2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 automatic transmission

310 OperationTires and wheelsTire ply material
1Plies in sidewall
2Plies under tread
This marking tells you about the type of
cord and number of plies in the sidewall
and under the tread.
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least 3 hours or driv-
en no more than 1 mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.
iFor illustration purposes only. Actual
data on tires are specific to each vehi-
cle and may vary from data shown in
above illustration.

333 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
-
The yellow ABS indicator lamp
comes on while driving.
The ABS has detected a malfunction and has
switched off. The BAS and the ESP
® are also
switched off (see messages in display).
The electro-hydraulic brake system is still
functioning normally but without ABS avail-
able.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning, oth-
er systems such as Parktronic*, Distronic*,
or the automatic transmission may also be
malfunctioning.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions in-
creases the risk of an accident.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 345).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts and the ABS was switched off.
The battery may not be sufficiently charged.

Switch off electrical consumers that
are currently not needed, e.g. seat
heating.

If necessary, have the generator and
battery checked.
When the voltage is above this value
again, the ABS is operational again.

421 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as
necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise, the ESP
® will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage.

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