2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 start stop button

372 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
PGear Selector
Lever To PYou have tried to start the engine with
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
with the gear selector lever not in
position P.Place the gear selector lever in position P.
You have tried to turn off the engine
with the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button with the gear selector lever not
in position P.
Run Flat IndicatorInoperativeThe Run Flat Indicator is
malfunctioning.Have the Run Flat Indicator checked by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Run Flat Indicator has been
switched off due to an error.

380 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
2 Brake WearThe brake pads have reached their
wear limit.Have the brake pads replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
Warning!G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system
carried out by qualified technicians only.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for further information.
The electro-hydraulic brake system must be
deactivated prior to working on the system.
High pressure is intermittently built up in the
system as part of its automatic self-test.
In addition, the system is automatically
activated when the vehicle is unlocked by
remote control, when the driver or passen-
ger door is opened, when the SmartKey in
the starter switch is turned to position1 or
the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button is
pressed once, when the brake pedal
is depressed or when the parking brake is
released. Failure to deactivate the system
prior to maintenance will cause brake pis-
tons to extend and brake fluid to leak, which
may result in injuries (contusions and acid
burns). Extended brake pistons may also
cause injury.!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the intervals
specified in the Maintenance Booklet.

391 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
FKey
Not DetectedThe SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
not recognized while the engine is
running because:

The SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not in the vehi-
cle.

There is strong radio-frequency
interference.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Search for the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*.
Otherwise the vehicle cannot be centrally
locked nor can the engine be started again af-
ter the engine is stopped.
Operate the vehicle with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch.
Key
Not DetectedThe SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* is
not recognized when attempting to
start the engine with the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button* on
the gear selector lever because:

The SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* is not in the vehi-
cle.

The battery in the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* is not insert-
ed properly or completely dis-
charged.
Change the position of the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the vehicle.
Make sure the batteries in the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* are properly inserted
(
page 407) and are not discharged
(
page 113).
Start the engine with the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* in the starter switch if
necessary.

405 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical key
as follows:
Close the passenger door and the
trunk.
Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 122).
Check whether the locking knob on the
passenger door has moved down.
If necessary push it down manually.
Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (
page 403).
Check whether the trunk is locked.
If necessary, lock the trunk with the
mechanical key (
page 120).
Except for the driver’s door, the vehicle
should now be locked.
Insert mechanical key 2 into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key 2 clockwise to
position 1.
The driver’s door is locked.
iUnlocking the glove box with the mechanical
key will trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the following:

Press button Œ or ‹on the
SmartKey.

Insert the SmartKey in the starter switch.

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(
page 41).

Grasp an outside door handle (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO* only).
1Locking
2Mechanical key
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-theft
alarm system, nor does it lock the fuel filler flap
and the storage compartments.
The storage compartments can be locked
separately (
page 240).

423 Practical hints
Flat tire
Insert electrical plug 3 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket (
page 244)
or the power outlet in the trunk
(
page 246).
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever once
without depressing the brake pedal.
PressI on the electric air pump
switch2.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.
Inflate the spare tire:

SL 550 to 36 psi (2.5 bar)

SL 600, SL 55 AMG, SL 55 AMG
(Performance Package*), and
SL 65 AMG to 51 psi (3.5 bar)
This takes about 5 minutes.
Air hose4 and union nut5 can be-
come hot during inflation. Exercise
proper caution to avoid burning your-
self when using the equipment.
Press0 on the electric air pump
switch2.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0.
or
Press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
on the gear selector lever twice without
depressing the brake pedal.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.
If the spare tire inflation pressure is
above the recommended tire inflation
pressure for the respective collapsible
tire (
page 453), release excess spare
tire inflation pressure using the vent
screw.
!Compare the recommended tire inflation
pressure for your vehicle with the tire inflation
pressure on the yellow label located on the spare
wheel rim.
If the tire inflation pressure on the yellow label
on the spare wheel rim differs from the values
given in this Operator’s Manual, inflate the tire to
the recommended tire inflation pressure given
on the yellow label on the spare wheel rim.
!Do not operate the electric air pump longer
than 8 minutes without interruption. Otherwise it
may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again after it has
cooled off.


429 Practical hints
Batteries
Disconnecting the batteries
Apply the parking brake (page 63).
Make sure the gear selector lever is set
to position P (
page 172).
Close the retractable hardtop
(
page 204).
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.
Open the trunk.
Read and observe safety instructions
and precautions (
page 290).
Open the luggage cover in the trunk
(
page 211).
Remove the trunk floor.
The battery for electrical consumers is
located in the right hand area of the
trunk (
page 400).
Use the 10 mm open-end wrench from
the vehicle tool kit to disconnect the
negative lead from negative
terminal5 of the consumer battery
(
page 427).
Warning!G
With a disconnected battery

you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch and
pressing the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop
button on the gear selector lever will
have no effect

the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
!Always disconnect the batteries in the order
described below, even if you only want to charge
the starter battery, for example. Otherwise the
vehicle’s electronics can be damaged.


435 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
!If the vehicle is towed with the front axle
raised, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0 or1).
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground, the gear selector lever must be in
positionN and the SmartKey must be in starter
switch position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels on the
ground or the front axle raised, the vehicle
may be towed only for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h).
!Towing of the vehicle should only be done
using the properly installed towing eye bolt.
Never attach a tow cable, tow rope or tow rod to
the vehicle chassis, frame or suspension parts.
iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, please note the following:
With the automatic central locking activated and
the SmartKey in starter switch position2, or
KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button in position2,
the vehicle doors lock if the left front wheel as
well as the right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from locking,
deactivate the automatic central locking
(
page 122).
iTo signal turns while being towed with the
hazard warning flasher in use, turn SmartKey in
starter switch to position2 and activate the
combination switch for the left or right turn
signal in the usual manner – only the selected
turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard warn-
ing flasher will operate again.
iIf the battery is disconnected or discharged

the SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch

the gear selector lever will remain locked in
positionP.
For more information, see “Batteries”
(
page 427) and “Jump starting” (page 432).

475 Index
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 108
Batteries 407
Battery check lamp 108
Checking the batteries 113
Factory setting 111
Global locking 111, 112
Global unlocking 111, 112
Locking/unlocking 39, 65, 108
Loss of 113
Messages in the multifunction
display 390, 391
Opening, Trunk 115
Opening/closing retractable
hardtop 206
Remote control 108
Replacing batteries 407
Reprogramming 112
Restoring to factory settings 112
Selective setting 112
Starter switch positions 41
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 64
Unlocking, Trunk lid 114KEYLESS-GO*
Closing windows 203
Important notes 109
Locking/unlocking 39, 65, 108
Messages in the multifunction
display 390
Start/stop button 31, 41, 54
Starter switch positions 41
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 64
Unlocking, Trunk lid 114
Kickdown 175
Kilopascal 323
Knee bag 74
L
Labels, identification 444
Lamp bulbs, exterior 409
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 164
Exterior lamp switch 25, 57
Front 410
Light sensor 392
Replacing bulbs for rear 410, 414
Switching off 131
Switching on 131Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 344
ABS/ESP
®342
Brakes 345
CHECK ENGINE 346, 347
Coolant 348
Distronic* indicator and warning
lamp 27, 221
Electro-hydraulic brake system 94
Engine diagnostics 346, 347
Engine malfunction 29
ESP
®91
Fuel reserve 350
Passenger front air
bag off 74, 78, 357
Seat belt telltale 352
Seat belts 352–353
SRS 69, 354
Turn signals 27
Language
Multifunction display 160
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 340
License plate lamps 163, 410, 414
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 338