2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 catalytic converter

ContentsOperation......................................... 253
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 254
Driving instructions ............................ 255
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 255
Drinking and driving ..................... 255
Pedals .......................................... 255
Power assistance ......................... 256
Brakes .......................................... 256
Driving off..................................... 258
Parking ......................................... 259
Tires ............................................. 259
Hydroplaning ................................ 260
Tire traction .................................. 261
Tire speed rating .......................... 261
Winter driving instructions ........... 262
Standing water ............................. 263
Passenger compartment .............. 264
Driving abroad .............................. 264
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 264
Catalytic converter ....................... 265
Emission control........................... 265
Coolant temperature .................... 266At the gas station .............................. 267
Refuelling ..................................... 267
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 269
Engine compartment ......................... 270
Hood ............................................ 270
Engine oil ..................................... 272
Transmission fluid level ................ 275
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 275
Coolant ........................................ 276
Battery ......................................... 277
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 278
Tires and wheels ................................ 279
Important guidelines .................... 279
Tire care and maintenance ........... 280
Direction of rotation ..................... 282
Loading the vehicle ...................... 282
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 288
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 290
Tire labeling.................................. 295
Load identification ....................... 299
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 300Maximum tire load ....................... 301
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 302
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 302
Tire ply material ........................... 304
Tire and loading terminology ........ 305
Rotating tires ............................... 308
Winter driving .................................... 309
Winter tires .................................. 309
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 310
Snow chains................................. 310
Maintenance...................................... 312
Clearing the maintenance service
indicator....................................... 313
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 313
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 313
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 314
Vehicle care....................................... 315
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 315

51 Getting started
Driving
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automat-
ic central locking system engages and the
locking knobs drop down.
After a cold start, the transmission engag-
es at a higher revolution. This allows the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position B.
The low beam headlamps come on.
!If you hear a warning signal when driv-
ing off, you have forgotten to release
the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.!Do not run cold engine at high engine
speed. Running a cold engine at high
engine speed may shorten the service
life of the engine.
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic lock-
ing using the control system
(page 156).

55 Getting started
Driving
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
above 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 276).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.

164 Controls in detailAutomatic transmissionFor more information on driving with an
automatic transmission see “Automatic
transmission” (
page 48).
Your vehicle’s transmission adapts its gear
shifting process to your individual driving
style by continually adjusting the shift
points up or down. These shift point adjust-
ments are performed based on current
operating and driving conditions.
If the operating conditions change, the
automatic transmission reacts by
adjusting its shift program.
Gearshift pattern for automatic
transmission
The automatic transmission selects indi-
vidual gears automatically, depending on:

the gear selector lever
positionD(
page 168) with
gear ranges (page 167)


the selected program mode:
(C/S) (
page 170)
or
(MANUAL/C/S) (SL 55 AMG and
SL 65 AMG only) (
page 175)


the position of the accelerator pedal
(page 171)


the vehicle speed
iDuring the brief warm-up, transmission
upshifting is delayed. This allows the
catalytic converter to heat up more
quickly to operating temperature.

265 Operation
Driving instructions
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Emission 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
Maintenance Booklet.
!To prevent damage to the catalytic con-
verters, only use premium unleaded
gasoline in this vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine
operation should be repaired promptly.
Otherwise, excessive unburned fuel
may reach the catalytic converter caus-
ing it to overheat and potentially start a
fire.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.

274 OperationEngine compartmentIf 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 355). Adding engine oil
SL 500 and SL 55 AMG1Filler capSL 6001Filler cap
!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 and oil
filters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles). For a listing of
approved engine oils and oil filters, re-
fer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet in your vehicle liter-
ature portfolio, or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles), or changing of oil and oil filter at
change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) will result in engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

275 Operation
Engine compartment
SL 65 AMG1Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.

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 431) and
(
page 433).
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.
!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.

355 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter
engine oil
at next refueling
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 274) and check the
engine oil level (page 272).
Engine oil level
Stop, put engine off
There is no oil in the engine. There
is a danger of engine damage.

Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt as soon as
possible.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil (
page 274) and check the
engine oil level (page 272).
Engine oil level
Reduce
oil level
You have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damaging the
engine or the catalytic converter.

Have excess oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with respect to its
disposal.