Page 276 of 474

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.  
     
        
        Page 433 of 474

431 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacitiesVehicle components and their respective 
lubricants must match. Therefore use only 
products tested and approved by 
Mercedes Benz.Please refer to the Factory Approved Ser-
vice Products pamphlet, or inquire at your 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
8.5 US qt (8.0 l)
Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
10.3 US qt (9.7 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
9.1 US qt (8.6 l)
8.0 US qt (7.5 l)
MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
1.5 US qt (1.4 l)
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hypoid gear oil SAE 85 W 90
Hypoid gear oil SAE 75 W 140
Hydraulic system for active body control (ABC)
approx. 4.3 US qt (4.0 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Power steering
approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l)
MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin 
CHF 11S)
Front wheel hubs
approx. 3.0 oz (85 g) each
High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system
1.1 US qt (1.05 l)
MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)  
     
        
        Page 435 of 474

433 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their 
suitability in our engines and durability for 
our service intervals. Therefore, only use 
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance 
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada 
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine 
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required 
for the Maintenance System 
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or 
changing oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals longer than those called for by the 
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or 
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine 
damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil. 
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from 
blending oil additives are not covered by 
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG 
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
er system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the 
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point 
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced 
through the absorption of moisture from 
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture 
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the 
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by 
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.