2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL550 check engine

439 Practical hints
Fuses
Fuse box in passenger compartment
The fuse box is located under the rear
passenger-side storage compartment.
1Clips
2Storage compartment floor
Open the rear passenger-side storage
compartment (
page 240).
Lift both clips 1.
Remove storage compartment floor 2
in direction of arrow.
You can now access the fuses.
To reinstall storage compartment
floor2 after checking or replacing
fuses, follow the procedure in reverse
order.
Fuse in trunk
The fuse in the trunk is located on the
right-hand side of the trunk.
Lift up the trunk floor cover.
Emergency engine shut-down
If the engine cannot be turned off as
described, you may use the following
emergency procedure.
Take the fuse chart from the vehicle
tool kit (
page 400).
Find row “Engine emergency stop” in
the fuse chart table to identify the
fuses that have to removed as well as
their locations.
Remove the respective fuses.

463 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which
provides:

corrosion protection

freeze protection

boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and corro-
sion protection.If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase in the boil-over
protection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least
50% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equivalent
to freeze protection to approximately
-35°F [-37°C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approximately
-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-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

464 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
Your vehicle contains a number of alumi-
num parts. The use of aluminum compo-
nents in motor vehicle engines
necessitates that anticorrosion/antifreeze
coolant used in such engines be
specifically formulated to protect the aluminum parts. Failure to use such
anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant will
result in a significantly shortened service
life.
Therefore, the following product is strongly
recommended for use in your vehicle:
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze agent.Before the start of the winter season (or
once a year in hot southern regions), you
should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration checked. The coolant is also
regularly checked each time you bring your
vehicle to an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for service.
Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity
ModelApproximate freeze protection
-35°F (-37°C)-49°F (-45°C)
SL 5506.1 US qt (5.8 l)6.8 US qt (6.4 l)
SL 600 (main cooling system)6.9 US qt (6.5 l)7.5 US qt (7.1 l)
SL 600 (low temperature cooling system)1.2 US qt (1.1 l)1.3 US qt (1.2 l)
SL 55 AMG6.3 US qt (6.0 l)7.0 US qt (6.6 l)
SL 65 AMG (main cooling system)8.2 US qt (7.75 l)9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
SL 65 AMG (low temperature cooling system)1.5 US qt (1.45 l)1.7 US qt (1.6 l)

468 Index
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 139
Automatic locking when driving 122
Automatic shift program 177
Automatic transmission 172
Accelerator position 175
Automatic shift program 177
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode) 184
Gear ranges 176
Gear selector lever 32, 172
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting 179
Gear selector lever positions 174
Gear shifting malfunctions 184
Kickdown 175
Kickdown, manual shift program
SL 55 AMG and SL 65 AMG 184
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and
SL 65 AMG 182
Program mode selector
switch 32, 177Shifting procedure 173
Starting the engine 53
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting* 180
Transmission fluid level 287
Automatic Transmission Fluid see ATF
B
Backrest
Lumbar support 125
Multicontour seat* 125
Power seat 45
Shoulder region support 125
Backup lamp
Messages in the multifunction
display 394
Replacing bulb 410, 414
Bar 323
BAS 91
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 113
Replacing 407Batteries, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Checking battery condition 113
Replacing 407
Batteries, Vehicle 290
Charging 430
Consumer battery 290, 427
Jump starting 432
Messages in the multifunction
display 377
Starter battery 290, 427
Bead 323
Bi-Xenon headlamps* 410
Block heater (Canada only) 328
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake lamps 410
High mounted 410
Messages in the multifunction
display 392
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 380

469 Index
Brake system
Messages in the multifunction
display 382
Brakes 268
BAS 91
Brake fluid 280, 458, 460
Electro-hydraulic brake system 94
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 270
Warning lamp 345
Break-in period 266
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 392
Replacing 409
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid 256
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 457
Cargo area see Trunk
Carpets, cleaning 339
Catalytic converter 277
CD changer 155, 240CD player
Operating 155
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central locking
Automatic 122, 166
Central locking/unlocking
switch 31, 122
Locking/unlocking from inside 122
Certification label 444
Check engine see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 308
Children in the vehicle
Air bags 84
Infant and child restraint systems 84
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 74
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78, 357
Cigarette lighter 244
Clock 25, 161Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 323
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) 453
COMAND system 31
Driving instructions 276
Combination switch
High beam 57, 135
Turn signals 57
Windshield wipers 58
Consumer battery 290
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 276
Control system 143, 146
Control system menus
AMG 150
AUDIO 153
Distronic* 156, 222
NAV 155
Settings 157
Standard display 149
TEL* 169
Trip computer 167
Vehicle status message memory 156

470 Index
Control system submenus 147
Convenience 166
Instrument cluster 160
Lighting 163
Time 161
Vehicle 166
Convenience feature 206
Coolant 463
Anticorrosion/antifreeze mixing ratio
and quantity 464
Checking coolant level 288
Coolant warning lamp 348
Messages in the multifunction
display 383, 385
Temperature 278
Temperature gauge 141
Corner-illuminating front fog lamps* 136
Replacing bulbs 409
Courtesy lighting 139
Cruise control 214
Messages in the multifunction
display 364, 365
Cup holder 243
Curb weight 323D
Daytime running lamp mode 133
Setting 163
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 196
Defrosting, Front 195
Defrosting, Rear 187
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 164
Interior lighting 165
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 60
With starting the engine 54
Digital clock see Clock
Digital speedometer 149
Dimensions, Vehicle 455
Dipstick see Oil dipstick
Direction of rotation (tires) 294
Displays
Digital speedometer 149
Distronic* 156, 220, 222
Maintenance service indicator 330
Multifunction display 143Outside temperature 142, 149
Symbol messages 376
Text messages 361
Vehicle status message memory 156
Vehicle status messages 359
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 169
Distance warning function* 229
Activating 230
Deactivating 230
Intermittent warning sound 229
Symbol 222
Distronic* 218
“Resume” function 225
Activating 223
Cleaning system sensor cover 336
Control system 156, 222
Distance warning function* 229
Driving hints 227
System sensor cover 336
Warning and indicator
lamps 27, 220, 221, 229, 350

471 Index
Door
Control panel 36
Handle, Inside 36
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 39, 66
Locking/unlocking, Mechanical
key 403, 405
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 38, 66
Messages in the multifunction
display 386
Opening from inside 113
Storage compartment 238
DOT 323
Drinking and driving 267
Driving
Abroad 276
Driving off 270
Electro-hydraulic brake system 97
Hydroplaning 272
In winter 274, 327
Instructions 56, 267
Problems 60
Safety systems 89
Systems 214
Through standing water 275
With Distronic* 227Driving safety systems 89
ABS 89
BAS 89, 91
Electro-hydraulic brake
system 89, 94
Electronic traction system 93
ESP
®89, 91
Driving systems 214
ABC 230
Cruise control 214
Distronic* 218
Parktronic* 233
Driving tips 175
Accelerator position 175
Kickdown 175
DTR see Distronic*E
Easy-entry/exit feature 47, 166
Messages in the multifunction
display 386
Electric air pump 401, 422
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 89, 94
Activation 95
Deactivation 96
Driving hints 97
Messages in the multifunction
display 378, 379
Self-check 96, 380
Warning lamp 94
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 250, 252
Emergency engine shut-down 439
Emergency operation (Limp-Home
Mode) 184

472 Index
Emergency operations
Glove box, Unlocking 404
Load assist, Lowering 406
Locking/unlocking the
vehicle 403, 405
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 256
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 121
Trunk lid, Unlocking 404
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 277
Information label 445
System warranties 10
Engine
Block heater (Canada only) 328
Break-in recommendations 266
Cleaning 335
Compartment 282
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 346
Number 445
Poly-V-belt layout 446
Starting 53
Tachometer 29
Technical data 447
Turning off 64Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 283, 460
Adding 286, 457
Additives 460
Checking level, With control
system* 284
Checking level, With oil dipstick 286
Consumption 283
Filler cap 287
Filler neck 286, 287
Messages in the multifunction
display 285, 388
Oil dipstick 286
ESP
®89, 91
Switch 32
Switching off 93
Switching on 94
Synchronizing 367
Warning lamp 27, 342
ETD 82
Safety guidelines 72
Warning and indictor lamps 354
Exterior lamp switch 131
Exterior rear view mirrors 49, 185F
Filler cap, Engine oil 287
Filler neck, Engine oil 286, 287
First aid kit 400
Flat tire 417
Mounting the spare wheel 417
Preparing the vehicle 417
Spare wheel 400
Floormat* 247
Fluids
Automatic climate control
system 457
Automatic transmission 287, 457
Brake system 281, 457, 460
Capacities 457
Engine coolant 288, 457, 463
Engine oil 283, 457, 460
Power steering 457
Retractable hardtop, Hydraulics 457
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 457
Fog lamps 134
Messages in the multifunction
display 393, 394
Replacing bulbs 410