light MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2001 R129 Workshop Manual

266 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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Seat belts
The webbing must not be treated with chemical
cleaning agents. Use only clear, lukewarm water and
soap. Do not dry the webbing at temperatures above
176°F (80°C) or in direct sunlight.
Headliner, shelf behind roll bars, and other hard
plastic trim items
Pour Mercedes-Benz approved Interior Care onto soft
lint-free cloth and apply with light pressure.
Soft top
Clean soft top with soft top raised and locked. Lower the
soft top into the storage compartment only if the top is
completely dry. If the top is kept in the storage
compartment for a lengthy period, raise it and air it out
with the windows down about every 4 months. Dry cleaning:
Brush top (always from front to rear) with a soft-bristled
brush.
Wet cleaning:
Brush the dry top. Wash with a mild detergent and an
ample supply of lukewarm water by wiping with a soft-
bristled brush or sponge from front to rear. Then rinse
thoroughly with clear water.
If only parts of the top have been washed, wet the entire
top and allow it to air-dry before lowering it into the
storage compartment.
Wipe the rear window with a cloth soaked with a mild,
non-abrasive detergent, rinse and rub dry.
Do not use sharp-edged instruments for the removal of
ice and snow.
Notes:
Never run the vehicle through an automatic car wash
with the soft top in place or use a power washer to clean
it, as you may damage the soft top material.
Remove bird droppings immediately. The organic acid
damages the material and causes the soft top to leak.
Wa r n i n g !
Do not bleach or dye seat belts as this may severely
weaken them. In a crash they may not be able to
provide adequate protection.

267 Cleaning and care of the vehicle
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cluster displayPractical hintsCar careIndex In general, regular spraying or cleansing with clear
water is sufficient to keep the top clean.
Wash the top only when heavily soiled.
Light colored soft tops should be cleaned frequently to
prevent spots and dirt from setting in, which could stain
and discolor the soft top material permanently.
Caution!
Never use any gasoline, thinner, tar and stain removers,
glass cleaner, or similar organic solvents to clean the
soft top, plastic window or wind screen. They will cause
damage which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Headliner
Soft top:
Clean with soft bristle brush, or use a dry-shampoo
cleaner in case of excessive dirt.Wind screen
Use only water or mild detergent to clean the wind
screen.
Automatic antenna
For trouble-free operation of the automatic antenna, we
recommend that you clean the antenna mast
periodically.
Wiper blade
Clean the wiper blade rubber with a clean cloth and
detergent solution.
Note:
For safety reasons, remove key from steering lock before
cleaning the wiper blade, otherwise the wiper motor
can suddenly turn on and cause injury.
Headlamp cleaning system
The condition of the wiper blades is important for
satisfactory cleaning of the headlamp lenses. We
therefore recommend that the blades be inspected
regularly.

274 Technical data
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Rims – Tires
2 Must only be used with special MB authorized snow chains.Rims and summer tires
(except Sport Package)
Rims (light alloy)
Wheel offset:8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)
All season tires:
Radial-ply tires 245/45 R17 95 W
Winter tires:
Radial-ply tires 245/45 R 17 45 H M+S
2
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)
All season tires:
Radial-ply tires 245/45 R 17 95 W
2

275 Technical data
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2 Must only be used with special MB authorized snow chains.
3 Must not be used with snow chains.Rims and summer tires
(Sport package)
Model SL 500 SL 600
Rims front axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:8
1/2 J x 18 H 2
1.0 in (25 mm)8
1/2 J x 18 H 2
1.0 in (25 mm)
Rims rear axle
AMG light alloy rims
Wheel offset:9
1/2 J x 18 H 2
0.9 in (23 mm)10 J x 18 H 2
1.0 in (25 mm)
Radial-ply tires
front axle
rear axle245/40 ZR 18
275/35 ZR 18
3
245/40 ZR 18
275/35 ZR 18
3
Spare wheel
Rim (light alloy)
Wheel offset:8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)8
1/4 J x 17 H 2
1.33 in (34 mm)
All season tire:
Radial-ply tire 245/45 R 17 95W
2
245/45 R 17 95W
2

280 Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. - capacities
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Premium unleaded gasoline
Caution!
To maintain the engine’s durability and performance,
premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium
unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used,
follow these precautions:
• have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded
regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible,
• avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,
• do not exceed an engine speed of 3000 rpm, if the
vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two
persons and no luggage,
• do not exceed
2/3 of maximum accelerator pedal
position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain.Fuel requirements
Use only Premium unleaded meeting ASTM
standard D 439:
The octane number (posted at the pump) must be
91 min. It is an average of both the Research (R) octane
number and the Motor (M) octane number: [(R+M)/2].
This is also known as ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as
Ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the
ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not
exceed 10%, MTBE not to exceed 15%.
The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3%
plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of Ethanol and Methanol is not allowed.
Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded
gasoline, can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements
such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor
pressure etc.

289 Index
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IIdentification labels ....................................................... 271
Illuminated vanity mirror ............................................ 123
Indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster ..............................................76, 204
Infant and Child Restraint Systems
SRS indicator lamp ...................................................206
Infant and child restraint systems ................................ 68
Information call
See Tele Aid ............................................................... 156
Instrument cluster ........................................................... 74
Display illumination ................................................... 77
Indicator lamps ........................................................... 76
Instrument lamps ....................................................... 77
Malfunction and indicator lamps ...........................204
Instruments and controls ............................................... 18
Interior
General notes ............................................................. 124
Interior central locking system ................................... 125
Integration with vehicle
central locking system ........................................ 126
Separate locking of
storage compartments ......................................... 126
Interior lamps ................................................................. 120
Interior lighting ............................................................. 120
JJump starting ................................................................. 239KKeys ....................................................................................28
Master key .................................................................... 28LLayout of poly-V-belt drive ........................................... 272
Leather upholstery ........................................................ 268
Level control system ...................................................... 196
Lighter ............................................................................. 131
Locking the vehicle ..........................................................30MMaintenance ................................................................... 155
Malfunction lamps
in the instrument cluster ........................................ 204
Multicontour seats ........................................................... 49