The Vehicle status message memory menu
only appears if messages have been stored.
GWarning!
Malfunction and warning messages are only
indicated for certain systems and are
intentionally not very detailed. The
malfunction and warning messages are
simply a reminder with respect to the
operation of certain systems. They do not
replace the owner’s and/or driver’s
responsibility to maintain the vehicle’s
operating safety. Have all required
maintenance and safety checks performed on
the vehicle. Bring the vehicle to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center to address the
malfunction and warning messages.
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Vehicle status message memory
menu appears in the multifunction display.
If conditions have occurred causing status
messages to be recorded, the number of
messages appears in the right
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\) or \000-.
The stored messages will now be displayed
in the order in which they have occurred.
For malfunction and warning messages,
see “Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display” (Y page 226).
iAfter you have scrolled through all
recorded status messages, the first
recorded message appears again.
Should the vehicle’s system record any
conditions while driving, the number of
messages will reappear in the multifunction
display when the SmartKey in the starter
switch is turned to position 0 or removed
from the starter switch. With KEYLESS-GO,
the number of messages will reappear when
you turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and open the
driver’s door.
Except for high-priority messages, the vehicle
status message memory will be cleared when
you switch off the ignition.
Settings menu
Introduction
In the Settings menu there are two
functions: The function To reset, press
reset button for 3 seconds, with which
you can reset all the settings to the original
factory settings and a collection of submenus
with which you can make individual settings
for your vehicle.
The following settings and submenus are
available in the Settings menu:
RResetting to factory settings
(Y page 121)
RSubmenus in the Settings menu
(Y page 122)
RInstrument cluster submenu
(Y page 122)
RLighting submenu (Y page 124)
RVehicle submenu (Y page 126)
RConvenience submenu (Y page 127)
Resetting to factory settings
You can reset the settings of all submenus to
the factory settings.
For safety reasons, the function Light
Circuit Headlamp Mode in the Lighting
submenu cannot be reset while driving.
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
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XPress the reset button in the instrument
cluster (Y page 111) for approximately
3 seconds.
The request to press the reset button once
more to confirm appears in the right
multifunction display.
XPress the reset button once more.
The settings you have changed will not be
reset unless you confirm the action by
pressing the reset button a second time.
Submenus in the Settings menu
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\).
The collection of the submenus appears in
the right multifunction display. There are
more submenus than can be displayed
simultaneously.
XPress button \000[.
The selection marker moves to the next
submenu.
XScroll down with button \000[, scroll up
with button \000Z.
XWith the selection marker on the desired
submenu, use button \000\) to access the
individual functions within that submenu.
XOnce within the submenu, use button
\000\) to move to the next function or button
\000- to move to the previous function
within that submenu.
XUse button \000Z or \000[ to change the
settings of the respective function.
The following lists show what settings can be
changed within the various menus. Detailed
instructions on making individual settings can
be found on the following pages.
Instrument cluster submenu
RSelecting speedometer/odometer display
mode (Y page 123) (Canada only)
RSelecting digital speedometer display
mode (Y page 123)
RSelecting language (Y page 123)
RSelecting standard display (Y page 124)
Lighting submenu
RSwitching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only) (Y page 124)
RSwitching locator lighting on or off
(Y page 125)
RSwitching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off (Y page 125)
RSwitching interior lighting delayed shut-off
on or off (Y page 126)
Vehicle submenu
RSwitching automatic central locking on or
off (Y page 126)
Convenience submenu
RActivating easy-entry/exit feature
(Y page 127)
Instrument cluster submenu
Access the Instr. Cluster submenu via
the Settings menu. Use the Instr.
Cluster submenu to change the instrument
cluster display settings.
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Setting standard displayXPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\).XMove the selection marker with button
\000Z or \000[ to the Instr. Cluster
submenu.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message Select Display appears in
the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button \000Z or \000[ to select the
desired setting.
The selected display appears in the left
multifunction display.
The other display now appears in the right
multifunction display when scrolling
through the Standard display menu
(Y page 116).
Lighting submenu
Access the Lighting submenu via the
Settings menu. Use the Lighting submenu
to change the lamp and lighting settings on
your vehicle.
The following functions are available:
RSwitching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only) (Y page 124)
RSwitching locator lighting on or off
(Y page 125)
RSwitching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off (Y page 125)
RSwitching interior lighting delayed shut-off
on or off (Y page 126)
Switching daytime running lamp mode on
or off (USA only)
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\).XMove the selection marker with button
\000Z or \000[ to the Lighting submenu.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message Light Circuit Headlamp
Mode appears in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button \000Z or \000[ to select
manual operation (Manual) or daytime
running lamp mode (Constant).
With daytime running lamp mode switched on
and the exterior lamp switch in
position \000' or \000Z, the low-beam
headlamps are switched on when the engine
is running.
In low ambient light conditions the following
lamps will come on additionally:
RParking lamps
RTail lamps
RLicense plate lamps
RSide marker lamps
For more information on the daytime running
lamp mode, see (Y page 90).
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For safety reasons, resetting all the functions
of all submenus to the factory settings while
driving (Y page 121) will not deactivate the
daytime running lamp mode.
The following message appears in the
multifunction display:
Lighting Cannot be fully reset to
factory settings while driving.
Switching locator lighting on or off
With the locator lighting feature activated and
the exterior lamp switch in position \000Z, the
following lamps will come on during darkness
when the vehicle is unlocked using button
\0006 on the SmartKey:
RParking lamps
RTail lamps
RLicense plate lamps
RSide marker lamps
RFront fog lamps
The locator lighting goes out when the driver’s
door is opened.
If you do not open the driver’s door after
unlocking the vehicle with the SmartKey, the
lamps will go out automatically after
approximately 40 seconds.
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\).XMove the selection marker with button
\000Z or \000[ to the Lighting submenu.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message Locator Lighting appears
in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button \000Z or \000[ to switch the
locator lighting function On or Off.
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
\000Z when exiting the vehicle.
The locator lighting feature is activated.
Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on
or off
Use this function to set whether you would
like the exterior lamps to remain on for
15 seconds during darkness after exiting the
vehicle and closing all doors.
With the headlamps delayed shut-off feature
activated and the exterior lamp switch in
position \000Z before the engine is turned off,
the following lamps will come on when the
engine is turned off:
RParking lamps
RTail lamps
RLicense plate lamps
RSide marker lamps
RFront fog lamps
If, after turning off the engine, you do not
open a door or do not close an opened door,
the lamps will automatically go out after
60 seconds.
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\).XMove the selection marker with button
\000Z or \000[ to the Lighting submenu.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message Headlamps Delayed
Switch-off appears in the multifunction
display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
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XPress button \000Z or \000[ to switch the
headlamps delayed shut-off feature On or
Off.
XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
\000Z before turning off the engine.
The headlamps delayed shut-off feature is
activated.
You can temporarily deactivate the
headlamps delayed shut-off feature:
XBefore exiting the vehicle, turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch to position
0.
XThen turn it to position 2 and back to
position 0.
The headlamps delayed shut-off feature is
deactivated. It will reactivate as soon as
you start the engine.
Switching interior lighting delayed shut-
off on or off
Use this function to set whether you would
like the interior lighting to remain on for
10 seconds during darkness after you have
removed the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\).XMove the selection marker with button
\000Z or \000[ to the Lighting submenu.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message Interior Lighting
Delayed Switch-off appears in the
multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button \000Z or \000[ to switch the
interior lighting delayed shut-off feature
On or Off.
Vehicle submenu
Access the Vehicle submenu via the
Settings menu. Use the Vehicle submenu
to set the automatic central locking.
Switching automatic central locking on or
off
Use this function to switch the automatic
central locking on or off. With the automatic
central locking activated, the vehicle is
locked centrally at a vehicle speed of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h).
XPress button \000Y or \000X repeatedly until
the Settings menu appears in the
multifunction display.
XPress button \000\).XMove the selection marker with button
\000Z or \000[ to the Vehicle submenu.
XPress button \000\) or \000- repeatedly until
the message Automatic Door Lock
appears in the multifunction display.
The selection marker is on the current
setting.
XPress button \000Z or \000[ to switch the
automatic central locking On or Off.
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Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and
requirements of operating agents, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (Y page 303).
Check the following:
REngine oil level (Y page 181)
RTire inflation pressure (Y page 189)
RCoolant level (Y page 184)
RVehicle lighting (Y page 271)
RWasher system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 185)
RBrake fluid (Y page 185)
Engine compartment
Hood
GWarning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening
GWarning!
Do not open the hood when the engine is
overheated. You could be seriously injured.
Observe the coolant temperature gauge to
determine whether the engine may be
overheated. If you see flames or smoke
coming from the engine compartment, move
away from the vehicle. Wait until the engine
has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department.
GWarning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
GWarning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades.
GWarning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
Rwith the engine running
Rwhile starting the engine
Rwhen the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually
XPull hood lock release lever \000F.
The hood is unlocked.
! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged.
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XPush handle \000G under the hood upwards.XPull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
Closing
GWarning!
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hands or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged
before driving off. 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.
XLet the hood drop from a height of
approximately 8 in (20 cm).
XCheck 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 consumes will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Increased oil consumption can
occur when the vehicle is new or the vehicle
is driven frequently at higher engine speeds.
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
! 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.
For further information contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Notes on checking engine oil level
When checking the oil level the vehicle must
be parked on level ground.
SL 550, SL 63 AMG: The vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off.
SL 600, SL 65 AMG: With the engine at
operating temperature, the vehicle must have
been stationary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off.
With the engine not at operating temperature,
the vehicle must have been stationary for at
least 30 minutes with the engine turned off.
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick
On the SL 550 and SL 63 AMG you can check
the engine oil level with the oil dipstick.
iIn vehicles without an oil dipstick, the
engine oil level is measured with the control
system (Y page 182).
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For more information on coolant, see the
“Technical data” section (Y page 304) and
(Y page 307).
Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system
GWarning!
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly
flammable. Do not spill washer solvent/
antifreeze on hot engine parts, because it may
ignite and burn. You could be seriously
burned.
! Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could result
in damage to the washer system/fluid
reservoir.
! Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can
damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not use distilled or deionized water in
the washer fluid reservoir. Otherwise, the
washer fluid level sensor could be
damaged.
Fluid for the washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system is supplied from the washer
fluid reservoir.
During all seasons, use MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”. Mix it
with water or premixed washer solvent/
antifreeze depending on the ambient
temperature (Y page 309).
XOpening washer fluid reservoir: Pull tab
of cap \000F upwards.
XRefill the washer fluid reservoir.XClosing washer fluid reservoir: Press
cap \000F onto filler hole until it engages.
For more information, see “Washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(Y page 305).
Brake fluid level
! If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum
mark or below, have the brake system
checked for brake pad thickness and leaks
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately. Do
not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see
“Practical hints”.
When checking the brake fluid level, the
vehicle must be parked on level ground.
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