2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG cooling

200 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating
Press button T (page 190).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:

when the ignition is switched on

after about 30 minutes

if the battery voltage drops
Ventilated glove box
The glove box has its own air vents that
allow for cooling ventilation when the auto-
matic climate control system is activated.
Glove box
1Thumbwheel
2Air ventOpening the air vent
Make sure the air vent in the glove box
is unobstructed.
Turn thumbwheel1 upwards.
Closing the air vent
Turn thumbwheel1 downwards.
iYou should keep air vent 2 closed when
outside temperatures are low.

288 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze.
When checking the coolant level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

the coolant temperature must be be-
low 158°F (70°C)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.
Warning!G
In order to avoid any potentially 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.

348 Practical hints
What to do if …
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
DThe 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 288).
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.
DThe red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running 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.

385 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
BTop Up
Coolant
See Oper. ManualThe coolant level is too low.Add coolant (page 288).
Comply with all warnings while doing so.
If you have to add coolant frequently, have the
cooling system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
•The cooling fan for the coolant is
malfunctioning.Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster (
page 27).
If the coolant temperature is below 120°C,
you may continue driving to the nearest
specialist workshop.
Avoid placing heavy loads on the engine
(e.g. by driving uphill) as well as stop-and-go
traffic.
Have the fan replaced as soon as possible.
Warning!G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You could be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant level
warning. Extended driving with this message and
symbol displayed may cause serious engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. Do not drive
without sufficient amount of coolant in the cool-
ing system. The engine will overheat, causing
major engine damage.

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

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)

467 Index
A
ABC 230
Messages in the multifunction
display 361
Oil level 287
ABS 89
Indicator lamp 29, 344
Messages in the multifunction
display 363, 364
Warning lamp 27, 342
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 175
Accessory weight 322
Accident 61
Active Body Control see ABC
Air bags 70
Children in the vehicle 84
Front 73
Head-thorax 74
Knee bag 74
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 74Passenger 74
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78
Safety guidelines 72
Air conditioning system see Automatic
climate control system
Air distribution 192, 194
Air pressure 322
Tire inflation pressure 300
Air pump 422
Air recirculation mode 196
Air vents 189
Air volume 193, 195
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Alignment bolt (vehicle tool kit) 421
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 458, 464
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 185
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 98
Immobilizer 98
Tow-away alarm 100
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 239Ashtray 31, 244
Aspect ratio 322
ATF 287
Auto-dimming, Rear view mirrors 185
Automatic central locking 122
Control system 166
Automatic climate control system 188
Air conditioning, Cooling 198
Air conditioning refrigerant 460
Air distribution 192, 194
Air recirculation mode 196
Air vents 189
Air volume 193, 195
Control panel 190
Deactivating 191
Defrosting 187, 195
Residual heat utilization 199
Temperature 193
Temperature sensor 33
Ventilated glove box 200