2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 ECU

209 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop

The hardtop drive system was shut
down for safety reasons after multiple,
consecutive attempts to raise or lower
the hardtop. After about 10 minutes
you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Repeat the opening or closing
procedure.
If the retractable hardtop still does
not open, close, or lock properly,
have the retractable hardtop sys-
tem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

There is a malfunction in the retract-
able hardtop system.
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Wind screen
The wind screen deflects drafts away from
the driver and passenger when the retract-
able hardtop is lowered. It is stored in the
trunk.
Installing
Leave the wind screen folded and place
it on the roll bar.1Guide tabs
Slide the wind screen into the roll bar
until guide taps 1 on each side latch
underneath the roll bar.
Make sure the fastening straps do not
get caught.
Adjust the roll bar to a height
(
page 83) that allows you to reach
easily underneath it.
Warning!G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s vi-
sion to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent a
possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.

238 Controls in detail
Useful features
Storage compartments Glove box
1Glove box lid release
2Glove box lid
Opening glove box
Press glove box lid release1.
Glove box lid 2 opens downward.
Closing glove box
Push glove box lid 2 up to close.Door storage compartments
1Release button
2Storage compartment lid
Warning!G
To help avoid personal injury during a colli-
sion or sudden maneuver, exercise care
when storing objects in the vehicle. Put lug-
gage or cargo in the trunk if possible. Do not
pile luggage or cargo higher than the seat
backs. Do not place anything on shelf be-
hind roll bar.
Parcel nets cannot secure hard or heavy ob-
jects.
Keep compartment lids closed. This will help
to prevent stored objects from being thrown
about and injuring vehicle occupants during
an accident.
Warning!G
Keep the door storage compartments
closed while vehicle is in motion. Failure to
do so may cause the seat belt to catch at the
rear and prevent proper positioning of the
seat belt.

242 Controls in detail
Useful features
Parcel nets in trunk
There are three nets available in the trunk
to secure loads:

a pocket net on each side of the right
and left trunk side walls

a trunk floor net
Pull the trunk floor net from the trunk
back wall towards the front over the
luggage.
Hang the hooks of the net on the eyes
on the trunk floor.Luggage compartment in the rear
1Strap
2Holder
3Latch
4Release button
Warning!G
Secure all pieces of luggage in the rear with
the luggage straps. Unsecured pieces of
luggage can otherwise cause injury during a
braking maneuver and can increase the risk
of injury in an accident.
Never allow anyone to ride in the rear.
The luggage straps can only secure light lug-
gage items. Carry heavy pieces of luggage in
the trunk.
The rear compartment area is not designed
or intended to accommodate occupants.
Severe personal injury or death may be the
result in an accident.

243 Controls in detail
Useful features
Pull strap1 out of holder2.
Secure the luggage with the strap so
that it cannot move.
Insert strap1 into latch3.
Releasing strap
Press release button4 and guide
strap1 back to holder2.
Cup holders
1Left cup holder
2Right cup holder
Opening
Briefly press cup holder cover.
The cup holder opens automatically.
Warning!G
The shelf below the rear window should not
be used to carry objects. This will avoid such
objects from being thrown about and injur-
ing vehicle occupants during an accident or
sudden maneuver.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Warning!G
In order to help prevent spilling liquids on
vehicle occupants and/or vehicle equip-
ment, only use containers that fit into the
cup holder. Use lids on open containers and
do not fill containers to a height where the
contents, especially hot liquids, could spill
during braking, vehicle maneuvers, or in an
accident. Liquids spilled on vehicle occu-
pants may cause serious personal injury.
Liquids spilled on vehicle equipment may
cause damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When not in use, keep the cup holder
closed. An open cup holder may cause injury
to or others when contacted during braking,
vehicle maneuvers, or in an accident.
Keep in mind that objects placed in the cup
holder may come lose during braking, vehi-
cle maneuvers, or in an accident and be
thrown around in the vehicle interior. Ob-
jects thrown around in the vehicle interior
may cause an accident and/or serious per-
sonal injury.

244 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtray
1Cover plate
2Sliding knob
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Closing ashtray
Press cover plate1 down until it
latches.Removing the ashtray insert
Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake.
Move the gear selector lever to
positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.
Press sliding knob2 to the right.
The insert will eject a short distance.
Replacing the ashtray insert
Press the insert into the frame until it
snaps into place.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Warning!G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Move gear selector lever to
positionN. With gear selector lever in
positionN, turn off the engine.
Warning!G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
from the starter switch, take it with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children
unattended in the vehicle, or with access to
an unlocked vehicle. A child’s unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an
accident and/or serious personal injury.

247 Controls in detail
Useful features
Floormat*
1Eyelet
2Retainer pin
Removing
Pull floormat off of retainer pin2 in
direction of arrow1.
Remove the floormat.
Installing
Lay down the floormat.
Press the floormat eyelet1 onto
retainer pin2.
Telephone*
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit, should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
The external antenna must be approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on the installation of an approved
external antenna. Refer to the radio trans-
mitter operation instructions regarding use
of an external antenna.
Warning!G
Whenever you are using floormats, make
sure there is enough clearance and the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats should always be securely fas-
tened using eyelets1 and retainer pins2.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if
necessary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal move-
ment.
iTo install or remove the floormat more
easily, move the driver’s seat as far to the rear
as possible (
page 43).
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.

276 Operation
Driving instructions
Passenger compartment
Driving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters
COMAND, radio and telephoneTelephones and two-way radios
Radio transmitters, such as a portable tele-
phone or a citizens band unit should only
be used inside the vehicle if they are con-
nected to an antenna that is installed on
the outside of the vehicle.
Refer to the radio transmitter operation in-
structions regarding use of an external an-
tenna.
Warning!G
Always fasten items being carried as secure-
ly as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry ob-
jects.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle safely.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit Man-
agement and Data System), radio or tele-
phone
1 if road, weather, and traffic
conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just
30 mph (approximately 50 km/h), your
vehicle is covering a distance of
44 feet (approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
Warning!G
Never operate radio transmitters equipped
with a built-in or attached antenna (i.e. with-
out being connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the engine is
running. Doing so could lead to a malfunc-
tion of the vehicle’s electronic system, pos-
sibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury.

283 Operation
Engine compartment
Pull hood release1.
The hood is unlocked.
2Lever for opening the hood
Push lever2 on the hood upwards.
Pull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts. Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 11/2ft (50 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new

the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.Warning!G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hand or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged be-
fore driving. Do not continue driving if the
hood can no longer engage after an accident
for example. The hood could otherwise
come loose while the vehicle is in motion
and injure you and/or others.
!Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. More
information on this subject is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Center.