2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Coolant

346 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a sig-
nificantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 Anticorrosion/Anti-
freeze Agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in 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 quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
SL 500
6.1 US qt (5.8 l)
6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
SL 55 AMG
6.9 US qt (6.5 l)
7.6 US qt (7.2 l)

347 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield and headlamp washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer
systems are supplied from the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
The windshield and headlamp washer fluid
reservoir has a capacity of approx.
7.4 US qt. (7 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 4 l water)
For temperatures below freezing use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 4 l solvent).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts because it may ignite.
You could be seriously burned.

354 Technical termsMultifunction display
Two display fields in the instrument
cluster used to present information
provided by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
of the tachometer dial. Avoid this en-
gine speed range, as it may result in se-
rious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Parktronic*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing


engine


clutch/torque converter


transmission


transfer case


drive shaft


differential


axle shafts/axles
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operation (S)
and winter operation (W).
SL 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program:
in addition to S and W (for regular S or
winter W operation, see above), you
can use MANUAL for manual shift pro-
gramRemote Vehicle Diagnostics
Transmission of vehicle data and cur-
rent location to the Mercedes-Benz
Customer Assistance Center for sub-
scribers to Tele Aid service.
REST
(Residual Engine Heat Utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
Retractable hardtop
Hardtop roof that can be opened and
closed at the push of a button and
stored in the trunk.
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic. The roll bar is lowered into the
car body during normal driving condi-
tions and raised automatically. It may
also be manually raised and lowered by
operating a button during critical driv-
ing situations.

359 Index
Brakes 216
Warning lamp 253
Break-in period 214
Bulbs, replacing
Backup lamps 299
Brake lamps 296
Front lamps 295, 298
License plate lamps 300
Parking lamps 299
Rear fog lamp 299
Standing lamps 299
Tail lamp assemblies 299
Turn signal lamps, front 298
Turn signal lamps, rear 299
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) 351
CAN System 351
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 342
Catalytic converter 223
CD player
Operating 116
Center air vents 23
Center console
Lower part 24
Upper part 23Centigrade
Setting temperature units 122
Central locking
Automatic 91
Central locking switch 92
Switching on/off (control
system) 128
Unlocking from inside 92
Central locking switch 23
Central unlocking switch 23
Changing
Batteries (key) 293
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 294
Key setting 81
KEYLESS-GO* card setting 86
Vehicle level 185
Charging
Vehicle batteries 321
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator
lamp 21, 256
Checking
Batteries (KEYLESS-GO* card) 87
Coolant level 230
Oil level 226, 228
Tire inflate pressure 226
Vehicle lighting 226Vehicle lock status (KEYLESS-GO*
card) 87
Child safety
Airbags 54
Automatic child seat recognition 64
Infant and child restraint systems 52
Cigarette lighter 23, 197
Cleaning
Headlamps 146
Windshield 44
Clock 19
Closing
Glove box 190
Hood 228
Retractable hardtop (electronic
key) 164
Retractable hardtop (switch) 161
Side windows 158
Side windows (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Sunshade* 167
Trunk lid 83, 91
Cockpit 352
Collapsible tire 352
COMAND 23
COMAND* 352
COMAND*, radio and telephone 222

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

363 Index
Fuel 225
Additives 344
Fuel requirements 344
Fuel reserve warning lamp 21, 255
Gasoline additives 344
Premium unleaded gasoline 225,
342, 344
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 132
Since reset 132
Fuel filler flap 225
Locking 225
Opening 225
Unlocking 225
Fuel requirements 344
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 286
Fuel tank
Filler flap 225
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities 342
Functions (control system) 111
Fuse chart 288, 329Fuses 329
Fuse chart 288, 329
Fuse extractor 288, 329
Main fuse box 329
Spare fuses 288, 329
G
Garage door opener 25, 208
Gasoline see Fuel
Gear range
Automatic transmission 139
Indicator 21
Limiting 139
Shifting into optimal 138
Glove box 19, 190
Closing 190
Opening 190
GPS 353
H
Hands-free microphone 25
Hardtop open/close control 24
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hardtop switch 160
Hazard warning flasher 105
Hazard warning flasher switch 23Head restraints
Adjusting height 33
Adjusting tilt 34
Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 103
Headlamp cleaning system 146, 233
Manual mode 103
Refilling washer fluid 233
Head-thorax airbag 65, 353
Heated steering wheel* 197
Height adjustments
Head restraints 33
Seats 33
Steering column 35
Vehicle level 184
High beam flasher 105
High beam headlamp indicator 21
High beam headlamps 43, 102, 296
Replacing bulbs 298
Switching on 104
Hood 227
Messages in display 279
Horn 19
Hydroplaning 219

365 Index
L
Labels, identification 334
Lamp bulbs, exterior 295
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 125
Exterior lamp switch 19, 43
Front 296
Headlamps 245
Light sensor 279
Messages in display 274
Replacing bulbs for rear 296, 299
Switching off 102
Switching on 102
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 21, 69, 70, 251
ABS/ESP 250
Airbag Off 57
Brakes 253
CHECK ENGINE 256
Coolant 254
Distronic* 173
DTR* 173
Engine diagnostics 256
Fuel reserve 255
SBC 72
Seat belts 256Service indicator 241
SRS 52
Turn signals 21
Language
Multifunction display 123
License plate lamps 124, 296
Replacing bulbs 300
Light sensor 279
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Instruments 108
Interior 106
Settings (control system) 124
Trunk 107
Lock buttons 28, 30
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 50
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 88
Locking 47
Automatic while driving 91
Centrally from inside 92
Fuel filler flap 225
Global (electronic key) 81
Global (KEYLESS-GO* card) 86
Storage compartments 194
Trunk separately 83
Vehicle in an emergency 292Low beam headlamps 102, 296
Replacing bulbs 298
Lowering
Easy-Pack manually 292
Roll bar 62
Luggage compartment, rear 195
Luggage cover 160
Message in display 272
Opening/closing 160
Lumbar support adjustment 93
M
Main fuse box 329
Maintenance 241
Malfunction memory 118
Calling up 118
Clearing 119
MANUAL
Shift program mode
(SL 55 AMG Kompressor) 142

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