2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class oil level

201 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 82 or 222.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see page 277.
•Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 225.
•Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 276.
•Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside
the fuel filler flap.
•Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant,
see page 277.•Bulbs
High and low beams: Halogen type 9004,
low beam: Xenon, for model SL 600 (SL 500
optional)
high beam (models with Xenon): H 1 (55 W)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal, standing, side marker and parking
lamps, front: 2357 NA (28.5/8.3 W/30/2.2 cp), tail,
parking, standing and driver’s side rear fog lamp:
21 / 4 W,
turn signal lamps, rear: 21 W/32 cp,
side marker lamps, rear: 10W/6 cp,
stop lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5W/4 cp.

202 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Coolant level
See “Adding coolant” on page 224.
2Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 226.
3Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 222 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 82.
4Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 279.
Opening hood, see page 220.
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
243.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 84.

203 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster display Malfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................204
On-board
diagnostic system .......................204
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................204
Brake warning lamp ..................205
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp .............................205
Seat belt warning lamp .............206
Supplemental
restra int 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 fluid level
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
Te ch n ica l
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 222.

212 Malfunction and warning messages
Te ch n ica l
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.

215 Contents - Practical hints
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar care Index
Practical hints First aid kit ..................................... 216
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 216
Vehicle tools .................................... 217
Vehicle jack ..................................... 218
Fuses ................................................ 219
Hood .................................................220
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................222
Checking engine oil level .............222
Coolant level ...................................224
Adding coolant ...............................225Windshield and
headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio ..................... 226
Wheels ............................................ 227
Tire replacement ........................... 227
Rotating wheels ............................. 228
Spare wheel .................................... 229
Changing wheels ........................... 231
Tire inflation pressure ................. 235
Battery ............................................. 237
Battery Recycling ....................... 238
Jump starting ................................. 239
Towing the vehicle ........................ 241Exterior lamps ................................243
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .....................................244
Taillamp assemblies ..................250
Changing batteries in the
remote control ...........................252
Synchronizing ............................253
Raising soft top manually .............254
Replacing wiper blade .................258
Manual release of
fuel filler flap .............................260
Trunk lamp .....................................260

222 Checking engine oil level
Te ch n ica l
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.

223 Checking engine oil level
Te ch n ica l
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 quantity between upper and lower dipstick marking
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