2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG warning

Charging the batteryGWarning!
Never charge a battery while still installed in
the vehicle unless the accessory battery
charge unit approved by Mercedes-Benz is
being used. Gases may escape during
charging and could cause an explosion that
may result in personal injury, paint damage or
corrosion.
An accessory battery charge unit specially
adapted for Mercedes-Benz vehicles and
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz is
available. It permits the charging of the
battery in its installed position. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
information and availability.
Charge battery in accordance with the
separate instructions for the accessory
battery charger.
Have the battery charged at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. If you charge the
battery yourself, follow the operating
instructions for your charging device.
Only use a battery charge unit with a
maximum charging voltage of 14.8 V.
XCharge battery in accordance with the
instructions of the battery charger
manufacturer.412BatteryPractical hints
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Jump startingGWarning!
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 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. You could otherwise seriously damage the transmission which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a battery quick-charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuccessful 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.
If the battery is discharged, the engine can be started with jumper cables and the fully charged
battery of another vehicle or an equivalent starter pack. Observe the following:
R Access to the battery is not possible on all vehicles. If you cannot access the battery of the
other vehicle, provide jump start power by an external battery or starter pack.
R Jump starting should only be performed when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
R Do not jump start the engine or charge the battery if the battery is frozen. Let the battery
thaw out first.
R Only jump start from batteries with the same voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting with a
more powerful battery could damage the vehicle’s electrical system. Such damage will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
R Only use jumper cables with sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R 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.
R Should the battery be drained completely, let the donating power source charge the vehicle
for several minutes before reattempting the starting process.
The battery is located in the engine compartment on the passenger side.
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Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or rear axle raised only so far as necessary to
have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods
can be employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
transmission which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
GWarning!
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
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe transmission will remain in park
position P
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 410) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 413).
Installing towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor
(Y page 362).
XTake the towing eye bolt and the wheel
wrench out of the trunk.
Your vehicle is equipped with a front towing
eye bolt only. You cannot tow other vehicles
with your vehicle.
Removing cover in front bumper
XPull off cover \000F.XRemove cover \000F from the opening.
Cover \000F is tethered with a plastic strap.
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Fixing towing eye boltXScrew towing eye bolt 0047 clockwise into
threaded hole to its stop.XInsert wheel wrench into towing eye and
tighten towing eye bolt 0047 by turning it
clockwise.
Removing towing eye bolt
XLoosen towing eye bolt 0047 by turning it
counterclockwise.XUnscrew towing eye bolt 0047.XReinstalling cover: Engage cover 0046
( Y page 415) at bottom and press at top.XStore the towing eye bolt 0047 and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle tool kit.
Towing with rear axle raised
! The vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, the wheels on the ground have to
move freely. Therefore follow the respective
steps below, after the rear axle being raised:
XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 252).XMake sure the transmission remains in
neutral position N. Observe instructions,
see “Shifting into neutral position N”
( Y page 263).!
Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in position
0 or 1, or SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer or when the vehicle is being
towed with the rear axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with
the ignition switched off. As soon as the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch the transmission will shift to park
position P.
Towing with all wheels on the ground
GWarning!
When there is a malfunction in the brake
system, the vehicle must be towed using a tow
bar.
Before towing make sure the steering wheel
is unlocked and can be moved.
The vehicle must not be towed when the
power supply or the vehicle’s electrical
system are malfunctioning.
GWarning!
While the vehicle is being towed,
R the engine may turn off
R the electrical system may fail
R the battery voltage may drop too far.
All or any of this will block the rear axle.
This could cause an accident and injure you
and/or others.
! You must not use the KEYLESS-GO start/
stop button when towing the vehicle. Use
the SmartKey instead.
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Leave the engine running under all
circumstances.
Removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch or opening a door with the ignition
switched off will automatically shift the into
park position P.XStart the engine ( Y page 259).XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal and keep it pressed.XShift the transmission into neutral position
N .XCheck the transmission position in the
instrument cluster ( Y page 265).XRelease the brake pedal.XIf engaged, release the electronic parking
brake.XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 252).XLeave the engine running throughout the
entire towing procedure.
! The vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
! Make sure the electronic parking brake is
released. If the electronic parking brake is
malfunctioning, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
! While towing, check the temperature of
the transmission fluid via the control
system in the AMG menu. The transmission
fluid temperature may not rise above 248‡
(120†). Otherwise, the towing procedure
must be stopped immediately.
i While being towed with the hazard
warning flasher in use, use the combination
switch in the usual manner to signal turns.
Only the selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the hazard
warning flasher will operate again.
Fuses
Introduction
The electrical fuses in your vehicle serve to
switch off malfunctioning power circuits.
If a fuse is blown, the components and
systems secured by that fuse will stop
operating.
GWarning!
Only use fuses approved by Mercedes-Benz
with the specified amperage for the system in
question and do not attempt to repair or
bridge a blown fuse. Using other than
approved fuses or using repaired or bridged
fuses may cause an overload leading to a fire,
and/or cause damage to electrical
components and/or systems. Have the cause
determined and remedied by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
A blown fuse must be replaced by an
appropriate spare fuse (recognizable by its
color or the fuse rating given on the fuse) of
the amperage recommended in the fuse
chart. Any Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad
to advise you on this subject.
i In case of a blown fuse contact Roadside
Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.
If a newly inserted fuse blows again, have the
cause determined and rectified by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The fuse chart is located in the trunk with the
vehicle tool kit ( Y page 362). The fuse chart
explains the fuse allocation and fuse
amperages.
Before replacing fuses
XEngage the electronic parking brake.XMake sure the transmission is in park
position P.XSwitch off all electrical consumers.XTurn off the engine.Fuses417Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 417Z

Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore only use products
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
For information on tested and approved products, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or visit http://www.MBUSA.com (USA only).
GWarning!
Comply with all valid regulations with respect to handling, storing, and disposing of service fluids.
Otherwise you could endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of children.
For health reasons, you should prevent service fluids from coming into direct contact with your
skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a physician immediately.
CapacityFuels, coolants,
lubricants, etc.Engine with oil filter 9.3 US qt (8.8 l)Approved engine oilsAMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT
7-SPEED Transmission 9.3 US qt (8.8 l)Shell DCT F.3 ATF oilRear axle 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)Shell GL.5Power steering 1.3 US qt (1.2 l)Chevron Texaco CHF 9109Brake system approx. 0.53 US qt (0.5 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)Cooling system approx. 11.6 US qt (11.0 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/
AntifreezeFuel tank 22.5 US gal (85.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline
(Minimum Posted Octane 91
[Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON])Fuel tank reserveapprox. 3.7 US gal (14.0 l)Air conditioning system—R134a refrigerant and
special PAG lubricant oil
(never R 12)Washer system and
headlamp cleaning system 6.3 US qt (6.0 l)MB Windshield Washer
Concentrate 15
(Y page 429)
Washer fluid mixing ratio
( Y page 429)15
Mixed with water or commercially available premixed washer solvent/antifreeze.Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.425Technical dataBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 425Z

Approved 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 the Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil
filters, contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or visit http://www.MBUSA.com
(USA only).
! Using engine oils and oil filters of a
specification other than those expressly
required for the Maintenance System, or
changing of 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
recommendations for scheduled oil
changes. Failure to do so will result in
engine or emission control system damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.MB sheet number229.5 16
i
MB sheet numbers are printed on the
outside of oil containers.
Viscosity grades for engine oils
Using the chart below, select oil viscosity
according to the lowest air temperature
expected before the next oil change.
Engine oil additives
! 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.
Air conditioning refrigerant
R134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air conditioning
system.
! Never use R 12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
GWarning!
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.
16 Restriction: Only SAE 0W-40/SAE 5W-40 engine oils may be used.426Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Technical data
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Only brake fluid approved by Mercedes-Benz
is recommended. Any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will provide you with additional
information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
GWarning!
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline!
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact. Extinguish all smoking materials.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of fuel vapors are damaging your
health.
! To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gasoline
must be used.
If premium unleaded gasoline is not
available and low octane gasoline is used,
follow these precautions:
R Have the fuel tank only partially filled
with unleaded regular gasoline and fill up
with premium unleaded gasoline as soon
as possible.
R Avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration.
R Do not exceed an engine speed of
3 000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded with a
light load such as two persons and no
luggage.
R Do not exceed 2
/ 3 of maximum
accelerator pedal position if the vehicle
is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded gasoline. The
octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research
Octane Number (RON) and the Motor Octane
Number (MON): (RON+MON)/2. This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Reformulated gasolines (RFG) and/or
unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, TAME, ETBE, IPA, IBA, and
TBA can be used provided the ratio of any one
of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
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
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused by
gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends only
the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build-up of carbon
deposits.
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:
R Warm-up hesitation
R Unstable idle
R Knocking/pinging
R Misfire
R Power loss
In areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasoline which contains these additives, the
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.427Technical dataBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 427Z