2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class maintenance

Cleaning the seat belts
G
WARNING
Seat belts can become severely weakened if
bleached or dyed. This could cause the seat
belts to tear or fail, for instance, in the event
of an accident. This pose sanincreased risk
of injury or fatal injury.
Never bleach or dye the sea tbelts.
! Do not clean the seat belts using chemical
cleaning agents .Do not dry the seat belts
by heating at temperatures above 176 ‡
(80 †) or in direct sunlight.
X Use clean, lukewarm water and soap
solution.
Cleaning the roof lining and carpets X
Headliner: if it is very dirty, use a soft brush
or dry shampoo.
X Carpets: use the carpet and textile
cleaning agents recommended and
approved by Mercedes-Benz. 524
CareMaintenance and care

Battery acid is caustic.
Avoid contact with the skin,
eyes or clothing.
Wea
rsuitable protective
clothing, in particular
gloves, an apro nand a face
mask.
Immediately rinse acid
splashes off with clean
water. Consult a doctor if
necessary. Wear eye protection.
Keep children away.
Observe this Operator's
Manual.
G
WARNING
Failure to follow these instructions can result
in severe injury or death.
Never lean ove rbatteries while connecting.
You migh tget 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.
Ab attery 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. G
WARNING
Do no tplace any metal objects on the battery
as this could result in a shor tcircuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the risk
of acid burns in the event of an accident.
Take care that you do not become statically
charged, e.g. by wearin gsynthetic clothing or rubbing against textiles
.For this reason, you
also should not pull or push the battery over
carpets or other synthetic materials.
Never touch the battery first. First, touch the
outside body of the vehicle in order to release
any possible electrostatic charges.
Do not rub the battery with rags or cloths. The
battery could explode if touched due to
electrostatic charge or due to spark
formation. H
Environmental note Batteries contain dangerous
substances. It is against the
law to dispose of them with
the household rubbish. They
must be collected separately
and recycled to protect the
environment.
Dispose of batteries in an
environmentally friendly
manner
.Take discharged
batteries to a qualified
specialist workshop or a
special collectio npoint for
used batteries.
! Have the battery checked regularly at a
qualified specialist workshop.
Observe the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or contact a qualified
specialist workshop for more information.
! You should have all work involving the
battery carried out at aqualified specialist
workshop. In the exceptional case that it is
necessary for you to disconnect the battery
yourself, make sure that:
R you switch off the engine and remove the
SmartKey. On vehicles with KEYLESS-
GO, ensure that the ignition is switched
off .C heck that all the indicator lamps in
the instrumentc luster are off.Otherwise,
electroni ccomponents, such as the
alternator, may be damaged.
R you first remove the negative terminal
clamp and then the positive terminal 532
Battery (vehicle)Breakdown assistance

X
Press the 0009or000A button to select
Tire Pressure .
X Press the 000Fbutton.
The Run Flat Indicator Active Press 'OK' to Restart message
appears in the multifunction display.
If you wish to confirm the restart:
X Press the 000Fbutton.
The Tire Pressure Now OK? message
appears in the multifunction display.
X Press the 0009or000A button to select
Yes .
X Press the 000Fbutton.
The Run Flat Indicator Restarted message appears in the multifunction
display.
After a teach-in period, the tire pressure
loss warning system will monitor the set
tire pressures of all four tires.
If you wish to cancel the restart:
X Press the 001Fbutton.
or
X When the Tire Pressure Now OK? message appears, press the
0009or
000A button to select Cancel .
X Press the 000Fbutton.
The tire pressure values stored at the last
restart will continue to be monitored. Tire pressure monitor
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked at least once a month
when cold and inflated to the pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufacturer
on the Tire and Loading Information placard
on the driver's door B-pillar or the tire
pressure label on the inside of the fuel filler
flap. If your vehicle has tires of a differen tsize
than the size indicated on the Tire and Loading Information placard or the tire pressure label,
you should determine the proper tire pressure
for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has
been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire
pressure telltale when one or more of your
tires are significantly underinflated.
Accordingly, when the low tire pressure
telltale illuminates, you should stop and check
your tires as soon as possible, and inflate
them to the proper pressure. Driving on a
significantly underinflated tire causes the tire
to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency
and tire tread life, and may affec
tthe vehicle's
handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for proper tire maintenance, and it is the
driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire
pressure, even if underinflation has not
reached the level to trigger illumination of the
TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only:
Your vehicle has also been equipped with a
TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate if the
system is not operating properly. The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the warning lamp will
flash for approximately a minute and then
remain continuously illuminated. This
sequence will be repeated every time the
vehicle is started as long as the malfunction
exists.
When the malfunction indicator is illuminated,
the system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of
incompatible replacement or alternate tires
or wheels on the vehicle that prevent the
TPMS from functioning properly. Always
check the TPMS malfunction telltale after
replacing one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or 552
Tire pressureWheels and tires

Securing the vehicle on level ground
X
On level ground: place chocks or other
suitable items under the front and rea rof
the wheel tha tis diagonally opposite the
wheel you wish to change. Securing the vehicle on slight downhill gradients
X On light downhill gradients: place
chocks or other suitable items in front of
the wheels of the front and rear axle.
Raising the vehicle G
WARNING
If you do not position the jack correctly at the
appropriate jacking point of the vehicle, the
jack could tip over with the vehicle raised.
There is a risk of injury.
Only position the jack at the appropriate
jacking point of the vehicle. The base of the
jack must be positioned vertically, directly
under the jacking point of the vehicle.
! The jack is designed exclusively for
jacking up the vehicle at the jacking points.
Otherwise, your vehicle could be damaged. The following must be observed when raising
the vehicle:
R to raise the vehicle, only use the vehicle-
specific jack that has been tested and
approved by Mercedes-Benz.Ifu sed
incorrectly, the jack could tip over with the
vehicle raised.
R the jack is designed only to raise and hold
the vehicle for a short time while a wheel
is being changed. It is not suited for
performing maintenance work under the
vehicle.
R avoid changing the wheel on uphill and
downhill slopes.
R before raising the vehicle, secure it from
rolling away by applying the parking brake
and inserting wheel chocks. Never
disengage the parking brake while the
vehicle is raised.
R the jack must be placed on a firm, flat and
non-slip surface. On a loose surface, a
large, load-bearing underlay must be used.
On a slippery surface, a non-slip underlay
must be used, e.g. rubber mats.
R do not use wooden blocks or similar
objects as a jack underlay.O therwise, the
jac kw ill not be able to achieve its load-
bearing capacity due to the restricted
height.
R make sure that the distance between the
underside of the tires and the ground does
not exceed 1.2 in (3 cm).
R never place your hands and feet under the
raised vehicle.
R never lie under the raised vehicle.
R never start the engine when the vehicle is
raised.
R never open or close a door or the trunk lid
when the vehicle is raised.
R make sure that no persons are present in
the vehicle when the vehicle is raised. Changing
awheel
567Wheels and tires Z

Overview of abbreviations used in the
following tire tables:
R BA: both axles
R FA: front axle
R RA: rear axle
The recommended pressures for various
operating conditions can be found:
R on the Tire and Loading Information placard
with the recommended tire pressures on
the B-pillar on the driver's side
R in the tire pressure table on the inside of
the fuel filler flap
Observe the notes on recommended tire
pressures under various operating conditions
(Y page 547).
Check tire pressures regularly, and only when
the tires are cold. Comply with the
maintenance recommendations of the tire
manufacturer in the vehicle document wallet.
Notes on the vehicle equipment –always
equip the vehicle with:
R tires of the same size on a given axle (left/
right)
R the same type of tires at a given time
(summer tires, winter tires, MOExtended
tires)
Vehicles equipped with MOExtended tires are
not equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory.
It is therefore recommended that you
additionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT
kit if you moun ttires that do not feature run-
flat properties, e.g. winter tires. ATIREFIT kit
may be obtained from a qualified specialist
workshop.
i Not all wheel and tire combinations are
available at the factory for all countries.
i On the following pages, you can find
information on approved wheelr ims and
tire sizes for equipping your vehicle with
winter tires. Winter tires are not available
at the factory as standard equipmen tor
optional extras.
If you would like to equip your vehicle with
approved winter tires, you may also, in certain circumstances, require rims of the
appropriate size. The sizes of the approved
winter tires may deviate from that of the
standard tires. This is dependent on the
model and the equipment installed at the
factory.
The tires and wheel rims, as well as further
information, can be obtained at a qualified
specialist workshop. Wheel and tire combinations
571Wheels and tires Z

Engine oil
General notes !
Never use engine oil or an oil filter of a
specificatio nothe rthan is necessary to
fulfill the prescribed service intervals. Do
not change the engine oil or oil filter in
order to achieve longer replacement
intervals than those prescribed. You could
otherwise cause engine damage or damage
to the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
Follow the instructions in the service
interval display regarding the oil change.
Otherwise, you may damage the engine and
the exhaust gas aftertreatment.
When handling engine oil, observe the
important safety notes on service products
(Y page 578).
The engine oils are matched to the
performance of Mercedes-Benz engines and
service intervals. You should therefore only
use engine oils and oil filters that are
approved for vehicles with maintenance
systems.
For a list of approved engine oils and oil filters,
consult an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Or visit the website
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
The table shows which engine oils have been
approved for your vehicle. Model Engine
model MB
Approval SL 550
278 229.5
SL 63 AMG
157 229.5
SL 65 AMG
V12
279 229.5
Use only SAE 0W-40 or SAE 5W-40 engine oils
for AMG vehicles.
i MB approval is indicated on the oil
containers. Filling capacities The following values refer to an oil change
including the oil filter.
Missing values were not available at time of
going to print.
Model Capacity
SL 550
SL 63 AMG
Without external oil
cooler: 9.0 US qt (8.5 l)
With external oil
cooler: 10 US qt (9.5 l) SL 65 AMG V12
Without external oil
cooler: 10.6 US qt (10.0 l)
With external oil
cooler: 11.6 US qt (11.0 l) Additives
!
Do not use any additives in the engine oil.
This could damage the engine.
Engine oil viscosity Viscosity describes the flow characteristics
of a fluid. If an engine oil has a high viscosity,
this means that it is thick; a low viscosity
means that it is thin.
Select an engine oil with an SAE (viscosity)
classification suitable for the prevailing
outside temperatures. The table shows youService products and fillingc
apacities
581Technical data Z

which SA
Eclassifications are to be used. The
low-temperature characteristics of engine
oils can deteriorate significantly, e.g. as a
result of aging, soot and fuel deposits. It is
therefore strongly recommended that you
carry out regular oil changes using an
approved engine oil with the appropriate SAE
classification. Brake fluid
G
WARNING
The brake fluid constantly absorbs moisture
fro mt he air. This lowers the boiling point of
the brake fluid. If the boiling point of the brake
fluid is too low, vapor pockets may form in the
brake system when the brakes are applied
hard. This would impair braking efficiency.
There is a risk of an accident.
You should have the brake fluid renewed at
the specified intervals.
When handling brake fluid, observe the
important safety notes on service products
(Y page 578).
The brake fluid change intervals can be found
in the Maintenance Booklet.
Only use brake fluid approved by Mercedes-
Benz according to MB Approval 331.0.
Information about approved brake fluid can
be obtained at any qualified specialist
workshop or on the Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com.
i Have the brake fluid regularly replaced at
a qualified specialist workshop and the
replacement confirmed in the Maintenance
Booklet. Coolant
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If antifreeze comes into contact with hot
components in the engine compartment, it
may ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Let the engine cool down before you add
antifreeze. Make sure that antifreeze is not
spilled next to the filler neck.T horoughly
clean the antifreeze from components before
starting the engine.
! Only add coolant that has been premixed
with the desired antifreezep rotection. You
could otherwise damage the engine.
Further information on coolants can be
found in the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products, MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1, e.g. on the
Internet at
http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com. Or
contact a qualified specialist workshop.
! Always use a suitable coolant mixture,
even in countries where high temperatures
prevail.
Otherwise, the engine cooling system is not
sufficiently protected from corrosion and
overheating.
When handling coolant, observe the
important safety notes on service products
(Y page 578).
The coolant is a mixture of water and
antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor. It performs
the following tasks:
R corrosio nprotection
R antifreeze protection
R raising the boiling point
If the coolant has antifreeze protection down
to -35 ‡ (-37 †),the boiling point of the
coolant during operatio nis approximately
266 ‡ (130 †). 582
Service products and filling capacitiesTechnical data

The antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
concentration in the engine cooling system
should:
R be at least 50%. This will protec tthe engine
cooling system against freezing down to
approximately -35 ‡ (-37 †).
R not exceed 55% (antifreeze protection
down to -49 ‡ [-45 †]). Otherwise, heat
will not be dissipated as effectively.
If the vehicle has lost coolant, add equal
amounts of water and antifreeze/corrosion
inhibitor.
Mercedes-Benz recommends an antifreeze/
corrosion inhibitor concentrate in
accordance with MB Specifications for
Service Products 310.1.
The coolant is checked with every
maintenance interval at a qualified specialist
workshop.
i When the vehicle is first delivered, it is
filled with a coolant mixture that ensures
adequate antifreeze and corrosion
protection.
Filling capacities Model Capacity
SL 550
Approx. 13.7 US qt
(13.0 l) SL 63 AMG
Approx. 11.6 US qt
(11.0 l) SL 65 AMG V12
Approx. 13.5 US qt
(12.8 l) i
Use antifreeze/corrosion inhibitor
according to MB approval 325.0 or 326.0. Windshield washer system and
headlampc
leaning system
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust syste mit
could ignite. There is a ris koffire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer
concentrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
! Only use washer fluid that is suitable for
plastic lamp lenses, e.g. MB SummerFit or
MB WinterFit. Unsuitable washer fluid
could damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
! Do not add distilled or de-ionized water to
the washer fluid container. Otherwise, the
level sensor may be damaged.
! Only MB SummerFit and MB WinterFit
washer fluid should be mixed together. The
spray nozzles may otherwise become
blocked.
When handling washer fluid, observe the
important safety notes on service products
(Y page 578).
At temperatures above freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and windshield washer fluid, e.g.
MB SummerFit.
X Add 1 part MB SummerFit to 100 parts
water.
At temperatures below freezing:
X Fill the washer fluid reservoir with a mixture
of water and washer fluid, e.g. MB
WinterFit. Service products and filling capacities
583Technical data Z