2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 cooling

254 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up when the engine is run-
ning.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp lights up frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 230).

Have the cooling system checked.

If the coolant temperature is below
257 °F (125 °C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
lights up while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
257 °F (125 °C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until it
cools down.

272 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
<
Seat belt system
Visit workshop!
The seat belt system is malfunction-
ing.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Ê
Close
trunk lid!
This message will appear whenever
the trunk lid is open.

Close the trunk lid.
Close
trunk separator!
You are trying to open or close the
roof even though the luggage cover
in the trunk is not pulled out.

Pull out the luggage cover and secure it
(page 160).
B
Coolant
Check level!
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 230).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have
the cooling system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
this message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat, causing major en-
gine damage.

274 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Visit workshop!
The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.

Observe the coolant temperature gauge.

Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
.
Low beam,
left
The left low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Low beam,
right
The right low beam lamp is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Display defective
Visit workshop!
The display for the lights is malfunc-
tioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Turn signal R, L
Substitute
lamp on!
The left rear turn signal lamp is mal-
functioning. A backup bulb has been
brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Turn signal R, R
Substitute
lamp on!
The right rear turn signal lamp is
malfunctioning. A backup bulb has
been brought into use.

Replace the bulb as soon as possible.

342 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
brands tested and recommended by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter
SL 500
SL 55 AMG
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Oil
1
Rear axle
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for active body control (ABC)
approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin
CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.0 oz (85 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
1.1 US qt (1.05 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling system
SL 500
SL 55 AMG
approx. 12.2 US qt (11.6 l)
approx. 13.7 US qt (13 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Posted Octane 91 (Avg. of 96 RON /
86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
1MB part no. 001 989 21 03 10

345 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
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 pro-
vides:

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 corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 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 ev-
ery 15 years or 150 000 miles (250 000
km), whichever comes first.
Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The
above replacement interval is only applica-
ble if MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze
solution or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see Facto-
ry Approved Service Products pamphlet)
are used to renew the coolant concentra-
tion or bring it back up to the proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]), 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 325.0 Anticorrosion /Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure that
the mixture is in accordance with label in-
structions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.

357 Index
A
ABC 183, 351
Messages in display 258
Oil level 230
Setting vehicle level 184
ABC switch 24
ABS 68, 351
Malfunction indicator lamp 21, 251
Messages in display 259
Warning lamp 70, 251
ABS/ESP
Warning lamp 250
ABS/ESP warning lamp 21
Activating
Air circulation mode 152
Air conditioning (cooling) 155
Anti-theft alarm system 76
Central locking (control system) 128
Distance warning function* 180
Distronic* 175
Easy-entry/exit feature 129
Electric air pump 316
ESP 72
Exterior lamps 102
Hazard warning flasher 105
High beams 104Ignition 29
Immobilizer 48, 75
Parktronic* 189
Rear window defroster 153
Residual heat 154
Seat heater 97, 98
Seat ventilation* 96
Steering wheel gearshift control
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 143
Tow-away alarm 77
Windshield wipers 44
Active Body Control (ABC) switch 24
Adjusting
Air distribution 151
Air volume 150
Backrest tilt 33
Exterior rear view mirrors 35
Head restraint height 33
Head restraint tilt 34
Inside rear view mirror 35
Lumbar support 93
Mirrors 35
Multicontour backrest* 93
Seat cushion depth 33
Seat cushion tilt 33
Seat height 33Seat in the lumbar region 94
Seat in the shoulder region 94
Seats 32
Steering wheel 34
Air conditioner (cooling)
Turning off 155
Turning on 155
Air conditioner refrigerant 343
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air pump, electric 289
Turning on 316
Air recirculation mode 152
Air volume adjustment 150
Airbags 53
Children 54
Front 57
Head-thorax 57, 58
Kneebag 57
Passenger 57
Alarm
Audible 67, 75
Canceling 76
Visual 75
Alignment bolt 351
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 288, 314
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 342, 346

360 IndexCombination switch 19, 43, 104
Consumer information 348
Control system 110, 113, 352
AUDIO menu 115
Convenience submenu 129
Distronic* menu 117
Functions 111
Instrument cluster submenu 122
Lighting submenu 124
Malfunction memory menu 118
Menus 111
Multifunction display 110
Multifunction steering wheel 111
NAVI menu 117
Standard display menu 110, 115
Submenus 114
TEL* menu 133
Trip computer menu 131
Vehicle submenu 127
Coolant 345
Adding 231
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 346
Checking level 230
Messages in display 272, 273, 274
Temperature 224Temperature gauge 108
Temperature warning lamp 21
Warning lamp 254
Cooling see Air conditioner
Courtesy lighting 107
Cruise control 168, 262, 352
Canceling 169
Driving downhill 169
Driving uphill 169
Fine adjustment 170
Setting 170
Setting a higher speed 170
Setting a lower speed 170
Setting speed 169, 170
Cruise control lever 19, 168
For cruise control 168
For Distronic* 175
Cup holder 23, 190
Opening 190
Customer Assistance Center 351
D
Daytime running lamp mode 103
Setting 124
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 155
Air recirculation mode 152Alarm 76
Anti-theft alarm system 76
Automatic climate control 154
Central locking (control system) 128
Cruise control 169
Distance warning function* 180
Distronic* 178
Engine with KEYLESS-GO* 49
Engine with the key 48
ESP 71
Exterior lamps 102
Hazard warning flasher 105
Headlamps 48, 102
Immobilizer 75
Interior light delayed switch-off 127
Parktronic* 189
Rear window defroster 153
Residual heat 154
Seat heater 97, 98
Seat ventilation* 96
Steering wheel gearshift control
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 143
Tow-away alarm 77
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 151

366 IndexManual operations
Interior lighting control 107
Locking the vehicle 292
Lowering Easy-Pack 292
Unlocking interior storage
compartments 291
Unlocking the driver’s door 290
Unlocking the trunk 291
Massage function 94
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL 151
Memory function 353
Storing exterior rear view mirror
parking position 100
Storing key dependent settings 130
Menus 111, 353
AUDIO 115
Distronic* 117
Malfunction memory 118
NAVI 117
Standard display 115
TEL* 133
Trip computer 131
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 25
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 123
Minimum distance 187Mirrors 35
Adjusting inside rear view mirror 35
Automatic antiglare for inside
mirror 145
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 131
Exterior rear view mirrors 35
Storing exterior mirror parking
position 100
Misfiring 45
MON 225, 353
Mph or km/h in speedometer 123
Multicontour backrest* 93
Multifunction display 110, 354
Left display field 21
Right display field 21
Selecting language 123
Standard display 110
Multifunction display messages
ABC 258
ABS 259
BAS 260
Battery 263, 264
Brake pads 265
Coolant 273
Coolant level 272, 274Display 287
Distronic* 262
Doors 286
Easy-entry/exit feature 271
Engine oil level 280
ESP 261
Fuel reserve tank 286
Hood 279
Key 286
KEYLESS-GO* card 269
Lamps 274
Luggage cover 272
Parking brake 271
Retractable hardtop 287
Roll bar 286
SBC brake system 265, 266, 268
Seat belts 272
Tele Aid 263
Telephone* 270
Tires 281
Trunk lid 272
Washer fluid 287
Multifunction steering wheel 22, 111,
354
Buttons 111