ESP MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2001 R129 Workshop Manual

236 Tires, Wheels
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warm tires only if pressure has dropped below the
pressure listed in the table and the respective operating
conditions are taken into consideration.
An underinflated tire due to a slow leak (e.g. due to a
nail in the tire) may cause damage such as tread
separation, bulging etc. Regular tire pressure checks at
intervals of no more than 14 days are therefore
essential.
If a tire constantly loses air, it should be inspected for
damage.
The spare tire should be checked periodically for
condition and inflation. Spare tire will age and become
worn over time even if never used, and thus should be
inspected and replaced when necessary.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires can
result in sudden deflation (blowout) because they
are more likely to become punctured or damaged
by road debris, potholes etc. Follow recommended
inflation pressures.Do not overload the tires by exceeding the specified
vehicle capacity weight (as indicated by the label
on the driver’s door latch post). Overloading the
tires can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.

237 Battery
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Important!
Battery replacement information:
The maintenance-free battery is located in the trunk
behind the right side cover panel.
The service life of the battery is dependent on its
condition of charge. The battery should always be kept
sufficiently charged, in order to last an optimum length
of time.Therefore, we strongly recommend that you have the
battery charge checked frequently, and corrected if
necessary, especially if you use the vehicle less than
approximately 200 miles (300 km) per month,
mostly for short distance trips, or if it is not used for
long periods of time.
Only charge a battery with a battery charger after the
battery has been disconnected from the vehicle’s
electrical circuit.
Always disconnect the battery negative lead first and
connect last.
When removing and connecting the battery, always
make sure that all electrical consumers are off and the
key is in steering lock position 0. The battery must
always be securely installed when the vehicle is in
operation. During removal and installation always
protect the disconnected battery positive (+) terminal
with the cover attached to the battery.
While the engine is running the battery terminal clamps
must not be loosened or detached, otherwise the
generator and other electronic components will be
damaged.
Wa r n i n g !
Failure to follow these instructions can result in
severe injury or death.Never lean over batteries while connecting, you
might get 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.A battery 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.

238 Battery
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Important!
Do not close a door with the windows fully closed while
the power supply is interrupted (battery disconnected or
empty).
Doing so could damage the window frame.
Note:
After reconnecting the battery also set the clock,
resynchronize the express feature of the power
windows, the electronic stability program (ESP) and the
adaptive damping System (ADS).
See page 79 for setting clock, page 41 for power
windows, page 193 for ESP and page 199 for ADS. Battery Recycling
Batteries contain materials that can harm the
environment with improper disposal.
Large 12 Volt storage batteries contain lead.
Recycling of batteries is the preferred method of
disposal.
Many states require sellers of batteries to accept old
batteries for recycling.

273 Technical data
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Model SL 500 (129.068)
1
SL 600 (129.076)
1
Engine113 1 2 0
Mode of operation 4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection4-stroke engine,
gasoline injection
No. of cylinders 8 12
Bore 3.82 in (97.00 mm) 3.50 in (89.00 mm)
Stroke 3.30 in (84.00 mm) 3.16 in (80.20 mm)
Total piston displacement 303 cu.in. (4966 cm
3) 365.4 cu.in. (5987 cm
3)
Compression ratio 8.8:1 10:1
Output acc.
to SAE J 1349302 hp/5600 rpm
(225 kW/5600 rpm)389 hp/5200 rpm
(290 kW/5200 rpm)
Maximum torque acc.
to SAE J 1349339ft.lb/2750 rpm
(460 Nm/2750 rpm)420ft.lb/3800 rpm
(570 Nm/3800 rpm)
Maximum engine speed 6000 rpm 6000 rpm
Firing order 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 1-12-5-8-3-10-6-7-2-11-4-9
Poly-V-belts length 2390 mm 2585 mm
1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for the corresponding data of all special bodies
and special equipment.

277 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended
by us. Please refer to the Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet, or inquire at your Mercedes-Benz Center.
Model Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.
Engine with oil filter SL 500
SL 6008.5 US qt (8.0 l)
10 . 6 U S q t ( 10 . 0 l )Recommended engine oils
Automatic transmission 9.6 US qt (9.1 l) Automatic transmission fluid
Rear axle 1.5 US qt (1.4 l) Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90
Hydraulic system for
adaptive damping
system (ADS)approx. 4.8 US qt (4.5 l) MB Hydraulic f luid
Power steering approx. 1.1 US qt (1.0 l) MB Power steering fluid
Front wheel hubs approx. 2.1 oz (60 g) each High temperature roller bearing grease
Brake system approx. 0.5 US qt (0.5 l) MB Brake fluid (DOT 4)

281 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon
build up caused by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz
recommends the use of only quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels without such
additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the
intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
• warm-up hesitation,
•unstable idle,
•knocking/pinging,
•misfire,
• power loss.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives with fuel.
They only result in unnecessary cost, and may be
harmful to the engine operation.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel
quality or from blending specific fuel additives are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water and
anticorrosion/antifreeze, which provides:
• corrosion protection,
• freeze protection,
• boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).
The cooling system was filled at the factory with a
coolant providing freeze protection to approximately
-22°F (-30°C) and corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to -22°F (-30°C), the
boiling point of the coolant in the pressurized cooling
system is reached at approx. 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year round to provide
the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the
boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every
3years.
To provide the important corrosion protection, the
solution must be at least 45% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(equals a freeze protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion/
antifreeze (freeze protection to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]),

284 Consumer information
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Temp era tur e
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Wa r n i n g !
The temperature grade for this tire is established
for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or
excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause excessive heat build up
and possible tire failure.

287 Index
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DDisplay illumination ........................................................ 77
Door control panel ........................................................... 20
Door pockets ................................................................... 129
Doors .................................................................................. 34
Drinking and Driving .....................................................176
Drive sensibly - Save Fuel .............................................176
Driving instructions .......................................................176
Block heater ............................................................... 183
Brakes ......................................................................... 177
Deep water ................................................................. 182
Pedals ...........................................................................176
Traveling abroad ....................................................... 183
Winter driving ........................................................... 182
Driving off ....................................................................... 178EEconomy ............................................................................ 93
Electronic stability program (ESP) .............................. 192
Emergency call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 156
Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) ......................... 59
Emergency trunk lid release button ............................. 40Emergency unlocking in
case of accident ........................................................... 37
Emission control ............................................................ 164
Engine compartment .................................................... 220
Engine oil
Additives .................................................................... 279
Capacities .................................................................. 277
Checking level .......................................................... 222
Consumption ................................................................83
Engine oils ................................................................. 279
Low level warning lamp ........................................... 210
Engine oil level indicator ................................................82
Engine oil temperature gauge ........................................ 83
Entrance lamps in footwells,
exit lamps in doors ...................................................120
ESP (Electronic Stability Program) ............................. 192
Control Switch ........................................................... 194
Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... 207
Synchronizing ........................................................... 193
Warning lamp ........................................................... 207
ETR (Emergency tensioning retractor) .........................59
SRS indicator lamp .................................................. 206
Exterior lamp switch .......................................................84
Exterior lamps ............................................................... 243
Adjusting headlamp aim ......................................... 248
Bulb for high and low beam ................................... 245