fuel additives MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2005 R230 Owner's Manual

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 431
Capacities .................................... 431
Engine oils .................................... 433
Engine oil additives ...................... 433
Air conditioner refrigerant ............ 433
Brake fluid .................................... 433
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 434
Fuel requirements ........................ 434
Gasoline additives ........................ 435
Coolants ....................................... 435
Windshield and headlamp washer
system.......................................... 438
Technical terms............................... 439Index................................................. 445

433 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters re-
quired for vehicles with Maintenance
System (U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada
vehicles). For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory Ap-
proved Service Products pamphlet, or con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specifica-
tion other than those expressly required
for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehicles), or
changing oil and oil filter at change inter-
vals longer than those called for by the
Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles) or
FSS (Canada vehicles) will result in engine
damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Engine oil additives
Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from
blending oil additives are not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Air conditioner refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
er system.
Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based lu-
bricating oil. Otherwise damage to the
system will occur.
Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.

435 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine manufac-
turers is carbon build-up caused by gaso-
line. Mercedes-Benz recommends only the
use of quality gasoline containing additives
that prevent the build-up of carbon depos-
its.
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 lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be en-
countered due to lack of availability of gas-
olines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet for a
listing of approved product(s). Follow di-
rections on product label.
Do not blend other specific fuel additives
with fuel. This only results in unnecessary
cost and may be harmful to the engine op-
eration.
Damage or malfunction resulting from
poor fuel quality or from blending addition-
al fuel additives other than those tested
and approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles listed in the
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion / antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

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 corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 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. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for replacement interval.

452 IndexEmission control 265
Emission control label 418
Engine
Compartment 270
Starting with KEYLESS-GO* 49
Starting with the SmartKey 48
Turning off 58
Turning off with KEYLESS-GO* 59
Turning off with the SmartKey 58
Engine number 440
Engine oil 272, 433
Adding 274
Additives 433
Checking level 272
Consumption 272
Display messages 355
Filler neck 274
Messages in display 273
Engine oil level see Oil levelESP 79, 82, 440
Control switch 30
Switching off 83
Switching on 84
Synchronizing 341
Warning lamp 82
ESP/ABS warning lamp 25
ETD see Emergency Tensioning Device
Express-close front side windows 195
Express-open front side windows 194
F
Fahrenheit
Setting temperature units 148
Fastening the seat belts 45
Fine adjustment
Cruise control 208
First aid kit 372
Flat tire 388
Spare wheel 393
TIREFIT kit 388Flexible Service System (FSS), Canada
only 312, 441
Fluid level 275
Fog lamp, rear 127, 381
Replacing bulb 385
Fog lamps 127
Fog lamps, front 127
Replacing bulbs 381
Front airbags 68
Front lamps 381
Replacing bulbs 383
FSS (Flexible Service System, Canada
only) 312, 441
Fuel 267
Additives 435
Fuel reserve warning lamp 27, 330
Gasoline additives 435
Premium unleaded gasoline 268,
432, 434
Requirements 434
Fuel consumption statistics
After start 159
Since reset 160