2001 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class service a

282 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
the engine temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.
If the coolant level is low, water and MB anticorrosion/
antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).
The water in the cooling system must meet minimum
requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal
drinking water. If your are not sure about the water
quality, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The
use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant used
in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the
aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/
antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly
shortened service life.)
Therefore the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your car: Mercedes-Benz
anticorrosion/antifreeze Agent.Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in
the hot southern regions), you should have the
anticorrosion/antifreeze concentration checked. The
coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring
your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
Model Approx. freeze protection
-35°F
(-37°C)-49°F
(-45°C)
SL 500 6.6 US qt
(6.25 l)7. 3 U S q t
(6.9 l)
SL 600 10.6 US qt
(10.0 l)11 . 6 U S q t
(11.0 l)

283 Consumer information
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cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Consumer information
This has been prepared as required of all manufactures
of passenger cars under Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal
Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.
Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. Those grades represent the tire’s ability to stop
on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
Tread wear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
Wa r n i n g !
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straightahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

288 Index
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Failure indicator lamp .............................................. 211
Headlamp assembly (Halogen) ...............................244
Headlamp assembly (Xenon) ..................................246
License plate lamps .................................................. 251
Replacing bulbs .........................................................243
Taillamp assemblies .................................................250
Turn signal, parking,
side marker and standing lamp .........................245
FFirst aid kit ..................................................................... 216
Flexible service system (FSS) ........................................ 80
FSS indicator lamp ..................................................... 77
Fuel consumption gauge ................................................. 83
Fuel filler flap, manual release ...................................260
Fuel requirements .........................................................280
Fuel reserve and
fuel cap placement warning ....................................207
Fuel supply .....................................................................200
Fuels, coolants, lubricants
etc. - capacities ..........................................................277
Fuses ................................................................................ 219
GGarage door opener ....................................................... 133
Gasoline
Additives ..................................................................... 281
Fuel requirements ................................................... 280
Premium unleaded .................................................. 280HHardtop
Attaching hardtop .....................................................140
Removing .................................................................... 137
Hardtop or panorama roof ............................................ 137
Hazard warning flasher switch ..................................... 89
Head restraints .................................................................44
Headlamp assembly (Halogen) ................................... 244
Headlamp cleaning system .............................................87
High beam indicator lamp ............................................ 213
Hood ................................................................................ 220

291 Index
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SSafety guidelines for the seat belt,
emergency tensioning retractor
and airbag .................................................................... 67
Seat belt nonusage warning system ............................. 53
Seat belts ........................................................................... 52
Fastening ...................................................................... 54
Unfastening .................................................................. 56
Warning lamp ............................................................206
Seat belts and integrated
restraint system .......................................................... 52
Seats ................................................................................... 44
Seat heater ................................................................... 50
Snow chains .................................................................... 181
Soft top ............................................................................ 143
Lowering ..................................................................... 144
Raising ........................................................................ 145
SOS-call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 156
Spare parts service ........................................................270
Spare wheel ....................................................................229
SRS (Supplemental restraint system) ........................... 59
Indicator lamp ...........................................................206
Start lock-out .................................................................... 33
Malfunction lamp ........................................................ 77Starting 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 ...................................... 216
Sun visors ........................................................................123
Sunshade, electrical ...................................................... 122
Sunshade, manual ......................................................... 121
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) ...........................59
Synchronizing power windows .................................... 117
TTachometer ........................................................................79
Taillamp assemblies ..................................................... 250
Technical ........................................................................ 273
Technical data ................................................................ 273
Electrical system ....................................................... 276
Main dimensions ...................................................... 276
Rims – Tires ...............................................................274
Weights ....................................................................... 276
Tele Aid ............................................................................ 156

Service and Literature
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center has trained technicians and original Mercedes-Benz parts to service your
vehicle properly. For expert advice and quality service, see your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If your are interested in obtaining service literature for your vehicle, please contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. We consider this the best way for you to obtain accurate information for your vehicle.
For further information you can find us on the Mercedes-Benz web-site
www.mbusa.com
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this
Operator’s Manual. Reprinting, translation and copying, even of excerpts, is not permitted without our prior
authorization in writing.
Title illustration no. P00.00-2645-26
Press time 10/31/00
MBUSA/TI
Printed in the U.S.A.Wa r n i n g !
To help avoid personal injury, be extremely careful when performing any service work or repairs. Improper
or incomplete service or the use of incorrect or inappropriate parts or materials may damage the vehicle or its
equipment, which may in turn result in personal injury.
If you have any question about carrying out some service, turn to the advice of an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.