2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG length

153 Controls in detail
Control system
Overall analysis
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the overall analysis.
1Overall analysis of RACETIMER
2Overall driving time
3Maximum speed
4Average speed
5Overall distance drivenLap analysis
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the AMG menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the lap analysis.
1Lap number
2Lap time
3Maximum speed
4Average speed during lap
5Lap length
Press button j or k to see other
lap analyses.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
AUDIO menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
AUDIO OFF appears in the
right multifunction display.
The following functions are available:
iThese functions are only available if you
have saved at least one lap and have stopped the
RACETIMER.iThese functions are only available if you
have saved at least two laps and have stopped
the RACETIMER.
iEach lap is shown in its own submenu. The
fastest lap is indicated by flashing symbol 1.
FunctionPage
Selecting radio station154
Selecting satellite radio station154
Operating CD player155

177 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
The selected gear range appears in the
right multifunction display.
1Current gear rangeAutomatic shift program
The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
Effect
ïThe transmission shifts through
sixth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
îThe transmission shifts through
fifth gear only (applies to
vehicles with 7-speed automatic
transmission only).
éThe transmission shifts through
fourth gear only.
Effect
èThe transmission shifts through
third gear only.
With this selection you can use
the braking effect of the engine.
çThe transmission shifts through
second gear only.
Allows the use of engine’s
braking power when driving

on steep downgrades

in mountainous regions

under extreme operating
conditions
æThe transmission operates in
first gear only.
For maximum use of engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.

211 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Closing luggage cover
Closed luggage cover
1Luggage cover
2Zipper
3Side holder
4Handle
Pull out luggage cover 1 in direction of
arrow using handle4.
Hook luggage cover 1 into left and
right side holders3.Opening luggage cover
Unhook luggage cover 1 from side
holders 3.
While holding on to handle4, guide
luggage cover 1 in the opposite
direction of arrow.
Removing luggage cover
Closed luggage cover
1Luggage cover
2Zipper
3Side holder
4Handle
Fold back the entire length of the
zipper’s cloth cover.
Completely open zipper 2 while the
luggage cover is closed.
Open luggage cover 1 see “Opening
luggage cover” (
page 211).
The tensioning clasps are on the left and
right sides of the trunk.
Opened luggage cover
5Tensioning clasp
6Retainer spring


213 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Fold retainer springs of tensioning
clasps downward and clip them into
holders on both sides (
page 211).
Close tensioning clasps on both sides
by pressing them upward.
Pull handle of luggage cover towards
the rear.
Clip eyelets onto side trim panels.
Close the zipper completely
(
page 211).
Fold back the zipper’s cloth cover
across the entire length of the luggage
cover.Sunshade for panorama roof*
The sunshade protects you from excessive
sunlight coming in through the panorama
roof.
1Stop buttons
2HandleOpening
Squeeze stop buttons1 and guide the
sunshade towards the rear.
Closing
Using handle2, slide the sunshade
towards the front of the vehicle.Warning!G
Do not operate the sunshade while driving.
Adjusting the sunshade while driving could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehi-
cle.

262 Controls in detail
Useful features
Operation of integrated remote control
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Select and press the appropriate inte-
grated signal transmitter button (2,
3 or4) to activate the remote con-
trolled device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as
long as the button is pressed – up to
20 seconds.
Erasing the integrated remote control
memory
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Simultaneously press and hold outer
signal transmitter buttons2 and 4,
for approximately 20 seconds, until the
indicator lamp1 flashes rapidly. Do
not hold for longer than 30 seconds.
The codes of all three channels are
erased.Programming tips
If you are having difficulty programming
the integrated remote control, here are
some helpful tips:

Check the frequency of hand-held re-
mote control5 (typically located on
the reverse side of the remote). The in-
tegrated remote control is compatible
with radio-frequency devices operating
between 280-390 MHz.

Put a new battery in hand-held remote
control5. This will increase the likeli-
hood of the hand-held remote control
sending a faster and more accurate sig-
nal to the integrated remote control.

While performing step 3, hold
hand-held remote control5 at
different lengths and angles from the
signal transmitter button (2, 3 or4)
you are programming. Attempt varying
angles at the distance of
2 to 5 in (5 to 12 cm) away or the
same angle at varying distances.

If another hand-held remote control is
available for the same device, try the
programming steps again using that
other hand-held remote control. Make
sure new batteries are in the hand-held
remote control before beginning the
procedure.

Straighten the antenna wire from the
garage door opener assembly. This
may help improve transmitting and/or
receiving signals.
iIf you sell your vehicle, erase the codes of all
three channels.
iCertain types of garage door openers are in-
compatible with the integrated remote control. If
you should experience further difficulties with
programming the integrated remote control,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, or
call Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA only) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.

275 Operation
Driving instructions
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal brake effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 327).
Standing water
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking ma-
neuvers.
Warning!G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure that snow is kept clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around the vehicle with the
engine running. Otherwise, deadly carbon
monoxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle in-
terior resulting in unconsciousness and
death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the ve-
hicle not facing the wind.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an Ice-Warning Device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice.
!Do not drive through flooded areas or water
of unknown depth. Before driving through water,
determine its depth. Never accelerate before
driving into water. The bow wave could force wa-
ter into the engine and auxiliary equipment, thus
damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water, drive
slowly to prevent water from entering the pas-
senger compartment or the engine compart-
ment. Water in these areas could cause damage
to electrical components or wiring of the engine
or transmission, or could result in water being in-
gested by the engine through the air intake,
causing severe internal engine damage. Any
such damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

432 Practical hints
Jump starting
If the starter battery is discharged, the en-
gine can be started with jumper cables and
the battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic
converter are cold.

Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.

Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a higher voltage battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross section and insulated terminal
clamps.

Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Jump starting may only be performed on the
battery installed in the engine compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuc-
cessful starting attempts, have it checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the
catalytic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.

455 Technical data
Main dimensions
Main dimensions
ModelSL 550SL 600SL 55 AMGSL 65 AMG
Overall vehicle length178.7 in (4 540 mm)178.7 in (4 540 mm)178.5 in (4 535 mm)178.5 in (4 535 mm)
Overall vehicle length when
opening/closing hardtop185.6 in (4 713 mm)185.6 in (4 713 mm)185.6 in (4 713 mm)185.6 in (4 713 mm)
Overall vehicle width
(exterior mirrors folded in)74.4 in (1889 mm)74.4 in (1889 mm)74.4 in (1889 mm)74.4 in (1889 mm)
Overall vehicle width
(exterior mirrors folded out)80.0 in (2 033 mm)80.0 in (2 033 mm)80.0 in (2 033 mm)80.0 in (2 033 mm)
Overall vehicle height51.0 in (1 295 mm)51.0 in (1 295 mm)51.0 in (1 295 mm)51.0 in (1 295 mm)
Overall vehicle height when
opening/closing hardtop65.9 in (1 674 mm)65.9 in (1 674 mm)65.9 in (1 674 mm)65.9 in (1 674 mm)
Wheelbase100.8 in (2 560 mm)100.8 in (2 560 mm)100.8 in (2 560 mm)100.8 in (2 560 mm)
Track, front61.4 in (1 559 mm)61.4 in (1 559 mm)61.8 in (1 569 mm)61.8 in (1 569 mm)
Track, rear60.5 in (1 537 mm)60.5 in (1 537 mm)61.2 in (1 555 mm)61.1 in (1 551 mm)
Turning circle36.1 ft (11.0 m)36.1 ft (11.0 m)36.1 ft (11.0 m)36.1 ft (11.0 m)