2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 engine

132 Controls in detail
Lighting
Low beam headlamps
The low beam headlamps can be switched
on and off with the exterior lamp switch
using the manual headlamp mode.
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB.
The following lamps switch on:

Low beam headlamps

Tail and parking lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps switch on and off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light:

Low beam headlamps

Tail and parking lamps

License plate lamps

Side marker lamps
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position U.
With the SmartKey in starter switch
position1 or the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button pressed once, the
tail and parking lamps, the license
plate lamps, and the side marker lamps
will switch on and off depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps, the tail and parking
lamps, the license plate lamps, and the
side marker lamps will switch on and
off depending on the brightness of the
ambient light.
Warning!G
If the exterior lamp switch is set toU,
the headlamps will not be automatically
switched on under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others,
activate headlamps by turning exterior lamp
switch to B when driving or when traffic
and/or ambient lighting conditions require
you to do so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only
switch from position U to B with the
vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from U to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid to the driver. The driver is responsible for
the operation of the vehicle’s lights at all
times.
iCanada only:
High beam headlamps are only available with the
exterior lamp switch in position B.

133 Controls in detail
Lighting
Daytime running lamp mode
In Canada the daytime running lamp mode
is mandatory and therefore in a constant
mode.
In the USA the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default. Activate the day-
time running lamp mode using the control
system, see “Setting daytime running lamp
mode (USA only)” (
page 163).
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionM orU.
When the engine is running, the low
beam headlamps are switched on.
In low ambient light conditions,
the following lamps will switch on
additionally:

Tail and parking lamps

Side marker lamps

License plate lampsCanada only:
When the engine is running and you shift
from a driving position to positionN orP
with the vehicle at a standstill, the low
beam headlamps will switch off with a
delay of 3 minutes.When the engine is running and you

turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionC, the low beam head-
lamps, the tail and parking lamps, the
license plate and the side marker
lamps switch on.

turn the exterior lamp switch to
position B, the manual headlamp
mode has priority over the daytime
running lamp mode
The corresponding exterior lamps
switch on (
page 131).
iWith the daytime running lamp mode activat-
ed and the engine running, the low beam head-
lamps cannot be switched off manually.
iWith the exterior lamp switch in
positionM or U, you cannot switch on the
high beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to position B to permit activation
of the high beam headlamps.

134 Controls in detail
Lighting
USA only:
When the engine is running and you turn
the exterior lamp switch to position
Cor B, the manual headlamp mode
has priority over the daytime running lamp
mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps switch
on (
page 131).Locator lighting and night security
illumination
Locator lighting and night security illumi-
nation are described in the control system
section, see “Setting locator lighting”
(
page 164) and “Setting night security il-
lumination” (
page 164).Fog lamps
iWith the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
positionM, you cannot switch on the high
beam headlamps.
The high beam flasher is available at all times.
For nighttime driving you should turn the exterior
lamp switch to position B or U to permit
activation of the high beam headlamps.
Warning!G
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position U to B with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from U to B will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions
may result in an accident.
iFog lamps will operate with the parking
lamps and/or the low beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations regarding
permissible lamp operation.
iThe fog lamps cannot be switched on with
the exterior lamp switch in position U. To
switch on the fog lamps, turn the exterior lamp
switch to position B first.

136 Controls in detail
Lighting
High beam
Canada only: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position B (
page 131).
or
USA only: Turn the exterior lamp switch
to positionB or U (
page 131).
Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
comes on.
Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow 2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high beam headlamp indicator
lamp A in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High beam flasher
Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow2.
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps*
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps
improve illumination of the area in the
direction into which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
operate with the engine running and with

the exterior lamp switch in
positionB (
page 131)
or

the exterior lamp switch in
positionU (
page 131)
or

the daytime running lamp mode
activated (
page 133)Driving forward
Switching on corner-illuminating front
fog lamps
Switch on the left or right turn signal
(
page 57), depending on whether
you are turning left or right.
The respective front fog lamp comes
on and illuminates the area in the
direction into which into which you
are turning.
or
Turn the steering wheel in the desired
direction.
The front fog lamp on the side of your
steering direction comes on.
iThe corner-illuminating front fog lamps will
only come on in low ambient lighting conditions.
iIf you are driving faster than
25 mph (40 km/h) or have the front fog lamps
switched on, the corner-illuminating function is
not available.
iIf you have switched on the turn signal for
one side but turn the steering wheel in the
opposite direction, the corner-illuminating lamp
comes on for the side indicated by the turn
signal.
The corner-illuminating front fog lamp remains lit
for a maximum of 3 minutes. Afterwards, it goes
out even if the turn signal is still switched on.

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.

141 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gaugeResetting trip odometer
Make sure you are viewing the trip
odometer display (
page 143).
If it is not displayed, press the
jork button on the multi-
function steering wheel repeatedly
until the trip odometer appears.
Press and hold reset button1
(
page 140) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Warning!G

Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.

Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
from the engine if you see or hear steam
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!Excessive coolant temperature triggers the
coolant temperature warning lamp (
page 348)
and a warning in the multifunction display
(
page 383).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
iDuring severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).

142 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Tachometer
The red marking on the tachometer de-
notes excessive engine speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the left or right multifunction display
(
page 160).The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. There-
fore, the accuracy of the displayed temper-
ature can only be verified by comparison to
a thermometer placed next the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays, e.g.
bank signs, etc.
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate
temperature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
!Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice. The road may still
be icy, especially in wooded areas or on
bridges.

147 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Table continued on next page.
Menu 1Menu 2Menu 3Menu 4Menu 5
Standard displayAMG1AUDIO NAVDistronic*
(page 149)(page 150)(page 153)(page 155)(page 156)
Commands/submenus
Calling up digital
speedometer/Outside
temperatureEngine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationShow route guidance
instructions, current
direction traveledCalling up settings
Calling up maintenance
service indicatorVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station
Checking tire inflation
pressureRACETIMEROperating CD player
Checking engine oil
level*Overall analysis
Lap analysis
1AMG vehicles only.