
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) 

285
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
Index
AABS (Antilock brake system)  ....................................... 190
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................208
Adj usting  steering c ol umn
Storing steering column position in memory  ........ 70
ADS indicator lamp  ....................................................... 212
ADS warning lamp ......................................................... 212
Air conditioner refrigerant ...........................................278
Airbags  .............................................................................. 60
Airbag OFF indicator lamp  ...................................... 213
SRS indicator lamp  ...................................................206
Antenna  ........................................................................... 151
Antilock brake system (ABS)  ....................................... 190
Antitheft alarm system  ................................................... 42
Aquaplaning  ................................................................... 180
Armrest  ........................................................................... 127
Ashtrays  .................................................................. 130, 131
Audio system
Anti-theft system  ...................................................... 100
Button and soft key operation ................................. 101
Cassette mode  ........................................................... 106
CD changer  .................................................................110CD mode  ..................................................................... 109
Operating and display elements  ...............................99
Operating safety  ..........................................................98
Operation  ............................................................. 98, 102
Radio mode  ................................................................ 104
Telephone operation  ................................................. 113
Automatic climate control  ..............................................90
Air distribution  ............................................................95
Air recirculation  ..........................................................96
Air volume .................................................................... 95
Basic setting - automatic mode  ................................. 93
Defogging windows  .....................................................94
Defrosting  .....................................................................94
Display and controls  ...................................................92
Dust filter  .....................................................................97
Rear window defroster  ............................................... 95
Residual engine heat utilization  ...............................96
Automatic transmission  ................................................ 168
Emergency operation  ............................................... 174
Fluid level  ...................................................................221
Maneuvering  ..............................................................172
Program mode selector switch  ................................173
Selector lever positions  ............................................ 169 

291
Technical
data Instruments 
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument 
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex Raising  ........................................................................ 145
Spare parts service  ........................................................269
Spare wheel  ....................................................................228
SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 59
Indicator lamp  ...........................................................206
Start lock-out  .................................................................... 34
Malfunction lamp ........................................................ 77
Starting and turning off the engine  ............................ 167
Steering column
Adjusting  ...................................................................... 70
Steering lock  ................................................................... 165
Storage compartment (eyeglasses compartment)
in the dashboard  ....................................................... 124
Stowing things in the vehicle  ...................................... 215
Sun visors  ....................................................................... 123
Sunshade, electrical  ...................................................... 122
Sunshade, manual  ......................................................... 121
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ........................... 59
Synchronizing power windows .....................................117
TTachometer  ....................................................................... 79
Taillamp assemblies  ......................................................249
Technical  .........................................................................272Technical data  ................................................................ 272
Electrical system  ...................................................... 275
Main dimensions  ..................................................... 275
Rims – Tires  .............................................................. 273
Weights  ...................................................................... 275
Tele Aid  ............................................................................ 155
Information  ................................................................ 159
Initiating an emergency call  ................................... 157
Roadside Assistance  ................................................. 158
Telephone, general ......................................................... 132
Telephones and two-way radio  ..................................... 153
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)  ................................ 154
Tires
Driving instructions  .................................................179
Inflation pressure  .................................................... 234
Replacement  ............................................................. 226
Speed rating  ............................................................... 181
Traction ....................................................................... 180
Tow-away alarm  ................................................................43
Tow-away protection  ........................................................ 43
Towing the vehicle  ........................................................ 240
Trip odometer  ...................................................................79
Trunk  .................................................................................39
Trunk lamp  .................................................................... 259
Trunk lid release switch  ................................................. 40