maintenance MERCEDES-BENZ SL65AMG 2006 R230 Owner's Guide

360 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
#
Visit
workshop!
There is a malfunction in the elec-
tronic system.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Convenience functions
Temporarily
Unavailable
The consumer battery has insuffi-
cient voltage and can no longer sup-
ply the convenience functions such
as seat ventilation*.
The electrical consumers will come back online
as soon as on-board voltage is sufficient.
2
Brake
wear
Visit
workshop
The brake pads have reached their
wear limit.

Have the brake pads replaced as soon as pos-
sible.
!Brake pad thickness must be visually
checked by a qualified technician at the
intervals specified in the Maintenance
Booklet.

414 Practical hintsBatteries
have cell caps and the battery cover is
non-removable. Do not attempt to
open the consumer battery as other-
wise the battery will be damaged.
Even though VRLA batteries do not
require topping-up of the electrolyte
level and cannot be opened to check
the electrolyte level, the battery condi-
tion must be checked periodically by
performing a battery conductance test.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for bat-
tery condition testing intervals.
As with any other battery, disconnect
the consumer battery if you do not in-
tend to operate your vehicle for an
extended period of time to prevent bat-
tery discharge or connect an accessory
battery charge unit expressly approved
by Mercedes-Benz for your vehicle
model to maintain the battery charge.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center for further information.
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!Never loosen or detach battery termi-
nal clamps while the engine is running
or the SmartKey is in the starter switch.
Otherwise the alternator and other
electronic components could be se-
verely damaged.
Have the starter battery checked regu-
larly by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Refer to Maintenance Booklet for main-
tenance intervals or contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for further
information.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an acci-
dent.

447 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.
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 conditioning 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.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
provide you with additional information.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of spec-
ification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles), or changing oil and oil filter at
change intervals 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.
Please follow Maintenance System
(U.S. vehicles) or FSS (Canada vehi-
cles) recommendations for scheduled
oil changes. Failure to do so could re-
sult in engine damage not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Under extremely strenuous operating condi-
tions, this moisture content can lead to the
formation of bubbles in the system, thus
reducing the system’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be replaced
regularly. Refer to your vehicle’s Mainte-
nance Booklet for replacement interval.

450 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.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.Coolant system design and coolant used
stipulate the replacement interval. The re-
placement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see
Factory Approved Service Products pam-
phlet) are used to renew the coolant con-
centration or bring it back up to the proper
level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approx. - 22°F [-30°C]). If
you use a solution that is more than 55%
anticorrosion/antifreeze (freeze protec-
tion to approx. - 49°F [-45°C]), the engine
temperature will increase due to the lower
heat transfer capability of the solution.
Therefore, do not use more than this
amount of anticorrosion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion /Antifreeze
should be used to bring it up to the proper
level (have cooling system checked for
signs of leakage). Please make sure the
mixture is in accordance with label instruc-
tions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

455 Technical terms
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine pro-
duced.
ESP
®(Electronic S
tability P
rogram)
Improves vehicle handling and direc-
tional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency T
ensioning D
evice)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem's threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRSFSS (Canada vehicles)
(F
lexible S
ervice S
ystem)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. FSS evaluates en-
gine temperature, oil level, vehicle
speed, engine speed, distance driven
and the time elapsed since your last
maintenance service, and calls for the
next maintenance service accordingly.
GAWR
(G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 311)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector le-
ver.GPS
(G
lobal P
ositioning S
ystem)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
(
page 311)
GVWR
(Gross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
(
page 311)
Head-thorax airbag
Installed in the doors, these airbags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side airbags,
head-thorax airbags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.

456 Technical termsInstrument cluster
The displays and indicator/warning
lamps in the driver’s field of vision, in-
cluding the tachometer, speedometer,
engine temperature and fuel gauge.
KEYLESS-GO*
System for entering and operating the
vehicle without the use of a key.
Kickdown
Depressing the accelerator past the
point of resistance shifts the transmis-
sion down to the lowest possible gear.
This very quickly accelerates the vehi-
cle and should not be used for normal
acceleration needs.
Kilopascal (kPa)
(
page 311)
Locking knob
Knob on the door which indicates
whether the door is locked or un-
locked. Pushing the locking knob down
on an individual door from inside will
lock that door.Maintenance System (U.S. vehicles)
Maintenance service indicator in the
multifunction display that informs the
driver when the next vehicle mainte-
nance service is due. The Maintenance
System tracks distance driven and the
time elapsed since the last mainte-
nance service, calculates other mainte-
nance service work required, and calls
for the next maintenance service ac-
cordingly.
Maximum load rating
(
page 311)
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
(page 311)
Maximum tire inflation pressure
(page 311)
Memory function
Used to store three individual seat,
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirror positions.MON
The Motor Octane Number for gasoline
as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Multifunction display
Two display fields in the instrument
cluster used to present information
provided by the control system.
Multifunction steering wheel
Steering wheel with buttons for operat-
ing the control system.
Normal occupant weight
(
page 311)

464 IndexCorner-illuminating front fog lamps* 127
Replacing bulbs 391
Courtesy lighting 131
Cruise control 204, 454
Messages in the multifunction
display 349, 350
Cup holder 232
Cup holders
Cleaning 329
Curb weight 310, 454
Customer Assistance Center see CAC
D
Daytime running lamp mode 125
Setting 152
Deep water see Standing water
Defogging, Windshield 187
Defrosting, Front 186
Defrosting, Rear 179
Delayed switch-off
Exterior lamps 154
Interior lighting 155
Department of Transportation see DOT
Difficulties
While driving 56
With starting the engine 50
Digital clock see ClockDigital speedometer 140
Dimensions, Vehicle 443
Direction of rotation (tires) 284
Displays
Digital speedometer 140
Distronic* 209
Maintenance service indicator 318
Multifunction display 135
Outside temperature 134, 140
Symbol messages 359
Text messages 347
Vehicle status message memory 144
Vehicle status messages 345
Distance to empty (range), Trip
computer 158
Distance warning function* 215
Activating 216
Deactivating 216
Intermittent warning sound 215
Symbol 143, 211
Distronic indicator lamp* 25Distronic* 207, 454
“Resume” function 214
Activating 212
Cleaning system sensor cover 325
Control system 143, 211
Distance warning function 215
Driving hints 216
System sensor cover 325
Warning and indicator lamps 209,
215, 338
Door
Control panel 32
Handle, Inside 32
Locking/unlocking,
KEYLESS-GO* 35, 62
Locking/unlocking, Mechanical
key 385, 387
Locking/unlocking, SmartKey 34, 62
Messages in the multifunction
display 369
Opening from inside 107
Storage compartment 228
Door control panel 32
Door handle 32
DOT 311, 454
Drinking and driving 257

469 Index
Engine diagnostics 335, 336
Engine malfunction 27
ESP
®
85
Fuel reserve 338
Seat belts 340
SRS 65, 341
Turn signals 25
Language
Multifunction display 150
Leather upholstery
Cleaning 330
License plate lamps 152, 392, 396
Light alloy wheels, cleaning 329
Light sensor 376
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Instruments 132
Interior 130
Settings (control system) 152
Trunk 131
Limiting the gear range 167
Limp Home Mode 176
Load assist 236
Lowering manually 388
Loading terminology 310
Loading the vehicle 284Lock buttons 34
Door handle (KEYLESS-GO*) 62
Trunk (KEYLESS-GO*) 105
Locking 58
Centrally from inside 113
Global (SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO*) 104
Global (SmartKey) 98
Storage compartments 230
Trunk lid, Valid locking 110
Vehicle in an emergency 387
Low beam headlamps 53, 123, 392
Replacing bulbs 394
Lowering
Load assist manually 388
Roll bar 76
Luggage compartment, rear 231
Luggage cover 196
Messages in display 382
Opening/closing 196
Lumbar support adjustment 116
M
Main fuse box 425
Maintenance
Calling up maintenance service indica-
tor display 319Clearing maintenance service indicator
message 318
Maintenance service indicator
message 318
Maintenance service term
exceeded 319
Resetting maintenance service
indicator 320
Maintenance service
When due 318
Maintenance service indicator 318
Maintenance System (U.S.
vehicles) 318, 456
Malfunction memory 144
Calling up 145
Clearing 145
Manual operation
Interior lighting control 131
Locking the vehicle 387
Lowering load assist 388
Unlocking storage
compartments 386
Unlocking the driver’s door 385
Unlocking the trunk 386
Manual shift program SL 55 AMG and SL
65 AMG 173

471 Index
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 169
Canceling gear range limit 169
Downshifting 169
Upshifting 169
Opening
Doors from the inside 107
Fuel filler flap 269
Hood 272
Luggage cover 196
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 199
Retractable hardtop (switch) 196
Side windows 193
Storage compartment in the
armrest 229
Storage compartment in the center
console 229
Sunshade 203
Trunk from inside vehicle 108
Trunk lid 108
Windows 192
Operating
CD player 142
Navigation system 143
Radio 141
Telephone* 159Ornamental moldings 325
Overdue maintenance service 319
Overhead control panel 31
Overspeed range 133, 457
P
Paintwork code see Certification label
Panic alarm 81
Panic button on SmartKey 81
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 203
Sunshade closing 203
Sunshade opening 203
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 231
Parcel net in trunk 231
Parking 261
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 223
Parking brake
Engaging 59
Releasing 51
Parking brake pedal 23
Parking lamps 392
Switching on 123
Parktronic* 30, 223, 457
Activating 226
Cleaning system sensors 326Malfunctioning 227
Minimum distance 225
Range 224
Rear sensors 225
System sensors 326
Warning indicators 23, 225
Parktronic* deactivation switch 30
Parts service 428
Passenger side
Front airbag 70
Head-thorax airbag 71
Pedals 257
Phone book* 160
Loading 160
Quick search 160
Phone number*
Dialing 160
Redialing 161
Poly-V-belt drive 457
Layout 431
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 299
Pounds per square inch see PSI
Power assistance 258
Power outlet 237

473 Index
Rim 312, 458
Roll bar 75, 458
Lowering 76
Messages in display 379
Raising 76
Warning lamp 27
Roll bar buttons 30
RON 270, 458
Roof see Retractable hardtop
Run Flat Indicator (Canada only) 293
S
Satellite-radio* 141
Seat belt force limiter 74
Seat belts 46, 64, 71
Cleaning 330
Messages in display 379
Warning lamp 340
Seat heating
Switching on 117
Seat ventilation* 120
Switching on 120
Seating capacity 286
Seats
Adjusting height 40
Adjusting lumbar support 116
Adjusting shoulder support 116Heating 117
Massage function 117
Moving 115
Service
Basic service (Service A) 318
Batteries 413
Extended service (Service B) 318
Types 318
Service life (tires) 282
Service System see Maintenance
Setting 151
Convenience functions 156
Daytime running lamp mode 152
Interior lighting delayed
switch-off 155
Lamps and lighting (control
system) 152
Language, multifunction display 150
Locator lighting 153
Lower speed in cruise control 206
Miles/kilometers in
speedometer 149
Night security illumination 154
Radio station 141
Slower speed in cruise control 206
Speedometer display mode 149Time (control system) 150
Units in speedometer 149
Setting the time (hours) 151
Setting the time (minutes) 151
Settings
Convenience functions 156
Resetting all (control system) 146
Selective (SmartKey) 98
Settings menu
Submenus 147
Shelf below rear window, cleaning 330
Shifting
Gear selector lever 162
Gear selector lever positions 164
Into optimal gear range (Automatic
transmission) 169
Shoulder support
Seat adjustment 116
Side marker lamps 392
Cleaning lenses 325