2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 shift gear

279 Operation
Engine compartment
Example illustration SL 5501Filler capExample illustration SL 55 AMG1Filler cap

Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 444) and
(
page 446).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission. Oil level in the ABC system
The oil level in the ABC system does not
need to be checked. If there is visible oil
loss or if malfunction messages appear in
the display, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center check the ABC
system.
!
Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and catalyt-
ic converter not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

370 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
USA only:;Canada only:3
Service brake
Visit
workshop
There are malfunctions, but the
electro-hydraulic brake system is
operating normally.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Brakes overheated
Drive on, but with
even greater care
The brake system is overheated due
to an excessive load on the brakes.

Relieve the load on the brake system:
Drive more smoothly and think ahead to
avoid unnecessary braking.

When driving down steep grades, shift into
a lower gear to use the engine’s braking
power (
page 174).

Cautiously continue driving so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes.
USA only:;Canada only:!
Release
parking brake
You are driving with the parking
brake set.

Release the parking brake (
page 61).

453 Index
A
ABC 225
Messages in display 349
Oil level 279
ABS 87
Indicator lamp 29, 334
Messages in the multifunction
display 351, 352
Warning lamp 27, 332
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 171
Accessory weight 312
Accident 59
Active Body Control see ABC
Air bags 68
Children in the vehicle 83
Front 71
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 76
Head-thorax 72
Knee bag 72
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 72
Passenger 72
Air conditioning system see Automatic cli-
mate control systemAir distribution 188, 189
Air pressure 312
Tire inflation pressure 291
Air pump 410
Air recirculation mode 191
Air vents 185
Air volume 188, 190
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 409
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 445, 451
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 180
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 96
Immobilizer 96
Tow-away alarm 98
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 234
Ashtray 31, 239
Aspect ratio 312
ATF 279
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 180
Automatic central locking 119
Control system 162Automatic climate control system 184
Air conditioning, Cooling 193
Air conditioning refrigerant 446
Air distribution 188, 189
Air recirculation mode 191
Air vents 185
Air volume 188, 190
Control panel 185
Deactivating system 187
Defrosting 183, 190
Residual heat utilization 194
Temperature 188
Temperature sensor 33
Ventilated glove box 195
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 135
Automatic locking when driving 119
Automatic shift program 173
Automatic transmission 168
Accelerator position 171
Comfort program mode 173
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) 179
Gear ranges 172
Gear selector lever 32, 168
Gear selector lever position 168, 170

454 Index
Gear shifting malfunctions 179
Kickdown 171
Manual shifting 174
One-touch gearshifting 174
Program mode selector switch 32,
173
Starting the engine 52
Transmission fluid level 279
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATF
B
Backrest
Lumbar support 122
Multicontour seat* 122
Power seat 44
Shoulder region support 122
Backup lamp
Messages in the multifunction
display 382
Replacing bulb 398, 402
Bar 312
BAS 89
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 105
Replacing 395Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 110
Replacing 395
Batteries, Vehicle 281
Charging 417
Consumer battery 281, 389, 414
Jump starting 419
Messages in the multifunction
display 366
Starter battery 281, 414
Bead 312
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 398
Block heater (Canada only) 317
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake lamps 398
High mounted 398
Messages in the multifunction
display 380
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 366
Brake system
Messages in the multifunction
display 370Brakes 260
BAS 89
Brake fluid 272, 445, 447
Electro-hydraulic brake system 92
High-performance brake system (AMG
vehicles only) 262
Warning lamp 335
Break-in period 258
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 380
Replacing 397
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid 249
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 444
Cargo area see Trunk
Carpets, cleaning 329
Catalytic converter 269
CD changer 150
CD player 150
Operating 151

458 IndexF
Filler neck, Engine oil 278, 279
First aid kit 388
Flat tire 405
Preparing the vehicle 405
Spare wheel 388, 405
Flexible Service System see FSS
Fluids
Automatic climate control
system 444
Automatic transmission 279, 444
Brake system 272, 444, 447
Capacities 444
Engine coolant 280, 444, 449
Engine oil 275, 444, 446
Power steering 444
Retractable hardtop, Hydraulics 444
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 444
Fog lamps 131
Messages in the multifunction
display 380, 382
Replacing bulbs 398
Front air bags 71
Front lamps see HeadlampsFront passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 356–359
Front passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 76, 345
FSS (Canada only) 319
Fuel 271
Additives 448
Capacity, Fuel tank 444
Consumption statistics 163
Filler flap 271
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 339
Gasoline additives 448
Gauge 29
Premium unleaded gasoline 272,
445, 447
Refueling 271
Requirements 448
Fuel filler flap
Opening 271
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 444
Functions (control system) 141
Fuse chart see Vehicle tool kit
Fuses 424G
Garage door opener 251
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 312
Gear range
Automatic transmission 172
Canceling limit 175
Indicator 29
Limiting 172
Shifting into optimal 175
Gear selector lever 32, 168
Cleaning 328
Lock 52
Position 168, 170
Global locking/unlocking see Key
Glove box 233
Good visibility 180
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 312
GVWR 313

461 Index
Light sensor 380
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Instruments 136
Interior 134
Settings (control system) 159
Trunk 135
Limiting the gear range 172
Limp-Home Mode 179
Load assist 241
Lowering manually 394
Loading terminology 312
Loading the vehicle 286
Lock buttons 38
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 64
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 110
Locking the vehicle 60
In an emergency 393
Low beam headlamps 55, 128, 398
Replacing bulbs 400
Lowering
Load assist manually 394
Roll bar 82
Luggage compartment, rear 237Luggage cover 205
Messages in display 387
Lumbar support adjustment 121
M
Main fuse box 425, 426
Maintenance
Calling up maintenance service
indicator display 320
Clearing maintenance service indicator
message 319
Maintenance service indicator
message 319
Maintenance service term
exceeded 320
Resetting maintenance service
indicator 321
Maintenance service
When due 319
Maintenance service indicator 319
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) 319
Malfunction memory 152
Calling up 152
Clearing 153Manual operation
Interior lighting control 135
Locking the vehicle 393
Lowering load assist 394
Unlocking storage
compartments 392
Unlocking the driver’s door 391
Unlocking the trunk 392
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and
SL 65 AMG 177
Massage function 122
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL 190
Maximum inflation pressure 313
Maximum load rating 313
Maximum loaded vehicle weight 313
Menus 141
AMG 146
AUDIO 149
Distronic* 151
NAV 151
Standard display 145
TEL* 165
Trip computer 163
Vehicle status message memory 152
Menus see Control system menus
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 156

462 IndexMinimum distance (Parktronic*) 230
Mirrors 47, 180
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 48
Exterior rear view mirrors 48
Misfiring 59
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 301, 413
MOExtended tires* 439
MON 272
Mph or km/h in speedometer 156
Multifunction display 139
Displaying gear range 173
Left display field 27
Right display field 29
Selecting language 156
Standard display 139
Multifunction display messages
ABC 349
ABS 351, 352
Battery 366
Brake pads 366
Brake system 370
CHECK ENGINE 374
Coolant 371
Coolant level 373
Display malfunction 374Doors 374
Easy-entry/exit feature 375
Electro-hydraulic brake system 367,
368
Front passenger front air bag 358
Hood 377
Luggage cover 387
Restraint systems 361
Roll bar 384
SmartKey 378
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 379
SRS 361
Tele Aid 384
Telephone* 384
Tires 385
Trunk 387
Washer fluid 387
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 140
Buttons 140
N
Navigation system
Operating 151
Night security illumination 160
Normal occupant weight 313O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 313
Occupant safety
Front passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp 76
OCS 72
SRS 66
OCS 72
Self-test 76
Odometer, main 27
Oil
Adding 278
Consumption 275
Oil dipstick 278
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 174
Canceling gear range limit 175
Downshifting 174
Upshifting 175
Ornamental moldings 325
Overdue maintenance service 320
Overhead control panel 33
Overspeed range 138

465 Index
Seating capacity 287
Seats
Adjusting height 43
Adjusting lumbar support 122
Adjusting shoulder support 122
Heating 123
Massage function 122
Moving 121
Self-test
OCS 76
Service
Basic service (Service A) 319
Batteries 414
Extended service (Service B) 319
Types 319
Service life (tires) 284
Service System see Maintenance
Settings
Clock 157
Convenience functions 162
Cruise control 212
Daytime running lamp mode 159
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 161
Lamps and lighting
(control system) 159Language, multifunction display 157
Locator lighting 160
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 156
Night security illumination 160
Resetting all (control system) 153
Selective (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 109
Selective (SmartKey) 104
Speedometer display mode 156
Time 157
Units in speedometer 156
Shifting
Gear selector lever 168
Gear selector lever positions 170
Into optimal gear range (Automatic
transmission) 175
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 122
Side marker lamps 398
Cleaning lenses 325
Side windows
Automatic closing 198
Automatic opening 197
Closing 196, 197
Closing fully 198Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 198
Express-close 198
Express-open 197
Opening 196, 197
Opening fully 197
Stopping 198
Synchronizing power windows 198
Sidewall 313
SmartKey 102
Batteries 395
Checking the batteries 105
Closing retractable hardtop 201
Global locking 103, 104
Global unlocking 103
Loss of 105
Positions in starter switch 40
Restoring factory settings 104, 109
Selective setting 104
Starter switch positions 40
Starting the engine 52
Turning off the engine 62
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking the batteries 110
Global locking 108, 109
Global unlocking 108
Locking 110