2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 fuel

387 Practical hints
What to do if …
When the message Add 1 qt engine oil
at next refueling
(Canada: 1 liter)
appears while the engine is running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level
has dropped to approximately the
minimum level.
When this occurs, the warning is at first
intermittent and then remains on if the oil
level drops further.Visually check for oil leaks. If there are no
obvious oil leaks, drive to the nearest
service station to refill the engine oil
should be topped to the required level.
For information on approved engine oils,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
NUSA only:
Add 1 qt
engine oil
at next
refueling.
Canada only:
Add 1 liter
engine oil
at next
refueling.
Vehicles with engine oil measuring
system only:
The engine oil level is too low.Add engine oil (page 286) and check the
engine oil level (
page 284).
!Engine oil level warnings should not be ig-
nored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

389 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
AFuel Cap
OpenA loss of pressure has been detect-
ed in the fuel system. The fuel cap
may not be closed properly or the
fuel system may be leaky.Check the fuel cap (page 279).
If it is not closed properly:
Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:
Have the fuel system checked by an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
KRetract. Roof Oper.
Please Wait
See Oper. Manual
The on-board voltage is too low.Start the engine.
The hardtop drive system was shut
down for safety reasons after multi-
ple, consecutive attempts to raise
or lower the hardtop.After about 10 minutes you can open or close the
retractable hardtop.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Repeat the opening or closing procedure.
Retractable Roof
LoweringThe retractable hardtop is not com-
pletely opened or closed. The roof
hydraulics will start to lose pres-
sure.Make sure the retractable hardtop is com-
pletely opened or closed (
page 204).
Retractable Roof
Operation
Only At StandstillYou have attempted to open the re-
tractable hardtop while driving.Stop the vehicle in a safe location and try to
open the hardtop again.

397 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
HPlease correct
the tire pressure.The tire inflation pressure is too
low in one or more tires.Check and correct tire inflation pressure as required
(
page 302).
Tire Pressure
Caution
Tire DefectOne or more tires are deflating.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 417).
Caution
Tire defectOne or more tires are deflating.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The respective tire is indicated in
the multifunction display.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 417).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

398 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
HTire Pressure
Check TiresThe tire pressure in one or more
tires is already below the mini-
mum value.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
Check and adjust tire pressure as required.
If necessary, change the wheel.
Check TiresThe tire pressure in one or more
tires is already below the mini-
mum value.
Vehicles with Advanced TPMS*:
The respective tire is indicated in
the multifunction display.Carefully bring the vehicle to a halt, avoiding abrupt
steering and braking maneuvers.
Check and adjust tire pressure as required.
If necessary, change the wheel (page 417).
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
Warning!G
Follow recommended tire inflation
pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being over-
heated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.

405 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Locking the vehicle
If you cannot lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey, lock it with the mechanical key
as follows:
Close the passenger door and the
trunk.
Press the central locking switch in the
center console (
page 122).
Check whether the locking knob on the
passenger door has moved down.
If necessary push it down manually.
Remove the mechanical key from the
SmartKey (
page 403).
Check whether the trunk is locked.
If necessary, lock the trunk with the
mechanical key (
page 120).
Except for the driver’s door, the vehicle
should now be locked.
Insert mechanical key 2 into the
driver’s door lock until it stops.
Turn mechanical key 2 clockwise to
position 1.
The driver’s door is locked.
iUnlocking the glove box with the mechanical
key will trigger the anti-theft alarm system. To
cancel the alarm, do one of the following:

Press button Œ or ‹on the
SmartKey.

Insert the SmartKey in the starter switch.

Press the KEYLESS-GO* start/stop button
(
page 41).

Grasp an outside door handle (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO* only).
1Locking
2Mechanical key
iThis procedure does not arm the anti-theft
alarm system, nor does it lock the fuel filler flap
and the storage compartments.
The storage compartments can be locked
separately (
page 240).

424 Practical hints
Flat tire
Detach the electric air pump.
Stow the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the air
pump back in the trunk.
Lowering the vehicle
Lower vehicle by turning crank coun-
terclockwise until the full weight of the
vehicle is resting on the ground.
Pull the jack out of the jack support
tube.1 - 5 Wheel bolts
Tighten the five wheel bolts evenly,
following the diagonal sequence
illustrated (1 to 5), until all bolts
are tight. Observe a tightening torque
of 96 lb-ft (130 Nm).
Warning!G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit as indicated on the Tire
and Loading Information placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout. Overloading the tires can also
result in handling or steering problems, or
brake failure.
iThe flat tire may be transported in the trunk
when the retractable hardtop is raised. If avail-
able, use a protective sheet on the spare wheel.
Vehicles with TPMS or Advanced TPMS*:
Do not activate the tire inflation pressure moni-
tor until a full size wheel/tire with functioning
sensor has been placed back into service on the
vehicle.
Warning!G
Have the tightening torque checked after
changing a wheel. The wheels could come
loose if they are not tightened to a torque of
96 lb-ft (130 Nm).


432 Practical hints
Jump starting
If the starter battery is discharged, the en-
gine can be started with jumper cables and
the battery of another vehicle. Observe the
following:

Jump starting should only be performed
when the engine and catalytic
converter are cold.

Do not start the engine if the battery is
frozen. Let the battery thaw out first.

Only jump start from batteries with the
same voltage rating (12 V). Jump start-
ing with a higher voltage battery could
damage the vehicle’s electrical system,
which will not be covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

Only use jumper cables with sufficient
cross section and insulated terminal
clamps.

Always make sure the jumper cables
are not on or near pulleys, fans, or
other parts that move when an engine
is started or running.
Warning!G
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components, and
can lead to a battery explosion and severe
injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting
or jump starting, you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water, and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and very explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery
can result in it exploding, causing personal
injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
!Do not tow-start the vehicle.
!Jump starting may only be performed on the
battery installed in the engine compartment.
Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a bat-
tery quick charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuc-
cessful starting attempts, have it checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated
failed starting attempts may damage the
catalytic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose
or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any
other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.

441 Technical data
Parts service
Warranty coverage
Identification labels
Layout of poly-V-belt drive
Engine
Rims and tires
Electrical system
Main dimensions
Weights
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.