2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 service interval

10 IntroductionOperator’s ManualMaintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the nec-
essary maintenance work which should be
performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you
when you take the vehicle to your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each ser-
vice in the booklet for you.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
Program provides factory trained technical
help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to
the toll-free Roadside Assistance number:
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Cus-
tomer Assistance Representatives
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the
Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-
gram brochure in your glove box.
Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to
send in the “Change of Address Notice”
found in the Service and Warranty Informa-
tion Booklet, or simply call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance
Center (in the USA) at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Ser-
vice (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It is in
your own interest that we can contact you
should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all
literature with the vehicle to make it avail-
able to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to
send in the “Notice of Purchase of Used
Car” found in the Service and Warranty In-
formation Booklet, or call the
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Cen-
ter (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes,
or Customer Service (in Canada) at
1-800-387-0100.

241 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, in accordance with
the Service Booklet at the times called for
by the FSS (F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem).
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Service Booklet at the
designated times /mileage called for by
the FSS may result in vehicle damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
FSS will notify you when your next service
is due.
Approximately one month before your next
service is due, one of the following mes-
sages will appear in the tachometer dis-
play field while you are driving or when you
switch on the ignition (example service A):
Service A in xx days
Service A in xx miles (km)
Service A Due now!
The type of service due is indicated in the
speedometer display field:9
Minor service (A)
´
Major service (B)
Clearing the service indicator
The service indicator is automatically
cleared after 30 seconds. You can also
clear it yourself.1Reset knob

Press the reset knob1.
Service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the tachometer display field:
Service A exceeded by xx days
Service A exceeded by xx miles
(km)
The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
iThe interval between services depends
on your driving habits. A gentle driving
style, moderate engine speeds and the
avoidance of short distance trips will
lengthen the interval between services.

242 OperationMaintenanceCalling up the service indicator
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 110).

Press button
k
or
j
on the
steering wheel until the service symbol
9
or
´
appears in the speedom-
eter display and the service deadline in
the tachometer.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch ignition on.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 110).

Press button
k
or
j
on the
steering wheel until the service symbol
9
or
´
appears in the speedom-
eter display and the service deadline in
the tachometer.

Press the reset knob for about four
seconds.
This message appears in the tachome-
ter:Do you want to reset the service
interval?
Confirm by using reset button

To confirm, hold down the reset knob
until you hear a signal.
The service indicator now displays the
reset interval.iOnly reset if the proper service has
been performed. Resetting the system
without performing proper service as
called for by the FSS will cause the FSS
to incorrectly determine the next ser-
vice interval which will result in engine
damage not covered by the Mer-
cedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If the battery supplying the vehicle’s
electrical consumers is disconnected,
the days of disconnection will not be in-
cluded in the count shown by the ser-
vice indicator. To arrive at the true
service deadline, you will need to sub-
tract these days from the days shown
in the service indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator
:
.

265 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
2
Brake lining wear!
Visit workshop!
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as
possible.
T
Brake defective!
Stop vehicle!
The SBC brake system is in emer-
gency operation mode. Consider-
ably greater brake pedal force is
required and the stopping distance
is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph (90 km/h).

Do not drive any further.

Stop the vehicle and notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Significantly greater force must be applied
to the brake pedal.

Call for roadside assistance.
Reduced
brake effect
Start engine!
The battery has insufficient voltage
and cannot supply sufficient power
to the SBC brake system.

Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the mes-
sage disappears.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Service book-
let.

319 Practical hints
Batteries
Batteries
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:

The starter battery (located in the en-
gine compartment)


The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)
Starter battery in the engine compartment1Positive terminal
2Negative terminal
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the key is in the starter switch. Oth-
erwise the alternator and other elec-
tronic components could be severely
damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regu-
larly by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center
Refer to Service Booklet for mainte-
nance intervals or contact your autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.

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.

361 Index
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 125
Interior lighting 127
Digital clock 19
Direction of rotation (tires) 235
Displays
Distronic* 173
Messages 287
Parktronic* 187
Service indicator 241
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 133
Distance warning function* 179
Activating 180
Deactivating 180
DTR* warning lamp 179
Intermittent warning sound 179
Symbol 117, 174
Distance warning function* switch 24
Distronic indicator lamp* 21
Distronic* 171, 352
Activating 175
Calling up settings 117, 174
Cleaning sensors 246
Cover 246
Cruise control lever 175Deactivating 178
Deceleration 174
Decreasing time interval 179
Displays 173
Distance warning function 179
Distance warning function switch 24
Driving hints 180
DTR warning lamp 173
Fine adjustment 177
Increasing time interval 179
Intermittent signal tone 173
Messages in display 262
Setting a higher speed 176
Setting a slower speed 177
Setting distance 24
Setting speed 176
Setting stored speed 177
Warning and indicator lamps 173
Distronic* warning lamp 21
Door control panel 19, 26
Door handle 26
Doors
Message in display 286
Opening 89
Opening from inside vehicle 89
Storage compartments 192Downhill driving
Cruise control 169
Drink holder see Cup holder
Drinking and driving 215
Drive sensibly - save fuel 215
Driving 37, 42
Driving abroad 222
Driving hints
Distronic* 180
SBC brake system 74
Driving instructions 215
Driving off 218
Driving safety systems 68
ABS 68
BAS 69
ESP 70
Driving systems 168
ABC 183
Cruise control 168
Distronic* 171
Parktronic* 186
Vehicle level control 184
DTR* see Distronic*

369 Index
Retractable hardtop 354
Closing (electronic key) 164
Closing (switch) 161
Locking after raising/lowering 162
Message in display 287
Opening (key) 163
Opening (switch) 160
Problems when operating 164
Roll bar 61, 354
Installing wind screen 165
Lowering 62
Message in display 286
Raising 62
Warning lamp 21
Roll bar buttons 24
RON 225, 355
Roof see Retractable hardtop
S
SBC brake system 68, 72, 355
Activation 73
Deactivation 74
Driving hints 74
Messages in display 265, 266, 268
Self-check 74
Warning lamp 72
Screwdriver (vehicle tool kit) 288Seat belt force limiter 60
Seat belts 37, 52, 58
Message in display 272
Warning lamp 256
Seat cushion depth 33
Seat heater
Switching off 97
Switching on 97
Seat ventilation*
Switching off 96
Switching on 96
Seats
Adjusting backrest tilt 33
Adjusting cushion depth 33
Adjusting height 33
Adjusting lumbar support 94
Adjusting shoulder support 94
Heater 97
Massage function 94
Moving 95
Selector lever 24
Lock 39, 355
Position (automatic
transmission) 137Service
Batteries 319
Calling up the service indicator 242
Major service (Service B) 241
Minor service (Service A) 241
Overdue 241
Types 241
When due 241
Service indicator 241
Clearing 241
Service life (tires) 235
Service System see FSS 241
Setting
Convenience functions 129
Cruise control 170
Daytime running lamp mode 124
Distronic* time interval 179
Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 131
Individual vehicle 119
Instrument lighting 108
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 127
Key dependent memory 130
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 124