• Electrical Repair

• This is a COMPLETE SERVICE REPAIR MANUAL similar to a Factory Workshop Manuals or CDROM. MERCEDES BENZ R230 SL Class Service Repair Manual 2001.
• Page 1 of 376. MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG 2003 R230 Owners Manual, Page 1. Page 2 of 376. MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG 2003.

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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. Further, it exemplifies your desire 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 be- fore putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for your reference.
Please follow the recommendations contained in this manual.

They are de- signed to acquaint you with the opera- tion 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. 7 Product information. 7 Operator’s Manual. 8 Service and warranty information. 8 Important notice for California retail buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles. 9 Maintenance.

10 Roadside Assistance. 10 Change of address or ownership. 10 Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada. 11 Where to find it. 12 Symbols. 13 Operating safety.

14 Proper use of the vehicle. 14 Problems with your vehicle.

15 Reporting safety defects. 16 Reporting safety defects. 16At a glance. 17 Cockpit.

18 Instrument cluster. 20 Multifunction steering wheel. 22Center console.

23 Upper part. 23 Lower part. 24 Overhead control panel.

25 Door control panel. 26 Getting started. 27 Unlocking. 28 Unlocking with the SmartKey. 28 Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO.

30 Adjusting. 32 Seats. 32 Steering wheel. 34 Mirrors.

35 Driving. 37 Fastening the seat belts. 37 Starting the engine. 39 Switching on headlamps. 43 Turn signals and high beam. 43 Windshield wipers.

44 Problems while driving. 45 Parking and locking.

47 Parking brake. 47 Switching off headlamps.

48 Turning off engine with the key. 48Turning off engine with KEYLESS-GO. 49 Emergency engine shut-down. 50 Safety and Security. 51 Occupant safety.

52 Airbags. 53 Seat belts.

58 Roll bar. 61 Children in the vehicle. 62 Panic alarm. 67 Activating. 67 Deactivating.

67 Driving safety systems. 70 SBC brake system. 72 Anti-theft systems. 75 Immobilizer. 75 Anti-theft alarm system. 75 Tow-away alarm.

ContentsControls in detail. 79 Locking and unlocking. 80 Keys. 80 KEYLESS-GO card. 84 Opening the doors from the inside. 89 Opening the trunk from the inside.

89 Trunk lid emergency release. 90 Closing the trunk lid. 91 Automatic central locking. 91 Locking and unlocking from the inside. 92 Seats.

93 Lumbar support. 93 Multicontour backrest. 93 Moving the seats forward and backward. 95 Seat ventilation. 96 Seat heater. 97 Memory function.

99 Storing positions into memory. 100 Recalling positions from memory. 100 Storing parking position. 100 Lighting. 102 Exterior lamp switch. 102 Combination switch. 104Hazard warning flasher.

105 Interior lighting. 106 Courtesy lighting. 107 Instrument cluster. 108 Instrument cluster illumination. 108 Coolant temperature gauge. 108 Trip odometer.

109 Tachometer. 109 Outside temperature indicator. 109 Control system. 110 Multifunction display. 110 Multifunction steering wheel. 111 Menus.

113 Standard display menu. 115 AUDIO menu. 115 NAVI menu.

117 Distronic. menu. 117 Malfunction memory menu. 118 Settings menu. 119 Trip computer menu. 131 TEL menu.

133 Automatic transmission. 137 One-touch gearshifting. 138 Gear ranges. 139 Gear selector lever position. 140 Program mode selector switch. 141Accelerator position. 142 Steering wheel gearshift control (Speedshift) and manual shift program SL 55 AMG.

142 Emergency operation (Limp Home Mode). 144 Good visibility. 145 Rear view mirror. 145 Headlamp cleaning system. 146 Rear window defroster. 146 Sun visors. 146 Automatic climate control.

147 Setting the temperature. 149 Adjusting air volume. 150 Adjusting air distribution. 151 Maximum cooling MAXCOOL. 151 Defrosting. 151 Air recirculation mode. 152 Rear window defroster.

153 Residual heat and ventilation. 154 Deactivating the automatic climate control system. 154 Air conditioning. 155 Ventilated storage compartments 156 Power windows. 157 Opening and closing the windows 157.

Contents Retractable hardtop. 159 Opening and closing the retractable hardtop. 159 Driving systems. 168 Cruise control.

168 Distronic. 171 Active Body Control (ABC). 183 Parktronic system.

186 Useful features. 190 Interior storage spaces. 190 Ashtray.

Electrical Repair

196 Cigarette lighter. 197 Heated steering wheel.

(Canada only–model SL 500). 197 Easy-Pack load assist in the trunk 198 Electrical outlet.

199 Telephone. 199 Tele Aid. 200 Garage door opener. 213 The first 1000 miles (1500 km). 214 Driving instructions. 215 Drive sensibly – save fuel.

215 Drinking and driving. 215 Power assistance. 216 Brakes. 216 Driving off. 218 Parking. 218 Tires. 219 Hydroplaning.

219 Tire traction. 220 Tire speed rating. 220 Winter driving instructions.

221 Standing water. 222 Passenger compartment. 222 Driving abroad. 222 Control and operation of radio trans- mitters. 222 Catalytic converter. 223 Emission control.

224 Coolant temperature. 224 At the gas station. 225 Check regularly and before a long trip. 226Engine compartment.

227 Hood. 227 Engine oil. 228 Transmission fluid level. 230 Oil level in the ABC system.

230 Coolant. 230 Battery. 232 Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system. 233 Tires and wheels. 234 Important guidelines.

234 Life of tires. 235 Direction of rotation. 235 Checking tire inflation pressure. 235 Rotating wheels. 238 Winter driving.

239 Winter tires. 239 Block heater (Canada only). 240 Snow chains. 240 Maintenance. 241 Clearing the service indicator.

241 Service term exceeded. 241 Calling up the service indicator. 242 Resetting the service indicator. 242 Vehicle care. 243 Cleaning and care of the vehicle.

ContentsPractical hints. 249 What to do if. 250 Lamps in instrument cluster. 250 Messages in the display. 257 Where will I find.?.

288 First aid kit. 288 Vehicle tool kit.

288 Locking/unlocking in an emergency. 290 Unlocking the vehicle. 290 Locking the vehicle. 292 Lowering the Easy Pack feature manually. 292 Changing batteries. 293 Replacing bulbs.

295 Bulbs. 295 Replacing bulbs for front lamps. 298 Replacing bulbs for rear lamps. 299 Replacing wiper blades. 301 Removing. 301 Installing.

301 Flat tire. 302 Preparing the vehicle. 302 Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1. 302 Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2. 308 Mounting the spare wheel. 319 Disconnecting the batteries. 320 Removing the batteries.

321 Charging and reinstalling batteries. 321 Reconnecting the batteries. 321 Jump starting.

323 Towing the vehicle. 325 Installing towing eye bolt. 327 Fuses. 329 Main fuse box. 329 Technical data. 331 Spare parts service. 332 Warranty coverage.

333 Loss of Service and Warranty Information Booklet. 333 Identification labels. 334 Layout of poly-V-belt drive. 335 SL 500. 335 SL 55 AMG. 335 Engine. 336 Rims and tires.

337 Same size tires. 337 Mixed size tires. 338Spare wheel.

338 Electrical system. 339 Main dimensions. 340 Weights.

341 Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 342 Capacities. 342 Engine oils. 343 Engine oil additives. 343 Air conditioner refrigerant.

343 Brake fluid. 343 Premium unleaded gasoline.

344 Fuel requirements. 344 Gasoline additives. 344 Coolants. 345 Windshield and headlamp washer system. 347 Consumer information. 348 Uniform tire quality grading.

348 Technical terms. 7 Product information Introduction Product informationPlease observe the following in your own best interest: We recommend using Mercedes-Benz orig- inal 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 their special suitability 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 acces- sories could adversely affect the safety, performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them.Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories ap- proved 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.

8 IntroductionOperator’s Manual Operator’s ManualThis Operator’s Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the vehicle before driving.

For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the in- structions and warnings contained in this manual. Ignoring them could result in dam- age to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others. Vehicle damage caused by fail- ure to follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations for optional equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment, your au- thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad to demonstrate the proper proce- dures.We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask for your understanding that we reserve the right to make changes in design and equipment. Therefore, infor- mation, illustrations, and descriptions in this Operator’s Manual might differ from your vehicle.

Optional equipment is also described in this manual, including operating instruc- tions wherever necessary. Since they are special-order items, the descriptions and illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual equipment of your vehicle. If there are any equipment details that are not shown or described in this Operator’s Manual, your authorized Mercedes-Benz C e n t e r w i l l b e g l a d t o i n f o r m y o u o f c o r r e c t care and operating procedures. The Operator’s Manual and Service Book- let are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.

Service and warranty information The Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your Mercedes-Benz, including:
New Car Limited Warranty,
Emission System Warranty,
Emission Performance Warranty,
California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont Emission Control System Warranty (California, Maine, Massachusetts, and Vermont only),
State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws). 9 Introduction Operator’s Manual Important notice for California retail buyers and lessees of Mercedes-Benz automobiles Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price or lease price, if Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and / or its au- thorized repair or service facilities fail to fix one or more substantial defects or mal- functions in the vehicle that are covered by its express warranty after a reasonable number of repair attempts. During the pe- riod of 18 months from original delivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of 18 000 miles (approx. 10 IntroductionOperator’s ManualMaintenance The Service Booklet describes all the nec- essary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals. Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your autho- rized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.

The service advisor will record each ser- vice in the booklet for you. Roadside Assistance The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program provides factory trained technical help in the event of a breakdown.

Calls to the toll-free Roadside Assistance number: 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada) will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Cus- tomer Assistance Representatives 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro- gram brochure in your glove box.

Change of address or ownership If you change your address, be sure to send in the “Change of Address Notice” found in the Service and Warranty Informa- tion Booklet, or simply call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Ser- vice (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It is in your own interest that we can contact you should the need arise. If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all literature with the vehicle to make it avail- able to the next operator. If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the Service and Warranty In- formation Booklet, or call the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen- ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.

Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (R230) Review & Buyers Guide Perhaps one of the bargains of the century and a perfect candidate for our Exotic Car Hacks strategies is the 03-08 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (often referred as platform code R230). A car that once cost over $110,000 can now be owned for a mere 25% of the original asking price. This era of Mercedes-Benz stands out in the history of the manufacturer because every car produced not only looked great, but also had enough competitive advantage to compete with the likes of BMW. Where Mercedes lacked in performance, AMG in Affalterbach came in and gave their performance touch. While Mercedes were never known to be great handling cars until recently, there was no denying these cars were absolute torque monsters and made for the autobahn. This era was also the last time Mercedes truly made a supercar with the McLaren SLR which had a 617 HP V8 that was based off the SL55 engine block. Why is the SL55 AMG such a good buy?

First, it has the legendary M113K engine that is a 5.5L supercharged V8 making almost 500 HP and a bit more than 500 lb-ft of torque. This engine has proven to be bulletproof and can easily make 700+ HP with minor bolt-ons. Not to say you’ll need to modify the engine as we’ve heard unrestricted SL55s can hit 202 MPH in an otherwise stock car. Second, the SL55 has a 16 second foldable hard top that looks equally as good with the top up as with the top down. You have the best of both worths without sacrificing anything really other than extra weight to carry around. Third, is how much you can buy these cars for now.

As you’ll learn in this buyers guide, there are specific years to look for but even the best year to buy (we’ll cover later) can be had for just under $30,000. Early model SL55s can be had in low $20,000 mark. This absolutely a great bang for the buck.

Mercedes SL55 AMG Changes Over The Years 03 – 06 2003 was the introductory year for the SL55 in the USA but it had actually been on sale in Europe starting in 2002. As with all first model year cars, there are bound to be issues and the SL55 was no exception. Electrical and mechanical gremlins haunted the SL55 but Mercedes made significant improvements to resolve most issues by 2005.

The Keyless Go option in 2003 required a separate credit card to be carried at all times for Keyless Go to work. A dumb afterthought in our book and not worth the trouble.

The 2004 models were pretty much identical except Mercedes got rid of the extra credit card for Keyless Go. It is also rumored that the transmission was changed mechanically to allow for manual in shifting for all modes. In the 2003 model only manual mode allowed for that. Otherwise, the 2004 was nearly identical as the 2003 model.

Before the redesign in 2007, the 2005 SL55 had almost all of the kinks worked out and has been the preferred year to purchase. Mercedes updated the COMAND interface and improved the navigation to be DVD based instead of CD.

Still horrible by todays standards but a bit more acceptable. The only flaw for the 2005 year was the removal of the auxiliary port in favor of iPod integration. For 2006, the SL55 remained unchanged except for addition of the optional yet rare $15,000 P030 Performance Package.

These changes included an SL65 front bumper, larger SL65 compound brakes, re-calibrated suspension tuned based on Nurburgring specs, a limited slip differential, alcantara lined steering wheel, unrestricted to 186 MPH, and 19″ two piece wheels. To most people, these changes made the SL55 appear to be an SL65 but without the V12. These were all very worthwhile changes for the track minded enthusiast. 07-08 Mercedes decided to freshen up the SL55 AMG in 2007 by giving it a very minor appearance upgrade.

Again, to most consumers, and even enthusiasts, the 2007 SL55 looked almost identical to the previous years and even to its big brother SL65. 2007 changes included a bump in horsepower to 510 HP, slightly revised front bumper, clear glass taillights, shifter paddles instead of shifter buttons, quicker steering ratio, re-calibrated ABC suspension, and standard 19″ 5 spoke wheels. All these efforts made the SL55 ‘look’ a bit more modern but mechanically was the same underneath.

There are no known changes for the 2008 model which is probably due in part to the all new generation that debuted in 2009 Common Problems Most, if any, of the common issues found on the SL55 will be mechanical and not electrical. Perhaps the most common issue on the SL55 AMG revolves around the ABC suspension, this isn’t just specific to the SL series but any other Mercedes that shares the same components until it was addressed after 2007 with the introduction of ABC II. The obvious sign of ABC suspension failure is one corner or side of the car drooping which basically means a leak has formed. Since most SL55s are no longer under warranty, you can either opt for the OEM fix of nearly $5,000+ or opt for a reputable third party company like Arnott for half the cost. Cost of Ownership Since the SL55 AMG has been out for a decade now, much more aftermarket support and parts have been brought to the market.

Because Mercedes commonly uses the same AMG parts across its line up of models, it allows consumers to save a few bucks when required to buy parts. You can even buy parts on Amazon. Oil changes will run you around $100 from a qualified independent shop and brake pads alone are under $200 for all four corners. Rotors are equally as cheap if the car is not optioned with the P030 Performance Package. Otherwise, general maintenance isn’t bad at all.

Rear tires will generally last 10k – 15k miles max because of the available on demand torque. You should also note that fuel economy is not a strong point of the SL55 and it’s not uncommon to average below 15 MPGs. Best Year SL55 AMG to Buy Mercedes built more SL55 AMG models in 2003 – 2004 than 2005 – 2008 combined. We recommend staying away from the 2003 – 2004, and opting for a 2005 model instead. If you think the subtle upgrades in 2007 are worth an extra premium then go for it but for us, 2005 offers the best balance of affordability and reliability, all while containing all the same gadgets. We always recommend a well optioned car but must have options are Panoramic roof, Keyless Go, Parktronic, and Active Ventilated Seats.

Regardless of what year you choose, you’ll have a car that rivals the Dodge Viper in brute power, but also offers you the comfort of a BMW 7 Series. Just don’t expect a nimble car you can toss around or the sharpness you get from today’s sports cars. It is, after all, over 10 years old.