2003 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG engine coolant

Contents
Retractable hardtop........................... 159
Opening and closing the retractable
hardtop ........................................ 159
Driving systems ................................. 168
Cruise control .............................. 168
Distronic* .................................... 171
Active Body Control (ABC) ........... 183
Parktronic system* ...................... 186
Useful features .................................. 190
Interior storage spaces ................ 190
Ashtray......................................... 196
Cigarette lighter ........................... 197
Heated steering wheel* (Canada
only–model SL 500) ..................... 197
Easy-Pack load assist in the trunk 198
Electrical outlet ............................ 199
Telephone* .................................. 199
Tele Aid ........................................ 200
Garage door opener ..................... 208Operation......................................... 213
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 214
Driving instructions............................ 215
Drive sensibly – save fuel............. 215
Drinking and driving ..................... 215Pedals ........................................... 215
Power assistance .......................... 216
Brakes........................................... 216
Driving off ..................................... 218
Parking.......................................... 218
Tires .............................................. 219
Hydroplaning................................. 219
Tire traction .................................. 220
Tire speed rating ........................... 220
Winter driving instructions ............ 221
Standing water.............................. 222
Passenger compartment ............... 222
Driving abroad .............................. 222
Control and operation of radio trans-
mitters .......................................... 222
Catalytic converter........................ 223
Emission control ........................... 224
Coolant temperature..................... 224
At the gas station ............................... 225
Check regularly and before a
long trip ........................................ 226Engine compartment .......................... 227
Hood ............................................. 227
Engine oil ...................................... 228
Transmission fluid level ................ 230
Oil level in the ABC system ........... 230
Coolant ......................................... 230
Battery .......................................... 232
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 233
Tires and wheels ................................ 234
Important guidelines ..................... 234
Life of tires ................................... 235
Direction of rotation ..................... 235
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 235
Rotating wheels ............................ 238
Winter driving ..................................... 239
Winter tires ................................... 239
Block heater (Canada only) ........... 240
Snow chains ................................. 240
Maintenance ...................................... 241
Clearing the service indicator ....... 241
Service term exceeded ................. 241
Calling up the service indicator .... 242
Resetting the service indicator ..... 242
Vehicle care ....................................... 243
Cleaning and care of the vehicle ... 243

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

21 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature
gauge with:D
Coolant temperature
warning lamp
254
2
Speedometer with:;
Brake warning lamp,
except Canada
253
3
Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
v
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS)/Electronic
Stability Program
(ESP) warning lamp
250
E
Distronic (DTR)* indi-
cator lamp (white) or
warning lamp (red)
1
1Vehicles without Distronic*: Indicator lamp with-
out function. It illuminates with the key in starter
switch position2. It should go out when the engine
is running.
251
L
K
Turn signal indicator
lamps
Item
Page
3
Left multifunction display
with:
Trip odometer
109
Main odometerStored speed for
Distronic*
117
4
Reset knob
5
Tachometer with:
109
A
High beam headlamp
indicator
104
?
Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp
256
C
Roll bar warning lamp
255
-
Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) malfunc-
tion indicator lamp
251
Item
Page
1
Supplemental
restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp
252
<
Seat belt nonusage
warning lamp
256
6
Right multifunction
display with:
Selector lever
position
39
Outside temperature
display
109
Program mode
141
7
Fuel gauge with:A
Fuel reserve warning
lamp
255

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.

108 Controls in detailInstrument cluster
Instrument clusterA full view illustration of the instrument
cluster can be found in the “At a glance”
section of this manual (
page 20).
The instrument cluster is activated when
you:


open a door


turn on the ignition


press the reset knob (
page 20)


switch on the exterior lamps
Only opening a door will activate the in-
strument cluster for approximately
30 seconds.
You can change the instrument cluster set-
tings in the Instrument cluster submenu of
the control system (
page 122).
Instrument cluster illumination
Use the reset knob to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness for the instrument cluster
and the switches on the center console.
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset knob in the instrument
cluster (
page 20) clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.To dim illumination

Turn the reset knob in the instrument
cluster (
page 20) counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Coolant temperature gauge
Under normal driving conditions, the cool-
ant temperature may rise to 248°F
(120°C). The coolant temperature may
rise to 266°F (130°C) at high outside tem-
peratures or when driving in hilly terrain.
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 266°F
(130°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened to suit ambient
light conditions.

154 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlResidual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
Activating
Turn the key in the starter switch to
position1 o r r e m ov e i t f r o m t h e s t a r t e r
switch.

Press button
T
(page 148).
The indicator lamp on button
T

comes on.Deactivating

Press button
T
(page 148).
The indicator lamp on button
T

goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage dropsDeactivating the automatic climate
control system
Deactivating
It is possible to completely deactivate the
automatic climate control system. 
Press button
M
(page 148).
The indicator lamp on button
M

comes on.
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.
iThis setting is only recommended when
the retractable hardtop is open.

224 OperationDriving instructionsEmission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the exhaust
gases within permissible limits required by
law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments on the engine should therefore
be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing re-
quirements. For details refer to the Service
Booklet.
Coolant temperature
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to approx. 266°F
(130°C).
The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature over 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious en-
gine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide, and inhaling it can cause uncon-
sciousness and lead to death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated. If you think that exhaust gas
fumes are entering the vehicle while driving,
have the cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one win-
dow fully open at all times.
Warning!
G


Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated can cause some fluids, which
may have leaked into the engine com-
partment, to catch fire. You could be se-
riously burned.


Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns and can occur just
by opening the engine hood. Stay away
f r o m t h e e n g i n e i f y o u s e e o r h e a r s t e a m
coming from it. Turn off the engine, get
out of the vehicle and do not stand near
the vehicle until it cools down.

226 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
More information on refilling the reser-
voir can be found in the “Operation”
section on (
page 233).
2Brake fluid
More information on brake fluid can be
found in the “Technical data” section
(
page 342).
3Coolant level
More information on coolant can be
found in the “Coolant” section on
(page 230).Engine oil level
More information on engine oil can be
found in the Checking engine oil level sec-
tion on (
page 228).
Opening hood see (
page 227).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness.More infor-
mation on replacing light bulbs can be
found in the “Practical hints” section
(
page 295).
Exterior lamp switch see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 43).
Tire inflation pressure
More information on tire inflation pressure
can be found in the “Tires and wheels” sec-
tion (
page 234).