MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER 2016 Owners Manual

when the vehicle is new or if you frequently drive
at high engine speeds.
Depending on the engine, the oil dipstick may be
installed at a different location.
When checking the oil level:
R park the vehicle on a level surface
R the engine should be switched off for approx-
imately five minutes if the engine is at normal
operating temperature
R if the engine is not at normal operating tem-
perature, e.g. if the engine was only started
briefly, wait approximately 30 minutes before
carrying out the measurement
Checking the oil level using the oil dip-
stick G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. Example
X Pull oil dipstick :out of the oil dipstick tube.
X Wipe off oil dipstick :.
X Slowly slide oil dipstick :into the guide tube
to the stop, and take it out again.
If the level is between MIN mark =and MAX
mark ;, the oil level is correct.
X If the oil level has dropped to MIN mark =or
below, top up with 1.0 l of engine oil. Topping up engine oil G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. G
WARNING
If engine oil comes into contact with hot com- ponents in the engine compartment, it may
ignite. There is a risk of fire and injury.
Make sure that engine oil does not spill out
over the filler neck. Allow the engine to cool
down and thoroughly clean the components
that have come into contact with engine oil
before you start the engine. H
Environmental note
When topping up the 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 sys-
tem. You can obtain a list of the engine oils
and oil filters tested and approved in accord-
ance with the Mercedes-Benz Specifications
for Service Products at any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre.
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 changing the engine oil and oil filter after
missing the change interval required by the
service system
R using engine oil additives
! Do not add too much oil. If the oil level is
above the "max" mark on the dipstick, too
much oil has been added. This can lead to
damage to the engine or the catalytic con-
verter. Have excess oil siphoned off. 278
Engine compartmentMaintenance and care

Example: engine oil filler cap
X Turn cap :anti-clockwise and remove it.
X Top up the engine oil.
If the oil level is at or below the MIN mark on
the oil dipstick, top up with 1.0 lof engine oil.
X Replace cap :on the filler neck and turn
clockwise.
Make sure that the cap locks securely into
place.
X Check the oil level again with the oil dipstick
(Y page 278).
For further information on engine oil, see
(Y page 324). Checking and adding other service
products
Checking the coolant level G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. G
WARNING
The cooling system is pressurised, particu-
larly when the engine is warm. If you open the cap, you could be scalded if hot coolant
sprays out. There is a risk of injury. Let the engine cool down before you open the
cap. Wear gloves and eye protection. Open
the cap slowly to release the pressure. Example
X Park the vehicle on a level surface.
Only check the coolant level if the vehicle is
on a level surface and the engine has cooled
down.
X Turn the key to position 2in the ignition lock
(Y page 132).
On vehicles with KEYLESS-GO, press the
Start/Stop button twice (Y page 132).
X Check the coolant temperature gauge in the
multifunction display.
The coolant temperature must be below
70 †.
X Turn the key to position 0(Y page 132) in the
ignition lock.
X Slowly turn cap ;half a turn anti-clockwise
to allow excess pressure to escape.
X Turn cap ;further anti-clockwise and
remove it.
If the coolant is at the level of marker bar =
in the filler neck when cold, there is enough
coolant in coolant expansion tank :.
If the coolant level is approximately 1.5 cm
above marker bar =in the filler neck when
warm, there is enough coolant in coolant
expansion tank :.
X If necessary, top up with coolant that has
been tested and approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Replace cap ;and turn it clockwise as far as
it will go.
Further information on coolant (Y page 325). Engine compartment
279Maintenance and care Z

Topping up the windscreen washer sys-
tem G
WARNING
Certain components in the engine compart-
ment could be very hot, e.g. the engine, the
radiator and parts of the exhaust system.
There is a risk of injury when accessing the
engine compartment.
As far as possible, allow the engine to cool
down and only touch the components descri- bed in the following. G
WARNING
If windscreen washer concentrate comes into contact with hot components of the engine or
the exhaust system, it can ignite. There is a
risk of fire and injury.
Make sure the windscreen washer concen-
trate does not come into contact with the filler neck. Example
X To open: pull cap:upwards by the tab.
X Top up with the premixed washer fluid.
X To close: press cap :onto the filler neck
until it engages.
The recommended minimum washer fluid level
is 1 litre.
If the washer fluid level drops below 1 litre, a
message appears in the multifunction display
prompting you to top up the washer fluid
(Y page 242).
Further information on windscreen washer
fluid/antifreeze (Y page 326). Overview of the engine compartment
Example engine
:
Oil dipstick
; Brake fluid reservoir
= Engine oil cap
? Coolant expansion tank
A Washer fluid reservoir ASSYST PLUS
Service messages
The ASSYST PLUS service interval display
informs you of the next service due date.
Information on the type of service and service
intervals (see the separate Service Booklet).
You can obtain further information from a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre. i The ASSYST PLUS service interval display
does not show any information on the engine oil level. Observe the notes on the engine oil
level (Y page 277).
The multifunction display shows a service mes-
sage for a few seconds, e.g.:
R Service A in .. days Service A in .. days
R Service A due
Service A due
R Service A overdue by .. days
Service A overdue by .. days
Depending on the operating conditions of the
vehicle, the remaining time or distance until the
next service due date is displayed.
The letter indicates which service is due. A A
stands for a minor service and B
Bfor a major ser-
vice. A number or another letter may be dis-
played after the letter.
Only for certain countries: the position after the
letter A
A or B Bindicates any necessary additional
maintenance work to be performed. If you notify 280
ASSYST PLUSMaintenance and care

a qualified specialist workshop of this display,
you will receive a statement on the associated
costs.
The ASSYST PLUS service interval display does
not take into account any periods of time during
which the battery is disconnected.
Maintaining the time-dependent service sched-
ule:
X Note down the service due date displayed in
the multifunction display before disconnect-
ing the battery.
or X After reconnecting the battery, subtract the
battery disconnection periods from the ser-
vice date shown on the display. Hiding service messages
X Press the aor% button on the steering
wheel. Displaying service messages
X Switch the ignition on.
X Press the =or; button on the steering
wheel to select the Serv. Serv.menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select the
ASSYST
ASSYST PLUS
PLUSsubmenu and confirm by press-
ing the abutton.
The service due date appears in the multi-
function display. Information about service
Resetting the ASSYST PLUS service
interval display !
If the ASSYST PLUS service interval display
has been inadvertently reset, this setting can
be corrected at a qualified specialist work-
shop.
Have service work carried out as described in the Service Booklet. This may otherwise lead
to increased wear and damage to the major
assemblies or the vehicle.
A qualified specialist workshop, e.g. a
Mercedes-Benz Service Centre, will reset the
ASSYST PLUS service interval display after the
service work has been carried out. You can also obtain further information on maintenance
work, for example.
Special service requirements The prescribed service interval is based on nor-
mal operation of the vehicle. Service work will
need to be performed more often if the vehicle is
operated under arduous conditions or increased loads, for example:
R regular city driving with frequent intermediate
stops
R if the vehicle is primarily used to travel short
distances
R for frequent operation in mountainous terrain
or on poor road surfaces
R if the engine is often left idling for long periods
In these or similar operating conditions, have,
for example, the air filter, engine oil and oil filter changed more frequently. The tyres must be
checked more frequently if the vehicle is oper-
ated under increased loads. Further informationcan be obtained at a qualified specialist work-
shop, e.g. a Mercedes-Benz Service Centre.
Driving abroad An extensive Mercedes-Benz Service network is
also available in other countries. You can obtain further information from any Mercedes-Benz
Service Centre. Care
Notes on care
H
Environmental note
Dispose of empty packaging and cleaning
cloths in an environmentally responsible man-
ner.
! 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. Care
281Maintenance and care Z

You could otherwise scratch or damage the
surfaces and protective film.
! Do not park up the vehicle for an extended
period straight 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 the brake
pads/linings, thus drying them. The vehicle
can then be parked up.
Regular care of your vehicle is a condition for
retaining quality in the long term.
Use care products and cleaning agents recom-
mended and approved by Mercedes-Benz. Washing the vehicle and cleaning the
paintwork
Automatic car wash G
WARNING
Braking efficiency is reduced after the vehicle has been washed. There is a risk of an acci-
dent.
After washing the vehicle, brake carefully
while paying attention to the traffic conditions in order to restore full braking efficiency.
! When DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD func-
tion is activated, the vehicle brakes automat- ically in certain situations.
To avoid damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or similar situations:
R when towing away
R in a car wash
! It is preferable to use car washes with
adjustable high-pressure pre-cleaning that
corresponds to the specification for the Cab-
riolet programme. In car washes that use high
water pressures, there is a risk that a small
amount of water may leak into the vehicle. !
Vehicles with HANDS-FREE ACCESS: if a
key with KEYLESS-GO is within the detection
range of the KEYLESS-GO antenna, the fol-
lowing situations could lead to the uninten-
tional opening of the boot lid:
R using a car wash
R using a high-pressure cleaner
Make sure that the key is at least 2 m away
from the vehicle.
! Make sure that the automatic transmission
is in position Nwhen washing your vehicle in
a tow-through car wash. Other transmission
positions may lead to damage to the vehicle.
! Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are com-
pletely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windscreen wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
You can wash the vehicle in an automatic car
wash from the very start.
Wash off excess dirt before cleaning the vehicle
in an automatic car wash.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe wax off the windscreen and the wiper blades. This will
prevent smears and reduce wiping noises
caused by residue on the windscreen.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements for each indi-
vidual 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 gen-
tle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards the
air inlet.
X Use plenty of water and rinse out the sponge
frequently. 282
CareMaintenance and care

X
Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the paint-
work.
When using the vehicle in winter, remove all
traces of road salt deposits carefully and as
soon as possible.
High-pressure cleaning equipment G
WARNING
The water jet of circular-jet nozzles (dirt grind- ers) can cause damage not visible from the
outside to tyres or chassis components. Com-
ponents damaged in this way can unexpect-
edly fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have dam- aged tyres or chassis components replaced
immediately.
! Always maintain a distance of at least 30 cm
between the vehicle and the high-pressure
cleaner nozzle. Information about the correct
distance is available from the equipment
manufacturer.
Move the high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tyres
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints etc.
R soft top (Designo vario-roof)
R electrical components
R battery
R plug connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim elements
R ventilation slots
Damage to seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures.
! Vehicles with HANDS-FREE ACCESS: if a
key with KEYLESS-GO is within the detection
range of the KEYLESS-GO antenna, the fol-
lowing situations could lead to the uninten-
tional opening of the boot lid:
R using a car wash
R using a high-pressure cleaner Make sure that the key is at least 2 m away
from the vehicle.
! Mille Miglia special model: parts of your
vehicle are covered with a decorative foil.
Maintain a distance of at least 70 cm between
the foil-wrapped parts of the vehicle and the
nozzle of the high pressure cleaner.
Information about the correct distance is
available from the equipment manufacturer.
Move the high-pressure cleaner nozzle
around when cleaning your vehicle.
Cleaning the paintwork !
Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage 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.
X Remove impurities immediately, where pos-
sible, 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 resins, 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.
Care and treatment of matt paintwork !
Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing makes the paintwork shiny.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matt
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, or gloss preserver, e.g. wax. These Care
283Maintenance and care Z

products are only suitable for high-gloss sur-
faces. Their use on vehicles with matt paint-
work leads to considerable surface damage
(shiny, spotted areas).
Always have paintwork repairs carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
Observe these notes if your vehicle has a clear
matt finish. This will help you to avoid damage to
the paintwork due to incorrect treatment.
These notes also apply to light-alloy wheels with a clear matt finish.
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 vehicle parts
Cleaning the wheels G
WARNING
The water jet of circular-jet nozzles (dirt grind- ers) can cause damage not visible from the
outside to tyres or chassis components. Com-
ponents damaged in this way can unexpect-
edly fail. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use high-pressure cleaners with circu-
lar-jet nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have dam- aged tyres or chassis components replaced
immediately.
! Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park up your vehicle for a long period
of time immediately after cleaning, particu-
larly after cleaning the wheel rim with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaner may lead to increased corrosion of the brake discs and pads. You
should therefore drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. By heating up the brakes, the brake
discs and pads dry. The vehicle can then be
parked up for a long period of time. Cleaning the windows G
WARNING
If the windscreen wipers are set in motion
when cleaning the windscreen or wiper
blades, you could become trapped. There is a danger of injury.
Always switch off the windscreen wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windscreen orwiper blades.
! Only fold the windscreen wipers away from
the windscreen when vertical. Otherwise, you
will damage the bonnet.
! Do not use dry cloths, abrasive cleaning
agents, solvents or solvent-based cleaning
agents to clean the inside of the windows/
windscreen. Do not touch the inside of the
windows/windscreen with hard items such
as an ice scraper or a ring. Otherwise, the
windows/windscreen could be damaged.
! Clean the water drainage channels of the
windscreen and the rear window at regular
intervals. Deposits such as leaves, petals and
pollen may under certain circumstances pre-
vent water from draining away. This can lead
to corrosion damage and damage to elec-
tronic components.
X Clean the inside and outside of the windows
with a damp cloth and a cleaning agent that is
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning the wiper blades G
WARNING
If the windscreen wipers are set in motion
when cleaning the windscreen or wiper
blades, you could become trapped. There is a danger of injury.
Always switch off the windscreen wipers and
the ignition before cleaning the windscreen orwiper blades.
! Do not pull on the wiper blade. Otherwise,
the wiper blade could be damaged.
! Do not clean wiper blades too often and do
not rub them too hard. Otherwise, the graph- 284
CareMaintenance and care

ite coating could be damaged. This could
cause wiper noise.
! Hold the wiper arm securely when folding
back. The windscreen could be damaged if
the wiper arm hits against it suddenly.
X Fold the wiper arms away from the wind-
screen.
X Clean the wiper blades carefully using a damp
cloth.
X Fold the windscreen wipers back again before
switching on the ignition.
Cleaning the exterior lighting !
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning cloths
that are suitable for plastic lenses. Unsuitable
cleaning agents or cleaning cloths could
scratch or damage the plastic lenses of the
exterior lighting.
X Clean the plastic lenses of the exterior light-
ing using a wet sponge and a mild cleaning
agent, e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or
cleaning cloths.
Cleaning the mirror turn signal !
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning cloths
that are suitable for plastic lenses. Unsuitable
cleaning agents or cleaning cloths could
scratch or damage the plastic lenses of the
mirror turn signals.
X Clean the plastic lenses of the mirror turn sig-
nals in the exterior mirror housing using a wet sponge and mild cleaning agent, e.g.
Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or cleaning
cloths.
Cleaning the sensors !
If you clean the sensors with a high-pressure
cleaner, make sure that you keep a distance
of at least 30 cm between the vehicle and the high-pressure cleaner nozzle. Information
about the correct distance is available from
the equipment manufacturer. X
Clean sensors :of the driving systems with
water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the reversing camera !
Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the reversing camera with a high-pres-
sure cleaner. X
Use clean water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens :.
Cleaning the exhaust pipe G
WARNING
The exhaust tail pipe and tail pipe trim can
become very hot. If you come into contact
with these parts of the vehicle, you could burn
yourself. There is a risk of injury.
Always be particularly careful around the
exhaust tail pipe and the tail pipe trim. Allow Care
285Maintenance and care
Z

these components to cool down before touch-
ing them.
! Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents, such as sanitary
cleanser or wheel cleaner.
X Clean the exhaust pipe with a chrome care
product tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Impurities combined with the effects of road grit and corrosive environmental factors may cause
flash rust to form on the surface. You can
restore the original shine of the exhaust pipe by
cleaning it regularly, especially in winter and
after washing the vehicle. 286
CareMaintenance and care

Where will I find...?
Warning triangle
Removing the warning triangle Warning triangle
:is located in a bracket on
the inside of the boot lid.
X Open the boot lid.
X Press catches ;in the direction of the
bracket and open the bracket in the direction of the arrow.
X Pull the retaining clip of warning triangle :in
the centre of the bracket, outwards.
X Remove warning triangle :from the bracket.
Setting up the warning triangle X
Fold legs =out to the side.
X Fold side reflectors ;upwards to form a tri-
angle and lock them at the top using press
stud :. First-aid kit
First-aid kit
:is located in the stowage well
under the boot floor.
X Swing the boot floor upwards (Y page 266).
X Remove first-aid kit :.
Check the expiry date on the first-aid kit at least once a year. Replace the contents if necessary,and replace any missing items. Fire extinguisher
G
WARNING
When you brake heavily or change direction
suddenly, the fire extinguisher can be thrown around the vehicle interior if the roller box is
left open. There is a risk of injury.
Keep the shutter of the roller box closed
whilst the vehicle is in motion. Fire extinguisher
;is in the roller box behind
the centre console, between the seats.
X To remove: open cover:.
X Slide locking button ?in the direction of the
arrow. Where will I find...?
287Breakdown assistance Z