Page 385 of 474

383 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs for front lamps 
Before you start to replace a bulb for a 
front lamp, do the following first:
Turn the exterior lamp switch to posi-
tion M (
page 123).
Open the hood (
page 270) 
(except for side marker lamps).
1Bulb socket for turn signal lamp
2High beam headlamp cover
3Low beam headlamp cover (Xenon or 
Bi-Xenon* lamp). Do not remove.4High beam bulbs
5Locking mechanism
6Parking and standing lampsFront turn signal bulb
Turn bulb socket 1 counterclockwise 
and pull it out.
Push the bulb into socket 1, turn 
socket 1 counterclockwise and re-
move it.
Insert the new bulb in socket 1, push 
and turn bulb socket 1 clockwise.
Reinsert bulb socket 1 in lamp and 
turn bulb socket 1 clockwise.
Warning!
G
Do not remove the cover for the Xenon or 
Bi-Xenon* headlamp. Because of high volt-
age in Xenon and Bi-Xenon* lamps, it is dan-
gerous to replace the bulb or repair the lamp 
and its components. We recommend that 
you have such work done by a qualified 
technician. 
     
        
        Page 386 of 474

384 Practical hintsReplacing bulbsHigh beam/ high beam flasher bulbs
Press ends of headlamp cover tab to-
gether and remove high beam head-
lamp cover 2.
Pull the electrical connector off.
Turn locking mechanism 5 counter-
clockwise and take out the bulb.
Insert the new bulb so that the base lo-
cates in the recess on the holder.
Turn locking mechanism 5 clockwise.
Plug the connector onto the bulb.
Align high beam headlamp cover 2 
and click it into place.Parking and standing lamp bulbs
Press ends of cover tab together and 
remove high beam headlamp cover 2.
Pull out bulb socket 6 with the bulb.
Pull the bulb out of bulb socket 6.
Insert a new bulb in bulb socket 6.
Reinstall bulb socket 6.
Align high beam headlamp cover 2 
and click it into place.Side marker bulbs 
Carefully slide the side marker lamp to-
wards rear.
Remove the front end first.
Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise 
and pull it out.
Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket.
Insert the new bulb in socket.
Reinstall the bulb socket, push it in, 
and turn it clockwise.
To reinstall the side marker lamp, set 
the rear end in bumper and let the front 
end snap into place. 
     
        
        Page 434 of 474

432 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling system
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
approx. 12.3 US qt (11.6 l)
approx. 13.6 US qt (12.9 l)
approx. 14.5 US qt (13.7 l)
approx. 16.4 US qt (15,5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
SL 600
SL 65 AMG
approx. 2.2 US qt (2.1 l)
approx. 3.1 US qt (2.9 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
All models
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON /86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
Hydraulic system for retractable hardtop
0.42 US qt (0.4 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system
7.4 US qt (7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 437). 
     
        
        Page 440 of 474

438 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield and headlamp washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer 
systems are supplied from the windshield 
washer fluid reservoir.
The windshield and headlamp washer fluid 
reservoir has a capacity of approx. 
7.4 US qt (7 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield 
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available 
premixed windshield washer 
solvent / antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid 
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use 
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” 
and water:
1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “S” to 1 gal [4.0 l] 
water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use 
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” 
and commercially available premixed 
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze:
1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “S” to 1 gal [4.0 l] 
solvent).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze 
on hot engine parts because it may ignite 
and burn. You could be seriously burned. 
     
        
        Page 441 of 474

439 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). 
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. See 
your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center 
for availability.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. 
     
        
        Page 446 of 474

444 Technical termsTightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug 
wrench) with which threaded fasteners 
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
Tire speed rating
Part of tire designation; indicates the 
speed range for which a tire is ap-
proved.
Traction
Force exerted by the vehicle on the 
road via the tires.
Vehicle level control
The ground clearance of the vehicle is 
automatically controlled according to a 
selected setting and speed. The driver 
can choose manually within a range of 
ground clearance, for example on very 
rough roads.
VIN
(V
ehicle I
dentification N
umber)
The number set by the manufacturer 
and placed on the body to uniquely 
identify each vehicle produced.Voice control system*
Voice control system for car phones, 
portable cell phones and audio sys-
tems (radio, CD, etc.).
Wind screen
Screen for deflecting wind from the ve-
hicle interior when the hardtop is low-
ered.
Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as 
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps. 
     
        
        Page 449 of 474

447 Index
B
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation 
system 76, 439
BabySmartTM compatible child 
seats 439
Backrest supports
Lumbar region 116
Shoulder region 116
Backrest tilt 40
Backup lamp bulbs 381
Backup lamps 385
Bar 305
BAS 79, 81, 439
Batteries, SmartKey
Changing 377
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Changing 378
Check lamp 105
Batteries, vehicle 277
Charging 404
Disconnecting 403
For electrical consumers 277, 373, 
401For starter 277, 401
Messages in display 345, 346
Reconnecting 405
Removing 404
Service 401
Battery
For electrical consumers 373
Bead 305
Bi-Xenon* 439
Bi-Xenon* headlamps 439
Block heater 310
Brake fluid 269, 431, 433
Brake lamp bulb, high mounted 381
Brake lamp bulbs, left and right 381
Brake pads
Message in display 346
Brake system
Messages in display 350
Brakes 256
High-performance brake system (SL 65 
AMG only) 258
Warning lamp 326Break-in period 254
Bulbs, replacing
Backup lamps 385
Brake lamps 381
Front lamps 380, 383
License plate lamps 385
Parking lamps 384
Rear fog lamp 385
Standing lamps 384
Tail lamp assemblies 385
Turn signal lamps, front 383
Turn signal lamps, rear 385
C
CAC see Customer Assistance Center
CAN System 440
Capacities
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 431
Catalytic converter 265
CD player
Operating 141 
     
        
        Page 450 of 474

448 IndexCenter air vents 29
Center console
Lower part 30
Upper part 29
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 148
Central locking
Automatic 110
Central locking switch 111
Switching on/off (control 
system) 156
Unlocking from inside 111
Central locking switch 29
Central unlocking switch 29
Changing
Batteries (SmartKey with 
KEYLESS-GO*) 378
Batteries (SmartKey) 377
SmartKey setting 96
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 
settings 103
Vehicle level 222Charging
Vehicle batteries 404
CHECK ENGINE
Messages in display 351
CHECK ENGINE malfunction indicator 
lamp 27, 327, 328
Checking
Coolant level 276
Oil level 269, 272
Tire inflate pressure 269
Vehicle lighting 269
Child safety
Airbags 64
Automatic child seat recognition 76
Infant and child restraint systems 62
Cigarette lighter 29, 233
Cleaning
Cup holder 320
Gear selector lever 320
Hard plastic trim items 320
Headlamps 178Headliner 320
Leather upholstery 321
Plastic and rubber parts 321
Seat belts 320
Steering wheel 320
Upholstery 321
Windshield 53
Wood trims 321
Cleaning tires 281
Clock 23
Closing
Hood 271
Power window with 
KEYLESS-GO* 195
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 201
Retractable hardtop (switch) 198
Side windows 194, 195
Sunshade 204
Trunk lid 109
Windows 193
Windows with KEYLESS-GO* 195