2019 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS maintenance

Welcome to the world of Mercedes-Benz
We urge you to read this Operator's Manualcarefully and familiarize yourself with the vehi-cle before driving. For your own safety and alonger vehicle life, follow the instructions andwarning notices in this manual. Ignoring themcould result in damage to the vehicle or per-sonal injury to you or others.
Vehicle damage caused by failure to followinstructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The equipment or product designation of yourvehicle may vary depending on:
RModel
ROrder
RCountry specification
RAvailability
Mercedes-Benz therefore reserves the right tointroduce changes in the following areas:
RDesign
REquipment
RTechnical features
The equipment in your vehicle may thereforediffer from that shown in the descriptions andillustrations.
The following are integral components of thevehicle:
RDigital Operator's Manual
RPrinted Operator's Manual
RMaintenance Booklet
REquipment-dependent supplements
Keep these documents in the vehicle at alltimes. If you sell the vehicle, always pass alldocuments on to the new owner.
Your Operator's Manual:
Digital form inside the vehicle
The Digital Operator's Manual providescomprehensive and specifically adaptedinformation on your vehicle's equipmentand multimedia system. It contains infor-mative animations, individual languagesettings and an intuitive search function.
Booklet inside the vehicle
In addition to this manual and the afore-mentioned digital media, you also havethe option to obtain a comprehensiveprinted version of the Supplement foryour multimedia system from yourauthorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Digital form via the Internet
The Operator's Manual on the Internetprovides easy access to all informationregarding your vehicle and multimediasystem. It also provides helpful anima-tions, interesting background informationand a wide array of search options.
Digital form as an App
Using the Mercedes-Benz Guides App,you can view all the information on yourvehicle and multimedia system via mobileInternet or download it independently ofnetwork access. Available for smart-phones or tablets.
Please note that the Mercedes-Benz GuidesApp may not yet be available in your country.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
A Daimler Company
2315846102É23158461020ËÍ

Maintenance and care......................265
Engine compartment ........................... 265
Overview of the engine compart-
ment .................................................... 269
ASSYST PLUS ...................................... 269
Care ..................................................... 270
Breakdown assistance.....................276
Where will I find...? .............................. 276
Flat tire ................................................ 278
Battery (vehicle) .................................. 282
Jump-starting ....................................... 285
Towing and tow-starting ...................... 288
Fuses ...................................................290
Wheels and tires...............................293
Important safety notes ........................ 293
Operation ............................................ 293
Winter operation .................................. 295
Tire pressure ....................................... 296
Loading the vehicle .............................. 303
All about wheels and tires ................... 306
Changing a wheel ................................ 313
Wheel and tire combinations ...............318
Technical data...................................319
Information regarding technical data
............................................................. 319
Vehicle electronics .............................. 319
Identification plates .............................320
Service products and filling capaci-
ties ...................................................... 321
Vehicle data ......................................... 326
Contents3

Brake Assist with cross-traffic
function ........................................... 61
Brake fluid (notes) ......................... 324
Display message............................ 206
EBD .................................................. 69
High-performance brake system .... 152
Important safety notes .................. 151
Maintenance .................................. 152
Parking brake ................................ 147
Riding tips ...................................... 151
Warning lamp ................................. 235
Breakdown assistance
Reflective safety jacket .................. 276
Where will I find...? ........................ 276
see Flat tire
see Towing away
Brightness control (instrument
cluster lighting)................................... 33
C
California
Important notice for retail cus-
tomers and lessees .......................... 25
Calling up a malfunction
see Display messages
Car
see Vehicle
Care
Car wash ........................................ 271
Exhaust pipe .................................. 275
Exterior lights ................................ 275
Matte finish ................................... 273
Notes............................................. 270
Paint .............................................. 272
Power washer ................................ 272
Rear view camera .......................... 275
Sensors ......................................... 275
Washing by hand ........................... 271
Wheels ........................................... 274
Windows ........................................ 274
Wiper blades .................................. 274
CD
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 243
CD player (on-board computer)........ 196
Center console
Lower section .................................. 36
Lower section (AMG vehicles) .......... 37
Upper section .................................. 35
Central locking
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 201
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey)........ 74
Child
Restraint system .............................. 58
Child seat
Forward-facing restraint system ...... 59
On the front-passenger seat............ 59
Rearward-facing restraint system .... 59
Children
Special seat belt retractor ............... 57
Children in the vehicle
Important safety notes .................... 57
Cigarette lighter................................ 254
Cleaning
Mirror turn signal ........................... 275
Climate control
Automatic climate control (dual-
zone) .............................................. 116
Controlling automatically ............... 119
Cooling with air dehumidification .. 118
Defrosting the windows................. 121
Defrosting the windshield .............. 120
General notes ................................ 116
Indicator lamp ................................ 119
Information about using auto-
matic climate control ..................... 117
Maximum cooling .......................... 121
Overview of systems ...................... 116
Problem with the rear window
defroster ........................................ 121
Problems with cooling with air
dehumidification ............................ 119
Refrigerant ..................................... 326
Refrigerant filling capacity ............. 326
Setting the air distribution ............. 120
Setting the air vents ...................... 122
Setting the airflow ......................... 120
Setting the climate mode (AIR
FLOW) ............................................ 119
Setting the temperature ................ 119
Switching air-recirculation mode
on/off............................................ 122
Switching on/off........................... 118
Switching residual heat on/off ...... 122
Index7

Trunk partition
Display message ............................ 230
General notes .................................. 92
Installing .......................................... 93
Opening/closing .............................. 93
Removing ......................................... 93
Turn signals
Display message ............................ 217
Switching on/off ........................... 110
Two-way radio
Frequencies ................................... 319
Installation ..................................... 319
Transmission output (maximum) .... 319
Type identification plate
see Vehicle identification plate
U
Umbrella holder................................. 250
Unlocking
Emergency unlocking ....................... 81
From inside the vehicle (central
unlocking button) ............................. 80
Upshift indicator (on-board com-
puter, Mercedes-AMG vehicles)....... 202
USB devices
Connecting to the Media Inter-
face ...............................................248
V
Vehicle
Correct use ...................................... 28
Data acquisition ............................... 29
Display message ............................ 228
Electronics ..................................... 319
Equipment ....................................... 25
Individual settings .......................... 199
Limited Warranty .............................29
Loading .......................................... 303
Locking (in an emergency) ............... 81
Locking (SmartKey) .......................... 74
Lowering ........................................ 317
Maintenance .................................... 26
Parking for a long period ................ 149
Pulling away................................... 128
Raising ........................................... 314
REACH Regulation ........................... 28
Reporting problems ......................... 29
Securing from rolling away ............ 314
Tow-starting ................................... 288
Towing away .................................. 288
Transporting .................................. 290
Unlocking (in an emergency) ........... 81
Unlocking (SmartKey)...................... 74
Vehicle data ................................... 326
Vehicle battery
see Battery (vehicle)
Vehicle data....................................... 326
Vehicle dimensions........................... 326
Vehicle emergency locking................ 81
Vehicle identification number
see VIN
Vehicle identification plate.............. 320
Vehicle level
Active Body Control (ABC)
(except Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .. 168
Active Body Control (ABC)
(Mercedes-AMG vehicles) .............. 170
Display message ............................ 221
Vehicle tool kit.................................. 277
Video
Operating the DVD ......................... 196
see also Digital Operator's Man-
ual .................................................. 243
VIN
Seat ............................................... 321
Type plate ...................................... 320
W
Warning and indicator lamps
ABS ................................................ 236
Active Brake Assist ........................ 241
Brake Assist ................................... 241
Brakes ........................................... 235
Check Engine ................................. 239
Coolant .......................................... 239
Distance warning ........................... 241
ESP®.............................................. 236
ESP®OFF ....................................... 237
Fuel tank ........................................ 239
General notes ................................ 233
Parking brake ................................ 238
PASSENGER AIR BAG ...................... 41
Reserve fuel................................... 239
Restraint system ............................ 238
Index21

have not been approved by Mercedes-Benz.This could lead to malfunctions in safety-rele-vant systems, e.g. the brake system. Use onlygenuine Mercedes-Benz parts or parts of equalquality. Only use tires, wheels and accessoriesthat have been specifically approved for yourvehicle.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz parts are subject tostrict quality control. Every part has been spe-cifically developed, manufactured or selectedfor and adapted to Mercedes-Benz vehicles.Therefore, only genuine Mercedes-Benz partsshould be used.
More than 300,000 different genuineMercedes-Benz parts are available forMercedes-Benz models.
All authorized Mercedes-Benz Centers main-tain a supply of genuine Mercedes-Benz partsfor necessary service and repair work. In addi-tion, strategically located parts delivery cen-ters provide quick and reliable parts service.
Always specify the vehicle identification num-ber (VIN) when ordering genuine Mercedes-Benz parts (Ypage 320).
Operator's Manual
Vehicle equipment
iThis Operator's Manual describes all mod-els and all standard and optional equipmentof your vehicle available at the time of goingto print. Country-specific differences arepossible. Bear in mind that your vehicle maynot feature all functions described here.This also applies to safety-relevant systemsand functions. The equipment in your vehi-cle may therefore differ from that shown inthe descriptions and illustrations.
The original purchase agreement lists all sys-tems installed in your vehicle.
Should you have any questions concerningequipment and operation, please consult anauthorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
The Operator's Manual and MaintenanceBooklet are important documents and shouldbe kept in the vehicle.
Service and vehicle operation
Warranty
The implied warranty for your vehicle appliesin accordance with the warranty terms andconditions in the Service and Warranty Infor-mation booklet.
Your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center willreplace and repair all factory-installed parts inaccordance with the following warranty termsand conditions:
RNew Vehicle Limited Warranty
REmission System Warranty
REmission Performance Warranty
RCalifornia, Connecticut, Maine, Massachu-setts, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Islandand Vermont Emission Control System War-ranty
RState warranty enforcement laws (lemonlaws)
Replacement parts and accessories are cov-ered by the Mercedes-Benz Parts and Acces-sories warranties. These are available at anyauthorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iShould you lose your Service and WarrantyInformation booklet, have an authorizedMercedes-Benz Center arrange for areplacement. The new Service and WarrantyInformation booklet will be posted to you.
Information for customers in Califor-
nia
Under California law you may be entitled to areplacement of your vehicle or a refund of thepurchase price or lease price, if after a reason-able number of repair attempts Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC and/or its authorized repair orservice facilities fail to fix one or more sub-stantial defects or malfunctions in the vehiclethat are covered by its express warranty.
During the period of 18 months from originaldelivery of the vehicle or the accumulation of29,000 km (approximately 18,000 miles) onthe odometer of the vehicle, whichever occursfirst, a reasonable number of repair attemptsis presumed for a retail buyer or lessee if oneor more of the following occurs:
(1) the same substantial defect or malfunc-tion results in a condition that is likely to
Service and vehicle operation25
Introduction
Z

cause death or serious bodily injury if thevehicle is driven, that defect or malfunc-tion has been subject to repair two ormore times, and you have directly notifiedMercedes-Benz USA, LLC in writing of theneed for its repair.
(2) the same substantial defect or malfunc-tion of a less serious nature than category(1) has been subject to repair four or moretimes and you have directly notifiedMercedes-Benz in writing of the need forits repair.
(3) the vehicle is out of service by reason ofrepair of the same or different substantialdefects or malfunctions for a cumulativetotal of more than 30 calendar days.
Please send your written notice to:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
Customer Assistance Center
One Mercedes-Benz Drive
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
Maintenance
The Service and Warranty Booklet describes allthe necessary maintenance work which shouldbe done at regular intervals.
Always have the Service and Warranty Bookletwith you when you bring the vehicle to anauthorized Mercedes-Benz Center. The serviceadvisor will record every service for you in theService and Warranty Booklet.
Roadside Assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Pro-gram offers technical help in the event of abreakdown. Calls to the toll-free RoadsideAssistance Hotline are answered by our agents24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372)(USA)
1-800-387-0100 (Canada)
For additional information, refer to theMercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Programbrochure (USA) or the "Roadside Assistance"section in the Service and Warranty booklet(Canada). You will find both in your vehicle lit-erature portfolio.
Change of address or change of own-
ership
In the event of a change of address, pleasesend us the "Notification of Address Change"in the Service and Guarantee booklet or simplycall the Mercedes-Benz Customer AssistanceCenter (USA) at the hotline number1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) orCustomer Service Center (Canada) at1-800-387-0100. This will assist us in contact-ing you in a timely manner should the needarise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave theentire literature in the vehicle so that it isavailable to the next owner.
If you have purchased a used car, please sendus the "Notification of Used Car Purchase" inthe Service and Guarantee booklet or simplycall the Mercedes-Benz Customer AssistanceCenter (USA) at the hotline number1-800-FOR-MERCedes(1-800-367-6372) orCustomer Service (Canada) at1-800-387-0100.
Vehicle operation outside the USA
and Canada
When you are abroad with your vehicle,observe the following points:
RService facilities or replacement parts maynot be readily available.
RLead-free fuel for vehicles with a catalyticconverter may not be available. Leaded fuelcan cause damage to the catalytic con-verter.
RThe fuel may have a considerably loweroctane number. Unsuitable fuel can causeengine damage.
Some Mercedes-Benz models are available fordelivery in Europe through our European Deliv-ery Program. For details, consult an authorizedMercedes-Benz Center or write to one of thefollowing addresses.
In the USA
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes-Benz Drive
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
In Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
26Service and vehicle operation
Introduction

European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9
Operating safety
Important safety notes
GWARNING
If you do not have the prescribed service/
maintenance work or any required repairs
carried out, this can result in malfunctions
or system failures. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
Always have the prescribed service/mainte-
nance work as well as any required repairs
carried out at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
GWARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact
with hot parts of the exhaust system. There
is a risk of fire.
When driving on an unpaved road or off-
road, check the vehicle underside regularly.
In particular, remove trapped plant parts or
other flammable material. Contact a quali-
fied specialist workshop immediately if dam-
age is detected.
GWARNING
Modifications to electronic components,
their software as well as wiring can impair
their function and/or the function of other
networked components. In particular, sys-
tems relevant to safety could also be affec-
ted. As a result, these may no longer func-
tion as intended and/or jeopardize the oper-
ating safety of the vehicle. There is an
increased risk of an accident and injury.
Never tamper with the wiring as well as elec-
tronic components or their software. You
should have all work to electrical and elec-
tronic equipment carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop.
!There is a risk of damage to the vehicle if:
Rthe vehicle becomes stuck, e.g. on a highcurb or an unpaved road
Ryou drive too fast over an obstacle, e.g. acurb, a speed bump or a pothole in theroad
Ra heavy object strikes the underbody orparts of the chassis
In situations like this, the body, the under-body, chassis parts, wheels or tires could bedamaged without the damage being visible.Components damaged in this way can unex-pectedly fail or, in the case of an accident,no longer withstand the loads they aredesigned to.
If the underbody paneling is damaged, com-bustible materials such as leaves, grass ortwigs can gather between the underbodyand the underbody paneling. If these materi-als come in contact with hot parts of theexhaust system, they can catch fire.
In such situations, have the vehicle checkedand repaired immediately at a qualified spe-cialist workshop. If on continuing your jour-ney you notice that driving safety isimpaired, pull over and stop the vehicleimmediately, paying attention to road andtraffic conditions. In such cases, consult aqualified specialist workshop.
Declarations of conformity
Vehicle components which receive
and/or transmit radio waves
USA:"The wireless devices of this vehiclecomply with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Opera-tion is subject to the two following two condi-tions: 1) These devices may not cause harmfulinterference, and 2) These devices mustaccept any interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesired opera-tion. Changes or modifications not expresslyapproved by the party responsible for compli-ance could void the user’s authority to operatethe equipment."
Canada:"The wireless devices of this vehiclecomply with Industry Canada license-exemptRSS standard(s). Operation is subject to thefollowing two conditions: (1) These devicesmay not cause interference, and (2) Thesedevices must accept any interference, includ-
Operating safety27
Introduction
Z

ing interference that may cause undesiredoperation of the device."
Diagnostics connection
The diagnostics connection is used for con-necting diagnostic equipment at a qualifiedspecialist workshop.
GWARNING
If you connect equipment to a diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, it may affect the
operation of vehicle systems. As a result,
the operating safety of the vehicle could be
affected. There is a risk of an accident.
Only connect equipment to a diagnostics
connection in the vehicle, which is approved
for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz.
GWARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell may restrict
the clearance around the pedals or block a
depressed pedal. This jeopardizes the oper-
ating and road safety of the vehicle. There is
a risk of an accident.
Stow all objects securely in the vehicle so
that they do not get into the driver's foot-
well. When using floormats or carpets, make
sure that they are properly secured so that
they do not slip or obstruct the pedals. Do
not place several floormats or carpets on
top of one another.
!If the engine is switched off and equip-ment on the diagnostics connection is used,the starter battery may discharge.
Connecting equipment to the diagnostics con-nection can lead to emissions monitoringinformation being reset, for example. This maylead to the vehicle failing to meet the require-ments of the next emissions test during themain inspection.
Qualified specialist workshop
An authorized Mercedes-Benz Center is aqualified specialist workshop. It has the neces-sary specialist knowledge, tools and qualifica-tions to correctly carry out the work required
on your vehicle. This is especially the case forwork relevant to safety.
Observe the notes in the Maintenance Book-let.
Always have the following work carried out atan authorized Mercedes-Benz Center:
Rwork relevant to safety
Rservice and maintenance work
Rrepair work
Ralterations, installation work and modifica-tions
Rwork on electronic components
Correct use
If you remove any warning stickers, you or oth-ers could fail to recognize certain dangers.Leave warning stickers in position.
Observe the following information when driv-ing your vehicle:
Rthe safety notes in this manual
Rtechnical data for the vehicle
Rtraffic rules and regulations
Rlaws and safety standards pertaining tomotor vehicles
Information about the REACH decree
The REACH regulation (Regulation (EC) no.1907/2006, Article 33) lays down an informa-tion obligation for substances of very high con-cern (SVHC).
Daimler AG acts in good faith to avoid usingthese SVHCs and to allow the customer tohandle these substances safely. In accordancewith supplier information and internal productinformation from Daimler AG, SVHCs thataccount for more than 0.1 percent by weightof individual products in this vehicle areknown.
More detailed information can be found at thefollowing addresses:
Rhttp://www.daimler.com/reach(Germanversion)
Rhttp://www.daimler.com/reach/en(English version)
28Operating safety
Introduction