414 Practical hintsBatteries
have cell caps and the battery cover is
non-removable. Do not attempt to
open the consumer battery as other-
wise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not
require topping-up of the electrolyte
level and cannot be opened to check
the electrolyte level, the battery condi-
tion must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for bat-
tery condition testing intervals.
As with any other battery, disconnect
the consumer battery if you do not in-
tend to operate your vehicle for an
extended period of time to prevent bat-
tery discharge or connect an accessory
battery charge unit expressly approved
by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle
model to maintain the battery charge.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for further information.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
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 explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regu-
larly by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.
419 Practical hints
Jump starting
Jump 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.
420 Practical hintsJump startingThe starter battery is located on the right
side of the engine compartment.
Make sure the two vehicles do not
touch.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Apply the parking brake (
page 59).
Shift gear selector lever to positionP.
Open the hood (
page 272).
Remove the red cover from positive ter-
minal on both vehicles (
page 413).1Negative terminal of charged battery
2Negative terminal of discharged
battery
3Positive terminal of discharged battery
4Positive terminal of charged battery
Connect positive terminals 3 and 4
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery 4
first.
Start the engine of the vehicle with the
charged battery and run at idle speed.
Connect negative terminals 1 and 2
of the batteries with the jumper cables.
Clamp cable to charged battery 1
first.
Start the engine of the disabled vehi-
cle.
You can now turn on the electrical con-
sumers. Do not turn on the lights under
any circumstances.
Remove the jumper cables first from
negative terminals 2 and 1 and then
from positive terminals 3 and 4.
You can now turn on the lights.
Have the battery checked at the near-
est Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Keep flames or sparks away from battery.
Do not smoke.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 279).
!Never invert the terminal connections.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
450 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze, which pro-
vides:
corrosion protection
freeze protection
boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase in the boil-over
protection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for replacement interval.Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The re-
placement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion /Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label instruc-
tions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
451 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be specifical-
ly formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorro-
sion/antifreeze coolant will result in a sig-
nificantly shortened service life.)
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
Mercedes-Benz 325.0 anticorrosion/anti-
freeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Anticorrosion / antifreeze quantityModel
Approx. freeze protection
– 35°F (– 37°C)
– 49°F (– 45°C)
SL 500
6.1 US qt (5.8 l)
6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
SL 600 (main cooling system)
6.9 US qt (6.5 l)
7.5 US qt (7.1 l)
SL 600 (low temperature cooling system)
1.2 US qt (1.1 l)
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
SL 55 AMG
7.3 US qt (6.9 l)
7.9 US qt (7.5 l)
SL 65 AMG (main cooling system)
8.2 US qt (7.75 l)
9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
SL 65 AMG (low temperature cooling system)
1.5 US qt (1.45 l)
1.7 US qt (1.6 l)
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
463 Index
C
CAC 453
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid 244
CAN System 454
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 445
Cargo area see Trunk
Carpets, cleaning 330
Catalytic converter 267
CD changer 142
CD player 142
Operating 142
Center console
Lower part 30
Upper part 29
Central locking
Automatic 112, 155
Central locking/unlocking switch 29,
113
Locking/unlocking from inside 113
Certification label 430
Check engine see Lamps, indicator and
warningChildren in the vehicle
Airbags 66
Indicator lamp, front passenger front
airbag 78
Infant and child restraint systems 64,
76
Cigarette lighter 234
Clock 23, 150
Cockpit 22, 454
Cockpit Management and Data System
see COMAND system
Cold tire inflation pressure 310, 454
Collapsible tire 454
COMAND system 29, 454
Driving instructions 266
Combination switch
High beam 53, 129
Turn signals 53
Windshield wipers 54
Consumer battery 279
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 266
Control system 135, 138, 454Control system menus
AUDIO 141
NAV 143
Settings 146
Standard display 140
TEL* 159
Trip computer 157
Vehicle status message memory 144
Control system submenus 139
Convenience 156
Instrument cluster 149
Lighting 152
Time 150
Vehicle 155
Controller Area Network see CAN System
Convenience feature 200
Coolant 450
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 451
Checking coolant level 278
Coolant warning lamp 336
Messages in the multifunction
display 365, 366, 367, 368
Temperature 268
Temperature gauge 133
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