2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 fuel

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.

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)

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.

469 Index
Brake system
Messages in the multifunction
display 382
Brakes 268
BAS 91
Brake fluid 280, 458, 460
Electro-hydraulic brake system 94
High-performance brake system
(AMG vehicles only) 270
Warning lamp 345
Break-in period 266
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 392
Replacing 409
C
California retail buyers and lessees,
important notice for 11
Call priority, Tele Aid 256
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 457
Cargo area see Trunk
Carpets, cleaning 339
Catalytic converter 277
CD changer 155, 240CD player
Operating 155
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central locking
Automatic 122, 166
Central locking/unlocking
switch 31, 122
Locking/unlocking from inside 122
Certification label 444
Check engine see Lamps, indicator and
warning
Checking tire pressure electronically with
the Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring
System (Advanced TPMS)*, (Canada
only) 308
Children in the vehicle
Air bags 84
Infant and child restraint systems 84
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 74
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 78, 357
Cigarette lighter 244
Clock 25, 161Cockpit 24
Cold tire inflation pressure 323
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) 453
COMAND system 31
Driving instructions 276
Combination switch
High beam 57, 135
Turn signals 57
Windshield wipers 58
Consumer battery 290
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 276
Control system 143, 146
Control system menus
AMG 150
AUDIO 153
Distronic* 156, 222
NAV 155
Settings 157
Standard display 149
TEL* 169
Trip computer 167
Vehicle status message memory 156

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

475 Index
Key, SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 108
Batteries 407
Battery check lamp 108
Checking the batteries 113
Factory setting 111
Global locking 111, 112
Global unlocking 111, 112
Locking/unlocking 39, 65, 108
Loss of 113
Messages in the multifunction
display 390, 391
Opening, Trunk 115
Opening/closing retractable
hardtop 206
Remote control 108
Replacing batteries 407
Reprogramming 112
Restoring to factory settings 112
Selective setting 112
Starter switch positions 41
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 64
Unlocking, Trunk lid 114KEYLESS-GO*
Closing windows 203
Important notes 109
Locking/unlocking 39, 65, 108
Messages in the multifunction
display 390
Start/stop button 31, 41, 54
Starter switch positions 41
Starting the engine 54
Turning off the engine 64
Unlocking, Trunk lid 114
Kickdown 175
Kilopascal 323
Knee bag 74
L
Labels, identification 444
Lamp bulbs, exterior 409
Lamps, exterior
Delayed switch-off 164
Exterior lamp switch 25, 57
Front 410
Light sensor 392
Replacing bulbs for rear 410, 414
Switching off 131
Switching on 131Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 344
ABS/ESP
®342
Brakes 345
CHECK ENGINE 346, 347
Coolant 348
Distronic* indicator and warning
lamp 27, 221
Electro-hydraulic brake system 94
Engine diagnostics 346, 347
Engine malfunction 29
ESP
®91
Fuel reserve 350
Passenger front air
bag off 74, 78, 357
Seat belt telltale 352
Seat belts 352–353
SRS 69, 354
Turn signals 27
Language
Multifunction display 160
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 340
License plate lamps 163, 410, 414
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 338

479 Index
Power windows 201
Cleaning 337
Closing with KEYLESS-GO* 203
Side windows 201
Synchronizing 203
Problems while driving 60
Production options weight 324
Program mode see Automatic transmis-
sion, Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift program 177
Automatic transmission 32
PSI 324
PULSE function (Massage function) 125
Q
Quick search
Phone book* 171R
RACETIMER see Control system menus,
AMG
Radio
Operating 154
Satellite 154
Selecting station 154
Radio transmitters
Control and operation 276
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 169
Reading lamp 33
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear luggage compartment 242
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Recommended inflation pressure 324
Redial memory 171
Refueling 279
Regular checks 280
Regular driving style 233
Remote trunk opening switch 116
Remote trunk opening/closing*
switch 116Replacing
Batteries (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 407
Batteries (SmartKey) 407
High beam bulbs 412
Low beam bulbs 412
Rear lamp bulbs 410, 414
Wiper blades 415
Reset button 27
Resetting
All functions (control system) 158
Fuel consumption statistics 168
Trip odometer 141
Restraint systems 68
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 82
Infant and child restraints 85
Messages in the multifunction
display 373
Seat belts 68, 79
Resume function
Cruise control 217
Distronic* 225