2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 page 34

256 OperationEngine compartment
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the right multi-
function display:

Engine oil level
OK


Add 1.0 qt. for
max. oil level(Canada:
1.0 l
)


Add 1.5 qts. for
max. oil level(Canada:
1.5 l
)


Add 2.0 qts. for
max. oil level(Canada:
2.0 l
)

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 257).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 386) and
(
page 388).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button is not in position2, the
following message will appear:
Ignit. on to measure
engine oil level
Switch on ignition.If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
repeating the check procedure.

If engine is not yet at normal operating
temperature, wait 30 minutes before
repeating the check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
!

Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
checking oil.

If the engine is not yet at normal
operating temperature, you must wait
30 minutes before checking oil.
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.


257 Operation
Engine compartment
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:Engine oil level
Reduce oil level!
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 307). Adding engine oil
SL 500 and SL 55 AMG1Filler capSL 6001Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Only use approved engine oils. For a
listing of approved engine oils, refer to
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet in your vehicle literature port-
folio.
In addition, check the oil filler cap for
important information pertaining to the
engine oil needing to meet a specific
Mercedes-Benz specification (e.g. MB
229.5). If such information is printed
on the oil filler cap, only use an engine
oil from the list of approved engine oils
in the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet that meets the specifi-
cation indicated on the oil filler cap.
Using engine oils of other specification
may cause the FSS to incorrectly deter-
mine the next service interval and will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


258 OperationEngine compartment
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 386) and
(
page 388).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission. Oil level in the ABC system
The oil level in the ABC system does not
need to be checked. If there is visible oil
loss or if malfunction messages appear in
the display, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center check the ABC
system.
Coolant
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
158°F (70°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.


259 Operation
Engine compartment
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Coolant expansion tank

Using a rag, turn the cap slowly approx-
imately one half turn to the left to re-
lease any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level


for cold coolant: is up to the upper
mark on the bracing rib of the coolant
expansion tank (translucent)


for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 391).!SL 600: Only open the cap on coolant
expansion tank1. Never open the cap
between the two charge-air coolers.
Otherwise, the engine could be dam-
aged.

261 Operation
Engine compartment
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Washer fluid reservoir
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approx. 7.4 US qt. (7 l).
During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Pre-mix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available pre-mixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could re-
sult in damage to the washer sys-
tem/reservoir.
For more information, see “Windshield and
headlamp washer system” (
page 393).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer
solvent / antifreeze on hot engine parts, be-
cause it may ignite and burn. You could be
seriously burned.
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.iIf the windshield washer system on
your vehicle is heated*, a fluid mixture
produced to resist freezing at tempera-
tures of approximately 14°F (–10°C)
should be sufficient.

264 OperationTires and wheelsTire pressure changes by approximately
1.5 psi (0.1 bar) per 18°F (10°C) of air
temperature change. Keep this in mind
when checking tire pressure where the
temperature is different from the outside
temperature.
The tire temperature and with it the tire
pressure is increased also while driving,
depending on the driving speed and the
tire load.Checking tire pressure electronically*
The tire inflation pressure monitor only
functions on wheels that are equipped with
the proper electronic sensors. It monitors
the tire inflation pressure, as selected by
the driver, in all four tires. A warning is is-
sued to alert you to a decrease in pressure
in one or more of the tires.
Tire pressure inquiries are made using the
multifunction display (
page 127). The
present inflation pressures are displayed
only after a few minutes travel time.
You can select the unit of measure used for
the tire inflation pressure by changing the
setting in the control system (
page 147).
iThe pressures listed for light loads are
minimum values offering high driving
comfort.
Increased inflation pressures listed for
heavier loads may also be used for light
loads. These higher pressures produce
favorable handling characteristics. The
ride of the vehicle, however, will be
somewhat harder. Never exceed the
maximum values or inflate tires below
the minimum values listed in the fuel
filler flap.
Warning!
G
Follow recommended inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.

265 Operation
Tires and wheels

Switch on ignition.

Make sure you are viewing the stan-
dard display menu (
page 127).

Press k button until the current in-
flation pressures for each tire appear in
the tachometer display field.iPossible differences between the read-
ings of a tire pressure gauge of an air
hose, e.g. gas station equipment, and
the vehicle’s control system can occur.
The readings issued by the control sys-
tem are more precise.
Warning!
G
The tire inflation pressure monitor does not
indicate a warning for wrongly selected in-
flation pressures. Always adjust tire inflation
pressure according to the label on the fuel
filler flap.
The tire inflation pressure monitor is not
able to issue a warning due to a sudden dra-
matic loss of pressure (e.g. tire blowout
caused by a foreign object). In the event of
a sudden loss of pressure, bring the vehicle
to a halt by carefully applying the brakes and
avoiding abrupt steering maneuvers.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend tire pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). Overloading the tires can
overheat them, possibly causing a blowout.iOperating radio transmission equip-
ment (e.g. wireless headsets, two-way
radios) in or near the vehicle could
cause the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor to malfunction.

266 OperationTires and wheelsActivating the tire inflation pressure
monitor
You must activate the tire inflation pres-
sure monitor in the following cases:

if you have changed the tire pressure


if you have replaced the wheels or tires


if you have installed new wheels or
tires

Make sure the tire pressure is set cor-
rectly.

Press the k button on the multi-
function steering wheel until the infla-
tion pressure of each tire appears in
the right display field.

Press the reset button (
page 22).
The following message will appear in
the speedometer display field:
Monitor current tire pressure?


Press æ button.
The following message will appear in
the speedometer display field:Tire pressure displayed
after
driving a few mins.
Reactivate w/
R-button
If you wish to cancel activation:
Press ç button.
If the following message appears in the
speedometer display field:
Reactivate tire press. monit.


Re-start the activation of the tire infla-
tion pressure monitor.
If the following message appears in the
speedometer display field:
Tire pressure

Check tires!


Re-start the activation of the tire infla-
tion pressure monitor.
iIf transporting a deflated road wheel or
additional wheel sensors in the vehicle,
the tire inflation pressure monitor
should not be reactivated until the de-
flated wheel or additional wheel sen-
sors have been removed from the
vehicle. Otherwise, the deflated wheel
or additional sensors could confuse the
tire inflation pressure monitor system
and cause it to malfunction.