Page 340 of 473
339 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
E
The white Distronic* indicator
lamp comes on while driving.
The Distronic* distance sensor has recog-
nized a preceding vehicle.
E
The red distance warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
You are gaining too rapidly on the vehicle
ahead of you.
The distance warning system has recog-
nized a stationary obstacle on your prob-
able line of travel.
Apply the brakes immediately.
Carefully observe the traffic situation.
You may need to brake or maneuver
to avoid hitting an obstacle.
A
The yellow fuel tank reserve
warning lamp lights while driv-
ing.
The fuel level has dropped below the reserve
mark.
Refuel at the next gas station
(page 271).
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.
Check the fuel cap (
page 271).
Page 378 of 473
377 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
A
Fuel cap
open
A loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaky.
Check the fuel cap (
page 271).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
K
being lowered
The retractable hardtop is not com-
pletely opened or closed. The roof
hydraulics will start to lose pres-
sure.
Make sure the retractable hardtop is com-
pletely opened or closed (
page 199).
locked
in driving mode
You have attempted to open the re-
tractable hardtop while driving.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to
open the hardtop again.
O
You are driving with the hood open.
Risk of accident!
Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.
Close the hood (
page 275).
Page 445 of 473
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
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 447 of 473

446 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
er system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
Hydraulic system for retractable hardtop
0.42 US qt (0.4 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system
7.4 US qt (7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 452).
!
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS
(Canada vehicles), or changing oil and oil filter at
change intervals longer than those called for by
the Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS
(Canada vehicles) will result in engine or emis-
sion control system damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles) recom-
mendations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to
do so could result in engine or emission control
system damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Page 451 of 473
450 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label instruc-
tions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
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.
Page 455 of 473

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