Identification Plates

When ordering spare parts, please specify vehicle

Identification and engine numbers.

1. Certification Tag (left door pillar)

2. Identification Tag

3. Vehicle Identification No.

4. Engine No. (SL 320 right front)

5. Body No. and Paint No.

6. Emission Control Tag

7. Information Tag

California version

Vacuum line routing for emission control system

128

Location of labels

1. Bumper front/rear

2. Engine hood

3. Trunk lid

4. All fenders

5. All doors

Engine*: on engine block:

300 SL, rear

500 SL, left rear

Transmission*: on transmission, left front

* not shown in illustration

Theft Prevention

This vehicle complies with the Federal

Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard

(49 CFR Part 541). Engine, transmission and certain body parts (see illustration) are labeled at factory, the labels show the

VIN-number of this vehicle.

Spare parts are similarly labeled at factory in a different location. The labels show the letter R (for replacement) instead of the VINnumber.

Note:

Do not remove these labels. These labels are intended for parts identification in case of theft. When replacing parts subject to labeling, please make sure that the parts you receive are labeled properly. This is especially important when work is performed outside of the United States.

129

Vehicle Data Card

The vehicle data card contains all important data pertaining to the vehicle. It should be kept in the maintenance booklet where indicated, and it is needed when obtaining replacement or additional keys at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Warranty Coverage

Your car is covered under the terms of the "warranties" printed in the Owner's

Service and Warranty Policy Booklet and your authorized MERCEDES-

BENZ dealer will exchange or repair any defective parts in accordance with the terms of the following warranties:

1. New vehicle limited warranty

2. Emission systems warranty

3. Emission performance warranty

4. California emission control systems warranty. (State of

California only, unless purchased optionally for diesel models)

Loss of Owner's Service and

Warranty Policy

Should you lose your Owner's Service and Warranty Policy Booklet, have your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer arrange for a replacement. It will be mailed to you.

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Technical Data 300 SL

Model

Engine

Mode of operation

No. of cylinders

Bore

Stroke

Total piston displacement

Compression ratio

Output acc.to SAE J 1349

Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349

Maximum engine speed

Firing order

Poly – V belts length

300 SL (129 061)

1

104

4-stroke engine, gasoline injection

6

88.50 mm (3.48 in)

80.25 mm (3.16 in)

2960 m³ (180.6 cu.in)

10

170 kW/6300rpm

(228 hp/6300 rpm)

272 Nm/4600 rpm

(201 ft-lb/4600 rpm)

7000 rpm

1-5-3-6-2-4

2445 mm

1 The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle. See an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for the corresponding data for all special bodies and special equipment.

Rims – Tires

Rims (light alloy rims)

Wheel offset

Summer tires:

Radial-ply tires

Winter tires:

Radial-ply tires

Electrical System

Alternator

Starter motor

Battery

Spark plugs

Electrode gap

8J x 16 H 2

34 mm (1.3 in)

225/55 ZR 16

225/55 R 16 93 T M+S

225/55 R 16 93 H M+S

14 V/100A

12 V/1.7 kW

12 V/92 Ah

Bosch F 9 DCO

Beru 14 F-9 DUO

Champion C 12 YCC

0.8 mm (0.032 in)

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Technical Data 300 SL

Weights

Hardtop load max.

Trunk load max.

See certification tag

30 kg (66 lb)

100 kg (220 lb)

Main Dimensions

Overall vehicle length

Overall vehicle width

Overall height:

Soft top

Hardtop

Wheel base

Track, front

Track, rear

4470 mm (176.0 in)

1812 mm ( 71.3 in)

1298 mm ( 51.1 in)

1288 mm ( 50.7 in)

2515 mm ( 99.0 in)

1535 mm ( 60.4 in)

1523 mm ( 60.0 in)

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Technical Data 500 SL

Model 500 SL (129 066) 1

Engine

Mode of operation

No. of cylinders

Bore

Stroke

Total piston displacement

Compression ratio

Output acc.to SAE J 1349

Maximum torque acc. to SAE J 1349

Maximum engine speed

Firing order

Poly – V - belts length

1.

119

4-stroke engine, gasoline injection

8

96.50 mm (3.80 in)

85.00 mm (3.35 in)

4973 m³ (305.5 cu.in)

10

240 kW/5500rpm

(322 hp/5500 rpm)

450 Nm/4000 rpm

(332 ft-lb/4000 rpm)

6000 rpm

1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2

2523mm

The quoted data apply only to the standard vehicle.

See an authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer for the corresponding data of all special bodies and special equipment.

Rims – Tires

Rims (light alloy rims)

Wheel offset

Summer tires:

Radial-ply tires

Winter tires:

Radial-ply tires

Electrical System

Alternator

Starter motor

Battery

Spark plugs

Electrode gap

8J x 16 H 2

34 mm (1.3 in)

225/55 ZR 16

225/55 R 16 93 T M+S

225/55 R 16 93 H M+S

14 V/100A

12 V/1.7 kW

12 V/92 Ah

Bosch F 8 DCO

Beru 14 F-8 DUO

Champion C 10 YCC

0.8 mm (0.032 in)

133

Technical Data 500 SL

Weights

Hardtop load max.

Trunk load max.

See certification tag

30 kg ( 66 lb)

100 kg (220 lb)

Main Dimensions

Overall vehicle length

Overall vehicle width

Overall height:

Soft top

Hardtop

Wheel base

Track, front

Track, rear

4470 mm (176.0 in)

1812 mm ( 71.3 in)

1298 mm ( 51.1 in)

1288 mm ( 50.7 in)

2515 mm ( 99.0 in)

1532 mm ( 60.4 in)

1521 mm ( 60.0 in)

134

Fuels , Coolants, Lubricants etc. - Capacities

Vehicle components and their respective lubricants must match

.

Therefore use only brands tested and recommended by us.

Inquire at your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Engine with oil filter

Model

300 SL

500 SL

Capacity

7.5 l (7.9 US qt)

8.0 l (8.5 US qt)

Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.

Recommended engine oils

135

5-speed manual transmission

Automatic transmission

Model

300 SL

300 SL

500 SL

Rear axle

Rear axle with automatic

Locking differential (ASD)

Hydraulic system for

Automatic locking

Differential (ASD)

Hydraulic system for adaptive damping damping system (ADS)

Hydraulic system for automatic locking differential (ASD) and adaptive damping

System (ADS) 1

300 SL

300 SL

300 SL

Capacity

1.6 l 1.7 US qt 1.6 l

Initial fill: 7.1 l (7.5 US qt)

Fluid change: 6.0 l (6.3 US qt)

Initial fill: 8.6 l (9.1 qt)

Fluid change: 7.7 l (8.1 US qt)

1.3 l (1.4 US qt )

1.3 l (1.4 US qt ) approx. 2.0 l (2.1 US qt)

Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.

MB manual transmission fluid.

Automatic transmission fluid

Hypoid gear oil SAE 90, 85 W 90

Hypoid gear oil SAE 90 for limited

Slip differential

MB Hydraulic fluid approx. 4.5 l ( 4.8 US qt) approx. 4.5 l (4.8 US qt)

MB Hydraulic fluid

MB Hydraulic fluid

1

A Common reservoir for automatic locking differential and adaptive damping system

136

Power steering

Front wheel hubs

Accelerator control linkage

Brake system

Brake system and clutch reservoir

Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning system

Model Capacity approx. 1.0 l (1.0 US qt ) approx. 60 g (2.1 oz) each approx. 0.5 l ( 0.5 US qt ) approx. 5 l (5.3 US qt)

Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc.

MB Power steering fluid

High temperature roller bearing grease

Hydraulic fluid

MB Brake fluid (DOT 4)

MB Windshield washer

Concentrate “S”

1

Cooling system

Fuel tank including a reserve of

Air conditioner system

300 SL

500 SL approx. 11.5 l (12.2 US qt) approx. 15 l (15.9 US qt) approx. 80 l (21.1 US gal) approx. 10 l (2.6 US gal)

MB Anticorrosion/antifreeze

Premium unleaded gasoline: Posted

Octane 91 (Average of 96 RON/86 MON)

R-134a refrigerant and special lubricant

(Never R-12)

1 Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “S” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer

Concentrate “S” and commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios, see Windshield/Headlamp Washer System in Index.

137

Engine Oils

Engine oils are specifically tested for their suitability in our engines.

Therefore, use only engine oils recommended by Mercedes-Benz.

Information on recommended brands is available at your authorized Mercedes-

Benz dealer.

Air Conditioner Refrigerant

Ozone-friendly HFC-134a refrigerant and special lubricating oil is used in the air conditioner system.

Never use R-12 (CFG) or mineralbased lubricating oil, otherwise damage to the system will occur.

Brake Fluid

During vehicle operation, the boiling point of the brake fluid is continuously reduced through the absorption of moisture from the atmosphere. Under extremely hard operating conditions, this moisture content can lead to the formation of bubbles in the system thus reducing the system's efficiency.

The brake fluid must therefore be replaced every two years, preferably in the spring.

It is recommended to use only brake fluid approved by Mercedes-Benz.

Your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will provide you with additional information.

Premium Unleaded Gasoline

Caution!

To maintain the engine's durability and performance, premium unleaded gasoline must be used. If premium unleaded is not available and low octane fuel is used, follow these precautions:

• have the fuel tank filled only partially with unleaded regular and fill up with premium unleaded as soon as possible,

• avoid full throttle driving and abrupt acceleration,

• do not exceed an engine speed of

3000 rpm, if the vehicle is loaded with a light load such as two persons and no luggage,

• do not exceed 2 /

3 of maximum accelerator pedal position, if the vehicle is fully loaded or operating in mountainous terrain.

138

Fuel Requirements

Use only Premium unleaded meeting

ASTM standard D 439:

The octane number (posted at the pump) must be 91min. It is an average of both, the Research (R) octane number and the Motor (M) octane number:

[(R + M)/2]. This is also known as

ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.

Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates such as Ethanol, MTBE,

IPA, IBA and TBA can be used provided the ratio of any one of these oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed

10%.

The ratio of Methanol to gasoline must not exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.

Using mixtures of Ethanol and

Methanol is not allowed. MTBE may, however, be added up to 15%.

Gasohol, which contains 10% Ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline, can be used.

These blends must also meet all other fuel requirements such as resistance to spark knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc..

Gasoline Additives

A major concern among engine manufacturers is carbon build up caused by gasoline. MERCEDES-

BENZ recommends to use only quality gasoline containing additives that prevent the build up of carbon deposits.

After an extended period of using fuels without such additives, carbon deposits can build up especially on the intake valves and in the combustion area, leading to engine performance problems such as:

• warm-up hesitation,

• unstable idle,

• knocking/pinging,

• misfire,

• power loss.

Damages or malfunctions resulting from poor fuel quality are not covered by the MERCEDES-BENZ Limited

Warranty.

139

Coolants

The engine coolant is a mixture of water and anticorrosion/anti-freeze, which provides:

• corrosion protection

• freeze protection

• boiling protection (by increasing the boiling point).

The cooling system was filled at the factory with a coolant providing freeze protection to approx. -22 °F (-30 °C) and corrosion protection.

The coolant solution must be used year round to provide the necessary corrosion protection and increase in the boil-over protection. You should have it replaced every 3 years.

To provide the important corrosion protection, the solution must be at least

45% anticorrosion/antifreeze (equals a freeze protection to approx. -22 °F

[-30 °C]). If you use a solution that is more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze

(freeze protection to approx. -49 °F

[-45°C]), the engine temperature will increase due to the lower heat transfer capability of the solution.

Therefore, do not use more than this amount of anti-corrosion/antifreeze.

If the coolant level is low, water and

MB anticorrosion/antifreeze should be used to bring it up to the proper level

(have cooling system checked for signs of leakage).

The water in the cooling system must meet minimum requirements, which are usually satisfied by normal drinking water. If you are not sure about the water quality, consult your authorized

Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Anticorrosion/antifreeze

Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The use of aluminum components in motor vehicle engines necessitates that anticorrosion /antifreeze coolant used in such engines be specifically formulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such anticorrosion/antifreeze coolant will result in a significantly shortened service life.)

Therefore the following product is strongly recommended for use in your car: Mercedes-Benz

Anticorrosion/Antifreeze Agent.

Before the start of the winter season (or once a year in the hot southern regions), you should have the anticorrosion/antifreeze concentration checked. The coolant is also regularly checked each time you bring your vehicle to your authorized Mercedes-

Benz dealer for maintenance service.

Anticorrosion/antifreeze quantity

Model Approx.

freeze protection

-37 ° C

(-35 °F)

300 SL 5.75 l

(6.1 US qt)

500 SL 7.50 l

(7.9 US qt)

-45°C

(-49° F)

6.30 l

(6.7 US qt)

8.25 l

(8.7 US qt)

140

Consumer Information

This has been prepared as required of all manufacturers of passenger cars under

Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal

Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the

"National Traffic and Motor Vehicle

Safety Act of 1966".

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Refer to the tire sidewall for the specific tire grades for the tires with which this vehicle is equipped.

All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety requirements in addition to these grades.

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test course.

For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1 /

2

) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires "depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction "A", "B", "C"

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are "A", "B" and "C" and they represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked "C" may have poor traction performance.

Warning!

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction.

Temperature "A", "B", "C"

The temperature grades are "A" (the highest). "B" and "C", representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability .to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.

Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. The grade "C" corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard

No. 109 Grades "B" and "A" represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

Warning!

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.

Excessive speed, underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause excessive heat build up and possible tire failure.

141

Problems with your Vehicle

If you should experience a problem with your vehicle, particularly one that you believe may affect its safe operation, we urge you to immediately contact your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer to have the problem diagnosed and corrected if required. If the matter is not handled to your satisfaction, please discuss the problem with the dealership management, or if necessary contact the Owner Service Manager at the Mercedes-Benz Regional Office nearest you (see Owner's Service and Warranty

Information booklet for addresses). You may also write directly to us at the following addresses:

In the U.S.A.: Owner Service Department

Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc.

One Mercedes Drive

Montvale, NJ 07645-0350

In Canada: Owner Service Department

Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.

849 Eglinton Avenue East

Toronto, Ontario, M4G 2L5

142

For the U.S.A. only.

The following text is published as required of manufacturers under

Title 49, Code of U.S. Federal Regulations, Part 575 pursuant to the

"National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966".

Reporting Safety Defects

If you believe that your vehicle has a defect which could cause a crash or could cause injury or death, you should immediately inform the National Highway

Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in addition to notifying Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc..

If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it may open an investigation, and if it finds that a safety defect exists in a group of vehicles, it may order a recall and remedy campaign. However, NHTSA cannot become involved in individual problems between you, your dealer, or Mercedes-Benz of North America Inc.

To contact NHTSA, you may either call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at 1-800-424-9393 (or

366-0123 in Washington, D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Department of Transportation,

Washington, D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other information about motor vehicle safety from the Hotline.

143

144

Index

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