Page 357 of 474
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. 
     
        
        Page 358 of 474

356 Practical hintsWhat to do if …When the message 
Add 1 qt engine oil 
at next refueling (Canada: 
1l
) appears 
while the engine is running and at 
operating temperature, the engine oil level 
has dropped to approximately the 
minimum level.When this occurs, the warning will first 
come on intermittently and then stay on if 
the oil level drops further.
If no oil leaks are noted, continue to drive 
to the nearest service station where the 
engine oil should be topped to the required 
level with an approved oil specified in the 
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet.
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Suggested solution
:
Engine oil
Visit workshop!
It may be that there is water in the 
engine oil.
Have the engine oil checked.
Engine oil level
Visit workshop
The engine oil has dropped to a crit-
ical level.
Check the engine oil level (
page 272) and 
add oil as required (
page 274).
If you must add engine oil frequently, have the 
engine checked for possible leaks.
The measuring system is malfunc-
tioning.
Have the measuring system checked by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
!The engine oil level warnings should 
not be ignored. Extended driving with 
the symbol displayed could result in 
serious engine damage that is not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 359 of 474

357 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has dropped below 
the reserve mark.
Refuel at the next gas station (
page 267).
Check
fuel cap
See Oper. Manual
A loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap 
may not be closed properly or the 
fuel system may be leaky.
Check the fuel cap (
page 267).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
Visit
workshop
The retractable hardtop is malfunc-
tioning.
Have the retractable hardtop checked by an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
Lock
retractable roof
The retractable hardtop is not 
locked properly.
Push or pull on the retractable hardtop switch 
until the indicator lamp in the switch goes out 
and the retractable hardtop is completely 
open or closed (
page 196).
O
Close hood
You are driving with the hood open.
Close the hood (
page 271).
I
Remove
key
You have forgotten to remove the 
SmartKey from the starter switch.
Remove the SmartKey from the starter 
switch.
Replace
key
The batteries in the SmartKey are 
discharged.
Change the batteries (
page 377). 
     
        
        Page 394 of 474

392 Practical hintsFlat tire
After driving vehicle for an initial 
10 minutes, check tire inflation pres-
sure using the pressure gauge on the 
air pump.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz 
Center as soon as possible to obtain a 
new TIREFIT kit.
Bring used TIREFIT materials to an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center for 
proper disposal.
Replace your TIREFIT container every 
four years. Replacement containers are 
available at your authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below 
20 psi (1.3 bar) do not continue to drive the 
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the road-
way and contact the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside 
Assistance. 
If tire inflation pressure is at least 
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate tire to correct pres-
sure (see placard on the driver’s door 
B-pillar), and drive vehicle to nearest tire re-
pair facility to have tire repaired or replaced.
Recommended duration of use: 
300 miles (500 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h) 
with the recommended tire inflation pres-
sure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation 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.
Warning!
G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph 
(80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not designed 
to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by 
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may 
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.
 
     
        
        Page 400 of 474

398 Practical hintsFlat tire
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position1.
or
Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop 
button on the gear selector lever once 
without depressing the brake pedal.
Press I on the electric air pump switch.
The electric air pump should now 
switch on and inflate the tire.
Inflate the tire to approx. 36 psi 
(2.5 bar).
This takes about five minutes for the 
spare tire. Air hose 2 and union 
nut3 can become hot duration infla-
tion. Exercise proper caution to avoid 
burning yourself when using the equip-
ment.
Press 0 on the electric air pump switch.
Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch 
to position0.
or
Press KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button 
on the gear selector lever twice without 
depressing the brake pedal.
The electric air pump should now be 
switched off.
If the tire inflation pressure is above 
36 psi (2.5 bar), release excess tire in-
flation pressure using the vent screw.!Do not operate the air pump longer 
than eight minutes without interrup-
tion. Otherwise it may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again af-
ter it has cooled off.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation 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.
 
     
        
        Page 408 of 474

406 Practical hintsJump starting
If the starter battery is discharged, the en-
gine can be started with jumper cables and 
the battery of another vehicle. Observe the 
following:
Jump starting should only be performed 
when the engine and catalytic convert-
er are cold.
Do not start the engine if the battery is 
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.
Only jump start from batteries with the 
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a more powerful battery could 
damage the vehicle’s electrical system, 
which will not be covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Only use jumper cables with sufficient 
cross section and insulated terminal 
clamps.
Always make sure the jumper cables 
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or oth-
er parts that move when an engine is 
started or running.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these directions will cause 
damage to the electronic components, and 
can lead to a battery explosion and severe 
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting 
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not 
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes, 
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately 
flush affected area with water, and seek 
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, 
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep 
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid 
improper connection of jumper cables, 
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery 
can result in it exploding, causing personal 
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Jump starting may only be performed 
on the battery installed in the engine 
compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting at-
tempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine us-
ing a battery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several 
unsuccessful starting attempts, have it 
checked at the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by 
repeated failed starting attempts may 
damage the catalytic converter and 
may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not 
have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not 
touch any other metal part while the 
other end is still attached to a battery. 
     
        
        Page 417 of 474
415 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 
     
        
        Page 422 of 474
420 Technical dataEngineModel
SL 500 (230.475)
1
SL 600 (230.476)
1
Engine
113
275
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
8
12
Bore
3.82 in (97.00 mm)
3.23 in (82.00 mm)
Stroke
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.43 in (87.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
303.0 cu in (4966 cm
3)
336.4 cu in (5 513 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10:1
9:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
302 hp / 5 600 rpm
2
(225 kW / 5 600 rpm)
493 hp /5 000 rpm
2
(368 kW / 5 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349
339 lb-ft / 2 700 rpm
(460 Nm / 2700 rpm)
590 lb-ft /3 500 rpm
(800 Nm /3 500 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6000 rpm
5750 rpm
Firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belt
2390 mm
2335 mm
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.