2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG lock

434 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised only so
far as necessary to have the vehicle moved
to a safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (
page 100) and
the automatic central locking (
page 166).
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run

there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system

there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
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. 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! Adapt your driving style
accordingly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(
page 94).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.

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).

436 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Installing towing eye bolt
Front
Example illustration (SL 550 and SL 600
without Sport Package)
1Cover on passenger side of front
bumper
To remove cover:
Press mark on cover 1 in direction of
arrow.
Lift cover1off to reveal the threaded
hole for towing eye bolt.To reinstall cover:
Fit locking tabs of cover under the
lower edge of the opening in the
bumper.
Apply even pressure on the upper part
of the cover until it snaps into place.
Rear
1Cover on passenger side of rear
bumper
To remove cover:
Insert flat, blunt object as a lever into
upper left or right recess of cover 1.
Loosen cover 1 using the lever.
Fold cover 1 down in direction of
arrow to reveal the threaded hole for
the towing eye bolt.
To reinstall cover:
Fit cover 1 and snap into place.
Installing towing eye bolt
Take the towing eye bolt and the wheel
wrench from the vehicle tool kit
(
page 400).
Screw towing eye bolt into threaded
hole to its stop.
Insert wheel wrench into towing eye
and tighten towing eye bolt by turning
it clockwise.
Removing towing eye bolt
Take the wheel wrench from the
vehicle tool kit (
page 400).
Insert wheel wrench into towing eye
and loosen towing eye bolt by turning it
counterclockwise.
Remove towing eye bolt.

438 Practical hints
Fuses
Fuse boxes in engine compartment
Open the hood (page 282).
The fuse boxes are located on the driver’s
and passenger side in front of the bulk-
head (wall separating the engine and
passenger compartment).
Fuse box on driver’s side
1Fuse box cover
2Locking
3Unlocking
Fuse box on passenger side
1Fuse box cover
2Locking
3UnlockingOpening
Move slide to position 3 and lift
cover1.
Closing
Hook cover 1 onto tabs and close it.
Move slide to position 2.
Close the hood after checking or
replacing fuses (
page 283).
!The fuse box cover must be properly
positioned with the slide at the ‹symbol to
prevent moisture or dirt from entering the fuse
box and possibly impairing fuse operation.

467 Index
A
ABC 230
Messages in the multifunction
display 361
Oil level 287
ABS 89
Indicator lamp 29, 344
Messages in the multifunction
display 363, 364
Warning lamp 27, 342
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 175
Accessory weight 322
Accident 61
Active Body Control see ABC
Air bags 70
Children in the vehicle 84
Front 73
Head-thorax 74
Knee bag 74
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 74Passenger 74
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78
Safety guidelines 72
Air conditioning system see Automatic
climate control system
Air distribution 192, 194
Air pressure 322
Tire inflation pressure 300
Air pump 422
Air recirculation mode 196
Air vents 189
Air volume 193, 195
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 421
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 458, 464
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 185
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Immobilizer 98
Tow-away alarm 100
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 239Ashtray 31, 244
Aspect ratio 322
ATF 287
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 185
Automatic central locking 122
Control system 166
Automatic climate control system 188
Air conditioning, Cooling 198
Air conditioning refrigerant 460
Air distribution 192, 194
Air recirculation mode 196
Air vents 189
Air volume 193, 195
Control panel 190
Deactivating 191
Defrosting 187, 195
Residual heat utilization 199
Temperature 193
Temperature sensor 33
Ventilated glove box 200

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

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

470 Index
Control system submenus 147
Convenience 166
Instrument cluster 160
Lighting 163
Time 161
Vehicle 166
Convenience feature 206
Coolant 463
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 464
Checking coolant level 288
Coolant warning lamp 348
Messages in the multifunction
display 383, 385
Temperature 278
Temperature gauge 141
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 136
Replacing bulbs 409
Courtesy lighting 139
Cruise control 214
Messages in the multifunction
display 364, 365
Cup holder 243
Curb weight 323D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 163
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 196
Defrosting, Front 195
Defrosting, Rear 187
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 164
Interior lighting 165
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 60
With starting the engine 54
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 149
Dimensions, Vehicle 455
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (tires) 294
Displays
Digital speedometer 149
Distronic* 156, 220, 222
Maintenance service indicator 330
Multifunction display 143Outside temperature 142, 149
Symbol messages 376
Text messages 361
Vehicle status message memory 156
Vehicle status messages 359
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 169
Distance warning function* 229
Activating 230
Deactivating 230
Intermittent warning sound 229
Symbol 222
Distronic* 218
“Resume” function 225
Activating 223
Cleaning system sensor cover 336
Control system 156, 222
Distance warning function* 229
Driving hints 227
System sensor cover 336
Warning and indicator
lamps 27, 220, 221, 229, 350