2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 center console

83 Safety and Security
Occupant safety
When activated, emergency tensioning
devices remove slack from the seat belts in
such a way that the seat belts fit more
snugly against the body. Seat belt force
limiters reduce the force exerted by the
seat belts on occupants during a crash.
Automatic comfort-fit feature seat belt
The automatic comfort-fit feature reduces
the retracting force of the seat belts when
they are in normal use.Roll bar
The roll bar raises automatically in an acci-
dent or in a critical driving situation.You can also raise and lower the roll bar
manually using the buttons provided.
The buttons for the roll bar are on the cen-
ter console under the retractable hardtop
switch.
1Raise roll bar
2Lower roll bar
The roll bar can be moved manually when
the ignition is switched on (
page 40).
Warning!G
An emergency tensioning device (ETD) that
was activated must be replaced.
When disposing of the emergency tension-
ing device, our safety instructions must be
followed. These are available at any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!G
This vehicle is a two occupant vehicle. The
rear storage area is not intended for use by
occupants and is not equipped for properly
seating or restraining occupants. Thus this
area should never be used by any persons.
Make sure that the roll bar’s path is clear
and no persons are injured by the moving
roll bar. Raising or lowering of the roll bar
could injure someone in it’s proximity.
For your own safety, we recommend to drive
with the roll bar raised if the outside temper-
ature is below +5°F (-15°C).
!If the outside temperature falls below
+5°F (-15°C), the roll bar must be raised manu-
ally using the buttons provided to avoid damag-
ing the hydraulics.
iWhen the roll bar is raised automatically,
you will hear a ratcheting sound.

94 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The switch is located in the lower part of
the center console.
1ESP
® switch
Press ESP® switch1 until the
ABS/ESP® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is switched off.Switching on the ESP
®
Press ESP® switch1.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in
the instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
Electro-hydraulic brake system
The electro-hydraulic brake system com-
bines a hydraulic brake circuit with elec-
tronically controlled brake servo
assistance. You have increased braking
safety and improved braking comfort.iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/ESP®
warning lamp v in the speedometer flashes.
However, the ESP
® will then not stabilize the
vehicle.
Warning!G
When the ABS/ESP® warning lampv is
illuminated continuously, the ESP® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers reduces.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an
extended period with the ESP® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!G
Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated
in the speedometer display, for example by
the;(USA only) or3(Canada only)
warning lamp. Refer to the “Practical hints”
section (
page 345). Also read and ob-
serve the messages in the instrument clus-
ter multifunction display (
page 377).

99 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
The alarm system will also be triggered
when

someone attempts to raise the vehicle

unlocking and opening the driver’s
door, the trunk, or the glove box with
the mechanical key

someone opens a door from the inside

someone opens the trunk lid with the
emergency release buttonArming the alarm system
The alarm system indicator lamp is located
in the locking switch in the upper part of
the center console.
1Alarm system indicator lamp
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
and an acoustic warning sounds three
times to indicate that the alarm system
is armed.
Alarm system indicator lamp 1 starts
flashing.Disarming the alarm system
Unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or KEYLESS-GO*.
The turn signal lamps flash once and an
acoustic warning sounds once to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed.
Alarm system indicator lamp 1 goes
out.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system
(
page 252) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and that nec-
essary cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times and no acoustic warning sounds three
times, a door or the trunk lid may not be properly
closed.
Close the respective element and lock the
vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automatically
again after approximately 40 seconds if no door
was opened.

100 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
With the SmartKey
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
or
Press theŒor‹button on the
SmartKey.
With KEYLESS-GO*
Grasp an outside door handle.
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be within 3 ft (1 m) of the vehicle.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO start/stop but-
ton (
page 41).
The SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO must
be inside the vehicle.
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle. Arming tow-away alarm
Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey or
KEYLESS-GO*
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.
Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
disable the tow-away alarm feature before
towing the vehicle, or when parking on a
surface subject to movement, such as a
ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the center
console between the driver’s seat and the
passenger seat.
iIf the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is
initiated automatically by the Tele Aid system
(
page 252) provided Tele Aid service was
subscribed to and properly activated, and that
necessary cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the tow-away
protection disarms automatically. The tow-away
alarm remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.

137 Controls in detail
Lighting
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
The combination switch for the turn signal
resets automatically after major steering
wheel movements. This will switch off the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps if they
were activated by switching on the left or
right turn signal.If the turn signal should stay on after
making the turn, the turn signal and
corner-illuminating front fog lamp can be
switched off by returning the combination
switch to its original position.
Driving in reverse
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lampsPlace the gear selector lever in
positionR.
The front fog lamp opposite to your
steering direction comes on.
Switching off corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Place the gear selector lever out of
positionR.
The respective front fog lamp goes out.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter switch
or with the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
removed from the vehicle.
The hazard warning flasher switches on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is
located on the upper part of the
center console.
1Hazard warning flasher switchiThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps
temporarily come on both sides of the vehicle
if you turn the steering wheel in one direction
and then again in the other direction shortly
thereafter.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps
will come on automatically depending on the
steering angle, even if you did not switch on
either turn signal.
If the corner-illuminating front fog lamps came
on automatically, they will also go out automati-
cally depending on the steering angle.iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating front fog lamps switch off.

139 Controls in detail
Lighting
Activating automatic control
Slide switch4 to the left.
The interior lighting switches on in
darkness when you

unlock the vehicle

remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch

open a door
In addition, the entry/exit lamps in
the doors come on.

open the trunk
The interior lighting switches off after
approximately 10 seconds, see
“Setting interior lighting delayed
switch-off” (
page 165).Manual control
Switching interior lighting on and off
Press switch3.
The interior lighting switches on.
Press switch3 once more.
The interior lighting switches off.
Switching reading lamps on and off
Press reading lamp switch1 or2 to
switch on the desired reading lamp.
Press reading lamp switch1 or2
again to switch off the respective
reading lamp.
Courtesy lighting
For better orientation in the dark, courtesy
lamps will illuminate the interior of your
vehicle as follows:
With parking lamps switched on:

the door handles

the driver and passenger footwells
With SmartKey in starter switch position1:

the door handles

the center console
Trunk lamp
The trunk lamp switches on when the trunk
is opened.
If the trunk lid remains open, the trunk
lighting switches off automatically after ap-
proximately 10 minutes.iIf a door remains open, the interior lighting
switches off automatically after approximately
5minutes.
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 and switch off the head-
lamps, the door handle lamps will remain lit for
approximately 5 minutes.

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.

155 Controls in detail
Control system
Operating the CD player
Selecting CD track
Turn on COMAND and select CD. Refer
to the separate COMAND operating
instructions.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until the settings for the CD currently
being played appear in the right multi-
function display.
1Current CD (with additional number
from 1 to 6 when running from CD
changer)
2Current track
Press button k or j repeatedly
until the desired track is selected.Selecting MP3-CD track
Turn on COMAND and select MP3-CD.
Refer to the separate COMAND
operating instructions.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until the settings for the MP3-CD
currently being played appear in the
right multifunction display.
1Current track
Press button k or j repeatedly
until the desired track is selected.
NAV menu
The
NAV menu contains the functions
needed to operate your navigation system.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the message
NAV in the
left multifunction display.
The message shown in the multifunction
display depends on the status of the
navigation system:

With COMAND switched off, the
message
NAV OFF appears in the
multifunction display.

With COMAND switched on but route
guidance not activated, the direction of
travel and, if applicable, the name of
the street currently traveled on appear
in the multifunction display.

With COMAND switched on and route
guidance activated, the direction of
travel and maneuver instructions
appear in the multifunction display.
iTo select a CD from the magazine of the
CD changer, press a number on the COMAND
system key pad located in the upper center
console.