the
trunk with the vehicle tool kit
(
page 400).
The electrical fuses are located in different
fuse boxes:

on the driver’s side of the engine com-
partment (
page 438)

on the passenger side of the engine
compartment (
page 438)

under passenger-side rear storage
compartment (
page 439)

in the trunk (page 439)Before replacing fuses:
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to position P (
page 172).
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Turn off the engine (page 64).
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Open
the driver’s door.
Warning!G
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system
in question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a
fire, and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the
cause determined and remedied by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
iA blown fuse must be replaced by an appro-
priate spare fuse (recognizable by its color or the
fuse rating given on the fuse) of the amperage
recommended in the fuse chart.
Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to advise
you on this subject.
iIn case of a blown fuse contact Roadside
Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

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

471 Index
Door
Control panel 36
Handle, Inside 36
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 39, 66
Locking/unlocking, Mechanical
key 403, 405
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 38, 66
Messages in the multifunction
display 386
Opening from inside 113
Storage compartment 238
DOT 323
Drinking and driving 267
Driving
Abroad 276
Driving off 270
Electro-hydraulic brake system 97
Hydroplaning 272
In winter 274, 327
Instructions 56, 267
Problems 60
Safety systems 89
Systems 214
Through standing water 275
With Distronic* 227Driving safety systems 89
ABS 89
BAS 89, 91
Electro-hydraulic brake
system 89, 94
Electronic traction system 93
ESP
®89, 91
Driving systems 214
ABC 230
Cruise control 214
Distronic* 218
Parktronic* 233
Driving tips 175
Accelerator position 175
Kickdown 175
DTR see Distronic*E
Easy-entry/exit feature 47, 166
Messages in the multifunction
display 386
Electric air pump 401, 422
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 89, 94
Activation 95
Deactivation 96
Driving hints 97
Messages in the multifunction
display 378, 379
Self-check 96, 380
Warning lamp 94
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 250, 252
Emergency engine shut-down 439
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode) 184

475 Index
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 108
Batteries 407
Battery check lamp 108
Checking the batteries 113
Factory setting 111
Global locking 111, 112
Global unlocking 111, 112
Locking/unlocking 39, 65, 108
Loss of 113
Messages in the multifunction
display 390, 391
Opening, Trunk 115
Opening/closing retractable
hardtop 206
Remote control 108
Replacing batteries 407
Reprogramming 112
Restoring to factory settings 112
Selective setting 112
Starter switch positions 41
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 64
Unlocking, Trunk lid 114KEYLESS-GO*
Closing windows 203
Important notes 109
Locking/unlocking 39, 65, 108
Messages in the multifunction
display 390
Start/stop button 31, 41, 54
Starter switch positions 41
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 64
Unlocking, Trunk lid 114
Kickdown 175
Kilopascal 323
Knee bag 74
L
Labels, identification 444
Lamp bulbs, exterior 409
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 164
Exterior lamp switch 25, 57
Front 410
Light sensor 392
Replacing bulbs for rear 410, 414
Switching off 131
Switching on 131Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 344
ABS/ESP
®342
Brakes 345
CHECK ENGINE 346, 347
Coolant 348
Distronic* indicator and warning
lamp 27, 221
Electro-hydraulic brake system 94
Engine diagnostics 346, 347
Engine malfunction 29
ESP
®91
Fuel reserve 350
Passenger front air
bag off 74, 78, 357
Seat belt telltale 352
Seat belts 352–353
SRS 69, 354
Turn signals 27
Language
Multifunction display 160
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 340
License plate lamps 163, 410, 414
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 338

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

477 Index
Mirrors 49, 185
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 49
Exterior rear view mirrors 49
Misfiring 60
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 312, 425
MOExtended tires* 449
MON 280
Mph or km/h in speedometer 160
Multifunction display 143
Left display 27
Right display 29
Selecting language 160
Standard display 143
Multifunction display messages
ABC 361
ABS 363, 364
Battery 377
Brake pads 380
Brake system 382
Coolant 383
Coolant level 385
Display malfunction 386Doors 386
Easy-entry/exit feature 386
Electro-hydraulic brake
system 378, 379
Hood 390
Luggage cover 399
Passenger front air bag 370
Restraint systems 373
Roll bar 396
SmartKey 390
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 391
SRS 373
Tele Aid 396
Telephone* 396
Tires 397
Trunk 399
Washer fluid 399
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 144
Buttons 144N
Navigation system
Operating 155
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 172, 174
Night security illumination 164
Normal occupant weight 324
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 324
Occupant safety
OCS 74
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78
SRS 68
OCS 74
Self-test 78
Odometer, main 27
Oil
Adding 286
Consumption 283
Oil dipstick 286
Oil see Engine oil

478 Index
One-touch gearshifting
Gear selector lever 179
Steering wheel gearshift
control* 180
Ornamental moldings 336
Overdue maintenance service 331
Overhead control panel 33
Overspeed range 142
P
Paintwork code see Certification label
Panic alarm 88
Panic button on SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* 88
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 213
Sunshade closing 213
Sunshade opening 213
Parcel net
Passenger footwell 241
Trunk 242
Parking 271
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 233Parking brake
Engaging 63
Releasing 55
Parking brake pedal 25
Parking lamps 410
Switching on 131
Parktronic* 32, 233
Activating 236
Cleaning system sensors 337
Malfunctioning 236
Minimum distance 235
Range 234
Rear sensors 235
System sensors 337
Warning indicators 25, 235
Parktronic* system deactivation
switch 32
Parts service 442
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp
Passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 368–371
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78, 357Passenger side
Front air bag 73, 74
Head-thorax air bag 74
Pedals 267
Phone book* 170
Loading 171
Quick search 171
Phone number*
Dialing 170
Redialing 171
Plastic parts, cleaning 339
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 446
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 312
Power assistance 268
Power closing assist for trunk lid 121
Power outlet 246
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 45
Adjusting head restraint height 45
Adjusting head restraint tilt 46
Adjusting seat cushion depth 45
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 45
Adjusting seat height 45