oil level MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 2004 R230 Owner's Manual

ContentsOperation......................................... 237
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 238
Driving instructions ............................ 239
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 239
Drinking and driving ..................... 239
Pedals .......................................... 239
Power assistance ......................... 240
Brakes .......................................... 240
Driving off..................................... 242
Parking ......................................... 242
Tires ............................................. 243
Hydroplaning ................................ 243
Tire traction .................................. 244
Tire speed rating .......................... 244
Winter driving instructions ........... 245
Standing water ............................. 246
Passenger compartment .............. 246
Driving abroad .............................. 246Control and operation of radio
transmitters ................................. 247
Catalytic converter ....................... 247
Emission control .......................... 248
Coolant temperature .................... 249
At the gas station .............................. 250
Refuelling ..................................... 250
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 252
Engine compartment ......................... 253
Hood ............................................ 253
Engine oil ..................................... 255
Transmission fluid level ................ 258
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 258
Coolant ........................................ 258
Battery ......................................... 260
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 261Tires and wheels................................ 262
Important guidelines .................... 262
Life of tires................................... 263
Direction of rotation..................... 263
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 263
Rotating wheels ........................... 267
Winter driving .................................... 268
Winter tires .................................. 268
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 269
Snow chains................................. 269
Maintenance...................................... 271
Clearing the service indicator ...... 271
Service term exceeded ................ 272
Calling up the service indicator .... 272
Resetting the service indicator .... 272
Vehicle care....................................... 274
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 274

94 Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Important notes on using KEYLESS-GO

You can also use the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO like a normal SmartKey
(page 90).


You can combine KEYLESS-GO func-
tions with normal SmartKey functions
(e.g. unlocking with KEYLESS-GO and
locking with the remote control).


Always carry the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO with you.


Never store the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO together with:

Electronic items such as a cellular
phone or another SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO


Metallic objects such as coins or
metal foil
Doing so could impair the function of
the KEYLESS-GO system.
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO with you and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.!To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO to high levels of electro-
magnetic radiation.
iYou can also close the power windows
(page 181) and the retractable hard-
top using the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO (
page 188).
iIf the vehicle has been parked for a
longer period of time, you must pull the
door handle in order to activate the
KEYLESS-GO function.
When you unlock the vehicle, the SBC
brake system is activated.

131 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu 1
Menu 2
Menu 3
Menu 4
Menu 5
Menu 6
Menu 7
Menu 8
Standard dis-
play
AUDIO
NAVI
Distronic*
Malfunction
memory
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone
Commands/submenusDigital speed-
ometer
Select radio
station
Activate
route guid-
ance
Call up set-
tings
Call up malfunc-
tion messages
Reset to factory
settings
Fuel consump-
tion statistics af-
ter start
Load phone
book
Call up FSS
Select satel-
lite radio sta-
tion*
(USA only)
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consump-
tion statistics
since the last re-
set
Search for
name in
phone book
Check tire
pressure*
Operate CD
player
Lighting sub-
menu
Call up range
Check engine
oil level
Vehicle sub-
menuConvenience
submenu

132 Controls in detailControl system
Standard display menu
You can select the functions in the stan-
dard display menu with button k or
j.
The following functions are available:
Display digital speedometer
Press button j once.
The current vehicle speed is shown in
the right display field.
AUDIO menu
The functions in the
AUDIO
menu operate
the audio equipment which you currently
have turned on.
If no audio equipment is currently turned
on, the message
AUDIO off
is shown in the
right display.
The following functions are available:
iThe headings used in the menus table
are designed to facilitate navigation
within the system and are not neces-
sarily identical to those shown in the
control system displays.
The first function displayed in each
menu will automatically show you
which part of the system you are in.
Function
Page
Call up digital speedometer
132
Call up FSS
272
Check tire pressure*
264
Check engine oil level
255
Function
Page
Select radio station
133
Select satellite radio station*
(USA only)
133
Operate CD player
134

252 OperationAt the gas stationCheck regularly and before a long trip
1Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For information on refilling the reser-
voir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 261).
2Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(page 386).3Coolant level
For information on coolant, see “Cool-
ant” (
page 258).
Brake fluidEngine oil level
For more information on engine oil, see
“Checking engine oil level with the control
system” (
page 255).
Opening hood see (
page 253).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information, see “Replacing bulbs”
(
page 331).
Exterior lamp switch see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 46).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on tire inflation pressure,
see “Checking tire inflation pressure”
(
page 263).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately. Noti-
fy an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately. Do not add brake fluid as
this will not solve the problem. For
more information, see the “Practical
hints” section (
page 301).

255 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.Checking engine oil level with the
control system
When checking the oil level the vehicle
must


be parked on level ground


be at normal operating temperature


have been stationary for at least five
minutes with the engine turned off
To check the engine oil level via the
multifunction display, do the following:

Switch on the ignition.
The standard display (
page 127) should
appear in the multifunction display.

Press buttonk orj on the
steering wheel until the following
message appears in the multifunction
displays:
iDo not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive
assemblies. Using special additives not
approved by Mercedes-Benz will
restrict your warranty entitlement.
More information on this subject is
available at any Mercedes-Benz
Center.


256 OperationEngine compartment
One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the right multi-
function display:

Engine oil level
OK


Add 1.0 qt. for
max. oil level(Canada:
1.0 l
)


Add 1.5 qts. for
max. oil level(Canada:
1.5 l
)


Add 2.0 qts. for
max. oil level(Canada:
2.0 l
)

If necessary, add engine oil.
For adding engine oil see (
page 257).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 386) and
(
page 388).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button is not in position2, the
following message will appear:
Ignit. on to measure
engine oil level
Switch on ignition.If you see the message:
Observe waiting time
If engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
repeating the check procedure.

If engine is not yet at normal operating
temperature, wait 30 minutes before
repeating the check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine oil level
Not when engine on
!

Turn off the engine.

If the engine is at normal operating
temperature, wait five minutes before
checking oil.

If the engine is not yet at normal
operating temperature, you must wait
30 minutes before checking oil.
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj
button on the multifunction steering
wheel.


257 Operation
Engine compartment
If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:Engine oil level
Reduce oil level!
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 307). Adding engine oil
SL 500 and SL 55 AMG1Filler capSL 6001Filler cap
Unscrew filler cap1 from filler neck.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Only use approved engine oils. For a
listing of approved engine oils, refer to
the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet in your vehicle literature port-
folio.
In addition, check the oil filler cap for
important information pertaining to the
engine oil needing to meet a specific
Mercedes-Benz specification (e.g. MB
229.5). If such information is printed
on the oil filler cap, only use an engine
oil from the list of approved engine oils
in the Factory Approved Service Prod-
ucts pamphlet that meets the specifi-
cation indicated on the oil filler cap.
Using engine oils of other specification
may cause the FSS to incorrectly deter-
mine the next service interval and will
result in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


258 OperationEngine compartment
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw filler cap1 back on filler neck.
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 386) and
(
page 388).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the automatic transmission. Oil level in the ABC system
The oil level in the ABC system does not
need to be checked. If there is visible oil
loss or if malfunction messages appear in
the display, have an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center check the ABC
system.
Coolant
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if engine temperature is above
158°F (70°C). Allow engine to cool
down before removing cap. The coolant
reservoir contains hot fluid and is under
pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap approx-
imately
1/2 turn to relieve excess pres-
sure. If opened immediately, scalding
hot fluid and steam will be blown out un-
der pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene gly-
col which may burn if it comes into con-
tact with hot engine parts.


272 OperationMaintenanceService term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the right multifunction display:Service A exceeded by xx days
Service A exceeded by xx miles (km)An acoustic signal will also sound.
The Mercedes-Benz Center will reset the
service indicator following a completed
service.
Calling up the service indicator
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 127).

Press button k or j on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
FSS indicator service symbol 9 or
´ appears in the left multifunction
display and the service deadline ap-
pears in the right multifunction display.
Resetting the service indicator
In the event that the service on your vehi-
cle is not carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, you can reset the
service indicator yourself.
Switch on ignition.
The standard display of the control sys-
tem appears (
page 127).

Press button k or j on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
FSS indicator service symbol 9 or
´ appears in the left multifunction
display and the service deadline ap-
pears in the right multifunction display.

Press the reset button for about four
seconds.
The following message appears in the
tachometer:Service Interval...
Reset:
R-Button 3 Sec.
iIf the battery supplying the vehicle’s
electrical consumers is disconnected,
the days of disconnection will not be in-
cluded in the count shown by the ser-
vice indicator. To arrive at the true
service deadline, you will need to sub-
tract these days from the days shown
in the service indicator.
Do not confuse the service indicator
with the engine oil level indicator :.