xtianpel

I saw an SL55 at the L.A. Car show that had a button in the trunk that when you pushed it it closed it. I'm not sure but I think it's called "Trunk Assist" or something like that.

I thought that was standard equipment, but I just got my 2004 SL 500 and it doesn't have it.

Is it even an option for the SL 500? I didn't see it listed.
Can I have it installed now that I have the car or would it have to be installed at the factory when they built the car like so many other options?

awiner

The "Electronic Trunk Closer" is an option. It is not standard equipment.

xtianpel

Thank you for the clarification on "Electronic Trunk Closer", I could not remember the name. The should have called it "Trunktronic", ha ha ha.

Anyway, I don't see it listed as an option for the 2004 SL on mbusa.com or in the brochure. Do you know if this can be installed at the dealer?

Thanks again.

Gunther

The Electronic Trunk Closer, while an option on some MB models, is not an option on an SL in the US.

It is a option on the hardtops: E, CLK, CL and S.

It's a cool feature...played with it on a CL500 at our dealership - but be careful - the trunk lid comes down much faster than expected. I almost took someone's head off!!

xtianpel

Gunther: Thanks for the info. Yes, when I played with it at the car show in L.A. I was also surprised at how fast it was.

I guess the car they had at the show (2003 SL 55) must have been a European model then. That's too bad, it's a cool feature and besides it's a bit ackward to close the trunk. My previous 99 S420 had a handle you could use to pull the trunk down. The SL 500 doesn't have a handle and you have to touch the paint. If someone is wearing a ring they could damage the paint. I don't know. Oh, well, it would have been nice.

I love my car though!

Gunther

I also have an E...and it has a handle too....but we also use the license plate to avoid touching the paint when the handle isn't convenient.

xtianpel

Oh, great idea! It hadn't even occurred to me.

Thanks for the tip. I'll do that from now on.

vraa

Yeah, almost lost a few fingers on an W220 with that..

M3DRVR

You can buy a trunk handle that fits right under your license plate holder. I have it on my car and it works GREAT! Never need to touch the paint.

You can buy one here: http://store.yahoo.com/parkplacemoto...unkhandle.html

xtianpel

Ahhhh, that is PERFECT! Thank you so very much!

SLfanDC

Mine has a handle (it's actually more like a hole) on the inside of the trunk lid, that I use to pull the trunk lid down without touching the paint.

Wolfman

I am not aware that the SL has that feature in the US or in Europe. The scissor-type hinges needed to accommodate fro the folding roof didn't allow for a real trunk opener either. It only pops up while the trunk opens completely on a CL, for example.


Wolfman

Mercedesfan

Have the feature on my new E. Problem though is you have to inform everyone who might use your trunk since system can be damaged easilly if someone forces the trunk lid closed the normal way. Saw an ad for a competitor's model that one ups Mercedes though. The key had button on it that could be pushed to open and close the trunk.

Gunther

The SL does have an automatic closer built in...as you're closing the trunk, if you close it but don't slam it down, you'll notice that the trunk lid lowers itself last last 1/2" or so.

OKHJOON190

my car has the button for the automatic trunk closer in the trunk. is there any way to activate it by installing a module?

Thanks

M

awiner

Are you sure your not thinking of the big green emergency release button ?

xtianpel

OKHJOON190: Interesting. Can you post a picture of it? Why would it have it and not be activated? If you can't post a picture, can you describe where it is?

Gunther

OKHJOON190: How did you get a feature that isn't available on a US production SL??

Wolfman

You are right. There is a trunk closer that pulls the trunk shut once it is almost closed (just like the door closer of the S-class), but it is not like the S or CL class trunk closer that can close the trunk from the completely open position.

Wolfman

Gunther

Thanks (again) Wolfman...we're 2 for 2!

AREITU

The trunk close button is a red button that can only be seen when the trunk is up. What's kind of disconcerting is that it dosen't have any sort of pinch protection. At the LA Auto Show, I tried pushing back against the trunk with my hand...