2000 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 reservoir

87 Combination switch
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index 6Press switch briefly:
One wipe without washer water
(select only if windshield is wet).
Press switch past resistance point:
Windshield washer, windshield wiper;
headlamp cleaning system only in exterior lamp
switch positions C or B (except xenon
lamps).
Canada only: also in position D when the engine
is running.7Windshield wiper
0Wiper off
I Intermittent wiping
One initial wipe, pauses between wipes are
automatically controlled by a rain sensor
monitoring the wetness of the windshield.
Notes:
With switch in this position, one wipe occurs
when turning the key in steering lock from
position 0.
Do not leave in inte rmittent se tting w hen vehicle
is taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Wiper will operate in
presence of water spray at windshield, and wiper
may be damaged as a result.
II Normal wiper speed
III Fast wiper speed
Note:
The windshield washer reservoir, hoses and nozzles are
automatically heated.
7
6
P54.25-0313-26

88 Combination switch
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Blocked windshield wiper
If the windshield wiper becomes blocked (for example,
due to snow), switch off the wiper.
For safety reasons before removing ice or snow, remove
key from steering lock. Remove blockage.
Activate combination switch again (key in steering lock
position 1).
Windshield wiper smears
If the windshield wiper smears the windshield, even
during rain, activate the washer system as often as
necessary. The fluid in the washer reservoir should be
mixed in the correct ratio.Windshield and headlamp washer fluid mixing ratio
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).

177 Driving insturctions
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Power assistance
BrakesThe condition of the parking brake system is checked
each time the vehicle is in the shop for the required
maintenance service.
If the parking brake is released and the brake warning
lamp in the instrument cluster stays on, the brake f luid
level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may be the
reason for low brake f luid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Al l checks and service work on the brake system shoul d
be carried out by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Install only brake pads and brake fluid recommended by
Mercedes-Benz.
Wa r n i n g !
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort is
necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.Wa r n i n g !
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep enough
to wet brake components, the first braking action
may be somewhat reduced and increased pedal
pressure may be necessary to obtain expected
braking effect. Be sure to maintain a safe distance
from vehicles in front.Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.It can also result in the brakes overheating thereby
significantly reducing their effectiveness. It may
not be possible to stop the vehicle in sufficient time
to avoid an accident.
Wa r n i n g !
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake fluid
is used, t he braking properties of th e vehic le can be
degraded to an extent that safe braking is
substantially impaired. This could result in an
accident.The trunk is the preferred place to carry objects.

202 Check regularly and before a long trip
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Coolant level
See “Adding coolant” on page 223.
2Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 225.
3Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 221 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 82.
4Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 278.
Opening hood, see page 219.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on page
242.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 84.

205 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Technical
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index The brake warning lamp will come on:
• when there is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir (engine running and parking brake
released), or
• when the parking brake is set (engine running).
Note:
If you find that the minimum mark on the brake f luid
reservoir is reached, have the brake system checked for
brake pad thickness and leaks.Brake pad wear indicator lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
brake pad wear indicator lamp comes on. It
goes out when the engine is running.
If the indicator lamp lights up during braking, this
indicates that the brake pads are worn down.
Have the brake system checked at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Wa r n i n g !
Driving with the brake warning lamp illuminated
can result in an accident. Have your brake system
checked immediately if the brake warning lamp
stays on. Don‘t add brake fluid before checking the
brake system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir
can result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You can be
seriously burned.

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.

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.