Mercedes-Benz 560 SL 1986 User manual

What You Should Know
at the Gas Station
See last page
Drive Sensibly — Save Fuel
Fuel consumption to a great extent
depends on driving habits and oper
ating conditions.
To save fuel you should:
• keep tires at the recommended
inflation pressures
• remove unnecessary loads
• remove ski racks or roof-
mounted luggage racks when
not in use
• allow engine to warm up under
low load use
• avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration
• have all maintenance work per
formed at regular intervals by an
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer.
Fuel consumption is also increased
by driving in cold weather in stop-
and-go traffic on short trips and in
hilly country.

Owner's Manual
560 SL
Model 107
1988

Printed in Germany
We reserve the right to modify the technical details of the
vehicle as given in the data and illustrations of this Ow ner’s
Manual (s.e.e.o.). eprinting, translation and copying, even of
excerpts, is not permitted without our prior authorization in
writing.
ZKD/8.87.10/ ung

O u r 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 we ask you to make a small investment of
your time:
• Please read this manual carefully before putting it aside.
• Please consider the recommendations contained in this
manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the
operation of your MERCEDES-BENZ.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe
pleasurable driving.
Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschaft
3

Introduction
This Owner’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. Ignoring them could result in damage to
the vehicle or personal injury.
Your vehicle may have some or all of the equipment
described. Therefore you may find explanations of
equipment not installed in your vehicle. If you have
any questions about the operation of any equipment
your authorized MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be glad
to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy
The Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy Booklet
contains detailed information about the warranties
covering your MERCEDES-BENZ including:
• New Car Limited Warranty
• Emission System Warranty
• Emission Performance Warranty
• California Emission Control System
Warranty (California Only)
4
Maintenance
The Maintenance Booklet describes all the necessary
maintenance work which should be performed at
regular intervals.
Always have the Maintenance Booklet with you when
you take the vehicle to your authorized MERCEDES-
BENZ dealer for service. The Service Advisor will
record each service.
oadside Assistance
Although your Mercedes-Benz is built to be as
trouble-free as possible a Roadside Assistance
Program is available to provide emergency roadside
service after normal dealer hours and on weekends
and holidays in the contiguous United States.
Roadside Assistance is available Monday through Fri
day from 5:00 PM to 12:00 Midnight and on Saturday
Sunday and legal holidays from 8:00 AM to
12:00 Midnight. In the event of a breakdown during
these hours telephone this toll-free number:
1-800-222-0100.
For additional information refer to the Mercedes-Benz
Roadside Assistance Program Booklet in your glove
compartment.

Change of Address or Ownership
If you change your address be sure to send in the
“Change of Address Notice” found in the Owner’s
Service and Warranty Policy Booklet. It is in your own
interest that we can contact you should the need
arise.
If you sell your Mercedes please leave all owner’s
literature with the vehicle to make it available to the
next owner.
If you bought this vehicle used be sure to send in
the “Notice of Purchase of Used Car” found in the
Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy Booklet.
Operating Your Vehicle Outside the U.S.A. or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in foreign coun
tries please be aware that:
• unleaded fuels for vehicles with catalytic conver
ters may not be available; the use of leaded fuels
will damage the catalysts
• fuel may have a considerably lower octane rating
and improper fuel can cause engine damage
• service facilities or replacement parts may not be
readily available.
Certain Mercedes-Benz models are available for deliv
ery in Europe under our European Delivery Program.
For details consult your authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer or write to:
Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc.
European Delivery Department
One Mercedes Drive
Montvale NJ 07645
In Canada write to:
Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
European Delivery Department
849 Eglinton Avenue East
Toronto Ontario M4G 2L5
5

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 Owners Manual, your authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer will be glad to inform you of
correct care and operating procedures.
The Owners Manual and Maintenance Booklet are im
portant documents and should be kept with the vehicle.
6

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine,
Driving Instructions, Service and Maintenance
Operation
Driving
Practical Hints
Technical Data
Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc.
Consumer Information
Index

Check egularly and
Before a Long Trip
See page 108
The First 1500 km (1000 Miles)
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
RPMs (no more than % of maxi
mum permissible speed in each
gear).
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It
is not recommended to brake the
vehicle by manually shifting to a
lower gear. We recommend to se
lect positions “3” or “2” only at
moderate speeds (for hill driving).
After 1500 km (1000 miles) speeds
may gradually be increased to the
permissible maximum.
8