Mercedes-Benz 300 SL User manual

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Mercedes-Benz
SL Operator's Manual
300 SL
500 SL
600 SL

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Product information
Kindly observe the following in your own best interest:
We recommend using Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as conversion parts and accessories explicitly approved by us for
your vehicle model. We have tested these parts to determine their reliability, safety and their special suitability for Mercedes-
Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for other products and therefore cannot be held responsible for them, even if in individual cases
an official approval or authorization by governmental or other agencies should exist. Use of such parts and accessories could
adversely affect the safety, performance or reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use them. Mercedes-Benz original parts as well as
conversion parts and accessories approved by us are available at your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center where you will receive
comprehensive information, also on permissible technical modifications, and where proper installation will be performed.
Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Further, it exemplifies your desire to own an
automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To ensure your pleasure of ownership, and
for your safety and that of your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of your time:
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside. Then return it to your vehicle where it will be handy for
your reference.
• Please abide by the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your Mercedes-Benz.
• Please abide by the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety
of the vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
DaimlerChrysler AG

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Operator's manual
This Operator's Manual contains a great deal of useful information. We urge you to read it carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of the vehicle, we urge you to follow the instructions and warnings contained in this
manual. Ignoring them could result in damage to the vehicle or personal injury to you or others. Vehicle damage caused by failure to
follow instructions is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment described in this manual. Therefore, you may find explanations for optional
equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have any questions about the operation of any equipment, your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information Booklet contains detailed information about the warranties covering your Mercedes-Benz,
including:
•New Car Limited Warranty,
•Emission System Warranty,
•Emission Performance Warranty,
•California, Massachusetts, and Vermont Emission Control System Warranty
(California, Massachusetts, and Vermont only),
•State Warranty Enforcement Laws (Lemon Laws).

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Important notice for California retail buyers of Mercedes-Benz automobiles
Under California law you may be entitled to a replacement of your vehicle or a refund of the purchase price, if Mercedes-Benz
USA,LLC or its authorized Mercedes-Benz Center fails to conform the vehicle to its express warranties after a reasonable number of
repair attempts during the period of one year or 12 000 miles from original delivery of the vehicle. A reasonable number of repair
attempts is presumed for a retail buyer (1) if the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of substantial nonconformities for a
cumulative total of more than 30 calendar days or (2) the same substantial non-conformity has been subject to repair four or more
times and you have at least once directly notified us in writing of the need to repair the non-conformity and have given us an
opportunity to perform the repair ourselves. Notifications should be sent to the nearest Mercedes-Benz Regional Office listed
in the Service and Warranty Information Booklet.
Maintenance
The Service Booklet describes all the necessary maintenance work which should be performed at regular intervals.
Always have the Service Booklet with you when you take the vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for service.
The service advisor will record each service in the booklet for you.
Roadside assistance
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program provides factory trained technical help in the event of a breakdown. Calls to the
toll-free Roadside Assistance number:
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA)
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada)
will be answered by Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Representatives 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance Program brochure in your glove box.

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Change of address or ownership
If you change your address, be sure to send in the "Change of Address Notice" found in the Service and Warranty Information
Booklet, or simply call the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center (in the USA) at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in
Canada) at 1-800-387-0100. It is in your own interest that we can contact you should the need arise.
If you sell your Mercedes, please leave all literature with the vehicle to make it available to the next operator.
If you bought this vehicle used, be sure to send in the "Notice of Purchase of Used Car" found in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet, or call the Mercedes-Benz Client Assistance Center (in the USA)
at 1-800-FOR-MERCedes, or Customer Service (in Canada) at 1-800-387-0100.
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign countries, please be aware that:
• Service facilities or replacement parts may not be readily available,
• unleaded gasoline for vehicles with catalytic converters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels will damage the catalysts,
• gasoline may have a considerably lower octane rating, and improper fuel can cause engine damage.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for delivery in Europe under our European Delivery Program.
For details, consult your authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or write to:
In the USA: In Canada:
Mercedes-Benz USA, Mercedes-Benz Canada, Inc.
LLC European Delivery Department European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive 849 Eglinton Avenue East
Montvale, NI 07645-0350 Toronto, Ontario M4G 2L5

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We continuously strive to improve our product, and ask for your understanding that we reserve the right to make changes in design
and equipment. Therefore, information, illustrations and descriptions in this Operator's Manual might differ from your vehicle.
Optional equipment is also described in this manual, including operating instructions wherever necessary. Since they are special-order
items, the descriptions and illustrations herein may vary slightly from the actual equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not shown or described in this Operator's Manual, your authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center will be glad to inform you of correct care and operating procedures.
The Operator's Manual and Service Booklet are important documents and should be kept with the vehicle.

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Check Regularly and Before a Long Trip
See Index
The First 1000 Miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle during the break-in period, the more satisfied you will be with its performance later on.
Therefore, drive your vehicle during the first 1500 km (1000 miles) at moderate vehicle and engine-speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle driving) and high RPM (no more than 2/3 of maximum permissible speed in each
gear as indicated on the speedometer).
Downshift at proper engine speed!
On vehicles with automatic transmission avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended to brake the vehicle by manually
shifting to a lower gear. We recommend to select positions "4" (for model 300 SL), "3" or "2" only at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).
After 1500 km (1000 miles) speeds may be gradually increased to the permissible maximum.

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Introduction Power Seats 34 Hardtop 64
Orthopedic Seat Backrest 37 Soft top 68
Product information 2Heated Seats 38 Wind Screen 71
Operator's manual 4Armrest 39 Antenna 73
Consumer Information 144 Adjusting steering column 39 Cellular Telephone 73
Problems with your vehicle 145 Seat belts and Supplemental
restraint system (SRS)
40
Reporting Safety Defects 146 Seat belts 40 Driving
Index 145 Emergency Tensioning Retractor
(ETR)
44
Airbags 45 Drinking and Driving 76
Instruments and controls Steering Lock 50 Parking Brake 76
Combination Switch 52 Driving Off 76
Instruments and controls 10 Exterior Lamp Switch 54 Manual Transmission 77
Instrument Cluster 12 Exterior Rear View Mirrors 55 Automatic Transmission 78
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13 Inside Rear View Mirror 56 Cruise Control 83
Catalytic Converter 14 Sun Visors 57 Charge Indicator Lamp 85
Starting and Turning Off the Engine 15 Setting Clock 57 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge with Oil
Pressure Warning Lamp
85
Driving Instructions 16 Storage Compartment (Eyeglasses
Compartment) in the Dashboard
58 Low Engine Oil Level Warning Lamp 86
Console Storage Compartments 58 Engine Oil Consumption 86
Operation Door Pockets 59 Fuel Consumption Gauge 86
Rear Storage Compartments 59 Fuel Reserve Warning Lamp 87
Automatic Climate Control 22 Lighter 59 Outside Temperature Indicator 87
Car keys 26 Interior Lighting 60 Coolant Temperature Gauge 87
Infrared Remote Control 27 Low Engine Coolant Level
Warning Lamp 88
Central locking system 29 Rear Window Defroster 61 Low Windshield and Head Lamp
Washer Fluid Level Warning Lamp
88
Interior Central Locking System 32 Power Windows 62 Roll Bar Warning Lamp 88
Anti-Theft Alarm System 33 Roll Bar 62 Seat Belt and Backrest Lock
Warning Lamp
89

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Exterior Lamp Failure Indicator
Lamp
89 Wheels 103 Technical Data. Fuels, Coolants,
Lubricants etc. Consumer
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp 90 Changing Wheels 104 Information
Brake Warning Lamp 90 Tire Pressure 108
Antilock Brake System (ABS)
Warning Lamp 91
Battery 109 Identification Plates
Warranty Coverage
130
131
Automatic Locking Differential 92 Spark Plugs 110
Acceleration Slip Control (ASR) 92 Fuses 110 Technical Data
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 94 Adjusting Headlamps 111 300SL 132
Emission Control 95 Replacing Bulbs 111 500SL 134
On-Board Diagnostic System
Traveling Abroad 96
Jump Starting 113 600 SL 136
Winter Driving 96 Towing the Vehicle 115 Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc. 138
Snow Chains 96 Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 116 Capacities 139
Testing Infrared Remote Control 120 Engine Oils 141
Practical Hints Locking Soft Top Manually 121 Air Conditioner Refrigerant 141
Locking Hardtop Manually 124 Brake Fluid 141
Hood 98 Ski Rack 125 Premium Unleaded Gasoline 141
Checking Coolant Level 99 Ashtray 125 Fuel Requirements 142
Adding Coolant 99 Manual Release of Fuel Filler Flap 125 Gasoline Additives 142
Checking Engine Oil Level 100 Replacing Wiper Blades 126 Coolants 143
Checking Automatic
Transmission Fluid Level
101 Layout of Poly-V-Belt Drive 127 Check regularly and before a long trip 152
Spare Wheel
First Aid Kit
102
102
MERCEDES-BENZ
Spare Parts Service
127
Trunk Lamp 102
Vehicle Jack 103
Vehicle Tools 103

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Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see Index.
1 Adjustable air outlet 17 Air volume control for right air outlet
2 Exterior lamp switch 18 Automatic climate control
3 Parking brake release 19 Radio
4 Hood lock release 20 Rear window defroster switch
5 Parking brake pedal 21 Indicator lamp for Anti-theft alarm system
6 Combination switch 22 Hazard warning flasher switch
7 Cruise control 23 Adaptive damping system adjustment switch
8 Horn, airbag 24 Snow chain switch
9 Instrument cluster 25 Roll bar operation switch
10 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch 26 Compartment (to open press bottom of cover)
11 Adjustable air outlet 27 Mirror adjustment switch
12 Heated air supply button - center air outlet 28 Soft/hardtop operation switch
13 Non heated/cooled air supply button - center air outlet 29 Seat heater switch
14 Storage/eyeglasses compartment 30 Power window switch
15 Air volume control for left air outlet 31 Ashtray with lighter
16 Air volume control for center air outlet