2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 check oil

203 Contents – Instrument cluster display
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster displayMalfunction and indicator
lamps in the instrument
cluster .........................................204
On-board diagnostic system
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................204
Brake warning lamp ..................204
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp .............................205
Seat belt warning lamp .............206
Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) indicator lamp ....206Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 207
Electronic stability program
(ESP) - warning lamp ................ 207
BAS-/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 207
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 208
Low engine coolant
level warning lamp .................... 209
Low windshield and headlamp
washer system f luid leve l
warning lamp ..............................210
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................210Charge indicator lamp ............... 211
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp ............................. 211
Roll bar warning lamp ............... 212
ADS indicator lamp .................... 212
High beam indicator lamp ........ 213
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) .......... 213
Malfunction and indicator
lamp (in the dashboard) .......... 213
Passenger airbag
indicator lamp ............................. 213

210 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Low windshield and headlamp washer system fluid
level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, the level of the
reservoir has dropped to approx. 1/3 of the total volume.
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate "S" and water (or commercially
available premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient temperature - see
page 88) at the next opportunity. The reservoir for the
windshield and headlamp washer systems is located in
the engine compartment.Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on. It should
go out immediately when the engine is
running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip,
see page 221.

212 Malfunction and warning messages
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Roll bar warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
roll bar warning lamp comes on and goes out
with the engine running.
Have the roll bar system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.ADS indicator lamp
If the malfunction indicator stays on after
the engine is running, then the oil level in
the reservoir is low or the system has
detected a malfunction.
Have the ADS checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
For detailed information see page 199
Wa r n i n g !
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting
the engine, or if it comes on while driving, and the
indicator lamps in the roll bar switch blink
simultaneously, then the roll bar system is not
operating properly and may not activate in an
accident. In this case, raise the roll bar manually
(see page 118) before continuing to drive.

214 Contents – Practical hints
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Practical hintsFirst aid kit ..................................... 215
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 215
Vehicle tools .................................... 216
Vehicle jack ..................................... 217
Fuses ................................................ 218
Hood ................................................. 219
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................221
Checking engine oil level .............221
Coolant level ...................................223
Adding coolant ...............................224Windshield and headlamp
washer f luid mixing ratio ....... 225
Wheels ............................................ 226
Tire replacement ........................... 226
Rotating wheels ............................. 227
Spare wheel .................................... 228
Changing wheels ........................... 230
Tire inflation pressure ................. 234
Battery ............................................. 236
Battery Recycling ....................... 237
Jump starting ................................. 238
Towing the vehicle ........................ 240Exterior lamps ................................242
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .....................................243
Taillamp assemblies ..................249
Changing batteries in
the remote control .................... 251
Synchronizing ............................252
Raising soft top manually .............253
Replacing wiper blade insert .......257
Manual release of
fuel filler flap .............................259
Trunk lamp .....................................259

221 Checking engine oil level
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index Automatic transmission fluid level
The transmission has a permanent fill of automatic
transmission fluid.
Regular automatic transmission fluid level checks and
changes are not required. For this reason the dipstick is
omitted.
If you notice f luid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center check the
transmission fluid level.Checking engine oil level
SL 500
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
To check the engine oil level, park vehicle on level
ground, with engine at normal operational temperature.
Check engine oil level approximately 5 minutes after
stopping the engine, allowing for the oil to return to the
oil pan.

222 Checking engine oil level
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
SL 600
1Oil dipstick
2Oil filler cap
Wipe oil dipstick clean prior to checking the engine oil
level. Fully insert dipstick in tube, and remove after
three seconds to obtain accurate reading.Oil level must be between the lower
(min) and upper (max) mark of the
dipstick.
Fill qu antity b etween u pper a nd l ower dipstick m arking
level is approximately 2.1 US qt (2.0l).
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could
cause engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
For low engine oil level warning, see page 210.
MERCEDES BENZ
MERCEDES BENZ
1
2P18.40-0258-26

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.

286
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 58
Self-test ......................................................................... 59
Backrest ............................................................................. 48
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 188
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................207
Battery .............................................................................236
Charge indicator lamp .............................................. 211
Recycling ....................................................................237
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 188
Brake fluid ......................................................................278
Capacity ...................................................................... 276
Brake pad wear indicator lamp ....................................205
Brake warning lamp ......................................................204
CCatalytic converter ........................................................ 163
Central locking system ................................................... 30
Automatic central locking ......................................... 38
Central locking switch ............................................... 37
General notes ............................................................... 34
Locking and unlocking with remote control .......... 31
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 30Remote control – changing batteries ..................... 251
Vehicle keys .................................................................28
Changing wheels ........................................................... 230
Charge indicator lamp ................................................... 211
Check engine malfunction indicator lamp ................ 204
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 202
Checking engine oil level .............................................221
Checking engine oil level indicator .............................. 82
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................. 261
Clock .................................................................................. 79
Combination switch .........................................................86
Console storage compartments ....................................127
Consumer information ................................................. 282
Control and operation of radio transmitters .............. 153
Coolant
Adding coolant .......................................................... 224
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity .........................281
Checking level .......................................................... 223
Coolants ..................................................................... 280
Low engine coolant level warning lamp ............... 209
Temperature gauge .....................................................78
Cruise control ................................................................. 185
Cup holder .............................................................. 128, 264