2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R230) Service & Repair Manual

SL-Class Operator’s Manual

SL 500 SL 55 AMG SL 600

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz. Your selection of our product is a demon- stration of your trust in our company name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de- sire to own an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service. Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef- forts of many skilled engineers and crafts- men. To help assure your driving pleasure, and also the safety of you and your passen- gers, we ask you to make a small invest- ment of time:  Please read this manual carefully, then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for your reference.  Please follow the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the operation of your Mercedes-Benz.  Please pay attention to the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety of the vehicle operator and oc- cupants. We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents Introduction .......................................... 9 Product information ................................ 9 Operator’s Manual ............................... 10 Service and warranty information .. 10 Important notice for California retail buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11 Maintenance .................................. 12 Roadside Assistance ...................... 12 Change of address or ownership.... 12 Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada......................... 13 Where to find it .................................... 14 Symbols ............................................... 15 Operating safety .................................. 16 Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16 Problems with your vehicle .................. 17 Reporting safety defects...................... 18 Reporting safety defects ................ 18 At a glance .......................................... 19 Cockpit ................................................. 20 Instrument cluster ................................ 22 Multifunction steering wheel ................ 24 Center console ..................................... 25 Upper part ...................................... 25 Lower part ...................................... 26 Overhead control panel ........................ 27 Door control panel................................ 28 Getting started ................................... 29 Unlocking ............................................. 30 Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 30 Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 32 Adjusting .............................................. 34 Seats .............................................. 34 Steering wheel ................................ 37 Mirrors ............................................ 38 Driving .................................................. 40 Fastening the seat belts ................. 40 Starting the engine ......................... 43 Switching on headlamps ................. 46 Turn signals and high beam ............ 47 Windshield wipers ........................... 47 Problems while driving .................... 49 Parking and locking .............................. 51 Parking brake ................................. 52 Switching off headlamps................. 52 Turning off the engine..................... 53 Emergency engine shut-down ......... 55

Contents Safety and Security ........................... 57 Occupant safety................................... 58 Airbags ........................................... 59 Seat belts ....................................... 65 Roll bar ........................................... 69 Children in the vehicle .................... 70 Panic alarm .......................................... 74 Activating ....................................... 74 Deactivating ................................... 74 Driving safety systems ......................... 75 ABS ................................................ 76 BAS ................................................ 77 ESP................................................. 78 SBC brake system .......................... 81 Anti-theft systems................................ 84 Immobilizer..................................... 84 Anti-theft alarm system .................. 85 Tow-away alarm ............................. 86 Controls in detail ............................... 89 Locking and unlocking ......................... 90 SmartKey ....................................... 90 SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ........ 93 Opening the doors from the inside ............................................. 99 Opening the trunk .......................... 99 Closing the trunk lid ..................... 102 Trunk lid emergency release ........ 102 Separately locking the trunk ........ 103 Automatic central locking ............ 105 Locking and unlocking from the inside ..................................... 105 Seats ................................................. 107 Easy-entry/exit feature ............... 107 Moving the seats forward and backward ..................................... 108 Lumbar support............................ 108 Multicontour backrest* (standard on SL 600 and SL 55 AMG) .................................. 109 Seat heating................................. 110 Seat ventilation* (standard on SL 600) ................... 112 Memory function ............................... 114 Storing positions into memory ..... 115 Recalling positions from memory. 115 Storing exterior rear view mirror parking position ........................... 115 Lighting ............................................. 117 Exterior lamp switch .................... 117 Combination switch ..................... 120 Hazard warning flasher ................ 121 Interior lighting ............................ 122 Courtesy lighting .......................... 123 Instrument cluster ............................. 124 Instrument cluster illumination .... 124 Coolant temperature gauge ......... 124 Trip odometer .............................. 125 Tachometer .................................. 125 Outside temperature indicator ..... 126

Contents Control system .................................. 127 Multifunction display .................... 127 Multifunction steering wheel ........ 128 Menus .......................................... 130 Standard display menu ................ 132 AUDIO menu ................................ 132 NAVI menu ................................... 134 Distronic* menu........................... 135 Malfunction memory menu .......... 136 Settings menu .............................. 137 Trip computer menu..................... 150 TEL menu* ................................... 152 Automatic transmission ..................... 155 One-touch gearshifting................. 156 Gear ranges ................................. 157 Gear selector lever position ......... 158 Steering wheel gearshift control (Speedshift) SL 55 AMG............... 160 Program mode selector switch..... 161 Accelerator position ..................... 162 Manual shift program SL 55 AMG 163 Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode) ...................... 165 Good visibility ..................................... 166 Rear view mirrors .......................... 166 Windshield wipers ......................... 168 Headlamp cleaning system ........... 168 Rear window defroster .................. 169 Sun visors ..................................... 169 Automatic climate control .................. 170 Setting the temperature................ 172 Adjusting air volume ..................... 173 Adjusting air distribution............... 174 Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ........ 174 Defrosting ..................................... 175 Air recirculation mode .................. 175 Rear window defroster .................. 177 Residual heat and ventilation ........ 178 Deactivating the automatic climate control system ................. 179 Air conditioning............................. 179 Ventilated storage compartments. 180 Power windows .................................. 181 Opening and closing the windows. 181 Synchronizing power windows ...... 183 Retractable hardtop ........................... 184 Opening and closing the retractable hardtop ....................... 184 Driving systems .................................. 193 Cruise control ............................... 193 Distronic* ..................................... 196 Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 207 Parktronic* (Parking assist) .......... 210 Useful features ................................... 214 Storage compartments ................. 214 Ashtray ......................................... 219 Cigarette lighter ............................ 219 Heated steering wheel* (SL 500, SL 600)........................... 220 Load assist in the trunk ................ 221 Electrical outlet............................. 222 Telephone* ................................... 222 Tele Aid......................................... 223 Garage door opener ...................... 231

Contents Operation ......................................... 237 The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 238 Driving instructions ............................ 239 Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 239 Drinking and driving ..................... 239 Pedals .......................................... 239 Power assistance ......................... 240 Brakes .......................................... 240 Driving off..................................... 242 Parking ......................................... 242 Tires ............................................. 243 Hydroplaning ................................ 243 Tire traction .................................. 244 Tire speed rating .......................... 244 Winter driving instructions ........... 245 Standing water ............................. 246 Passenger compartment .............. 246 Driving abroad .............................. 246 Control and operation of radio transmitters ................................. 247 Catalytic converter ....................... 247 Emission control .......................... 248 Coolant temperature .................... 249 At the gas station .............................. 250 Refuelling ..................................... 250 Check regularly and before a long trip ..................................... 252 Engine compartment ......................... 253 Hood ............................................ 253 Engine oil ..................................... 255 Transmission fluid level ................ 258 Oil level in the ABC system .......... 258 Coolant ........................................ 258 Battery ......................................... 260 Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system........... 261 Tires and wheels ................................ 262 Important guidelines .................... 262 Life of tires................................... 263 Direction of rotation..................... 263 Checking tire inflation pressure ... 263 Rotating wheels ........................... 267 Winter driving .................................... 268 Winter tires .................................. 268 Block heater (Canada only) .......... 269 Snow chains................................. 269 Maintenance...................................... 271 Clearing the service indicator ...... 271 Service term exceeded ................ 272 Calling up the service indicator .... 272 Resetting the service indicator .... 272 Vehicle care....................................... 274 Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 274

Contents Practical hints ................................. 281 What to do if … .................................. 282 Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 282 AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ......... 290 Messages in the display ............... 291 Where will I find ...? ........................... 323 First aid kit ................................... 323 Vehicle tool kit, jack, and spare wheel ........................................... 323 Locking/unlocking in an emergency . 325 Unlocking the vehicle ................... 325 Locking the vehicle ...................... 327 Lowering the load assist manually 327 Replacing batteries in the SmartKey/SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* .............................. 328 Replacing bulbs ................................. 331 Bulbs ............................................ 331 Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 334 Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 335 Replacing wiper blades....................... 337 Removing wiper blades ................. 337 Installing wiper blades .................. 338 Flat tire ............................................... 339 Preparing the vehicle .................... 339 Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1...... 340 Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2...... 345 Mounting the spare wheel ............ 350 Batteries ............................................. 358 Disconnecting the batteries .......... 360 Removing the batteries ................. 361 Charging and reinstalling batteries ....................................... 361 Reconnecting the batteries ........... 361 Jump starting ...................................... 363 Towing the vehicle .............................. 365 Installing towing eye bolt .............. 368 Fuses .................................................. 369 Main fuse box ............................... 369 Technical data .................................. 371 Spare parts service ............................ 372 Warranty coverage ............................. 373 Loss of Service and Warranty Information Booklet ...................... 373 Identification labels ............................ 374 Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 375 SL 500 .......................................... 375 SL 55 AMG ................................... 375 SL 600 .......................................... 375 Engine ................................................ 376 Rims and tires .................................... 378 Same size tires ............................. 379 Mixed size tires ............................. 380 Spare wheel .................................. 382 Electrical system ................................ 383 Main dimensions ................................ 384 Weights .............................................. 385

Contents Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 386 Capacities .................................... 386 Engine oils .................................... 388 Engine oil additives ...................... 388 Air conditioner refrigerant ............ 388 Brake fluid .................................... 389 Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 389 Fuel requirements ........................ 389 Gasoline additives ........................ 390 Coolants ....................................... 391 Windshield and headlamp washer system ............................. 393 Consumer information ....................... 394 Uniform tire quality grading.......... 394 Technical terms ............................... 397 Index ................................................. 403

9 Product information  Introduction Product information Please observe the following in your own best interest: We recommend using genuine Mercedes-Benz parts as well as conversion parts and accessories explicitly approved by us for your vehicle model. We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and special suitabili- ty for Mercedes-Benz vehicles. We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible for them, even if in indi- vidual cases an official approval or authori- zation by governmental or other agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could adversely affect the safety, performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them. Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts as well as conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available at your autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive comprehensive information, also on permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be per- formed.

2004 Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R230) Service & Repair Manual

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