1994 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (SL320/SL500/SL600) R129 Owners Manual

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

2 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

3 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).

4 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.

5 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

6 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.

7 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 1000 miles (1500 km) at moderate vehicle and engine speeds. During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle driving) and high RPM. . 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 "B" (for models SL 500 and SL 600) only at moderate speeds (for hill driving). After 1000 miles (1500 km) speeds may be gradually increased to the permissible maximum. Maintenance We strongly recommend that you have your vehicle serviced by your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer, in accordance with the Mainte- nance 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.

8 Introduction Heated Seats 38 Soft top 67 Product information 2 Armrest 39 Wind Screen 70 Operator's manual 4 Adjusting steering column 39 Antenna 72 Consumer Information 141 Seat belts 40 Cellular Telephone 72 Problems with your vehicle Reporting Safety Defects 142 143 Seat belts and Supplemental restraint system (SRS) 40 Driving Index 146 Emergency tensioning retractor (ETR) Airbags 44 45 Drinking and Driving 74 Instruments and controls Steering Lock 50 Parking Brake 74 Exterior Lamp Switch 51 Driving off 74 Instruments and controls 10 Combination Switch 52 Engine Oil Pressure Gauge 74 Instrument Cluster 12 Exterior rear view mirror 54 Tachometer 74 Indicator Lamp Symbols Catalytic Converter 13 14 Inside rear view mirror 55 Automatic Transmission Cruise Control 75 80 Starting and Turning Off the Engine Driving Instructions 15 16 Instrument Lamps Display Illumination 55 55 Charge Indicator Lamp with oil pressure warning lamp 82 Operation Trip odometer Sun Visors 55 56 Engine oil pressure Gauge with oil pressure warning lamp 83 Setting clock Console storage compartments 56 57 Low Engine Oil Level Warning Lamp Engine Oil Consumption 83 83 Automatic Climate Control Car Keys 22 26 Storage Compartments (Eyeglasses compartment) in dashboard 57 Fuel Consumption Gauge Fuel Reserve Warning Lamps 83 84 Infrared Remote Control Interior central locking system 27 32 Door pockets Lighter 58 58 Outside Temperature Indicator Coolant Temperature Gauge 84 84 Interior Central Locking System Anti-Theft Alarm System 32 33 Interior Lighting Power Windows 59 61 Low Engine Coolant Level Warning Lamp 85 Power seats Orthopedic seat Backrest 34 37 Roll Bar Hardtop 62 63 Low windshield & headlamp washer system fluid level warning lamp 85

Roll Bar Warning Lamp 86 Spare Wheel 100 Technical Data. Fuels, Coolants, Seat Belt and Backrest Lock Warning Lamp 86 First Aid Kit 100 Lubricants etc. Consumer Info. Exterior Lamp Failure Indicator Lamp 86 Vehicle Jack 101 Identification Plates 128 Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp 87 Vehicle Tools 101 Vehicle Data Card 129 Brake Warning Lamp 87 Wheels 101 Warranty Coverage 129 ABS (Antilock Brake System) Warning Lamp 88 Changing Wheels 103 Technical Data 320 SL 500 SL 130 132 Acceleration Slip Control (ASR) 89 Tire inflation Pressure 106 600SL 134 Adaptive damping system (ADS) 91 Battery 107 Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants etc. 136 Emission Control 92 Fuses 108 Capacities 136 On-Board Diagnostic System (California models only) 92 Exterior lamps 109 Engine Oils 138 Traveling Abroad 93 Jump Starting 111 Engine Oils additives 148 Winter Driving 93 Towing the Vehicle 113 Air conditioner refrigerant 138 Snow Chains 93 Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 114 Brake Fluid 138 Testing Infrared Remote Control 118 Premium Unleaded Gasoline 139 Practical Hints Locking softtop manually 119 Fuel Requirements 139 Locking hardtop manually 122 Gasoline Additives 139 Hood 96 Ashtray 123 Coolants 140 Checking Coolant Level 97 Manual Release of Fuel Filler Flap 123 Check regularly and before a long trip 152 Adding Coolant 97 Ski Rack 123 Checking engine oil level 98 Replacing Wiper Blades 124 Checking Automatic Transmission Fluid Level 99 Layout of Poly-V-Belt Drive 125 Trunk Lamp 100 MERCEDES-BENZ Spare Parts Service 125

10 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

1994 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (SL320/SL500/SL600) R129 Owners Manual

You're Reading a Preview

Recently Viewed