2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG high beam

134 Controls in detail
Lighting
USA only:
When the engine is running and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position
Cor B, the manual headlamp mode
has priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 131).Locator lighting and night security
illumination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section, see “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 164) and “Setting night security il-
lumination” (
page 164).Fog lamps
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
positionM, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to position B or U to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.
Warning!G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position U to B with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from U to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding
permissible lamp operation.
iThe fog lamps cannot be switched on with
the exterior lamp switch in position U. To
switch on the fog lamps, turn the exterior lamp
switch to position B first.

135 Controls in detail
Lighting
Front fog lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionCorB (
page 131).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to
first stop.
The front fog lamps switch on.
The green indicator lamp ‡ in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(
page 131).
Push in the exterior lamp switch.
The front fog lamps are switched off.
The green indicator lamp ‡ in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.Rear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position orB (
page 131).
Pull out the exterior lamp switch to
second stop.
The front fog lamps and the rear fog
lamp switch on.
The yellow indicator lamp † in the
lamp switch comes on (
page 131).
Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp is switched off.
The yellow indicator lamp † in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps remain lit.
Combination switch
Combination switch
1High beam
2High beam flasher

136 Controls in detail
Lighting
High beam
Canada only: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position B (
page 131).
or
USA only: Turn the exterior lamp switch
to positionB or U (
page 131).
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow 2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow2.
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
operate with the engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
positionB (
page 131)
or

the exterior lamp switch in
positionU (
page 131)
or

the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 133)Driving forward
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal
(
page 57), depending on whether
you are turning left or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes
on and illuminates the area in the
direction into which into which you
are turning.
or
Turn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
The front fog lamp on the side of your
steering direction comes on.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only come on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than
25 mph (40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps
switched on, the corner-illuminating function is
not available.
iIf you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
opposite direction, the corner-illuminating lamp
comes on for the side indicated by the turn
signal.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp remains lit
for a maximum of 3 minutes. Afterwards, it goes
out even if the turn signal is still switched on.

360 Practical hints
What to do if …
On the pages that follow, you will find a
compilation of the most important warning
and malfunction messages that may
appear in the multifunction display.
For your convenience the messages are
divided into two sections:

Text messages (page 361)

Symbol messages (page 376)
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative. Contact your nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
As a result, you will not be able to see
information about your driving conditions,
such as speed or outside temperature,
warning/indicator lamps,
malfunction/warning messages or the fail-
ure of any systems. Driving characteristics
may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
iSwitching on the ignition causes all instru-
ment cluster lamps (except high beam headlamp
indicator lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) as well as the multifunction dis-
play to come on. Make sure the lamps and the
multifunction display are in working order before
starting your journey.

393 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
.Front Foglamp
LeftThe left front fog lamp or left
corner-illuminating front fog lamp*
is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Front Foglamp
RightThe right front fog lamp or right
corner-illuminating front fog lamp*
is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
High Beam
LeftThe left high beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 409).
High Beam
RightThe right high beam lamp is mal-
functioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 409).
License Plate
Lamp – LeftThe left license plate lamp is mal-
functioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 409).
License Plate
Lamp – RightThe right license plate lamp is mal-
functioning.Replace the bulb as soon as possible
(
page 409).
Low Beam
LeftThe left low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Low Beam
RightThe right low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Marker Lamp
Front LeftThe front left side marker lamp is
malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.

410 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Front lamps Rear lamps
LampType
1 Additional turn signalLED
2Turn signal lamp1156 NA
3Low beam1,2
1Vehicles with Bi-Xenon* headlamps: Low beam
and high beam use the same D2S-35W lamp.
2Vehicles with Bi-Xenon* headlamps: Do not
replace the Xenon and Bi-Xenon* bulbs yourself.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
D2S-35W
4Xenon headlamp:
High beam, high beam
flasherH7 (55 W)
Bi-Xenon headlamp*:
High beam flasherH7 (55 W)
Parking and standing
lampW 5 W
5Front fog lamp,
Corner-illuminating
front fog lamp*H11 (55 W)
6Side marker lampW 5 W
LampType
7 Rear fog lamp
(driver’s side only)P 21 W
8 High mounted brake
lampLED
9 Backup lampP 21 W
a Tail, parking and
standing lamp, side
marker lampLED
b Brake lampLED
c License plate lampC 5 W
d Turn signal lampPY 21 W

411 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Notes on bulb replacement

Only use 12-volt bulbs of the same type
and with the specified watt rating.

Switch the lights off before changing a
bulb to prevent short circuits.

Always use a clean lint-free cloth when
handling bulbs.

Your hands should be dry and free of oil
and grease.

If the newly installed bulb does not
come on, visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Have the LEDs and bulbs for the following
lamps replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center:

the additional turn signals in the
exterior rear view mirrors

the high mounted brake lamp

the brake lamps

the parking lamps and the side marker
lamps in the tail lamp unit

the rear fog lamps

the low beam (Xenon or Bi-Xenon*)
lamps

the front fog lamps

the front side marker lamps
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
Before you start to replace a bulb for a
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position M (
page 131).
Open the hood (page 282).
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2High beam headlamp cover
3Low beam headlamp cover (Xenon or
Bi-Xenon* lamp). Do not remove.
!Do not replace the LEDs yourself. You could
otherwise damage the LEDs or parts of the
vehicle. Only have the LEDs replaced by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

412 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
4High beam bulbs
5Locking mechanism
6Parking and standing lampsFront turn signal bulb
Turn bulb socket 1 (page 411)
counterclockwise and pull it out.
Push the bulb into socket 1, turn
socket 1 counterclockwise and
remove it.
Insert the new bulb in bulb socket 1,
push and turn bulb socket 1 clock-
wise.
Reinsert bulb socket 1 in lamp hous-
ing and turn bulb socket 1 clockwise.High beam/high beam flasher bulbs
Press ends of headlamp cover tab
together and remove high beam head-
lamp cover 2 (
page 411).
Pull the electrical connector off.
Turn locking mechanism 5 counter-
clockwise and take out the bulb.
Insert the new bulb so that the base
locates in the recess on the holder.
Turn locking mechanism 5 clockwise.
Plug the connector onto the bulb.
Align high beam headlamp cover 2
and click it into place.Warning!G
Do not remove the cover for the Xenon or
Bi-Xenon* headlamp. Because of high
voltage in Xenon and Bi-Xenon* lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.