Page 8 of 489

Contents
Technical data..................................  441
Parts service ......................................  442
Warranty coverage .............................  443
Loss of Service and Warranty 
Information Booklet......................  443
Identification labels............................  444
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................  446
SL 550..........................................  446
SL 55 AMG ...................................  446
SL 600, SL 65 AMG ......................  446
Engine ................................................  447
Rims and tires ....................................  449
Same size tires .............................  450
Mixed size tires ............................  451
Spare wheel .................................  453
Electrical system................................  454
Main dimensions................................  455
Weights ..............................................  456Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .........  457
Capacities ....................................  457
Engine oils....................................  460
Engine oil additives ......................  460
Air conditioning refrigerant ..........  460
Brake fluid ....................................  460
Premium unleaded gasoline .........  461
Fuel requirements ........................  461
Gasoline additives ........................  462
Coolants.......................................  463
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ...........  465Index.................................................  467 
     
        
        Page 461 of 489

460 Technical data
Fuels, 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 
required for vehicles with Maintenance 
System. For a listing of approved engine 
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory 
Approved Service Products pamphlet (USA 
only), or contact an authorized 
Mercedes-Benz Center.Engine oil additives
Air conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special 
PAG lubricating oil are used in the air con-
ditioner system.
Brake fluid
Only brake fluid approved by 
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Any 
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will 
provide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required for the 
Maintenance System or changing oil and oil filter 
at change intervals longer than those called for 
by the Maintenance System will result in engine 
or emission control system damage not covered 
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System recommen-
dations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to do 
so will result in engine or emission control sys-
tem damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz 
Limited Warranty.
!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.
!Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based 
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the system 
will occur.
Warning!G
During vehicle operation, the boiling point of 
the brake fluid is continuously reduced 
through the absorption of moisture from the 
atmosphere. Under extremely strenuous 
operating conditions, this moisture content 
can lead to the formation of bubbles in the 
system, thus reducing the system’s 
efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced 
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s 
Maintenance Booklet for replacement 
interval. 
     
        
        Page 463 of 489

462 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is 
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains 
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, 
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel 
requirements, such as resistance to spark 
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.Gasoline additives 
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the 
use of quality gasoline containing additives 
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
After an extended period of using fuels 
without such additives carbon deposits 
can build up, especially on the intake 
valves and in the combustion area, leading 
to engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be 
encountered due to lack of availability of 
gasolines which contain these additives, 
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of 
additives approved by us for use on 
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to the 
Factory Approved Service Products 
pamphlet (USA only) or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for a listing of 
approved product(s). Follow directions on 
product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel. 
This only results in unnecessary cost and 
may be harmful to the engine operation.
!Damage or malfunction resulting from poor 
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel 
additives other than those tested and approved 
by us for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not 
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited 
Warranty. 
     
        
        Page 474 of 489

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