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 281 of 473

280 OperationEngine compartmentCoolantThe engine coolant is a mixture of water 
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check 
the coolant level, the vehicle must be 
parked on level ground and the engine 
must be cool. 
The coolant expansion tank is located on 
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment. 
1Coolant expansion tank
Using a rag, slowly turn the cap approx-
imately one half turn counterclockwise 
to release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap counterclock-
wise and remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level 
for cold coolant: is up to the upper 
mark on the bracing rib of the coolant 
expansion tank (translucent)
for warm coolant: is approx. 0.6 in 
(1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap. 
For more information, see “Coolants” 
(
page 449).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:
Use extreme caution when opening the 
hood if there are any signs of steam or 
coolant leaking from the cooling system, 
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.
Do not remove pressure cap on coolant 
reservoir if coolant temperature is 
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to 
cool down before removing cap. The 
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and 
is under pressure.
Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately 
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding 
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine 
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.
!
SL 600 and SL 65 AMG: Only open the cap 
on coolant expansion tank1. Never open the 
cap between the two charge-air coolers. Other-
wise, the engine could be damaged. 
     
        
        Page 338 of 473

337 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
ú
(USA only)
±
(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunction 
indicator lamp comes on while 
driving.
Your fuel tank is empty.
After refueling, start, turn off, and re-
start the engine three or four times in 
succession. 
The limp-home mode is canceled. You 
do not need to have your vehicle 
checked.
D
The red coolant warning lamp 
comes on when the engine is 
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.
If this warning lamp comes on frequently, 
there is a leak in the cooling system.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric ra-
diator fan may be broken. 
Immediately add coolant to prevent 
engine from overheating 
(page 280).
Have the cooling system checked.
If the coolant temperature is below 
248 °F (120 °C), you can continue 
driving to the nearest authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving 
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp 
comes on while driving and you 
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded 
248 °F (120 °C).
Stop in a safe location as soon as pos-
sible and allow the engine and coolant 
to cool down. 
     
        
        Page 453 of 473

452 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Windshield and headlamp washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer 
systems are supplied from the windshield 
washer fluid reservoir.
The windshield and headlamp washer fluid 
reservoir has a capacity of approx. 
7.4 US qt (7 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield 
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available 
premixed windshield washer 
solvent/antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid 
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use 
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate 
“MB SummerFit” and water:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts 
water
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to 
1gal [4.0l] water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use 
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate 
“MB SummerFit” and commercially avail-
able premixed windshield washer 
solvent/antifreeze:
1 part “MB SummerFit” to 100 parts 
solvent
(1.34 fl oz [40 ml] “MB SummerFit” to 
1 gal [4.0 l] solvent)
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze 
on hot engine parts because it may ignite 
and burn. You could be seriously burned.