2002 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS oil

267 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex In general, regular spraying or cleansing with clear
water is sufficient to keep the top clean.
Wash the top only when heavily soiled.
Light colored soft tops should be cleaned frequently to
prevent spots and dirt from setting in, which could stain
and discolor the soft top material permanently.
Caution!
Never use any gasoline, thinner, tar and stain removers,
glass cleaner, or similar organic solvents to clean the
soft top, plastic window or wind screen. They will cause
damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Headliner
Soft top:
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.Wind screen
Use only water or mild detergent to clean the wind
screen.
Automatic antenna
For trouble-free operation of the automatic antenna, we
recommend that you clean the antenna mast
periodically.
Wiper blade
Clean the wiper blade rubber with a clean cloth and
detergent solution.
Note:
For safety reasons, remove key from steering lock before
cleaning the wiper blade, otherwise the wiper motor
can suddenly turn on and cause injury.
Headlamp cleaning system
The condition of the wiper blades is important for
satisfactory cleaning of the headlamp lenses. We
therefore recommend that the blades be inspected
regularly.

268 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex
Leather upholstery
Using aftermarket seat covers or wearing clothing that
have the tendency to give off coloring (e.g. when wet
etc.) may cause the upholstery to become permanently
discolored. By lining the seats with a proper
intermediate cover, contact-discoloration will be
prevented.
Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth and dry
thoroughly or clean with Mercedes-Benz approved
Leather Care. Exercise particular care when cleaning
perforated leather as its underside should not become
wet.Plastic and rubber parts
Do not use oil or wax on these parts.
Illuminated door sill panels
Use a gentle dish-washing detergent or mild detergent
for delicate fabrics as a washing solution. Wipe with a
cloth moistened in lukewarm solution. Do not use
scouring agents.

269 Contents - Technical data
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Technical data Spare parts service ........................270
Warranty coverage .........................270
Identification labels ....................... 271
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ............272
Engine ..............................................273
Rims - Tires ..................................... 274
Weights ............................................ 276
Main Dimensions ........................... 276Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities ................................... 277
Engine oils ...................................... 279
Engine oil additives ...................... 279
Air conditioner refrigerant .......... 279
Brake fluid ...................................... 279
Premium unleaded gasoline ........ 280
Fuel requirements ........................ 280
Gasoline additives ......................... 281
Coolants .......................................... 281
Consumer information ................. 283

277 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
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 f luid
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
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4)

279 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in
our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils
recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Information on
recommended brands is available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Please follow Service Booklet recommendations for
scheduled oil changes. Failure to do so could result in
engine damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. They may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending oil
additives are not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
War ra nt y.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG lubricating oil
is used in the air conditioner system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lubricating oil,
otherwise damage to the system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake
fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of
moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard
operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to
the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing
the system‘s efficiency.
The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two
years, preferably in the spring.
It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
will provide you with additional information.

280 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance,
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used,
follow these precautions:
• have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible,
• avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
• do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage,
• do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane
number and the Motor (M) octane number: [(R+M)/2].
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3%
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor
pressure etc.

281 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
• warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking/pinging,
•misfire,
• power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides:
• corrosion protection,
• freeze protection,
• boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approx. 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion/
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]),

286 Index
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car careIndex
BBabySmart
TM airbag deactivation system ..................... 58
Self-test ......................................................................... 58
Backrest ............................................................................. 48
BAS (Brake assist system) ............................................ 188
Malfunction indicator lamp .....................................207
Battery .............................................................................237
Charge indicator lamp .............................................. 211
Recycling ....................................................................238
Brake assist system (BAS) ............................................ 188
Brake fluid ......................................................................279
Capacity ......................................................................277
Brake pad wear indicator lamp ....................................205
Brake warning lamp ......................................................205
CCatalytic converter ........................................................ 163
Central locking system ................................................... 29
Automatic central locking ......................................... 37
Central locking switch ............................................... 36
General notes ............................................................... 33
Locking and unlocking
with remote control ............................................... 30
Remote control ..................................................... 28, 29Remote control – changing batteries .................... 252
Vehicle keys .................................................................28
Changing wheels ............................................................231
Charge indicator lamp ................................................... 211
Check engine
malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 204
Check regularly and before a long trip ...................... 202
Checking engine oil level ............................................ 222
Checking engine oil level indicator .............................. 82
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ................................ 262
Clock .................................................................................. 79
Combination switch .........................................................86
Console storage compartments ....................................127
Consumer information ................................................. 283
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ..................................................... 154
Coolant
Adding coolant .......................................................... 225
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity ........................ 282
Checking level .......................................................... 224
Coolants ......................................................................281
Low engine coolant level
warning lamp ....................................................... 209
Temperature gauge .....................................................78
Cruise control ................................................................. 184
Cup holder .............................................................. 128, 265