2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG ignition

122 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Power closing assist for trunk lid
Press the trunk lid gently into its lock.
The trunk closes automatically.
Automatic central locking
The doors and the trunk lid lock automati-
cally when the vehicle is set into motion.
You can deactivate the automatic locking
using the control system (
page 166).
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the vehicle from
inside using the central locking switches.
This can be useful, for example, if you want
to unlock the passenger door from the
inside or want to lock the vehicle before
starting to drive.
The central locking switches do not lock or
unlock the fuel filler flap or the interior
storage compartments, such as the glove
box.
Warning!G
Make sure the trunk is closed when the
engine is running and while driving.
Among other dangers, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle
interior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
iYou can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact exceeds a
preset threshold.
The vehicle locks automatically when the
ignition is switched on and the wheels are
turning at vehicle speeds of approximately
9 mph (15 km/h) or more. You could therefore
lock yourself out when the vehicle

is pushed

is on a test stand
Warning!G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.

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.

126 Controls in detail
Seats
Seat heating
Vehicles without seat ventilation*
The red indicator lamps on the switch
indicate the selected heating level:
1Normal heating
2Rapid heating
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Switching on seat heating
Press lower switch position1.
A red indicator lamp on the switch
comes on.
Switching off seat heating
Press lower switch position1 once
more.Switching on rapid seat heating
Press upper switch position2.
Both red indicator lamps on the switch
come on.
Switching off rapid seat heating
Press upper switch position2 once
more. Level
2Two red indicator lamps on
(rapid seat heating)
The seat heating automatically
switches to level1 after
approximately 5 minutes.
1One red indicator lamp on
(normal seat heating)
The seat heating automatically
switches off after approximately
30 minutes.
offNo indicator lamp on
iIf one lamp or both lamps on the seat
heating switch are flashing, there is insufficient
voltage available since too many electrical con-
sumers are turned on. The seat heating switches
off automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.

127 Controls in detail
Seats
Vehicles with seat ventilation*
The red indicator lamps on the switch
indicate the selected heating level:
1Seat heating switch
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Switching on seat heating
Press switch1 repeatedly until the
desired heating level is set.
One or two red indicator lamps on the
switch show the selected heating level. Switching off seat heating
Press switch1 repeatedly until all red
indicator lamps go out.
Level
2Two red indicator lamps on
(rapid seat heating)
The seat heating automatically
switches to level1 after approxi-
mately 5 minutes.
1One red indicator lamp on
(normal seat heating)
The seat heating automatically
switches off after approximately
30 minutes.
offNo red indicator lamp on
iIf one or both of the lamps on the seat
heating switch are flashing, there is insufficient
voltage available since too many electrical con-
sumers are turned on. The seat heating switches
off automatically.
The seat heating will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.

128 Controls in detail
Seats
Seat ventilation*
The blue indicator lamps on the switch
indicate the selected ventilation level:
1Seat ventilation switch
Switch on the ignition (page 40).Switching on seat ventilation
Press switch1.
Three blue indicator lamps on the
switch come on.
Continue pressing switch 1 until the
desired seat ventilation level is
reached.
Switching off seat ventilation
Press switch1 repeatedly until all
blue indicator lamps go out.
Level
3Three blue indicator lamps on
(highest level)
2Two blue indicator lamps on
1One blue indicator lamp on
(lowest level)
offNo blue indicator lamp on
iIf one or all of the lamps on the seat
ventilation switch are flashing, there is insuffi-
cient voltage available since too many electrical
consumers are turned on. The seat ventilation
switches off automatically.
The seat ventilation will switch back on again
automatically as soon as sufficient voltage is
available.

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.

138 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching on the hazard warning
flasher
Press hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signals are flashing.
Switching off the hazard warning
flasher
Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
Interior lighting
The interior lighting controls are located in
the overhead control panel.
1Left reading lamp on/off
2Right reading lamp on/off
3Interior lighting on/off
4Slide switch for interior lighting controlDeactivating automatic control
Slide switch4 to the right.
The interior lighting and the entry/exit
lamps remain switched off in darkness,
even when you

unlock the vehicle

remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch

open a door

open the trunk
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either left
or right turn, only the respective left or right
turn signals will operate when the ignition is
switched on.
iIf the hazard warning flasher was activated
automatically, press hazard warning flasher
switch1 once to switch it off.
!An interior lamp switched on manually does
not go out automatically.
Leaving the interior lighting switch in the ON
position for extended periods of time with the
engine turned off could result in discharged
batteries.
iThe interior lighting is factory-set to
automatic mode.