2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG air condition

Contents
Instrument cluster ............................. 140
Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination .................................. 140
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 141
Resetting trip odometer ............... 141
Tachometer .................................. 142
Outside temperature indicator ..... 142
Control system .................................. 143
Multifunction display .................... 143
Multifunction steering wheel ........ 144
Menus .......................................... 146
Standard display menu ................ 149
AMG menu ................................... 150
AUDIO menu ................................ 153
NAV menu .................................... 155
Distronic* menu........................... 156
Vehicle status message memory
menu ............................................ 156
Settings menu .............................. 157
Trip computer menu..................... 167
TEL* menu ................................... 169Automatic transmission...................... 172
Gear selector lever........................ 172
Shifting procedure ........................ 173
Gear selector lever positions ........ 174
Driving tips.................................... 175
Gear ranges .................................. 176
Automatic shift program ............... 177
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting ................................... 179
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* ................ 180
Manual shift program
(SL55AMGandSL65AMG only) 182
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ....................... 184
Good visibility ..................................... 185
Headlamp cleaning system ........... 185
Rear view mirrors .......................... 185
Sun visors ..................................... 186
Rear window defroster .................. 187Automatic climate control .................. 188
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 191
Operating the automatic
climate control system in
automatic mode............................ 192
Setting the temperature ............... 193
Adjusting air distribution .............. 194
Adjusting air volume ..................... 195
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 195
Front defroster ............................. 195
Air recirculation mode .................. 196
Air conditioning ............................ 198
Residual heat and ventilation........ 199
Ventilated glove box ..................... 200

Contents
Technical data.................................. 441
Parts service ...................................... 442
Warranty coverage ............................. 443
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet...................... 443
Identification labels............................ 444
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 446
SL 550.......................................... 446
SL 55 AMG ................................... 446
SL 600, SL 65 AMG ...................... 446
Engine ................................................ 447
Rims and tires .................................... 449
Same size tires ............................. 450
Mixed size tires ............................ 451
Spare wheel ................................. 453
Electrical system................................ 454
Main dimensions................................ 455
Weights .............................................. 456Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 457
Capacities .................................... 457
Engine oils.................................... 460
Engine oil additives ...................... 460
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 460
Brake fluid .................................... 460
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 461
Fuel requirements ........................ 461
Gasoline additives ........................ 462
Coolants....................................... 463
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 465Index................................................. 467

11 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to
a replacement of your vehicle or a refund
of the purchase price or lease price, if
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its
authorized repair or service facilities fail to
fix one or more substantial defects or mal-
functions in the vehicle that are covered by
its express warranty after a reasonable
number of repair attempts. During the
period of 18 months from original delivery
of the vehicle or the accumulation of
18 000 miles (approximately 29 000 km)
on the odometer of the vehicle, whichever
occurs first, a reasonable number of repair
attempts is presumed for a retail buyer
or lessee if one or more of the following
occurs: (1) the same substantial defect or mal-
function results in a condition that is
likely to cause death or serious bodily
injury if the vehicle is driven, that de-
fect or malfunction has been subject to
repair two or more times, and you have
directly notified Mercedes-Benz USA,
LLC in writing of the need for its repair,
(2) the same substantial defect or mal-
function of a less serious nature than
category (1) has been subject to repair
four or more times and you have direct-
ly notified us in writing of the need for
its repair, or(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason
of repair of the same or different sub-
stantial defects or malfunctions for a
cumulative total of more than
30 calendar days.
Written notification should not be sent to a
dealer, it should be addressed to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350

109 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Important notes on using KEYLESS-GO

You can also use the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO like a normal SmartKey
(
page 104).

You can combine KEYLESS-GO func-
tions with normal SmartKey functions
(e.g. unlocking with KEYLESS-GO and
locking with the ‹button).

Always carry the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO with you.

Never store the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO together with:

Electronic items such as a cellular
phone or another SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO

Metallic objects such as coins or
metal foil
Doing so could impair the function of
the KEYLESS-GO system.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iYou can also close the power windows
(
page 201) and the retractable hardtop using
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO (
page 206).
iWhen you unlock the vehicle, the
electro-hydraulic brake system is activated.
!If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO, then the
batteries in the SmartKey are discharged, the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is malfunctioning or
the vehicle battery is drained.

Check the batteries in the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO (
page 113) and replace
them if necessary (
page 407).

Use the mechanical key to unlock the
driver’s door (
page 403) and the
trunk (
page 404).

Have the vehicle batteries and their
connections checked (
page 427).

Use the mechanical key to lock or unlock the
doors (
page 405).
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is malfunc-
tioning, contact Roadside Assistance or an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

140 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(
page 26).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when
you

open a door

switch on the ignition (page 40)

press reset button 1

switch on the exterior lamps
Opening a door will activate the instrument
cluster only for about 30 seconds.You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 160).Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Use the reset button to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness for the instrument cluster
and the switches on the center console.
To brighten illumination
Turn reset button 1 in the instrument
cluster clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination
Turn reset button 1 in the instrument
cluster counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Warning!G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
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
failure of any systems. Driving characteris-
tics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened to suit ambient light
conditions.

191 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the A/Cmode is deactivated
(
page 198).Deactivating the automatic climate
control system
Deactivating
Press button ´ (page 190).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Warning!G
Severe conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before
its scheduled replacement interval.
A clogged filter will reduce the air volume to
the interior and the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others. Have a clogged filter replaced as
soon as possible at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following pag-
es. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you and
others.
iIf the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the in-
terior before driving off. The automatic climate
control will then adjust the interior temperature
to the set value much faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the wind-
shield free of snow and debris.
When the retractable hardtop is closed, do not
obstruct air flow by placing objects on the air
flow-through exhaust slots below the rear win-
dow.Warning!G
When the automatic climate control system
is switched off, the outside air supply and
circulation are also switched off. Only
choose this setting for a short time when the
retractable hardtop is closed. Otherwise the
windows could fog up, impairing visibility
and endangering you and others.

196 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Activating
Press button P (page 190).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches to the
following functions automatically:

cooling on to dehumidify

maximum blower speed and
heating power

air flows onto the windshield
and the front side windows

the air recirculation mode is
switched off
Deactivating
Press button P (page 190).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are in effect
again.Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(
page 58).
If the automatic air distribution and air vol-
ume are switched off:
Turn air distribution controls1 and 5
(
page 190) to position h ork.
or
Press control buttons 1, 5 and 9
(
page 190).
The control buttons are engaged.
TheU symbol on the control
buttons come on. Air distribution and
air volume are adjusted automatically.
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.
iThe cooling remains switched on.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 198) is activated, or
press buttonP.

197 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Activating
Briefly press button,
(
page 190).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating
Briefly press button,
(
page 190).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air.Air recirculation mode with conve-
nience closing or opening feature
Activating
Press and hold button,.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air recirculation mode is
activated. The windows will close.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically

at high outside temperatures

if the concentration of carbon monoxide
(CO) and/or nitrogen oxide (NO
x) in the out-
side air increases, for example in a tunnel
The indicator lamp on button, is not lit when
the air recirculation mode is automatically
switched on.
A quantity of outside air is added after approxi-
mately 30 minutes.
iThe manually selected air recirculation
mode is deactivated automatically

after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is
below approximately 41°F (5°C)

after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off

after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 41°F (5°C)
Warning!G
Never operate the windows if there is the
possibility of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the windows
can be immediately halted by releasing
the, button or by pressing and pulling
the respective window switch.