2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG catalytic converter

ContentsOperation......................................... 257
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 258
Driving instructions ............................ 259
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 259
Drinking and driving ..................... 259
Pedals .......................................... 259
Power assistance ......................... 260
Brakes .......................................... 260
Driving off..................................... 262
Parking ......................................... 263
Tires ............................................. 263
Hydroplaning ................................ 264
Tire traction .................................. 265
Tire speed rating .......................... 265
Winter driving instructions ........... 266
Standing water ............................. 267
Passenger compartment .............. 268
Driving abroad .............................. 268
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 268
Catalytic converter ....................... 269
Emission control........................... 269
Coolant temperature .................... 270At the gas station .............................. 271
Refueling ...................................... 271
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 272
Engine compartment ......................... 274
Hood ............................................ 274
Engine oil ..................................... 275
Transmission fluid level ................ 279
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 279
Coolant ........................................ 280
Battery ......................................... 281
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 282
Tires and wheels ................................ 283
Important guidelines .................... 283
Tire care and maintenance ........... 284
Direction of rotation ..................... 286
Loading the vehicle ...................... 286
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 291
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 292
MOExtended system* .................. 301
Tire labeling.................................. 302
Load identification ....................... 306
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 307Maximum tire load ....................... 308
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 309
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 309
Tire ply material ........................... 311
Tire and loading terminology........ 312
Rotating tires ............................... 315
Winter driving .................................... 316
Winter tires .................................. 316
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 317
Snow chains................................. 318
Maintenance...................................... 319
Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 319
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 320
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 321
Vehicle care....................................... 322
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 322

55 Getting started
Driving

Release the brake pedal.

Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.
Once the vehicle is in motion, the automat-
ic central locking system engages and the
locking knobs drop down.After a cold start, the transmission engag-
es at a higher revolution. This allows the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature earlier.
Switching on headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
position B.
The low beam headlamps come on.
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehi-
cle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not pre-
vent this type of loss of control.!
In order to avoid damage to the transmis-
sion:


Wait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.


Place the gear selector lever in positionD
orR only when the vehicle is stopped.
!
If you hear a warning signal and the mes-
sage Release parking brake
appears in the
multifunction display when driving off, you have
forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake.
!
Do not run cold engine at high engine speed.
Running a cold engine at high engine speed may
shorten the service life of the engine.
!
Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brake reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.
i
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
You can deactivate the automatic locking using
the control system (
page 162).

59 Getting started
Driving
Problems while driving
The engine runs erratically and misfires

An ignition cable may be damaged.


The engine electronics may not be op-
erating properly.


Unburned gasoline may have entered
the catalytic converter and damaged it.

Give very little gas.

Have the problem repaired by an au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.The coolant temperature gauge is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.

Stop the vehicle as soon as possible in
a safe location and turn off the engine.
Allow engine and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 280).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.

269 Operation
Driving instructions
Catalytic converter
Your Mercedes-Benz is equipped with
monolithic-type catalytic converters, an
important element in conjunction with the
oxygen sensors to achieve substantial con-
trol of the pollutants in the exhaust emis-
sions. Keep your vehicle in proper
operating condition by following our rec-
ommended maintenance instructions as
outlined in your Maintenance Booklet.
Emission control
Certain systems of the engine serve to
keep the toxic components of the exhaust
gases within permissible limits required by
law.
These systems, of course, will function
properly only when maintained strictly ac-
cording to factory specifications. Any ad-
justments on the engine should therefore
be carried out only by qualified
Mercedes-Benz Center authorized techni-
cians. Engine adjustments should not be
altered in any way. Moreover, the specified
service jobs must be carried out regularly
according to Mercedes-Benz servicing re-
quirements. For details refer to the
Maintenance Booklet.
!
To prevent damage to the catalytic convert-
ers, only use premium unleaded gasoline in this
vehicle.
Any noticeable irregularities in engine operation
should be repaired promptly. Otherwise, exces-
sive unburned fuel may reach the catalytic con-
verter causing it to overheat and potentially start
a fire.
Warning!
G
As with any vehicle, do not idle, park or op-
erate this vehicle in areas where combusti-
ble materials such as grass, hay or leaves
can come into contact with the hot exhaust
system, as these materials could be ignited
and cause a vehicle fire.

375 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
_
Entry position
Do not drive
The steering wheel has not yet
moved into its stored driving posi-
tion.

Wait until the steering wheel has moved to its
driving position.
The message disappears.
N
USA only:Add 1 qt. engine oil
at next refuelingCanada only:Add 1 liter
engine oil
at next refueling
Vehicles with engine oil measuring
system only:
The engine oil level is too low.

Add engine oil (
page 278) and check the
engine oil level (page 276).
Engine oil level
Stop car –

turn engine off
Vehicles with engine oil measuring
system only:
There is no oil in the engine. There
is a danger of engine damage.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.

Turn off the engine.

Add engine oil (
page 278) and check the
engine oil level (page 276).
Engine oil level
Reduce
oil level
Vehicles with engine oil measuring
system only:
You have added too much engine
oil. There is a risk of damaging the
engine or the catalytic converter.

Have excess oil siphoned or drained off. Ob-
serve all legal requirements with respect to its
disposal.

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
converter 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
other 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.
!
Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!
Jump starting may only be performed on the
battery installed in the engine compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuc-
cessful 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.

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