washer fluid MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 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

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 386
Capacities .................................... 386
Engine oils .................................... 388
Engine oil additives ...................... 388
Air conditioner refrigerant ............ 388
Brake fluid .................................... 389
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 389
Fuel requirements ........................ 389
Gasoline additives ........................ 390
Coolants ....................................... 391
Windshield and headlamp
washer system ............................. 393
Consumer information ....................... 394
Uniform tire quality grading.......... 394
Technical terms............................... 397Index................................................. 403

48 Getting startedDrivingSwitching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch to the de-
sired position depending on the inten-
sity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping (interval depen-
dent on wetness of windshield)
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed (Canada only:
goes to setting II when the car is
standing still)Single wipe

Press switch briefly in the direction of
arrow1.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with windshield washer fluid

Push switch in the direction of
arrow1 past the resistance point.
The windshield wiper operates with
washer fluid.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 261).
iThe intermittent wiping interval is de-
pendent on wetness of windshield.
Wiping will not occur with a door open.
!Do not leave windshield wipers in inter-
mittent setting when vehicle is taken to
an automatic car wash or during wind-
shield cleaning. Wipers will operate in
the presence of water sprayed on the
windshield, and wipers may be dam-
aged as a result.
The switch should not be left in inter-
mittent setting as the wipers will wipe
the windshield once every time the en-
gine is started. Dust that accumulates
on the windshield might scratch the
glass and/or damage the wiper blades
when wiping occurs on a dry wind-
shield.

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).

261 Operation
Engine compartment
Windshield washer system and headlamp cleaning system
The windshield washer reservoir is located
in the engine compartment.
1Washer fluid reservoir
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approx. 7.4 US qt. (7 l).
During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Pre-mix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.

Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available pre-mixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below
freezing point. Failure to do so could re-
sult in damage to the washer sys-
tem/reservoir.
For more information, see “Windshield and
headlamp washer system” (
page 393).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent / antifreeze is highly flam-
mable. Do not spill washer
solvent / antifreeze on hot engine parts, be-
cause it may ignite and burn. You could be
seriously burned.
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer flu-
id can damage the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.iIf the windshield washer system on
your vehicle is heated*, a fluid mixture
produced to resist freezing at tempera-
tures of approximately 14°F (–10°C)
should be sufficient.

322 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
Ê
Close
trunk lid!
This message will appear whenever
the trunk lid is open.

Close the trunk lid.
M
Close
trunk partition!
You are trying to open or close the
retractable hardtop even though
the luggage cover in the trunk is not
pulled out.

Pull out the luggage cover and secure it
(page 185).
W
Washer fluid
Check level!
The fluid level has dropped to about 1/3 of total reservoir capacity.

Add washer fluid (
page 261).
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may ignite when if it comes into contact with
hot engine parts. You could be seriously
burned.

387 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Model
Capacity
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling system
SL 500
SL 600
SL 55 AMG
approx. 12.3 US qt (11.6 l)
approx. 13.6 US qt (12.9 l)
approx. 14.5 US qt (13.7 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
SL 600
approx. 2.2 US qt (2.1 l)
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion / Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of
21.1 US gal (80.0 l)
2.6 US gal (10.0 l)
Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON /86 MON)
Air conditioning system
R-134a refrigerant and special PAG lu-
bricant oil (never R-12)
Hydraulic system for retractable hardtop
0.42 US qt (0.4 l)
MB Hydraulic Fluid
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system
7.4 US qt (7 l)
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate
1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and commercially available pre-
mixed windshield washer solvent / antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 392).

393 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Windshield and headlamp washer system
Both the windshield and headlamp washer
systems are supplied from the windshield
washer fluid reservoir.
The windshield and headlamp washer fluid
reservoir has a capacity of approx.
7.4 US qt (7 l).
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or con-
centrate and commercially available
premixed windshield washer
solvent / antifreeze, depending on am-
bient temperatures).Windshield and headlamp washer fluid
mixing ratio
For temperatures above freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and water:


1 part “S” to 100 parts water
(40 ml “S” to 4 l water)
For temperatures below freezing point, use
MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S”
and commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent / antifreeze:


1 part “S” to 100 parts solvent
(40 ml “S” to 4 l solvent).
Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.

411 Index
Fuse chart 369
Fuse chart see Vehicle tool kit
Fuses 369
Fuse chart 369
Fuse extractor 369
Main fuse box 369
Spare fuses 369
G
Garage door opener 27, 231
Gasoline see Fuel
Gear range
Automatic transmission 157
Indicator 23
Limiting 157
Shifting into optimal 156
Gear range limit
Canceling 156
Gear selector lever 26
Cleaning 279
Lock 43, 401
Position 158
Position (automatic
transmission) 155Glove box 21, 214
GPS 399
H
Hands-free microphone 27
Hard plastic trim items
Cleaning 279
Hardtop open/close control 26
Hardtop see Retractable hardtop
Hardtop switch 185
Hazard warning flasher 121
Hazard warning flasher switch 25
Headlamp switch-off delay see Delayed
switch-off, exterior lamps
Headlamps
Automatic mode 118
Headlamp cleaning system 168, 261
Manual mode 118
Refilling washer fluid 261Headliner
Cleaning 279
Head-thorax airbag 72, 399
Heated steering wheel* 220
Height adjustment
Head restraints 36
Height adjustments
Vehicle level 208
High beam flasher 121
High beam headlamp indicator 23
High beam headlamps 47, 117, 332
Replacing bulbs 334
Switching on 121
Hood 253
Messages in display 309
Horn 21
Hydroplaning 243

414 IndexMaximum cooling MAXCOOL 174
Memory function 399
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing positions 115
Storing key-dependent settings 149
Menus 128
AUDIO 132
Distronic* 135
Malfunction memory 136
NAVI 134
Standard display 132
TEL* 152
Trip computer 150
Microphone
Hands-free microphone 27
Miles/kilometers in speedometer 141
Minimum distance (Parktronic*) 211
Mirrors 38, 166
Activating exterior rear view mirror
parking position 167
Adjusting interior rear view mirror 38
Automatic antiglare for interior rear
view mirror 166Exterior rear view mirror parking
position 149
Exterior rear view mirrors 38
Storing exterior rear view mirror park-
ing position 115
Misfiring 49
MON 251, 399
Mph or km/h in speedometer 141
Multicontour backrest* 109
Multifunction display 127, 400
Left display field 23
Right display field 23
Selecting language 141
Standard display 127
Multifunction display messages
ABC 292
ABS 293
Battery 297, 298
Brake pads 298
Brake system 302
CHECK ENGINE 303Coolant 304
Coolant level 303, 305
Display malfunction 306
Doors 306
Easy-entry/exit feature 306
Fuel reserve tank 309
Hood 309
Luggage cover 322
Retractable hardtop 309
Roll bar 316
SBC brake system 299, 300
Seat belts 316
SmartKey 309
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* 311
Tele Aid 316
Telephone* 317
Tires 317
Trunk 322
Washer fluid 322
Multifunction steering wheel 24, 128,
400
Buttons 128