238 OperationThe first 1000 miles (1500 km)
In the “Operation” section you will find de-
tailed information on operating, maintain-
ing and caring for your vehicle. 
The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle 
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later 
on. 
Drive your vehicle during the first 
1000 miles (1500 km) at varying but 
moderate vehicle and engine speeds. 
During this period, avoid heavy loads 
(full throttle driving) and excessive en-
gine speeds (no more than 
2/3 of max-
imum rpm in each gear). 
Avoid accelerating by kickdown.
Do not attempt to slow the vehicle 
down by shifting to a lower gear using 
the gear selector lever.
Select positions3, 2 or1 only when 
driving at moderate speeds (for hill 
driving). 
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you may 
gradually increase vehicle and engine 
speeds to the permissible maximum. All of the above instructions, as may apply 
to your vehicle type, also apply when driv-
ing the first 1000 miles (1500 km) after 
the engine or the rear differential has been 
replaced.
!Additional instructions for AMG vehi-
cles:
During the first 1000 miles 
(1500 km), do not exceed a speed 
of 85 mph (140 km/h).
During this period, avoid engine 
speeds above 4500 rpm in each 
gear.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits. 
400 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 
on the tachometer dial (not on 
SL 55 AMG, see “Tachometer” 
(
page 125). Avoid this engine speed 
range, as it may result in serious engine 
damage that is not covered by the Mer-
cedes-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/axlesProgram mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operation (S) 
and comfort operation (C).
SL 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program: 
in addition to S and C (for regular S or 
comfort C operation, see above), you 
can use MANUAL for manual shift pro-
gram
Remote 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.