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
145 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
1Main odometer
2Outside temperature
3Current gear selector lever position
4Trip odometer
5Automatic transmission program mode
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the standard display
menu in the multifunction display.You can modify the standard display menu.
Instead of outside temperature 2, you
can choose the digital speedometer to be
displayed in the left multifunction display
by changing the setting in the
Select dis-
play
function of the
Inst. cluster
sub-
menu (
page 157).
Press button k or jto select
the functions in the standard display
menu.
The following functions are available:Display digital speedometer or outside
temperature
Press button k or juntil the
digital speedometer or, depending on
the chosen setting, the outside temper-
ature appears in the right multifunction
display.
Function
Page
Calling up digital speedometer
145
Calling up maintenance service
indicator
320
Checking tire inflation pressure
292
Checking engine oil level
276
i
If you have selected the digital speedometer
for the standard display (
page 157), select the
outside temperature display here.
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.
312 OperationTires and wheelsTire 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.DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door B-pillar.
444 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Capacities
Vehicle 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.
Warning!
G
Comply with all valid regulations with re-
spect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could endan-
ger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of chil-
dren.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a phy-
sician immediately.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter
SL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
9.0 US qt (8.5 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 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG
9.5 US qt (9.0 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
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
457 Index
Driving systems 209
ABC 225
Cruise control 209
Distronic* 213
Parktronic* 228
DTR see Distronic*
E
Easy-entry/exit feature 46, 162
Messages in the multifunction
display 375
Electric air pump 389, 410
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 87, 92
Activation 93
Deactivation 94
Driving hints 95
Messages in the multifunction
display 367, 368
Self-check 94
Warning lamp 92
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 244, 245
Emergency engine shut-down 426
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode) 179Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp-Home
Mode) 179
Glove box, Unlocking 392
Load assist, Lowering 394
Locking/unlocking the vehicle 391,
393
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 250
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 117
Trunk lid, Unlocking 392
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 269
Information label 431
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 431
Engine
Block heater (Canada only) 317
Break-in recommendations 258
Cleaning 324
Compartment 274
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 336
Number 431
Poly-V-belt layout 432
Starting 52Tachometer 29
Technical data 433
Turning off 62
Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 275, 446
Adding 278, 444
Additives 446
Checking level, With control
system 276
Checking level, With oil dipstick 278
Consumption 275
Filler neck 278, 279
Messages in the multifunction
display 277, 375
Oil dipstick 278
ESP
®
87, 89
Switch 32
Switching off 91
Switching on 92
Synchronizing 355
Warning lamp 27, 332
ETD 81
Safety guidelines 70
Warning and indictor lamps 342
Exterior lamp switch 128
Exterior rear view mirrors 48, 180
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