289 Operation
Engine compartment
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 approximately 0.6 in (1.5 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 463).Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Cap for windshield washer reservoir
Fluid for the windshield washer system
and the headlamp cleaning system is
supplied from the windshield washer
reservoir. It has a capacity of approxi-
mately 7.4 US qt. (7 l).
During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” to
water. Premix the windshield washer fluid
in a suitable container.
Use the tab to pull cap 1 upwards.
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and water (or commercially available
premixed windshield washer sol-
vent/antifreeze, depending on ambient
temperatures).
For more information, see “Windshield
washer system and headlamp cleaning
system” (
page 465).
!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.
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.
!Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below freezing
point. Failure to do so could result in damage to
the washer system/reservoir.
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable for
plastic lenses. Improper washer fluid can dam-
age the plastic lenses of the headlamps.
323 Operation
Tires and wheels
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
driven 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 (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
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 Vehicle Weight)
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.GVWR (G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are 100 kilopascals
(kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit and production options
weight.
457 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with
respect to handling, storing and disposing
of service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent
service fluids from coming into direct
contact with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filterSL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG9.0 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 transmissionSL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG9.5 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
458 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Rear axleSL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 55 AMG
1
SL 65 AMG
1SL 55 AMG with Performance Package*
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)
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
Hypoid gear oil SAE 75 W 140
Hydraulic system for active body control (ABC)approx. 4.0 US qt (3.8 l)MB ABC Fluid
Power steeringapprox. 1.06 US qt (1.0 l)MB Power Steering Fluid
(Chevron Texaco PSF 9109)
Front wheel hubsapprox. 3.0 oz (85 g) eachHigh temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system1.1 US qt (1.05 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)
Cooling systemSL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMGapprox. 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 systemSL 600
SL 65 AMGapprox. 2.2 US qt (2.1 l)
approx. 3.1 US qt (2.9 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
459 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
ModelCapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuel tank
including a reserve ofAll models
SL 550
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
SL 65 AMG21.1 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)
Air conditioning systemR-134a refrigerant and special
PAG lubricant oil (never R-12)
Hydraulic system for retractable hardtop0.42 US qt (0.4 l)MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning
system7.4 US qt (7.0 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing point or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing point. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 465).
465 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield washer system and head-
lamp cleaning system
Both the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system are
supplied from the windshield washer reser-
voir.
The washer reservoir has a capacity of
approximately 7.4 US qt (7.0 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit”
and water (or concentrate and com-
mercially available premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze,
depending on ambient 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.
473 Index
Front air bags 73
Front lamps see Headlamps
Fuel 279
Additives 462
Capacity, Fuel tank 457
Consumption statistics 167
Filler flap 279
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 350
Gasoline additives 462
Gauge 29
Premium unleaded gasoline 280,
459, 461
Refueling 279
Requirements 461
Fuel filler flap, Opening 279
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Capacities 457
Functions (control system) 145
Fuse box
Passenger compartment 439
Trunk 439
Fuse chart see Vehicle tool kit
Fuses 437G
Garage door opener 257
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 323
Gear range
Automatic transmission 176
Indicator 29
Limiting 176
Shifting into optimal 180, 182
Gear selector lever 32, 172
Cleaning 339
Gearshift pattern 172
Lock 53
Position 173, 174
Shifting procedure 173
Gear selector lever one-touch gearshifting
Automatic transmission 179
Global locking/unlocking see Key
Glove box 238
Good visibility 185
Gross Axle Weight Rating see GAWR
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating see GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight see GVW
GVW 323
GVWR 323H
Hard plastic trim items, cleaning 339
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hazard warning flasher 137
Head restraints 45
Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 132
Cleaning lenses 336
Cleaning system 185
Manual mode 132
Messages in the multifunction
display 392
Replacing bulbs 409
Switch 57, 131
Headliner, cleaning 340
Head-thorax air bag 74
High beam flasher 57, 136
High beam headlamps 57, 131, 410
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the multifunction
display 392, 393
Replacing bulbs 409, 412
Switching on 136
High mounted brake lamp 410