Page 14 of 473
13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:
Service facilities or replacement parts 
may not be readily available,
unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available; 
the use of leaded fuels will damage the 
catalysts,
gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can 
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult 
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or 
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9 
     
        
        Page 273 of 473

272 OperationAt the gas station
Insert fuel cap 2 into fuel filler neck 
and turn fuel cap clockwise until it au-
dibly engages. 
Close fuel filler flap 1. 
You should hear the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip
For information on quantities and require-
ments of operating agents, see “Fuels, 
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 444).
Open the hood (
page 274).
1Windshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system
2Brake fluid
3Coolant levelWindshield washer and headlamp 
cleaning system
For information on refilling the reservoir, 
see “Windshield washer system and 
headlamp cleaning system” (
page 282).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels, 
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 444).
i
Only use premium unleaded gasoline with a 
minimum Posted Octane Rating of 91 (average of 
96 RON/86 MON).
Information on gasoline quality can normally be 
found on the fuel pump.
For more information on gasoline, see “Premium 
unleaded gasoline” (
page 447) or the Factory 
Approved Service Pamphlet.
i
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap 
open can cause the engine malfunction indicator 
lamp ú (USA only) or the engine malfunction 
indicator lamp ± (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see the “Practical hints” 
section (
page 336).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake 
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or 
below, have the brake system checked for brake 
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately. 
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the 
problem. For more information, see the “Practi-
cal hints” section (
page 369).
 
     
        
        Page 434 of 473

433 Technical data
Engine
Engine
Model
SL 550 (230.471)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
SL 600 (230.477)
1
Engine
273
275
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
8
12
Bore
3.82 in (97.00 mm)
3.23 in (82.00 mm)
Stroke
3.31 in (84.00 mm)
3.43 in (87.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
333.3 cu in (5 461 cm
3)
336.4 cu in (5 513 cm
3)
Compression ratio
10.7:1
9:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
382 hp/6 000 rpm
2
(285 kW/6 000 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
510 hp/5 000 rpm
2
(380 kW/5 000 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349
391 lb-ft/2 700 rpm
(530 Nm/2800 - 4 800 rpm)
612 lb-ft/1 900 - 3 500 rpm
(830 Nm/1 900 - 3 500 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6 500 rpm
5 950 rpm
Firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belt
2 404 mm
2 335 mm 
     
        
        Page 435 of 473

434 Technical dataEngineModel
SL 55 AMG (230.474)
1
1The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.
SL 65 AMG (230.479)
1
Engine
113
275
Mode of operation
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
4-stroke engine, gasoline injection
No. of cylinders
8
12
Bore
3.25 in (82.60 mm)
3.25 in (82.60 mm)
Stroke
3.66 in (93.00 mm)
3.66 in (93.00 mm)
Total piston displacement
331.8 cu in (5439 cm
3)
364.9 cu in (5980 cm
3)
Compression ratio
11:1
9:1
Output acc. to SAE J 1349
510 hp/6 100 rpm
2
(380 kW/6 100 rpm)
2Premium fuel required. Performance may vary with fuel octane rating.
603 hp/4 800-5 100 rpm
2
(450 kW/4 800-5 100 rpm)
Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349
530 lb-ft/2 600-4000 rpm
(720 Nm/2 600-4000 rpm)
738 lb-ft/2 000-4000 rpm
(1 000 Nm/2 000-4000 rpm)
Maximum engine speed
6500 rpm
5950 rpm
Firing order
1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8
1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belt
2 462 mm/1 289 mm
2335 mm 
     
        
        Page 446 of 473

445 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Rear axle
SL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
1.3 US qt (1.2 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. 4.0 US qt (3.8 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+) 
Cooling system
SL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
approx. 12.3 US qt (11.6 l)
approx. 13.6 US qt (12.9 l)
approx. 12.7 US qt (12.0 l)
approx. 16.4 US qt (15.5 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
SL 600
SL 65 AMG
approx. 2.2 US qt (2.1 l)
approx. 3.1 US qt (2.9 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
All models
SL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
3.7 US gal (14.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON) 
     
        
        Page 448 of 473

447 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point 
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced 
through the absorption of moisture from 
the atmosphere.
Only brake fluid approved by 
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
provide you with additional information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the 
formation of bubbles in the system, thus 
reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced 
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.
Warning!
G
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous. 
It burns violently and can cause serious 
injury. Whenever you are around gasoline, 
avoid inhaling fumes and skin contact, 
extinguish all smoking materials. Never 
allow sparks, flame or smoking materials 
near gasoline! 
!
To maintain the engine’s durability and per-
formance, premium unleaded gasoline must be 
used. If premium unleaded is not available and 
low octane fuel is used, follow these precau-
tions:
have the fuel tank only partially filled with un-
leaded regular and fill up with premium un-
leaded as soon as possible
avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceler-
ation
do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm 
if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such 
as two occupants and no luggage
do not exceed 
2/3 of maximum accelerator 
pedal position if the vehicle is fully loaded or 
operating in mountainous terrain 
     
        
        Page 449 of 473

448 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the 
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average 
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number: 
(R+M)/2). This is also known as the 
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates 
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be 
used provided the ratio of any one of these 
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed 
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not 
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is 
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, 
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel 
requirements, such as resistance to spark 
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives 
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the 
use of quality gasoline containing additives 
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels 
without such additives carbon deposits 
can build up, especially on the intake 
valves and in the combustion area, leading 
to engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power loss