2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 wiper fluid

ContentsPractical hints.................................. 249
What to do if … .................................. 250
Lamps in instrument cluster ......... 250
Messages in the display ............... 257
Where will I find ...?............................ 288
First aid kit ................................... 288
Vehicle tool kit ............................. 288
Locking/unlocking in an emergency.. 290
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 290
Locking the vehicle ...................... 292
Lowering the Easy Pack feature
manually ....................................... 292
Changing batteries ....................... 293
Replacing bulbs ................................. 295
Bulbs ............................................ 295
Replacing bulbs for front lamps.... 298
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps ..... 299
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 301
Removing ..................................... 301
Installing....................................... 301
Flat tire .............................................. 302
Preparing the vehicle.................... 302
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 1 ..... 302
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit 2 ..... 308
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 312Batteries ............................................ 319
Disconnecting the batteries ......... 320
Removing the batteries ................ 321
Charging and reinstalling
batteries....................................... 321
Reconnecting the batteries .......... 321
Jump starting ..................................... 323
Towing the vehicle ............................. 325
Installing towing eye bolt ............. 327
Fuses ................................................. 329
Main fuse box............................... 329
Technical data................................. 331
Spare parts service ............................ 332
Warranty coverage............................. 333
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 333
Identification labels ........................... 334
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 335
SL 500 ......................................... 335
SL 55 AMG ................................... 335
Engine................................................ 336
Rims and tires.................................... 337
Same size tires ............................. 337
Mixed size tires ............................ 338Spare wheel ................................. 338
Electrical system ............................... 339
Main dimensions ............................... 340
Weights ............................................. 341
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 342
Capacities .................................... 342
Engine oils ................................... 343
Engine oil additives ...................... 343
Air conditioner refrigerant............ 343
Brake fluid.................................... 343
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 344
Fuel requirements ........................ 344
Gasoline additives ........................ 344
Coolants ...................................... 345
Windshield and headlamp washer
system ......................................... 347
Consumer information ....................... 348
Uniform tire quality grading ......... 348
Technical terms............................... 351Index................................................. 357

44 Getting startedDrivingWindshield wipers
The combination switch is on the left of the
steering column.Combination switch1Single wipe
2Switching on windshield wipers
Make sure that the ignition is switched
on.Switching on windshield wipers

Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0 Windshield wipers off
I Intermittent wiping (interval depen-
dent on wetness of windshield)
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed (Canada only:
goes to setting II when the car is
standing still)
Single wipe

Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
iThe intermittent wiping interval is de-
pendent on wetness of windshield.
Wiping will not occur with a door open.
!Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
the presence of water sprayed on the
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass when wiping occurs on a dry
windshield.

45 Getting started
Driving
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
Push switch in the direction of arrow1
past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
Information on filling up the washer reser-
voir can be found in the "Operation" sec-
tion (page 233).
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
The coolant temperature gauge is over
248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 230).
!If leaves, snow, etc. block the wind-
shield wipers, the wiper motor turns
off.

For safety reasons, withdraw key
from starter switch. Remove block-
age.


Turn the windshield wipers on
again.
If windshield wipers fail to function at
all in switch positionI,


set the combination switch to the
next highest wiper speed.


have the windshield wipers
checked at the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

374 IndexVIN (vehicle identification number) 334,
356
Voice control system* 19
Hands-free microphone 25
Voice control system+ 353
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Distance warning function* 179
Distronic* 173
Warranty coverage 333
Washing the vehicle 245
Wear pattern (tires) 238
Wheel change 312
Tightening torque 318
Wind screen 165, 356
Installing 165
Removing 166
Windows see Side windows
Windshield
Refilling washer fluid 233
Washer fluid 45, 233
Washer system 233
Windshield and headlamp washer
system 347Windshield washer fluid 45
Filler neck 233
Message in display 287
Mixing ratio 347
Refilling 233
Windshield wipers 19, 44
Fast wiper speed 44
Intermittent wiping 44
Replacing wiper blades 301
Wiping with windshield washer
fluid 45
Winter driving
Snow chains 240
Tires 239
Transmission program mode 141
Winter driving instructions 221
Winter tires 239
Wrench, hex-socket (vehicle tool
kit) 288, 292
Wrench, open-end (vehicle tool kit) 288
Wrench, wheel (vehicle tool kit) 288, 289
X
Xenon headlamps 356
Bi-Xenon 351