2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG park assist

269 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only
subjected to moderate loads, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (page 91).
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low or the electro-hydraulic brake
system may be malfunctioning if the brake
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
comes on and an acoustic warning sounds
although the parking brake is released
(
page 345).
Observe additional messages in the
multifunction display that may appear, see
(
page 377) through (page 382).
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
!Because the ESP® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position 0 or 1or KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button in position 0 or 1) when the
parking brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(
page 96).
!When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.

279 Operation
At the gas station
At the gas station
Refueling
The fuel filler flap is located on the
right-hand side of the vehicle towards the
rear.Locking/unlocking the vehicle with the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* automatically locks/un-
locks the fuel filler flap.
1Fuel filler flap
2Fuel filler cap
3HolderTurn off the engine
Vehicles with SmartKey: Remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch.
Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*: Open the
driver’s door (this puts the starter
switch in position 0, same as with the
SmartKey removed from starter
switch).
Open fuel filler flap 1 by pushing at
the point indicated by the arrow.
The fuel filler flap springs open.
Turn fuel cap 2 counterclockwise and
hold on to it until possible pressure is
released.
Take off fuel cap 2 and place it into
holder 3 located on the inside of the
fuel filler flap.
Only fill your tank until the filler nozzle
unit cuts out – do not top off or
overfill.
Warning!G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flame or smoking mate-
rials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and skin contact, extinguish
all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health.iIn case that the central locking system
does not release the fuel filler flap, or the
opening mechanism is clamping, notify Roadside
Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.


378 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
TReduced
Brake Effect
Depress brake
pedal fully.The electro-hydraulic brake system
is in emergency operation mode.
Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the brake
pedal travel is longer. The stopping
distance is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph (90 km/h).Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Do not drive any further.
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
blocking the wheels with wheel chocks or
other sizeable objects.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call for Roadside Assistance (
page 253).
Warning!G
Driving while this message is displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much
further than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(
page 434).

379 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
USA only:
;
Canada only:
3
Reduced
Brake Effect
Service
RequiredThe electro-hydraulic brake system
is in emergency operation mode.
Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the brake
pedal travel is longer. The stopping
distance is increased.Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Do not drive any further.
Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
blocking the wheels with wheel chocks or
other sizeable objects.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call for Roadside Assistance (
page 253).
Warning!G
Driving while this message is displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much
further than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(
page 434).

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.

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

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

484 Index
Tools 400
Total load limit 325
Tow-away alarm 100
Switch 32
Towing eye bolt 400
Installing 436
Towing the vehicle 434
TPMS (USA only) 305
Traction 93, 325
Transmission see Automatic transmission
Tread 325
Tread depth 293
Treadwear indicators 325
Trip computer 167
Trip odometer
Resetting 141
Trunk
Closing the lid 116
Lighting 139
Load assist 245
Messages in the multifunction
display 399Opening from inside vehicle 114
Opening/closing
system* 116, 117, 118
Parcel net 242
Power closing assist for trunk lid 121
Unlocking 114
Unlocking (KEYLESS-GO*) 114
Unlocking in an emergency 404
Unlocking separately 114
Valet locking 120
Trunk lid
Opening 115
Turn signal lamps
Cleaning lenses 336
Replacing bulbs 410, 413
Turn signals 25, 57
Exterior rear view mirrors 410, 413
Front bulbs 410
Indicator lamps 27
Rear bulbs 410
Turning off the engine 64U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 325
Units
Setting speedometer units 160
Unlocking the vehicle 38
In an emergency 403
Upholstery
Cleaning 340
Useful features
Floormat* 247
V
Vehicle
Locking 31
Locking in an emergency 405
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 235
Towing 434
Unlocking 31
Unlocking in an emergency 403