445 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
9.2 US qt (8.7 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
1.3 US qt (1.2 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+)
455 Technical terms
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 311)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 311)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 311)
Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags,
head-thorax airbags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.
457 Technical terms
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial, see “Tachome-
ter” (
page 133). Avoid this engine
speed range, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axles
Production options weight
(
page 311)Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operation (S)
and comfort operation (C).
SL 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program:
In addition to S and C (for regular S or
comfort C operation, see above), you
can use MANUAL for manual shift pro-
gram.
PSI
(P
ounds p
er s
quare i
nch)
(
page 312)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(page 312)
REST
(Residual Engine Heat Utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the en-
gine has been turned off.
461 Index
A
ABC 219, 453
Messages in display 347
Oil level 277
ABS 83, 453
Indicator lamp 27, 333
Messages in the multifunction
display 349
Warning lamp 25, 332
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 166
Accessory weight 310
Accident 57
Active Body Control see ABC
Air conditioning system see Automatic cli-
mate control system
Air distribution 184, 185
Air pressure 310
Tire inflation pressure 291
Air pump 384, 408
Air recirculation mode 187
Air vents 181
Air volume 184, 186
AIRBAG OFF
Warning lamp 344Airbags 65
Children 66
Front 70
Head-thorax 70, 71
Knee bag 70
Passenger 70
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 407, 453
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 446, 451
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 177
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 91
Immobilizer 91
Tow-away alarm 93
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 229
Ashtray 29, 233
Aspect ratio 310
ATF 277
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 177
Automatic central locking 112
Control system 155Automatic climate control system 180
Air conditioning, Cooling 189
Air conditioning refrigerant 447
Air distribution 184, 185
Air recirculation mode 187
Air vents 181
Air volume 184, 186
Control panel 181
Deactivating system 183
Defrosting 179, 186
Residual heat utilization 190
Temperature 184
Temperature sensor 31
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 130
Automatic locking when driving 112
Automatic shift program 168
462 IndexAutomatic transmission 162
Accelerator position 166
Comfort program mode 168
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 176
Gear ranges 167
Gear selector lever 30, 162
Gear selector lever position 162, 164
Gear shifting malfunctions 176
Kickdown 166
Manual shifting 169
One-touch gearshifting 169
Program mode selector switch 30,
168
Starting the engine 49
Transmission fluid level 277
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATF
B
BabySmart
TM airbag deactivation
system 78, 453
BabySmartTM compatible child seats 453Backrest
Lumbar support 116
Multicontour seat* 116
Power seat 41
Shoulder region support 116
Backup lamp
Messages in the multifunction
display 377
Replacing bulb 392, 396
Bar 310
BAS 84, 453
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 99
Replacing 389
Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 106
Replacing 390
Batteries, Vehicle 279
Charging 417
Consumer battery 279, 384, 413
Jump starting 419
Messages in the multifunction
display 359
Starter battery 279, 413
Bead 310
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 392, 453Block heater (Canada only) 316
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake lamps 392
High mounted 392
Messages in the multifunction
display 374, 375
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 360
Brake system
Messages in the multifunction
display 364
Brakes 258
BAS 84
Brake fluid 271, 445, 447
Electro-hydraulic brake system 88
High-performance brake system (SL 65
AMG only) 260
Warning lamp 334
Break-in period 256
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 374
Replacing 391
465 Index
Driving
Abroad 266
Driving off 260
Electro-hydraulic brake system 90
Hydroplaning 262
In winter 264, 315
Instructions 51, 257
Problems 56
Safety systems 82
Systems 204
Through standing water 265
With Distronic* 216
Driving safety systems 82
ABS 82, 83
BAS 82, 84
Electro-hydraulic brake system 82,
88
ESP
®
82, 85
Driving systems 204
ABC 219
Cruise control 204
Distronic* 207
Parktronic* 223
DTR see DistronicE
Easy-entry/exit feature 43, 156
Messages in the multifunction
display 369
Electric air pump 384, 408
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 82, 88,
454
Activation 89
Deactivation 90
Driving hints 90
Messages in the multifunction
display 361, 362
Self-check 89
Warning lamp 88
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 238, 240
Emergency engine shut-down 426
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 176
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp Home
Mode) 176
Glove box, Unlocking 386
Load assist, Lowering 388Locking/unlocking the vehicle 385,
387
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 245
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 111
Trunk lid, Unlocking 386
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 267
Information label 430
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 430
Engine
Block heater (Canada only) 316
Break-in recommendations 256
Cleaning 323
Compartment 272
Malfunction indicator lamp 27, 335
Number 430, 455
Poly-V-belt layout 431
Starting 49
Tachometer 27
Technical data 432
Turning off 60
Engine coolant see Coolant
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