Mercedes-Benz 300 SL User manual

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Mercedes-Benz
SL Operator's Manual
300 SL
500 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 page 152
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 Anti-Theft Alarm System
Orthopedic Seat Backrest
33
37 Wind Screen 71
Product information 2Heated Seats 38 Antenna 73
Operator's manual 4Arm Rest 39 Cellular Telephone 73
Consumer Information 143 Adjusting steering column 39
Problems with your vehicle 144 Seat belts and Supplemental restraint
system (SRS) 40
Driving
Reporting Safety Defects 145 Seat belts 40
Index 148 Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) 44 Drinking and Driving 76
Airbags 45 Parking Brake 76
Instruments and controls Steering Lock 50 Driving off 76
Combination Switch 52 Manual Transmission 77
Instruments and controls 10 Exterior Lamp Switch 54 Automatic Transmission 78
Instrument Cluster 12 Exterior rear view mirrors 55 Cruise Control 83
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13 Inside rear view mirror 56 Charge Indicator Lamp
Oil Pressure Gauge with Oil 85
Catalytic Converter 14 Sun Visors 57 Pressure Warning Lamp 85
Starting and Turning Off the Engine 15 Setting Clock 57 Low Engine Oil Level Warning Lamp 86
Driving Instructions 16 Storage Compartment (Eyeglasses
Compartment) in the Dashboard 58
Engine Oil Consumption 86
Operation Door Pockets 59 Fuel Consumption Gauge 87
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
Central locking system
27
29
Rear Window Defroster
Roll Bar
61
62
Low Engine Coolant Level
Warning Lamp 88
Interior Central Locking System
Locking and unlocking
Power seats
32
32
34
Power Windows
Hard top
Soft top
62
64
68
Low windshield and headlamp
washer system fluid level warning
lamp 88

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Roll Bar Warning Lamp 88 Spare Wheel 102 Technical Data. Fuels, Coolants,
Seat Belt and Backrest Lock
Warning Lamp 89
First Aid Kit 102 Lubricants etc. Consumer
Information
Exterior Lamp Failure Indicator Lamp 89 Vehicle Jack 103
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp 90 Vehicle Tools 103 Identification Plates 130
Brake Warning Lamp 90 Wheels 103 Theft Prevention 131
ABS (Antilock Brake System)
Warning Lamp
91 Changing Wheels 104 Vehicle Data Card 132
Acceleration Slip Control (ASR) 92 Tire Pressure 108 Warranty Coverage 132
Driving with Snow Chains 92 Battery 109 Technical Data
Automatic Locking Differential (ASD) 92 Spark Plugs 110
300 SL
133
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 94 Fuses 110 500 SL 135
Emission Control 95 Adjusting Headlamps 111 Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc. 137
On-Board Diagnostic System
(California models only) 95
Replacing Bulbs 111 Capacities 137
Traveling Abroad 96 Jump Starting 113 Engine Oils 140
Winter Driving 96 Towing the Vehicle 115 Brake Fluid 140
Snow Chains 96 Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 116 Premium Unleaded Gasoline 140
Testing Infrared Remote Control 120 Fuel Requirements 141
Practical Hints Locking Soft Top Manually 121 Gasoline Additives 141
Locking Hard Top Manua
lly
124 Coolants 140
Hood 98 Ashtray 125 Check regularly and before long trip 152
Checking Coolant Level 99 Manual Release of Fuel Filler Flap 125 At the Gas Station 153
Adding Coolant 99 Ski Rack 125
Checking Automatic Transmission
Fluid Level 101
Replacing Wiper Blades 126
Trunk Lamp 102 Layout of Poly-V-Belt Drive 127
MERCEDES-BENZ
Spare Parts Service 127

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