Page 435 of 489

434 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the
vehicle may be towed with all wheels on
the ground or front wheels raised only so
far as necessary to have the vehicle moved
to a safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equipment
with SmartKey in starter switch turned to
position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment. Towing
with sling-type equipment over bumpy roads will
damage radiator and supports.
To prevent damage during transport, do not tie
down vehicle by its chassis or suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm (
page 100) and
the automatic central locking (
page 166).
Warning!G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:
the engine will not run
there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system
there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
This is necessary to adequately control the
towed vehicle.
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
Warning!G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is
increased! Adapt your driving style
accordingly. For more information, see
“Electro-hydraulic brake system”
(
page 94).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
Page 447 of 489
446 Technical data
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
SL 550
1Idler pulley
2Idler pulley
3Automatic belt tensioner
4ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
5Air conditioning compressor
6Crankshaft
7Coolant pump
8Generator (alternator)SL 55 AMG
The SL 55 AMG has two poly-V-belts (belt
one shown in purple/belt two shown in
black).
1Idler pulley
2Automatic belt tensioner
3ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
4Air conditioning compressor
5Crankshaft
6Coolant pump
7Generator (alternator)
8Idler pulley
9Automatic belt tensioner
aSupercharger
SL 600, SL 65 AMG
1Automatic belt tensioner
2ABC tandem pump (pump for
power-steering assistance and ABC
chassis)
3Air conditioning compressor
4Crankshaft
5Coolant pump
6Generator (alternator)
7Idler pulley
8Idler pulley
9Idler pulley
Page 459 of 489

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
Page 469 of 489

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
Page 473 of 489

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
Page 478 of 489

477 Index
Mirrors 49, 185
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 49
Exterior rear view mirrors 49
Misfiring 60
MOE tires* see MOExtended system*
MOExtended system* 312, 425
MOExtended tires* 449
MON 280
Mph or km/h in speedometer 160
Multifunction display 143
Left display 27
Right display 29
Selecting language 160
Standard display 143
Multifunction display messages
ABC 361
ABS 363, 364
Battery 377
Brake pads 380
Brake system 382
Coolant 383
Coolant level 385
Display malfunction 386Doors 386
Easy-entry/exit feature 386
Electro-hydraulic brake
system 378, 379
Hood 390
Luggage cover 399
Passenger front air bag 370
Restraint systems 373
Roll bar 396
SmartKey 390
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 391
SRS 373
Tele Aid 396
Telephone* 396
Tires 397
Trunk 399
Washer fluid 399
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 144
Buttons 144N
Navigation system
Operating 155
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 172, 174
Night security illumination 164
Normal occupant weight 324
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 324
Occupant safety
OCS 74
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78
SRS 68
OCS 74
Self-test 78
Odometer, main 27
Oil
Adding 286
Consumption 283
Oil dipstick 286
Oil see Engine oil
Page 479 of 489

478 Index
One-touch gearshifting
Gear selector lever 179
Steering wheel gearshift
control* 180
Ornamental moldings 336
Overdue maintenance service 331
Overhead control panel 33
Overspeed range 142
P
Paintwork code see Certification label
Panic alarm 88
Panic button on SmartKey or SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO* 88
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 213
Sunshade closing 213
Sunshade opening 213
Parcel net
Passenger footwell 241
Trunk 242
Parking 271
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 233Parking brake
Engaging 63
Releasing 55
Parking brake pedal 25
Parking lamps 410
Switching on 131
Parktronic* 32, 233
Activating 236
Cleaning system sensors 337
Malfunctioning 236
Minimum distance 235
Range 234
Rear sensors 235
System sensors 337
Warning indicators 25, 235
Parktronic* system deactivation
switch 32
Parts service 442
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp
Passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 368–371
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78, 357Passenger side
Front air bag 73, 74
Head-thorax air bag 74
Pedals 267
Phone book* 170
Loading 171
Quick search 171
Phone number*
Dialing 170
Redialing 171
Plastic parts, cleaning 339
Poly-V-belt drive
Layout 446
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 312
Power assistance 268
Power closing assist for trunk lid 121
Power outlet 246
Power seat
Adjusting backrest tilt 45
Adjusting head restraint height 45
Adjusting head restraint tilt 46
Adjusting seat cushion depth 45
Adjusting seat cushion tilt 45
Adjusting seat height 45
Page 482 of 489

481 Index
Selective (SmartKey) 107
Speedometer display mode 160
Time 161
Units in speedometer 160
Shift program mode, Automatic
transmission 177
Shifting, Automatic transmission 172
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 125
Side marker lamps 410
Cleaning lenses 336
Side windows
Automatic closing 203
Automatic opening 202
Closing 201, 202
Closing fully 203
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 203
Express-close 203
Express-open 202
Opening 201, 202
Opening fully 202
Stopping 203
Synchronizing power windows 203Sidewall 324
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* see
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO*
Snow chains 329
Spare tire see Spare wheel 417
Spare wheel 400, 401, 417, 453
Collapsible tire 422, 453
Inflating collapsible tire 422
Tire inflation pressure 422
Speed settings
Cruise control 217
Distronic* 224
Speedometer 27
Setting units 160
Sporty driving style 233
SRS
Indicator lamp 354
Messages in the multifunction
display 373
Standing lamps 131, 410
Standing water
Driving instructions 275Starter battery 290, 427
Starter switch 25, 40
Starter switch positions 40
Starting difficulties 54
Starting position 40
Starting the engine
With the SmartKey 53
With the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* 54
Steering column
Up/down adjustment 47
Steering wheel
Adjusting 46
Buttons 30
Cleaning 339
Height adjustment 47
Steering wheel adjustment stalk 25
Steering wheel gearshift control one-touch
gearshifting*
Automatic transmission 180
Stopping
Windows 203