check oil MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 2008 R230 Owner's Manual

Contents
Power windows .................................. 201
Opening and closing the
windows ....................................... 201
Synchronizing power windows ..... 203
Retractable hardtop ........................... 204
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ...................... 204
Driving systems ................................. 214
Cruise control............................... 214
Distronic*..................................... 218
Distance warning function*.......... 229
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 230
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist)............................. 233
Useful features .................................. 238
Storage compartments................. 238
Cup holders .................................. 243
Ashtray ......................................... 244
Cigarette lighter ........................... 244
Load assist in the trunk ................ 245
Power outlet ................................. 246
Floormat* ..................................... 247
Telephone*................................... 247
Tele Aid ........................................ 250
Garage door opener ..................... 257
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 266
Driving instructions............................ 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 268
Brakes .......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 270
Parking ......................................... 271
Tires ............................................. 271
Hydroplaning ................................ 272
Tire traction.................................. 273
Tire speed rating .......................... 273
Winter driving instructions ........... 274
Standing water ............................. 275
Passenger compartment .............. 276
Driving abroad.............................. 276
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ........................ 276
Catalytic converter ....................... 277
Emission control .......................... 277
Coolant temperature .................... 278At the gas station .............................. 279
Refueling ...................................... 279
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 280
Engine compartment ......................... 282
Hood ............................................ 282
Engine oil ..................................... 283
Transmission fluid level................ 287
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 287
Coolant ........................................ 288
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system........... 289
Battery ......................................... 290
Tires and wheels................................ 291
Important guidelines .................... 291
Tire care and maintenance........... 292
Direction of rotation..................... 294
Loading the vehicle ...................... 294
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 300
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 302
MOExtended system* .................. 312
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 317

23 At a glance
Exterior view
ItemPage
1Trunk
Opening the trunk114
Closing the trunk116
Spare wheel400
Vehicle tool kit400
2Rear lamps410
3Rear window defroster187
4Fuel filler flap279
Refueling279
Gasoline461
5Doors
Locking and unlocking104
Opening and closing113
Locking/unlocking in an
emergency403
ItemPage
6Exterior rear view mirrors
Adjusting49
Auto-dimming rear view
mirrors185
7Towing434
Installing towing eye bolt436
8Tires and wheels291
Checking tire inflation
pressure302
General information291
Flat tire417
Vehicle tool kit400
9Hood
Opening282
Engine oil283
Coolant288,
463
ItemPage
aHeadlamp cleaning
system185,
289
bFront lamps410
cWindshield wipers58
Wiper blades, replacing415
Wiper blades, cleaning337
dWindshield
Wiping with windshield
washer fluid60
Cleaning337
eRetractable hardtop
Opening/closing204
Wind screen209
Luggage cover210
Sunshade for panorama
roof*213

109 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Important notes on using KEYLESS-GO

You can also use the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO like a normal SmartKey
(
page 104).

You can combine KEYLESS-GO func-
tions with normal SmartKey functions
(e.g. unlocking with KEYLESS-GO and
locking with the ‹button).

Always carry the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO with you.

Never store the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO together with:

Electronic items such as a cellular
phone or another SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO

Metallic objects such as coins or
metal foil
Doing so could impair the function of
the KEYLESS-GO system.
iCanada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
iYou can also close the power windows
(
page 201) and the retractable hardtop using
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO (
page 206).
iWhen you unlock the vehicle, the
electro-hydraulic brake system is activated.
!If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO, then the
batteries in the SmartKey are discharged, the
SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is malfunctioning or
the vehicle battery is drained.

Check the batteries in the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO (
page 113) and replace
them if necessary (
page 407).

Use the mechanical key to unlock the
driver’s door (
page 403) and the
trunk (
page 404).

Have the vehicle batteries and their
connections checked (
page 427).

Use the mechanical key to lock or unlock the
doors (
page 405).
If the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO is malfunc-
tioning, contact Roadside Assistance or an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

147 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Table continued on next page.
Menu 1Menu 2Menu 3Menu 4Menu 5
Standard displayAMG1AUDIO NAVDistronic*
(page 149)(page 150)(page 153)(page 155)(page 156)
Commands/submenus
Calling up digital
speedometer/Outside
temperatureEngine oil temperatureSelecting radio stationShow route guidance
instructions, current
direction traveledCalling up settings
Calling up maintenance
service indicatorVehicle supply voltageSelecting satellite radio
station
Checking tire inflation
pressureRACETIMEROperating CD player
Checking engine oil
level*Overall analysis
Lap analysis
1AMG vehicles only.

149 Controls in detail
Control system
Standard display menu
1Main odometer
2Outside temperature
3Current gear selector lever position
4Trip odometer
5Automatic transmission program mode
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the standard display
menu in the multifunction display.You can modify the standard display menu.
Instead of outside temperature 2, you
can choose the digital speedometer to be
displayed in the left multifunction display
by changing the setting in the
Select
Display
function of the Inst. Cluster
submenu (
page 161).
Press button k or jto select
the functions in the standard display
menu.
The following functions are available:Calling up digital speedometer or out-
side temperature
Press button k or juntil the
digital speedometer or, depending on
the chosen setting, the outside temper-
ature appears in the right multifunction
display.
FunctionPage
Calling up digital speedometer or
outside temperature149
Calling up maintenance service
indicator332
Checking tire inflation pressure302
Checking engine oil level*284
iIf you have selected the digital speedometer
for the standard display (
page 161), select the
outside temperature display here.

281 Operation
At the gas station
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For information on refilling the reservoir,
see “Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system” (
page 289).
Brake fluid
For information on brake fluid, see “Fuels,
coolants, lubricants, etc.” (
page 457).Coolant level
For information on checking the coolant
level, see “Coolant” (
page 288).
Engine oil level
For more information on checking the en-
gine oil level, see “Engine oil”
(
page 283).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information, see “Replacing bulbs”
(
page 409).
Exterior lamp switch, see “Switching on
headlamps” (
page 57).
Tire inflation pressure
For information on checking the tire infla-
tion pressure, see “Checking tire inflation
pressure” (
page 302).
!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. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see the “Practi-
cal hints” section (
page 381).

283 Operation
Engine compartment
Pull hood release1.
The hood is unlocked.
2Lever for opening the hood
Push lever2 on the hood upwards.
Pull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be automatically held
open at shoulder height by gas-filled
struts. Closing
Let the hood drop from a height of
approximately 11/2ft (50 cm).
The hood will lock audibly.
Check to make sure the hood is fully
closed.
If you can raise the hood at a point
above the headlamps, then it is not
properly closed. Open it again and let it
drop with somewhat greater force.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new

the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
!To avoid damage to the windshield wipers or
hood, never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.Warning!G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hand or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged be-
fore driving. Do not continue driving if the
hood can no longer engage after an accident
for example. The hood could otherwise
come loose while the vehicle is in motion
and injure you and/or others.
!Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty. More
information on this subject is available at any
Mercedes-Benz Center.

284 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the
control system* (except SL 550)
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

with the engine at operating tempera-
ture, the vehicle must have been sta-
tionary for at least 5 minutes with the
engine turned off

with the engine not at operating tem-
perature, the vehicle must have been
stationary for at least 30 minutes with
the engine turned off
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
The standard display (
page 143)
should appear in the multifunction dis-
play.
Press buttonk orj on the
steering wheel until the following
message appears in the multifunction
displays:
After about 3 seconds, the following
message appears in the left multifunc-
tion display:
Engine Oil Measuring
Now
.One of the following messages will
subsequently appear in the right multi-
function display:

Engine Oil Level
OK

Add 1.0 qt
to reach max.
oil level
.
(Canada:
1.0 liter)

Add 1.5 qts
to reach max.
oil level
.
(Canada:
1.5 liters)

Add 2.0 qts
to reach max.
oil level
.
(Canada:
2.0 liters)
iIn vehicles without engine oil measuring
system, the engine oil level is measured via the
oil dipstick (
page 286).
iIf you want to interrupt the checking
procedure, press thek orj button on
the multifunction steering wheel.

285 Operation
Engine compartment
If necessary, add engine oil.
For information on adding engine oil, see
(
page 286).
For more information on engine oil, see the
“Technical data” section (
page 457) and
(
page 460).
Other display messages
If the SmartKey or the KEYLESS-GO*
start/stop button is not in position2, the
following message will appear:
Turn ignition on
to measure
engine oil level
.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).If you see the message:
Observe
Waiting Time
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before repeating
the check procedure.
If the engine is not at operating temper-
ature yet, wait 30 minutes before re-
peating the check procedure.
If you see the message:
Engine Oil Level
Not With
Engine Running
Turn off the engine.
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture, wait 5 minutes before checking
oil.
If the engine is at operating tempera-
ture yet, you must wait 30 minutes be-
fore checking oil.If there is excess engine oil with the engine
at normal operating temperature, the
following message will appear:
Engine Oil Level
Reduce Oil Level
Have excess oil siphoned or drained
off. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
For more information on messages in the
display concerning engine oil, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 388).
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine and
emission control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

286 Operation
Engine compartment
Checking engine oil level with the oil
dipstick (SL 550 only)
When checking the oil level

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

the vehicle must have been stationary
for at least 5 minutes with the engine
turned off
1Oil dipstick
2Upper mark
3Lower mark
Open the hood (page 282).
Pull out oil dipstick 1.
Wipe oil dipstick 1 clean.
Fully insert oil dipstick 1 into the dip-
stick guide tube.
Pull out oil dipstick 1 again after ap-
proximately 3 seconds to obtain accu-
rate reading.
The oil level is correct when it is be-
tween lower mark 3 (min.) and upper
mark 2 (max.) of the oil dipstick.
If necessary, add engine
oil (
page 286).
For more information on engine oil, see
“Technical data” section (
page 457) and
(
page 460).
For information on messages in the multi-
function display concerning engine oil, see
the “Practical hints” section (
page 388).Adding engine oil
iIn vehicles without an oil dipstick, the engine
oil level is measured via the control
system (
page 284).
iThe filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt. (2.0 l).
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the
Maintenance System, or changing of oil and oil
filter at change intervals longer than those called
for by the Maintenance System will result in
engine or emission control system damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.