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

Instruments and Controls, Starting the Engine,
Driving Instructions, Service and Maintenance
Instruments and Controls 10
Instrument Cluster 12
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13
Catalytic Converter Cautions 14
Starting and Turning off the
Engine 15
Driving Instructions 16
MERCEDES-BENZ
Maintenance System 19
9

Instruments and Controls
For more detailed descriptions see specified pages.
1 Adjustable air outlets (page 22)
2 Slide lever for adjustable air outlets (page 22)
3 Parking brake release knob (page 58)
4 Hood release handle (page 70)
5 Parking brake pedal (page 58)
6 Combination switch (page 40)
7 Exterior lamp switch (page 39)
8 Instruction tag (except tourist vehicle).
Use only premium unleaded gasoline
9 Cruise control (page 61)
10 Instrument cluster (page 12)
11 Horn control air bag (page 35)
12 Steering lock with ignition/starter switch
(page 38)
13 Adjustable air outlets (page 22)
14 Outside temperature indicator (page 65)
10
15 Rear window defroster switch (page 43)
16 Automatic antenna switch (page 56)
17 Front dome lamps switch (page 44)
18 Radio (page 49)
19 Air recirculation switch (page 22)
20 Automatic climate control (page 22)
21 Ashtray with lighter (page 42 90)
22 Left power window switch (page 44)
23 Left seat heater switch (page 32)
24 Hazard warning flasher system switch
25 Right seat heater switch (page 32)
26 Right power window switch (page 44)
27 Adjusting switch for exterior mirror on front
passenger side (page 41)
28 Glove compartment illuminated (only with key in
steering lock positions 1 or 2)
To open slide handle sideways
29 Loudspeaker cover right and left

11
Instruments and Controls

1902
Instrument Cluster 8 Main odometer
1Turn signal indicator lamp left (green) 9Trip odometer
2Economical driving indicator. See page 66 10 Dimmer knob for instrument lamps
(rotate to vary intensity)
3Coolant temperature gauge. See page 64 11 Knob for clock adjustment
4Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow). (press in for adjustments)
See page 64 12 Electric clock
5Oil pressure gauge (bar). See page 63 13 Tachometer
6Reset knob for trip odometer 14 Red marking on tachometer:
(depress to reset) Excessive engine speed
7Speedometer 15 Turn signal indicator lamp right (green)
12

Indicator Lamp Symbols
Function Indicator Lamp
High beam
ID
Warning Lamps
(must go out with the engine running)
Battery not being charged.
See page 63
B AKE
(®)
Brake fluid low (except Canada).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 58 63
Brake fluid low (Canada only).
Parking brake engaged.
See pages 58 63.
Brake pad wear.
See page 63
Engine oil level low.
See page 63
Coolant level low.
See page 64
Fluid level for windshield
washer system low.
See page 64
Exterior light failure.
See page 64
ABS malfunction.
See page 62
CHECK
ENGINE
SRS malfunction.
See page 35
Check engine malfunction.
If the lamp comes on when the engine
is running it indicates a malfunction of
the Ofe-sensor on Federal version ve
hicles and injection system or emission
control system on the California version
vehicles. In either case we recommend
that you have the malfunction checked
as soon as possible.
See page 66
Seat belt warning lamp

Catalytic Converter Cautions Caution! Warning!
Your MERCEDES-BENZ is equipped
with monolithic catalytic converters
an important element in conjunction
with the O^-sensor to achieve
substantial control of the pollutants
in the exhaust emissions. Keep
your vehicle in proper operating
condition by following our recom
mended maintenance instructions
as outlined in your maintenance
booklet.
To prevent damage to the catalytic
converters use only premium
unleaded gasoline in this vehicle.
Should any noticeable irregularities
in the engine operation occur ex
cessive unburned fuel may reach
the converter causing it to over
heat.
As with any vehicle, do not idle,
park or operate this vehicle in
areas where combustible
materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system, as
these materials could be ignited.
14

Starting and Turning off the Engine
Engage parking brake and move
the gear selector lever in either “P”
or “N” position before starting the
engine.
Turn key to steering lock position 2.
The charge indicator lamp should
come on.
Cold Engine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise
to the stop. Do not depress accel
erator. Release key only when the
engine is firing regularly.
At ambient temperatures below
—18° C (0° F) depress accelerator
three times prior to starting.
Hot Engine
Turn key in steering lock clockwise
to the stop. Do not depress accel
erator. If the engine has not fired
after approx. 4 seconds depress
accelerator and continue cranking
until the engine is firing regularly.
Release key and back off accele
rator.
At very high coolant temperatures
the engine starting time can be
shortened if the accelerator is
depressed slowly at the beginning
of the starting process.
Turning off
Turn the key to steering lock posi
tion 0 and only remove the key
when the vehicle is stopped.
If the coolant temperature is very
high (e.g. after hard driving on
mountain roads) do not shut off
the engine immediately allow it to
run for 1-2 minutes at increased
idle speed.
Important!
Due to the installed starter non
repeat unit the key must be
returned to steering lock position 0
before a new starting attempt is
made.
Observe the oil pressure gauge im
mediately after starting the engine.
In a very cold engine the oil pres
sure will only rise slowly some time
after the engine has started. Do not
speed up the engine before pres
sure is registered on the pressure
gauge.
The charge indicator lamp should
go out as soon as the engine has
started.
In areas where temperatures
frequently drop below —25° C
(—13° F) we recommend that a
block heater be installed. Your
authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer will advise you on this
subject.

Driving Instructions
Power assistance
When the engine is not running the
brake and steering systems are
without power assistance. Under
these circumstances a much
greater effort is necessary to stop
or steer the vehicle.
Brakes
Caution!
When driving down long and steep
grades relieve the brakes by shift
ing into “3” “2” or “B”. This helps
prevent overheating of the brakes
and reduces brake pad wear. Do
not exceed engine speed limits
(see page 60).
After hard braking it is advisable to
drive on for some time so the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.
Warning!
After driving in heavy rain for
some time without applying the
brakes or through water deep
enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be
somewhat reduced and increased
pedal pressure may be neces
sary. Be sure to maintain a safe
distance from vehicles in front.
The condition of the parking brake
system is checked each time the
car is in the shop for maintenance.
Between maintenance checks it is
a good practice to apply the
parking brake once or twice while
driving at approximately 50 km/h
(30 mph) on a dry straight road.
Apply brake lightly until a slight
drag on the wheels is felt. Keep
applying brake for about 10 sec
onds while pulling the release
knob out before releasing the
parking brake completely. This
practice will keep the parking
brake at maximum efficiency.
Warning!
The stop lamps will not come on
when applying the parking brake
only. Perform the procedure in
the previous paragraph only when
the road is clear of other traffic.
Caution!
Resting your foot on the brake pe
dal will cause excessive and pre
mature wear of the brake pads.
All checks and maintenance work
on the brake system should be
carried out by an authorized
MERCEDES-BENZ dealer.
If the parking brake is released and
the brake warning lamp in the ins
trument cluster stays on the brake
fluid level in the reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the
system may be the reason for low
brake fluid in the reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
at an authorized MERCEDES-BENZ
dealer without delay.
Install only brake pads and brake
fluid recommended by MERCEDES-
BENZ.
If other than recommended brake
pads are installed the braking pro
perties of the vehicle can be affect
ed to an extent that the safety is
substantially impaired.
16

1801
Tires
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are
required by law. These indicators
are located in six places on the
tread circumference and become
visible at a depth of approx. 2 mm
(V16 in) at which point the tire is
considered worn and should be
replaced.
The tread wear indicator appears
as a solid band across the tread.
Warning!
Do not allow your tires to wear
down too far. With less than
3 mm ('/s in) of tread, the adhe
sion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather
and/or road surface (conditions),
the traction varies widely.
Specified tire pressure must be
maintained. This applies particularly
if the tires are subjected to high
loads (e.g. high speeds heavy
loads high ambient temperatures).
Aquaplaning
Depending on the depth of the
water layer on the road aquaplan
ing may occur even at low speeds
and with new tires. Avoid track
grooves in the road and apply
brakes cautiously in the rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet snow
covered or icy road is always lower
than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention
to the condition of the road as
soon as the prevailing temperatures
fall close to the freezing point.
Warning!
If ice has formed on the road, tire
traction will be substantially
reduced. Under such weather
conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
We recommend M + S radial-ply
tires for the winter season for all
four wheels to insure normal bal
anced handling characteristics. On
packed snow they can reduce your
stopping distance as compared
with summer tires. Stopping dis
tance however is still considerably
greater than when the road is wet
or dry.

Parking
Warning!
To reduce the risk of personal in
jury as a result of vehicle move
ment, before leaving the vehicle
always:
1. Keep foot on brake pedal.
2. Firmly depress parking brake
pedal.
3. Slowly release brake pedal.
4. Move the selector lever to
position “P”.
5. Turn front wheels towards the
road curb.
6. Turn the key to steering lock
position 0 and remove.
Note:
It is advisable to set the parking
brake whenever leaving the vehicle.
Also when parking on hills always
apply the parking brake. In addition
move selector lever to positon “P”.
Winter Driving Instructions
The most important rule for slippery
or icy roads is to drive sensibly and
to avoid abrupt acceleration brak
ing and steering action. Do not use
the cruise control system under
such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of
skidding move selector lever to
position “N”. Try to keep the
vehicle under control by corrective
steering action.
Road salts and chemicals can
adversely affect braking efficiency.
Increased pedal force may become
necessary to produce the normal
brake effect. We therefore recom
mend depressing the brake pedal
repeatedly when traveling on salt-
strewn roads at length. This can
bring road salt impaired braking
efficiency back to normal. A prere
quisite is however that this is
possible without endangering other
drivers on the road.
If the vehicle is parked after being
driven on salt treated roads the
braking efficiency should be tested
as soon as possible after driving is
resumed while observing the safety
rules in the previous paragraph.
18