2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 Hardtop

443 Technical data
Main dimensions
Main dimensions
Model
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
Overall vehicle length
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
178.5 in (4 535 mm)
Overall vehicle length when
opening/closing hardtop
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
185.6 in (4 713 mm)
Overall vehicle width
(exterior rear view mirrors folded out)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
80.5 in (2 045 mm)
Overall vehicle height
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
51.0 in (1 295 mm)
Overall vehicle height when
opening/closing hardtop
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
65.9 in (1 674 mm)
Wheelbase
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
100.8 in (2 560 mm)
Track, front
61.4 in (1 559 mm)
61.4 in (1 559 mm)
61.8 in (1 569 mm)
61.8 in (1 569 mm)
Track, rear
60.5 in (1 537 mm)
60.5 in (1 537 mm)
61.1 in (1 551 mm)
61.1 in (1 551 mm)

446 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 452).

458 Technical termsRetractable hardtop
Hardtop roof that can be opened and
closed at the push of a button and
stored in the trunk.
Rim
(
page 312)
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic. The roll bar is lowered into the
car body during normal driving condi-
tions and raised automatically. It may
also be manually raised and lowered by
operating a button during critical driv-
ing situations.
RON
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line 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.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of posi-
tion P without SmartKey turned and
brake pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(
page 312)
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 312)
Tire load rating
(page 312)

459 Technical terms
Tire ply composition and material used
(
page 312)
Tire speed rating
(page 312)
Traction
(page 312)
Tread
(page 312)
Treadwear indicators
(page 312)
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
(page 313)
Vehicle capacity weight
(page 313)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.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
(
page 313)
VIN
(Vehicle 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.

466 IndexEngine oil 274, 447
Adding 276, 445
Additives 447
Checking level 274
Consumption 274
Filler neck 276
Messages in the multifunction
display 275, 369
Recommended engine oils and
filters 447
ESP
®
82, 85, 455
Switch 30
Switching off 86
Switching on 87
Synchronizing 354
Warning lamp 25, 332
ETD 74, 455
Safety guidelines 69
Warning and indictor lamps 341
Exterior lamp switch 123
Exterior rear view mirrors 44, 177
F
Filler neck, Engine oil 276
First aid kit 383Flat tire 399
Preparing the vehicle 399
Spare wheel 383, 404
TIREFIT kit 384, 399
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic climate control
system 445
Automatic transmission 277, 445
Brake system 271, 445, 447
Capacities 445
Engine coolant 278, 445, 450
Engine oil 274, 445, 447
Power steering 445
Retractable hardtop, Hydraulics 445
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 445
Fog lamps 126
Messages in the multifunction
display 375, 377
Replacing bulbs 392
Front airbags 70
Front lamps see Headlamps
Front passenger front airbag off indicator
lamp 78
FSS (Canada only) 318, 455Fuel 269
Additives 449
Capacity, Fuel tank 445
Consumption statistics 157
Filler flap 269
Fuel reserve warning lamp 27, 338
Gasoline additives 449
Gauge 27
Premium unleaded gasoline 270,
446, 448
Refuelling 269
Requirements 448
Fuel cap
Messages in the multifunction
display 371
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 445
Functions (control system) 137
Fuse chart see Vehicle tool kit
Fuses 425
G
Garage door opener 247
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 311, 455

467 Index
Gear range
Automatic transmission 167
Canceling limit 169
Indicator 27
Limiting 167
Shifting into optimal 169
Gear selector lever 30, 162
Cleaning 330
Lock 49, 458
Position 162, 164
Global locking/unlocking see Key
Global Positioning System see GPS
Glove box 228
Good visibility 177
GPS 455
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 311, 455
GVWR 311, 455
H
Hands-free microphone 31
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 329
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hazard warning flasher 129
Head restraints 41Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 124
Cleaning lenses 325
Cleaning system 177
Manual mode 124
Messages in the multifunction
display 374
Replacing bulbs 391
Switch 53, 123
Headliner, cleaning 330
Head-thorax airbag 79, 455
Heated steering wheel* 235
High beam flasher 53, 129
High beam headlamps 53, 123, 392
Indicator lamp 27
Messages in the multifunction
display 374
Replacing bulbs 391, 394
Switching on 129
High mounted brake lamp 392
High-performance brake system (SL 65
AMG only) 260
Hood 272
Messages in display 372Horn 23
HVAC see Automatic climate control
Hydroplaning 262
I
Identification labels 430
Identification number, Vehicle (VIN) 430
Ignition 36
Immobilizer 91
Indicator lamps see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems 76
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires, Inflation pres-
sure
Inside door handle 107
Instrument cluster 24, 132, 456
Cleaning 329
Illumination brightness 132
Lamps 332
Language 150
Messages in the multifunction
display 24, 345
Multifunction display 135
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness

468 IndexInstrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 130
Delayed switch-off 155
Interior rear view mirror 44
Antiglare position 177
Auto-dimming 177
J
Jack 384
Jacking up the vehicle 404
Jump starting 419
K
Key, Mechanical 385
Valet locking 110
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 96
Factory setting 98
Locking/unlocking 34, 61, 96
Messages in the multifunction
display 372
Opening retractable hardtop 199
Positions in starter switch 36
Remote control 96
Replacing batteries 389
Selective setting 98Turning off the engine 60
Unlocking, Trunk lid 99
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 100
Battery check lamp 101
Factory setting 103
Locking/unlocking 35, 61, 100
Messages in the multifunction
display 372
Opening retractable hardtop 199
Remote control 100
Replacing battery 390
Selective setting 104
Starter switch positions 37
Turning off the engine 60
Unlocking, Trunk lid 99
KEYLESS-GO* 456
Closing windows 194
Important notes 102
Locking/unlocking 35, 61, 100
Messages in the multifunction
display 372
Start/stop button 29, 37, 50
Starter switch positions 37
Starting the engine 50
Turning off the engine 60
Unlocking, Trunk lid 106Kickdown 166, 456
Kilopascal 311
Kilopascal (kPa) 456
Knee bag 70
kPa see Kilopascal
L
Labels, identification 430
Lamp bulbs, exterior 391
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 154
Exterior lamp switch 23, 53
Front 392
Light sensor 376
Replacing bulbs for rear 392, 396
Switching off 123
Switching on 123
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 27, 333
ABS/ESP
®
332
AIRBAG OFF 344
Airbag Off 70
Brakes 334
CHECK ENGINE 335, 336
Coolant 336
DTR* 209
Electro-hydraulic brake system 88

470 IndexMassage function 117
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL 186
Maximum inflation pressure 311
Maximum load rating 311, 456
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 311,
456
Maximum tire inflation pressure 456
Memory function 456
Menus 137
AUDIO 141
Distronic* 143
NAV 143
Standard display 140
TEL* 159
Trip computer 157
Vehicle status message memory 144
Menus see Control system menus
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 31
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 149
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 225
Mirrors 44, 177
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 44
Exterior rear view mirrors 44
Misfiring 56
MOE tires see MOExtended system*MOExtended system* 411
MOExtended tires 440
MON 270, 456
Mph or km/h in speedometer 149
Multifunction display 135, 456
Displaying gear range 167
Left display field 25
Right display field 27
Selecting language 150
Standard display 135
Multifunction display messages
ABC 347
ABS 349
Battery 359, 360
Brake pads 360
Brake system 364
CHECK ENGINE 365
Coolant 366
Coolant level 365, 368
Display malfunction 368
Doors 369
Easy-entry/exit feature 369
Electro-hydraulic brake system 361,
362
Hood 372
Luggage cover 382Retractable hardtop 371
Roll bar 379
Seat belts 379
SmartKey 372
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 373
Tele Aid 379
Telephone* 379
Tires 380
Trunk 382
Washer fluid 382
Multifunction steering wheel 28, 136,
456
Buttons 136
N
Navigation system
Operating 143
Night security illumination 154
Normal occupant weight 311, 456
O
Occupant distribution 311
Octane number 458
Odometer, main 25
Oil
Adding 276
Consumption 274