2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS coolant

223 Coolant level
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Coolant level
1Cap for coolant reservoirThe coolant level can be checked visually at the
transparent coolant reservoir.
To check the coolant level, the vehicle must be parked
on level ground.
Check coolant level only when coolant is cold:
The coolant should reach the rib in the filler neck. Also
see marking (arrow) on reservoir.

224 Coolant level
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Adding coolant
If coolant has to be add ed, a 50/50 mix ture of water and
MB anticorrosion/antifreeze should be added.
Model SL 500
The drain plugs for the cooling system are located on
the right side of the engine block and at the bottom of
the radiator.
Model SL 600
The drain plugs for the cooling system are located on
the right and left sides of the engine block and at the
bottom of the radiator.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze, see coolants on page 280.
Wa r n i n g !
In order to avoid possible serious burns or injury:
• Use extreme caution when opening the hood if
there are any signs of steam or coolant leaking
from the cooling system, or if the coolant
temperature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated.• Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above 194°F
(90°C). Allow engine to cool down before
removing cap. The coolant reservoir contains
hot fluid and is under pressure.• Using a rag, slowly open cap approximately 1/2
turn to relieve excess pressure. If opened
immediately, scalding hot fluid and steam will
be blown out under pressure.• Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which may
burn if it comes into contact with hot engine
parts.

225 Coolant level
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
1Windshield washer/headlamp cleaning system
fluid reservoir
Ve h i c l e s w i t h o u t A D S :
Capacity approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l)
Ve h i c l e s w i t h A D S :
Capacity approx. 3.2 US qt (3.0 l)The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or concentrate
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).
For temperatures above freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water.
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon water)
For temperature below freezing:
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer
solvent/antifreeze.
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 1 gallon solvent).
1
P82.35-0231-26

261 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex Cleaning and care of the vehicle
In operation, your vehicle is subjected to varying
external inf luences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the underbody and
cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by extreme and varying
climatic conditions, but also by air pollution, road salt,
tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel,
coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, insects, tree resins
etc. should be removed immediately to avoid paint
damage. Frequent washing reduces and/or eliminates
the aggressiveness and potency of the above adverse
influences.More frequent washings are necessary to deal with
unfavorable conditions; for example, near the ocean, in
industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during
winter operation.
You should check your vehicle from time to time for
stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be
repaired as soon as possible to prevent the start of
corrosion.
In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the vehicle.
A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the
underbody followed by a thorough inspection. Damaged
areas need to be reundercoated.
Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-
base ru stproof ing in th e body cavities w hich will la st for
the lifetime of the vehicle. Post-production treatment is
neither necessary nor recommended by Mercedes-Benz
because of the possibility of incompatibility between
materials used in the production process and others
applied later.
We have selected car-care products and compiled
recommendations which are specially matched to our
vehicles and which always reflect the latest technology.
You can obtain Mercedes-Benz approved car-care
products at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Wa r n i n g !
Many cleaning products can be hazardous. Some
are poisonous, others are flammable. Always follow
the instructions on the particular container.
Always open your car’s doors or windows when
cleaning the inside.Never use fluids or solvents that are not designed
for cleaning your car.

268 Contents – Technical data
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Technical dataSpare parts service ........................269
Warranty coverage .........................269
Identification labels .......................270
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............ 271
Engine ..............................................272Rims - Tires .................................... 273
Weights ........................................... 275
Main Dimensions .......................... 275
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ....................................276
Engine oils ...................................... 278
Engine oil additives ...................... 278Air conditioner refrigerant ...........278
Brake fluid ......................................278
Premium unleaded gasoline ........279
Fuel requirements .........................279
Gasoline additives .........................280
Coolants ...........................................280
Consumer information ..................282

271 Technical data
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Layout of poly-V-belt drive
SL 500
1Automatic belt tensioner
2Crankshaft
3Air conditioner compressor
4SL 500: Coolant pump
SL 600: FanSL 600
5Generator (alternator)
6Idler pulley
7Power steering pump
8Air pump
9Coolant pump
For dimensions of the poly-V-belts, see page 272.

276 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Veh icle c omponents and t heir respec tive lub rica nts mu st ma tch . T herefore u se only brands tested and rec omm end ed
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter SL 500
SL 6008.5 US qt (8.0 l)
10 . 6 U S q t ( 10 . 0 l )Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission 9.6 US qt (9.1 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.5 US qt (1.4 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for
adaptive damping
system (ADS)approx. 4.8 US qt (4.5 l) MB Hydraulic fluid
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Accelerator control
linkageHydraulic fluid
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4)

277 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Windshield washer
and/headlamp cleaning
systemVehicles without ADS:
approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l)
Ve h i c l e s w i t h A D S :
approx. 3.2 US qt (3.0 l)MB Windshield washer concentrate “S”
1
Cooling system SL 500
SL 600approx. 13.2 US qt (12.5 l)
approx. 21.1 US qt (20.0 l)MB Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve ofapprox. 21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
approx. 2.6 US gal (10.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted octane 91 (Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
Air conditioner system R-134a refrigerant and special PAC lubricant
(Never R-12)1 Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios,
see page 225.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.