2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG COUPE GT Owner's Manual

Hood release lever in driver's footwell
X
Pull release lever 0043on the hood.
The hood is released.
! Make sure that the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the windshield
wipers or the hood. X
Reach into the gap, pull hood catch
handle 0044up and lift the hood.
Closing the hood X
Lower the hood and let it fall from a height
of approximately 8 inches (20 cm).
X Check that the hood has engaged properly.
If the hood can be raised slightly, it is not
properly engaged. Open it again and close
it with a little more force. Engine oil
General notes Depending on the driving style, the vehicle
consumes up to 0.9 US qt (0.8 l) of oil over a
distance of 600 miles (1000 km). The oil
consumption may be higher than this when
the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive at
high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may
be in a different location.
When checking the oil level:
R
park the vehicle on a level surface.
R the engine should be switched off for
approximately five minutes if the engine is
at normal operating temperature.
R if the engine is not at normal operating
temperature, e.g. if the engine was only
started briefly, wait about 30 minutes
before carrying out the measurement.
Checking the oil level using the oil
dipstick X
Unscrew and remove oil filler cap 0043with
the integrated dipstick.
X Wipe the oil dipstick.
X Screw on oil filler cap 0043again to the stop. Engine compartment
215Maintenance and care Z

X
Unscrew oil filler cap 0043again and read the
dipstick.
If the level is between MIN mark 0087and
MAX mark 0044, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark
0087 or below, add 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter) of
engine oil.
Adding engine oil G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot
components in the engine compartment, it
may ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil is not spilled next
to the filler neck. Let the engine cool down
and thoroughly clean the engine oil off the
components before starting the engine. H
Environmental note
When adding oil, take care not to spill any. If
oil enters the soil or waterways, it is harmful
to the environment.
! Only use engine oils and oil filters that
have been approved for vehicles with a
service system. You can obtain a list of the
engine oils and oil filters tested and
approved in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz Specifications for Service
Products at any Mercedes-Benz Service
center.
Damage to the engine or exhaust system is
caused by the following:
R using engine oils and oil filters that have
not been specifically approved for the
service system
R replacing engine oil and oil filters after
the interval for replacement specified by
the service system has been exceeded
R using engine oil additives.
! Do not add too much oil. adding too much
engine oil can result in damage to the
engine or to the catalytic converter. Have
excess engine oil siphoned off. X
Unscrew and remove oil filler cap 0043with
the integrated dipstick.
X Add engine oil.
If the oil level is at or under the MIN mark
on the oil dipstick, add 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter)
of engine oil.
X Replace cap 0043on the filler neck and
tighten clockwise.
Ensure that the cap locks into place
securely.
X Check the oil level again with the oil
dipstick (Y page 215).
You will find further information about engine
oil in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 279). Checking and adding other service
products
Checking coolant level G
WARNING
The engine cooling system is pressurized,
particularly when the engine is warm. When
opening the cap, you could be scalded by hot
coolant spraying out. There is a risk of injury.
Let the engine cool down before opening the
cap. Wear eye and hand protection when
opening the cap. Open the cap slowly half a
turn to allow pressure to escape.
Only check the coolant level when the vehicle
is on a level surface and the engine has cooled
down. 216
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

X
Set the Start/Stop button to key position
2.
X Check the coolant temperature display in
the "AMG" menu (Y page 157).
The coolant temperature must be below
158 ‡ (70 †). X
Slowly turn cap 0043half a turn counter-
clockwise and allow excess pressure to
escape.
X Turn cap 0043further counter-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of the marker
bar in the filler neck when cold, there is
enough coolant in coolant expansion
tank 0044.
If the coolant level is approximately 0.6 in
(1.5 cm) above the marker bar in the filler
neck when warm, there is enough coolant
in coolant expansion tank 0044.
X If necessary, add coolant that has been
tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap 0043and turn it clockwise as far
as it will go.
You will find further information about coolant
in the "Technical data" section
(Y page 280).
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system 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. Thoroughly
clean the antifreeze from components before
starting the engine.
G
WARNING
Windshield washer concentrate is highly
flammable. If it comes into contact with hot
engine components or the exhaust system it
could ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that no windshield washer
concentrate is spilled next to the filler neck.
The washer fluid reservoir is used for both the
windshield washer system and the headlamp
cleaning system. X
To open: pull cap0043upwards by the tab.
X Add the premixed washer fluid.
X To close: press cap 0043onto the filler neck
until it engages.
Further information on windshield washer
fluid/antifreeze (Y page 281). Maintenance
Service interval display
Service messages Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see the separate Maintenance
Booklet). Maintenance
217Maintenance and care Z

You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or at
http://www.mbusa.com (USA only).
The service interval message informs you of
the next service due date.
If a service due date has been exceeded, you
also hear a warning tone.
The multifunction display shows a service
message for several seconds, e.g.:
Next Service A in .. days
Next Service A in .. days
Service A Due Service A Due
Service A Exceeded by .. days Service A Exceeded by .. days
The letter indicates which service is due. A A
stands for a minor service and B
Bfor a major
service. A number or another letter may be
displayed after the letter. This figure indicates
any necessary additional maintenance work
to be performed.
You can obtain further information from an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The service interval display does not take into
account any periods of time during which the
battery is disconnected.
Maintaining the time-dependent service
schedule:
X Note down the service due date displayed
in the multifunction display before
disconnecting the battery.
or
X After reconnecting the battery, subtract
the battery disconnection periods from the
service date shown on the display.
i The service interval display does not
provide any information regarding the
engine's oil level. Observe the notes on the
engine oil level (Y page 215).
Hiding a service message X
Press the 0041or0076 button on the
steering wheel. Displaying service messages X
Switch on the ignition.
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the Serv. Serv.menu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select the
ASSYST PLUS
ASSYST PLUS submenu and confirm with
0076.
The service due date appears in the
multifunction display.
Points to remember Resetting the service interval display
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, will reset
the service interval display after the
necessary service work has been carried out.
You can also obtain further information on
maintenance work, for example.
!
If the service interval display has been
reset unintentionally, have the setting
corrected at a Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have service work carried out as described
in the Maintenance Booklet. This may
otherwise lead to increased wear and
damage to the major assemblies or the
vehicle.
Special service requirements
The specified maintenance interval takes only
the normal operation of the vehicle into
account. Under arduous operating conditions
or increased load on the vehicle,
maintenance work must be carried out more
frequently, for example:
R regular city driving with frequent
intermediate stops
R if the vehicle is primarily used to travel
short distances
R use in mountainous terrain or on poor road
surfaces
R if the engine is often left idling for long
periods 218
MaintenanceMaintenance and care

Under these or similar conditions, have, for
example, the air filter, engine oil and oil filter
replaced or changed more frequently. Under
arduous operating conditions, the tires must
be checked more often. Further information
can be obtained at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Driving abroad
An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network
is also available in other countries. You can
obtain further information from any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Care
Notes on care
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining the quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. G
WARNING
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the
particular container. Always open your
vehicle's doors or windows when cleaning the
inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
Always lock away cleaning products and keep
them out of reach of children.
! For cleaning your vehicle, do not use any
of the following:
R dry, rough or hard cloths
R abrasive cleaning agents
R solvents
R cleaning agents containing solvents
Do not scrub.
Do not touch the surfaces or protective
films with hard objects, e.g. a ring or ice scraper. You could otherwise scratch or
damage the surfaces and protective film. H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible
manner.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
brake pads, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked. Exterior care
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after washing
the vehicle. There is a risk of an accident.
After the vehicle has been washed, brake
carefully while paying attention to the traffic
conditions until full braking power is restored.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
If the vehicle is very dirty, pre-wash it before
cleaning it in an automatic car wash.
! Never clean your vehicle in a Touchless
Automatic Car Wash as these use special
cleaning agents. These cleaning agents can
damage the paintwork or plastic parts.
! When washing your vehicle in a tow-
through car wash, use the SmartKey
instead of the Start/Stop button.
Start the engine using the SmartKey.. Move
the transmission to Nwith the E-SELECT
lever. Use the SmartKey to switch the
engine off again and then turn the
SmartKey to position 2. Make sure that you Care
219Maintenance and care Z

then leave the SmartKey in position
2. You
may otherwise damage the vehicle, the
transmission or the car wash.
Check the transmission position in the
instrument cluster.
! Use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to Nbefore switching the
engine off. If you open the driver's or front-
passenger door, the transmission remains
in this position for up to 30 minutes if the
SmartKey is in the ignition, even if the
engine is switched off. If you do not shift
the transmission to Nusing the E-SELECT
lever beforehand, it shifts automatically to
parking position Pand locks the wheels if
the driver's or front-passenger door is
opened and the engine is switched off. This
may damage the vehicle, the transmission
or the car wash.
Observe the information on maneuvering
(Y page 127).
! Before driving into an automatic car wash,
make sure that it is suitable for the
dimensions of the vehicle. In particular,
make sure that:
R there is enough ground clearance
between the vehicle underbody and the
guide rails of the automatic car wash.
R the clearance width of the automatic car
wash is sufficient, particularly the width
of the guide rails.
R you enter the automatic car wash
straight and in the center of the guide
rails in order to avoid damaging the tires
or wheel rims.
Fold in the exterior mirrors before the
vehicle is washed. The exterior mirrors
could otherwise be damaged.
! Make sure that: R
the side windows are fully closed.
R the ventilation/heating is switched off
(the OFF button has been pressed/the
airflow control is set to position 0).
R that the windshield wiper switch is in
position 0.
Otherwise, the vehicle might be damaged.
! In portal car washes, the windshield
wipers may be moved up the windshield by
the cleaning brushes when the ignition is
switched off.
Set the Start/Stop button to key position
2 to reset the windshield wipers to their
original position.
! Preferably use automatic car washes with
adjustable high-pressure pre-cleaning. This
corresponds with the specification for the
Cabriolet program. In car washes that use
high water pressures, there is a risk that a
small amount of water may leak into the
vehicle.
! Cabriolet: do not treat the vehicle with
hot wax under any circumstances.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax and drying agents from the windshield
and the wiper blades. This will prevent smears
and reduce wiping noises caused by residue
on the windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in each
country.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet. 220
CareMaintenance and care

X
Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
Carefully remove all deposits of road salt as
soon as possible when driving in winter.
Power washers G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced
immediately.
! Maintain a minimum distance of
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures. Cleaning the wheels !
Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period right after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
brake pads, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
X
Remove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes- Care
221Maintenance and care Z

Benz. This is the case approximately every
three to five months, depending on the
climate conditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or the
paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
X Use a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to correct smaller areas of
paint damage quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care If your vehicle has a clear matte finish,
observe the following instructions in order to
avoid damage to the paintwork due to
incorrect care.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
! Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matte
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable
materials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or
polishing products such as gloss preserver
(wax). These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable
surface damage (shiny, spotted areas).
If wax comes into contact with the painted
surface by accident, remove it immediately
with commercially available petroleum
ether. Do so carefully and do not apply too
much pressure to the painted surface.
Ensure that no resinous, greasy or oily
substances come into contact with the paint, as these can leave a residue. If such
substances do come into contact with the
painted surface accidentally, remove these
immediately with commercially available
petroleum ether. Do so carefully and do not
apply too much pressure to the painted
surface.
Tar stains or marks on the painted surface
can be removed with a commercially
available tar remover. Do so carefully and
do not apply too much pressure to the
painted surface.
Always have paintwork repairs carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products.
Cleaning the Roadster soft top X
Light soiling: you can clean the soft top
while it is dry or rinse it with clear water.
X Normal to heavy soiling: clean the soft
top with a brush and clear water. Clean
stains and other dirt with a brush and soft
top cleaning agents that have been
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Always brush from front to back,
following the grain of the fabric.
! Never use any of the following to clean the
soft top:
R gasoline
R thinner
R tar or stain remover
R other organic solvents
! Remove bird droppings immediately, as
they are corrosive and can therefore cause
the soft-top fabric to leak. Do not wash the 222
CareMaintenance and care