2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 service

394 Technical dataConsumer information
Consumer informationThis has been prepared as required of all
manufacturers of passenger cars under Ti-
tle 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations,
Part 575 pursuant to the “National Traffic
and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966”.Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to lowest
are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades repre-
sent the tire’s ability to stop on wet pave-
ment as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
Tread wear
Traction
Temperature
200
AA
A
Warning!
G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straightahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

397 Technical terms
ABS
(A
ntilock B
rake S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
ABC
(A
ctive B
ody C
ontrol)
Active, computer-controlled system
that hydraulically adjusts the suspen-
sion at all four wheels in response to
various driving situations.
Alignment bolt
Metal pin with thread. The alignment
bolt, or centering bolt, is an aid used
when changing a tire to align the wheel
with the wheel hub.BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (indicator
lamp 7 on the glove box comes on).
See your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for availability.
BabySmart
TM compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed.BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bi-Xenon headlamps*
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(C
ustomer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
1BabySmart
TM
is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.

398 Technical termsCAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control ve-
hicle functions such as door locking or
windshield wiping depending on vehi-
cle settings and/or ambient condi-
tions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Collapsible tire
An especially compact spare tire that
must be inflated with a provided air
pump before using. It should only be
used to bring the vehicle to the nearest
service station.
COMAND
(Co
ckpit Man
agement and
D
ata System)
Information and operating center for
vehicle sound and communications
systems, including the radio, CD changer and navigation system, as well
as other optional equipment (e.g. tele-
phone).
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to ad-
just settings.
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Distronic*
A driving convenience cruise control
system which helps the driver maintain
a pre-selected speed:


If there is no vehicle directly ahead,
the system operates in the same
way as conventional cruise control.


If a slower moving vehicle is ahead,
Distronic* will reduce your vehicle
speed to the extent permitted by re-
duced throttle and up to 20% brak-
ing power to maintain the preset
minimum following distance.
DTR
(->Distr
onic*)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
ESP
(E
lectronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency Tensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS

399 Technical terms
FSS
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Service indicator in the multifunction
display that informs the driver when
the next vehicle maintenance service is
due.
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.
GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags,
head-thorax airbags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
Instrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.Lock button
Button on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the lock button down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and mirror positions for
each SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*.
MON
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line's ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.

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.

405 Index
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 109
Shoulder region 109
Backrest tilt 35
Backup lamp bulbs 332
Backup lamps 335
BAS 75, 77, 397
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 328
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 329
Check lamp 98
Batteries, vehicle 260
Charging 361
Disconnecting 360
For electrical consumers 260, 324,
358
For starter 260, 358
Messages in display 297, 298
Reconnecting 361
Removing 361
Service 358Battery
For electrical consumers 324
Bi-Xenon* 397
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 397
Block heater 269
Brake fluid 252, 386, 389
Brake lamp bulb, high mounted 332
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 332
Brake pads
Message in display 298
Brake system
Messages in display 302
Brakes 240
Warning lamp 284
Break-in period 238
Bulbs, replacing
Backup lamps 335
Brake lamps 332
Front lamps 331, 334
License plate lamps 336Parking lamps 335
Rear fog lamp 335
Standing lamps 335
Tail lamp assemblies 335
Turn signal lamps, front 334
Turn signal lamps, rear 335
C
CAC see Customer Assistance Center
CAN System 398
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 386
Catalytic converter 247
CD player
Operating 134
Center air vents 25
Center console
Lower part 26
Upper part 25
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 140

408 Index
Engine with the SmartKey 53
ESP 79
Exterior lamps 117
Hazard warning flasher 121
Headlamps 52, 117
Immobilizer 84
Interior light delayed switch-off 145
Parktronic* 212
Rear window defroster 177
Residual heat 178
Seat heating 110, 111
Seat ventilation* 113
Tow-away alarm 87
Deep water see Standing water
Defrosting 175
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 143
Interior lighting 145
Digital clock 21
Direction of rotation (tires) 263Displays
Distronic* 198
Messages 256, 306
Parktronic* 211
Service indicator 271
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 152
Distance warning function* 204
Activating 204
Deactivating 204
Intermittent warning sound 204
Symbol 135, 199
Distance warning function* switch 26
Distronic indicator lamp* 23
Distronic* 196, 398
"Resume" function 202
Activating 200
Calling up settings 135, 199
Cleaning system sensors 277
Cruise control lever 200Deactivating 202
Deceleration 199
Decreasing time interval 204
Displays 198
Distance warning function 204
Distance warning function switch 26
Driving hints 205
DTR warning lamp 198
Increasing time interval 203
Intermittent signal tone 198
Setting a higher speed 201
Setting a slower speed 202
Setting distance 26
Setting last stored speed 202
Setting speed 201
System sensor cover 277
Warning and indicator lamps 198
Distronic* warning lamp 23
Door control panel 21, 28
Door handle 28

410 IndexEngine oil 255, 388
Adding 257
Additives 388
Checking level 255
Consumption 255
Display messages 307
Filler neck 257
Messages in display 256
Engine oil level see Oil level
ESP 75, 78, 398
Control switch 26
Switching off 79
Switching on 80
Synchronizing 295
Warning lamp 78
ESP/ABS warning lamp 23
ETD see Emergency Tensioning Device
Express-close front side windows 182
Express-open front side windows 182F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 140
Fastening the seat belts 40
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 195
First aid kit 323
Flat tire 339
Spare wheel 350
TIREFIT kit 340, 345
Flexible Service System (FSS) 271
Fluid level 258
Fog lamp, rear 120, 332
Replacing bulb 335
Fog lamps, front 120
Replacing bulbs 332
Front airbags 64
Front lamps 332
Replacing bulbs 334
FSS (Flexible Service System) 271, 399Fuel 250
Additives 390
Fuel reserve warning lamp 23, 287
Gasoline additives 390
Premium unleaded gasoline 251,
387, 389
Requirements 389
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 150
Since reset 151
Fuel filler flap 250
Locking 250
Opening 250
Unlocking 250
Fuel requirements 389
Fuel reserve tank
Message in display 309
Fuel tank
Filler flap 250
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. -
capacities 386
Functions (control system) 128