engine MERCEDES-BENZ SL500 2006 R230 Owner's Manual

Our company and staff congratulate you
on the purchase of your new
Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demon-
stration of your trust in our company
name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your de-
sire to own an automobile that will be as
easy as possible to operate and provide
years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the ef-
forts of many skilled engineers and crafts-
men. To help assure your driving pleasure,
and also the safety of you and your passen-
gers, we ask you to make a small invest-
ment of time:


Please read this manual carefully, then
return it to your vehicle where it will be
handy for your reference.


Please follow the recommendations
contained in this manual. They are de-
signed to acquaint you with the opera-
tion of your Mercedes-Benz.


Please pay attention to the warnings
and cautions contained in this manual.
They are designed to help improve the
safety of the vehicle operator and oc-
cupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles
of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction.......................................... 9
Product information ................................ 9
Operator’s Manual ............................... 10
Service and warranty information .. 10
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 11
Maintenance .................................. 12
Roadside Assistance ...................... 12
Change of address or ownership.... 12
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 13
Where to find it .................................... 14
Symbols ............................................... 15
Operating safety .................................. 16
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 16
Problems with your vehicle .................. 17
Reporting safety defects...................... 18
Reporting safety defects ................ 18
Vehicle data recording ......................... 19
Information regarding electronic
recording devices ........................... 19
At a glance.......................................... 21
Cockpit ................................................. 22
Instrument cluster ................................ 24
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 28
Center console ..................................... 29
Upper part ...................................... 29
Lower part ...................................... 30
Overhead control panel ........................ 31
Door control panel................................ 32
Getting started................................... 33
Unlocking ............................................. 34
Unlocking with the SmartKey ......... 34
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*......... 35
Starter switch positions .................. 36
Adjusting .............................................. 39
Seats .............................................. 39
Steering wheel ................................ 42
Mirrors ............................................ 44
Driving .................................................. 46
Fastening the seat belts ................. 46
Starting the engine ......................... 49
Parking brake ................................. 51
Driving off ....................................... 51
Switching on headlamps ................. 53
Turn signals .................................... 53
Windshield wipers ........................... 54
Problems while driving.................... 56
Parking and locking .............................. 58
Parking brake ................................. 59
Switching off headlamps................. 59
Turning off the engine..................... 60
Releasing seat belts........................ 61
Locking ........................................... 61

ContentsOperation......................................... 255
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) ......... 256
Driving instructions ............................ 257
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 257
Drinking and driving ..................... 257
Pedals .......................................... 257
Power assistance ......................... 258
Brakes .......................................... 258
Driving off..................................... 260
Parking ......................................... 261
Tires ............................................. 261
Hydroplaning ................................ 262
Tire traction .................................. 263
Tire speed rating .......................... 263
Winter driving instructions ........... 264
Standing water ............................. 265
Passenger compartment .............. 266
Driving abroad .............................. 266
Control and operation of radio
transmitters.................................. 266
Catalytic converter ....................... 267
Emission control........................... 267
Coolant temperature .................... 268At the gas station .............................. 269
Refuelling ..................................... 269
Check regularly and before a
long trip........................................ 271
Engine compartment ......................... 272
Hood ............................................ 272
Engine oil ..................................... 274
Transmission fluid level ................ 277
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 277
Coolant ........................................ 278
Battery ......................................... 279
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 280
Tires and wheels ................................ 281
Important guidelines .................... 281
Tire care and maintenance ........... 282
Direction of rotation ..................... 284
Loading the vehicle ...................... 284
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 291
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 293
MOExtended system* .................. 300
Tire labeling.................................. 300
Load identification ....................... 304
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 305Maximum tire load ....................... 306
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 307
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 308
Tire ply material ........................... 310
Tire and loading terminology........ 310
Rotating tires ............................... 313
Winter driving .................................... 315
Winter tires .................................. 315
Block heater (Canada only) .......... 316
Snow chains................................. 317
Maintenance...................................... 318
Maintenance service indicator
message ...................................... 318
Calling up the maintenance
service indicator display .............. 319
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator .......................... 320
Vehicle care....................................... 321
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 321

Contents
Practical hints................................. 331
What to do if … .................................. 332
Lamps in the instrument cluster .. 332
AIRBAG OFF indicator lamp ......... 344
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .................... 345
Where will I find ...? ........................... 383
First aid kit ................................... 383
Vehicle tool kit, jack, and
spare wheel.................................. 383
Locking/unlocking in an emergency . 385
Unlocking the vehicle ................... 385
Locking the vehicle ...................... 387
Lowering the load assist
manually ...................................... 388
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 389
SmartKey ..................................... 389
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* ...... 390
Replacing bulbs ................................. 391
Bulbs ............................................ 391
Replacing bulbs for front lamps ... 394
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps..... 396
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 397
Removing wiper blades ................ 397
Installing wiper blades................. 398Flat tire ............................................... 399
Preparing the vehicle .................... 399
Sealing tires with TIREFIT.............. 399
Mounting the spare wheel ............ 404
MOExtended system* ................... 411
Batteries ............................................. 413
Disconnecting the batteries .......... 415
Removing the batteries ................. 416
Charging and reinstalling
batteries ....................................... 417
Reconnecting the batteries ........... 418
Jump starting ...................................... 419
Towing the vehicle .............................. 421
Installing towing eye bolt .............. 423
Fuses .................................................. 425
Main fuse box ............................... 425
Emergency engine shut-down ....... 426
Technical data.................................. 427
Parts service ...................................... 428
Warranty coverage ............................. 429
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 429
Identification labels ............................ 430
Layout of poly-V-belt drive.................. 431
SL 500 .......................................... 431
SL 55 AMG ................................... 431
SL 600, SL 65 AMG ...................... 431
Engine ................................................ 432
Rims and tires .................................... 434
Same size tires ............................. 436
Mixed size tires ............................. 438
MOExtended tires* ....................... 440
Spare wheel .................................. 441
Electrical system ................................ 442
Main dimensions ................................ 443
Weights .............................................. 444

ContentsFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. ......... 445
Capacities .................................... 445
Engine oils .................................... 447
Engine oil additives ...................... 447
Air conditioning refrigerant .......... 447
Brake fluid .................................... 447
Premium unleaded gasoline ......... 448
Fuel requirements ........................ 448
Gasoline additives ........................ 449
Coolants ....................................... 450
Windshield and headlamp washer
system.......................................... 452
Technical terms............................... 453Index................................................. 461

13 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

Service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Certain Mercedes-Benz models are avail-
able for delivery in Europe under our Euro-
pean Delivery Program. For details, consult
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or
write to:
In the USA:
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale, NJ 07645-0350
In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
European Delivery Department
98 Vanderhoof Avenue
Toronto, Ontario M4G 4C9

16 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires / wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires / wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

25 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature
gauge with:DCoolant temperature
warning lamp
336
2
Speedometer with:;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
334
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada onlyvABS/ESP
® warning
lamp
332
EDistronic* indicator
lamp
1 (white) or
warning lamp (red)
1Vehicles without Distronic*: Warning lamp without
function. It illuminates when the ignition is on. It
should go out when the engine is running.
338
Item
Page
KRight turn signal indi-
cator lampLLeft turn signal indi-
cator lamp
3
Left multifunction display
with:

Trip odometer
133


Main odometer
Stored speed for

Cruise control


Distronic*
204
143
4
Reset button

27 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
5
Tachometer with:
133
AHigh beam head-
lamp indicator
129
úEngine malfunction
indicator lamp, USA
only
±Engine malfunction
indicator lamp,
Canada only
335
CRoll bar warning
lamp
339
-Antilock Brake Sys-
tem (ABS) indicator
lamp
333
Item
Page
1Supplemental
Restraint System
(SRS) indicator lamp
341
340
XCombination low tire
pressure/TPMS mal-
function telltale*
342
6
Right multifunction
display with:

Gear selector lever
position
164


Outside temperature
display
134


Program mode
163
7
Fuel gauge with:AFuel reserve warning
lamp
338

35 Getting started
Unlocking
Unlocking with KEYLESS-GO*
With the KEYLESS-GO function, you can
lock and unlock the vehicle without using
the remote control buttons on the
SmartKey and start the engine without in-
serting the SmartKey in the starter switch.
The function of the SmartKey overrules the
KEYLESS-GO function.

Grasp an outside door handle.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
locking knobs on the doors move up.
The anti-theft alarm system is dis-
armed.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
activated.If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is inside
the vehicle, pressing the KEYLESS-GO
start/stop button on the gear selector le-
ver corresponds to turning the SmartKey
to the various starter switch positions
(
page 37).
For more information, see “SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*” (
page 100).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO* with you, and
lock the vehicle. Do not leave children unat-
tended in the vehicle, or with access to an
unlocked vehicle. Unsupervised use of vehi-
cle equipment may cause an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
iTo unlock the vehicle, the SmartKey
with KEYLESS-GO must be outside the
vehicle, no further than approx. 3 feet
(1 meter) away from the door. iIf the vehicle has been parked for more
than 72 hours, you must pull an outside
door handle in order to activate the
KEYLESS-GO function.
iOpening a door causes the windows on
that side of the car to open slightly.
They will return to the up-position when
the door is closed.