Mercedes-Benz SL 320 User manual

1
Mercedes-Benz
SL Operator's Manual
SL 320
SL
500
SL
600

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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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The First 1000 Miles (1500km)
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 1000 miles
(1500 km) at moderate vehicle and
engine speeds.
During this period, avoid heavy loads
(full throttle driving) and excessive
engine speeds.
Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is
not recommended to brake the vehicle
by manually shifting to a lower gear.
We recommend to select positions "3",
"2" or "1" only at moderate speeds (for
hill driving).
After 1000 miles (1500 km) speeds
may be gradually increased to the
permissible maximum.
Check Regularly and Before a Long
Trip
See Index
Maintenance
We strongly recommend that you have
your vehicle serviced by your
authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, in
accordance with the Maintenance
Booklet.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained
in accordance with the Maintenance
Booklet may result in vehicle damage
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz.
Limited Warranty.
Radio Transmitters
Warning!
Never operate radio transmitters
equipped with a built-in or attached
antenna (i.e. without the telephone
connected to an external antenna)
from inside the vehicle while the
engine is running. Doing so could
lead to a malfunction of the vehicle's
electronic system, possibly resulting
in an accident and personal injury.
Radio transmitters, such as a portable
telephone or a citizens band unit,
should only be used inside the vehicle
if they are connected to an antenna that
is installed on the outside of the
vehicle.

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Introduction
Anti-Theft Alarm System 33 Interior Lighting 59
Product information 2Orthopedic Seat Backrest 37 Rear Window Defroster 60
Operator's manual 4Heated Seats 38 Power Windows 61
Consumer Information 141 Armrest 39 Roll Bar 61
Problems with your vehicle 140 Adjusting steering column 39 Hardtop 63
Reporting Safety Defects 143 Seat Belts and Supplemental
restraint system (SRS)
40
Soft top 67
Index 144 Seat belts 40 Wind Screen 70
Emergency Tensioning Retractor
(ETR) 44 Antenna 72
Instruments and controls Airbags 45 Cellular Telephone 72
Steering Lock 50
Instruments and controls 10 Exterior Lamp Switch 51 Driving
Instrument Cluster 12 Combination Switch 52
Indicator Lamp Symbols 13 Exterior Rear View Mirrors 54 Drinking and Driving 74
Catalytic Converter 14 Inside Rear View Mirror 54 Parking Brake 74
Starting and Turning Off the Engine 15 Sun Visors 55 Driving Off 74
Driving Instructions 16 Vanity Mirrors 55 Automatic Transmission 75
Instrument Lamps 56 Cruise Control 80
Operation Display Illumination 56 Charge Indicator Lamp 82
Trip Odometer 56 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge with Oil 82
Automatic Climate Control 22 Setting Clock 56 Low Engine Oil Level Warning 82
Car Keys 26 Storage Compartment (Eyeglasses Engine Oil Consumption 83
Infrared Remote Control 27 Compartment) in the Dashboard 57 Fuel Consumption Gauge 83
Central Locking System 29 Console Storage Compartments 57 Tachometer 83
Doors 29 Rear Storage Compartments 58 Fuel Reserve Warning Lamp 84
Interior Central Locking System 32 Lighter 58 Outside Temperature Indicator 84
Coolant Temperature Gauge 84

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Low Engine Coolant Level Checking Engine Oil Level 98 Technical Data. Fuels, Coolants,
Warning Lamp 85 Checking Automatic Lubricants etc. Consumer
Information
Low Windshield and Headlamp
Transmission Fluid Level
99 Identification Plates 126
Washer System Fluid Level Warning Trunk Lamp 100 Vehicle data Card 127
Lamp 85 Spare Wheel 100 Warranty Coverage 127
Roll Bar Warning Lamp 86 First Aid Kit 100 Technical Data
Seat Belt and Backrest Lock Stowing Things in Vehicle 100 SL 320 128
Warning Lamp 86 Vehicle Jack 101 SL 500 130
Exterior Lamp Failure Indicator Lamp 86 Vehicle Tools 101 SL 600 132
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp 87 Wheels 103 Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc. 134
Brake Warning Lamp 87 Changing Wheels 103 Capacities 134
Antilock Brake System (ABS) Tire Inflation Pressure 106 Engine Oils 136
Warning Lamp 88 Battery 107 Engine Oil Additives 136
Electronic Traction System (ETS) 89 Fuses 108 Air Conditioner Refrigerant 136
Acceleration Slip Control (ASR) 90 Exterior Lamps 109 Brake Fluid 136
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) 92 Jump Starting 111 Premium Unleaded Gasoline 136
Emission Control 93 Towing the Vehicle 113 Fuel Requirements 137
On-Board Diagnostic System 93 Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 114 Gasoline Additives 137
Traveling Abroad 94 Testing Infrared Remote Control 118 Coolants 138
Winter Driving 94 Ashtray 121 Consumer Information 139
Snow Chains 94 Manual Release of Fuel Filler Flap 121 Problems with your Vehicle 140
Ski Rack 121 Reporting Safety Defects 141
Practical Hints Replacing Wiper Blades 122 Check regularly and before a long trip 148
Hood 96 Layout of Poly-V-Belt Drive 123
Checking Coolant Level 97 MERCEDES-BENZ
Spare Parts Service 123

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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 swit
ch
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 clus
ter
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 contro
l for center air outlet