check oil MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class 2001 R129 Owner's Manual

4 Contents
ABS control ................................. 191
Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) ........................................... 192
Synchronizing ESP .................... 193
ESP Control Switch .................... 194
Level control system ...................... 196
Level control
switch positions .......................... 196
Normal Level ............................... 197
Wheel Change Switch ............... 198
Adaptive Damping System
(ADS) ........................................... 199
Adaptive damping system
adjustment .................................. 199
What you should know
at the gas station .......................200
Fuel supply ..................................200
Fuel ...............................................200
Check regularly and
before a long trip .......................202
Instrument cluster display Malfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster .................... 204
On-board
diagnostic system ...................... 204
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 204
Brake warning lamp .................. 205
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp ............................ 205
Seat belt warning lamp ............. 206
Supplemental
restraint system
(SRS) indicator lamp ................. 206
Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 207
Electronic stability program
(ESP)- warning lamp ................. 207
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 207
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 208Low engine coolant
level warning lamp ....................209
Low windshield and
headlamp washer
system fluid level
warning lamp .............................. 210
Low engine oil level
warning lamp .............................. 210
Charge indicator lamp ............... 211
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp ............................. 211
Roll bar warning lamp ............... 212
ADS indicator lamp .................... 212
High beam
indicator lamp ............................. 213
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) .......... 213
Malfunction and
indicator lamp
(in the dashboard) .................... 213
Passenger airbag
indicator lamp ............................. 213

5 Contents
Practical hints First aid kit ..................................... 216
Stowing things in the vehicle ...... 216
Vehicle tools .................................... 217
Vehicle jack ..................................... 218
Fuses ................................................ 219
Hood .................................................220
Automatic transmission
fluid level ...................................222
Checking engine oil level .............222
Coolant level ...................................224
Adding coolant ...............................225
Windshield and
headlamp washer
fluid mixing ratio ......................226
Wheels .............................................227
Tire replacement ............................227
Rotating wheels ..............................228
Spare wheel ....................................229
Changing wheels ........................... 231
Tire inflation pressure ..................235
Battery .............................................237
Battery Recycling .......................238Jump starting ................................. 239
Towing the vehicle ........................ 241
Exterior lamps ............................... 243
Headlamp assembly
(Halogen) .................................... 244
Taillamp assemblies .................. 250
Changing batteries in the
remote control ........................... 252
Synchronizing ............................ 253
Raising soft top manually ............ 254
Replacing wiper blade ................. 258
Manual release of
fuel filler flap ............................ 260
Trunk lamp ..................................... 260
Vehicle care Cleaning and care
of the vehicle ............................. 262
Power washer ............................. 263
Tar stains .................................... 263
Paintwork, Painted Body
Components ................................ 263
Engine cleaning ......................... 264
Vehicle washing ......................... 264Ornamental moldings ................264
Headlamps, taillamps,
turn signal lenses ......................264
Window cleaning .......................265
Light alloy wheels ......................265
Instrument cluster .....................265
Steering wheel and
gear selector lever ......................265
Cup holder ...................................265
Seat belts .....................................266
Headliner, shelf behind
roll bars, and other hard
plastic trim items .......................266
Soft top .........................................266
Headliner .....................................267
Wind screen ................................267
Automatic antenna .....................267
Wiper blade .................................267
Headlamp cleaning
system ..........................................267
Leather upholstery .....................268
Plastic and rubber parts ............268
Illuminated door sill panels .....268

76 Instrument cluster
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Indicator lamps in the instrument cluster
Fuel reserve and fuel cap placement
warning, see page 207
High beam, see page 86
Battery not being charged properly,
see page 211
Low windshield and headlamp washer
system fluid level see page 210
Coolant level low, see page 209
Engine oil level low, see page 210
Exterior lamp failure indicator lamp,
see page 211
Roll bar warning lamp, see page 212
ESP warning lamp. Adjust driving to road
condition, see page 207
ADS indicator lamp, see page 212BAS/ESP malfunction, see page 207
ABS malfunction, see page 208
Brake pads worn down, see page 205
Brake fluid low (except Canada)
Parking brake engaged, see page 205
Brake fluid low (Canada only)
Parking brake engaged, see page 205
SRS malfunction, see page 206
Fasten seat belt, see page 206
If the lamp comes on when the engine is
running, it indicates a malfunction of the
fuel management system or the emission
control system, or the fuel cap is not closed
tight. In all cases, we recommend that you
have the malfunction checked as soon as
possible, see page 204.
ABS

82 Checking engine oil level
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Engine oil level indicator in odometer display field
(Model SL 500)
Turn electronic key in steering lock to position 2 and
wait until the symbols : and I appear in the
odometer display field.
Within 1 second press button “1” twice.The following messages are available:
“OK”
“-1.0 Q” (Canada: -1.0 L)
“-1.5 Q” (Canada: -1.5 L)
“-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L)
If the message “-2.0 Q” (Canada: -2.0 L) blinks and a
signal sounds, add oil to upper (max) mark of the
dipstick.
“HI”
The message “HI” blinks and a signal sounds.
Do not overfill the engine.
Excessive oil must be drained or siphoned. It could
cause damage to engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
The symbol I flashes in the odometer display field if
a proper oil level check cannot be performed.
The oil level check can be repeated after a short time.
Perform the oil level check with the dipstick, if it cannot
be completed via the odometer display field.
In this case we recommend that you have the system
checked at a Mercedes-Benz Center.

83 Checking engine oil level
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Notes:
If the symbols : and I are continuously
illuminated after pressing button (1) twice and there is
no change in the odometer display field or the low
engine oil level warning lamp comes on, a malfunction
has occurred to the system. Perform the engine oil level
check with the dipstick.
If no oil leaks are noted continue to drive to the nearest
Mercedes-Benz Center to have the system checked.
Observe the engine oil temperature gauge.
Fuel consumption gauge
While driving, instantaneous fuel consumption is
indicated in miles per gallon (mpg), or in Canada liters
per 100 kilometers (l/100 km).
With the engine switched off, the needle reads “0”.
Due to system design, minimum consumption is
indicated at idle speed.Engine oil temperature gauge
Normal operating engine oil temperatures are from
175°F (80°C) to 250°F (120°C).
During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go
traffic, the engine oil temperature may rise close to the
red marking.
The engine should not be operated with the engine oil
temperature in the red zone. Doing so may cause
serious engine damage which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
When the engine oil temperature is close to the red
marking, relieve the load on the engine by decreasing
vehicle speed to lower engine oil temperature.
Once the engine oil temperature returns to the normal
temperature range, the engine oil level should be
checked. See page 82 or 222.
Engine oil consumption
Engine oil consumption checks should only be made
after the break-in period. During the break-in period,
higher oil consumption may be noticed and is normal.
Frequent driving at high engine speeds results in
increased consumption.

183 Driving instructions
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index Winter driving
Have your vehicle winterized at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center before the onset of winter.
• Change the engine oil if the engine contains an oil
which is not approved for winter operation. For
viscosity (SAE/CCMC class) and filling quantity,
see page 277.
• Check engine coolant anticorrosion/antifreeze
concentration.
• Additive for the windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system: Add MB Concentrate “S” to a
premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures, see page 88.
• Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing
ambient temperature. A well charged battery helps
to ensure that the engine can be started, even at low
ambient temperatures.
• Tires: We recommend M+S rated radial-ply tires on
all four wheels for the winter season. Observe
permissible maximum speed for M+S rated
radial-ply tires and the legal speed limit.Note:
In winter operation, the maximum effectiveness of the
antilock brake system (ABS) or electronic stability
program (ESP) can only be achieved with M+S rated
radial-ply tires and/or snow chains recommended by
Mercedes-Benz. Snow chains maximize performance.
Block heater (for Canada only)
The engine is equipped with a block heater.
The electrical cable may be installed at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Traveling abroad
Abroad, there is a widely-spread Mercedes-Benz service
network at your disposal. If you plan to travel into areas
which are not listed in the index of your Center
directory, you should request pertinent information
from your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

201 What you should know at the gas station
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index •Engine oil
Engine oil level check, see page 82 or 222.
Fill quantity between upper and lower dipstick
marking level: 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Recommended engine oils, see page 277.
•Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (potable water
quality).
For further information (e.g. anticorrosion/
antifreeze), see page 225.
•Spark plugs
Approved spark plugs, see page 276.
•Tire pressure
For tire pressure, refer to tire pressure label inside
the fuel filler flap.
•Air conditioner
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant,
see page 277.•Bulbs
High and low beams: Halogen type 9004,
low beam: Xenon, for model SL 600 (SL 500
optional)
high beam (models with Xenon): H 1 (55 W)
fog lamps: H1 (55 W),
turn signal, standing, side marker and parking
lamps, front: 2357 NA (28.5/8.3 W/30/2.2 cp), tail,
parking, standing and driver’s side rear fog lamp:
21 / 4 W,
turn signal lamps, rear: 21 W/32 cp,
side marker lamps, rear: 10W/6 cp,
stop lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
backup lamps: 21 W/32 cp,
license plate lamps: 5W/4 cp.

202 Check regularly and before a long trip
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperationDrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Check regularly and before a long trip 1Coolant level
See “Adding coolant” on page 224.
2Windshield washer and
headlamp cleaning system
For refilling reservoir see page 226.
3Engine oil level
See “Checking engine oil level” on page 222 and
“Engine oil level indicator” on page 82.
4Brake fluid
See “Brake fluid” on page 279.
Opening hood, see page 220.
Ve h i c l e l i g h t i n g : Check function and cleanliness. For
replacement of light bulbs, see “Exterior lamps” on page
243.
Exterior lamp switch, see page 84.

203 Contents - Instrument cluster display
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Instrument cluster display Malfunction and indicator
lamps in the
instrument cluster ....................204
On-board
diagnostic system .......................204
Check engine malfunction
indicator lamp .............................204
Brake warning lamp ..................205
Brake pad wear
indicator lamp .............................205
Seat belt warning lamp .............206
Supplemental
restra int system
(SRS) indicator lamp ..................206Fuel reserve and fuel cap
placement warning ................... 207
Electronic stability program
(ESP)- warning lamp ................. 207
BAS/ESP malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 207
ABS malfunction
indicator lamp ............................ 208
Low engine coolant
level warning lamp .................... 209
Low windshield and
headlamp washer
system fluid level
warning lamp ..............................210
Low engine oil level
warning lamp ..............................210Charge indicator lamp ............... 211
Exterior lamp failure
indicator lamp ............................. 211
Roll bar warning lamp ............... 212
ADS indicator lamp .................... 212
High beam
indicator lamp ............................. 213
Additional function
indicator lamps
(in the odometer display) .......... 213
Malfunction and
indicator lamp
(in the dashboard) .................... 213
Passenger airbag
indicator lamp ............................. 213

210 Malfunction and indicator lamps
Te ch n ica l
data Instruments
and controlsOperation DrivingInstrument
cluster displayPractical hints Car care Index
Low windshield and headlamp washer system fluid
level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
warning lamp comes on. It should go out
when the engine is running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or if it comes on while driving, the level of the
reservoir has dropped to approx. 1/3 of the total volume.
The reservoir should be refilled with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” and water (or commercially
available premixed windshield washer solvent/
antifreeze, depending on ambient temperature - see
page 88) at the next opportunity. The reservoir for the
windshield and headlamp washer systems is located in
the engine compartment.Low engine oil level warning lamp
With the key in steering lock position 2, the
oil level warning lamp comes on. It should
go out immediately when the engine is
running.
If the warning lamp does not go out after starting the
engine, or comes on with the engine running and at
operating temperature, the engine oil level has dropped
to approximately the minimum mark on the dipstick.
When this occurs, the warning lamp will first come on
intermittently and then stay on if the oil level drops
further.
If no leaks are noted, continue to drive to the nearest
service station where the engine oil should be topped to
the “full” mark on the dipstick with an approved oil.
The low engine oil level warning light should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the light illuminated
could result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
In addition to the warning lamp, the engine oil level
should be periodically checked with the dipstick, for
example during a fuel stop, or before a long trip,
see page 222.