Mercedes - 450 SL - Owners Manual - 1980 - 1980

450 SL 450 SLC Mercedes-Benz D rive S ensibly — Save Fuel Fuel consum ption depends to a great extent on driving habits and operating conditions. In order to save fuel you should: • • • • • • • • ensure that tire pressures are correct not carry unnecessary loads remove ski racks or roofmounted luggage racks when not in use not warm up your engine at idle and with the vehicle at standstill avoid frequent acceleration and deceleration avoid frequent braking avoid unnecessarily high speeds have all the maintenance jobs specified by us carried out at regular intervals by a MERCEDES-BENZ service station. Driving in low temperature weather, in stop-and-go city traffic and on short hops, and in hilly country also increases fuel consumption. Owner’s Manual Type 107 1980 450 SL 450 SLC Mercedes-Benz You have ch ose n to d riv e a M E R C E D E S -B E N Z , a c a r in w h o s e c o n s tru c tio n a nd p ro d u c tio n w e have ta k e n g re a t p a in s b e c a u s e w e b e lie v e th a t q u a lity is n o t a m a tte r o f ch an ce. P e rh a p s you have a lre a d y had e x p e rie n c e w ith a M ER C ED ES, m ayb e th is is y o u r fir s t c a r fro m th e D A IM L E R -B E N Z c o m p a n y . In b o th ca se s fo r y o u r o w n b e n e fit - p le a s e read th is o w n e r’s m a n u a l b e fo re p u ttin g it aw ay. Even th o u g h yo u have been d riv in g a c a r fo r ye ars, so m e th in g s in th is c a r m ay be n ew to yo u, a nd th is m a n u a l c e rta in ly c o n ta in s a fe w h in ts w h ich w ill h e lp yo u to m ake th e m o s t o f y o u r new car. W e w is h yo u sa fe and p le a s a n t m o to rin g . D A IM L E R -B E N Z A k tie n g e s e lls c h a ft 3 Contents This Owner's M anual also describes optional extras as far as an intro du ction on th eir handling is required. As these extras need to be ordered separately, the equipm ent o f your vehicle may deviate from the descriptions and illustrations to some extent. The last page What you should know at the gas station 4 Vehicle Operation Instrum ents and C ontrols ........ 8 Instrum ent C luster ....................... 10 Keys, Doors ................................... 12 Flat Key, Master Key and Supplementary Key . . . . 12 O btaining Replacement Keys . 12 Opening, Locking and Unlocking of Doors ................... 12 Master Lock System .................13 Seats ................................................14 Adjustm ent of D river’s Seat and Front Passenger Seat . . . 14 Safety Belts ............................... 15 Safety Headrest ......................... 16 C o n tr o ls ........................................... 17 Steering Lock ............................. 17 Lighting S w itc h ......................... 17 C om bination Switch .............. 18 Cruise C ontrol ........................... 19 Autom atic Climate C o n tr o l 20 Various Equipment .......................23 Interior Lamps ........................... 23 Rear View M irrors ..................... 23 Sun V is o r ..................................... 23 Lighter ......................................... 24 Heated Rear W indow ...............24 Shelf below Rear W indow . . . . 24 E lectric W indow L if te r s 25 Roadster Top ................................. 26 Hardtop ........................................... 27 Sliding Roof .................................28 Radio ............................................. 29 Driving Hood ............................................. 34 Parking B r a k e ...............................34 Regular Inspections .................. 35 C atalytic C onverter Cautions .. 36 Starting and Turning off the Engine ...............................37 Starting and Shifting Gears . . . . 38 Safe Driving .................................40 Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp .........................................41 Brake Fluid ...............................41 Charge Indicator L a m p 41 Oil Pressure Gauge ................ 42 C oolant Tem perature Gauge . 42 Emission C ontrol .................. 42 Engine Oil Consum ption . . . . 42 The First 1500 km/1000 Miles .. 42 Special O perating C onditions .. 42 W inter Driving .........................42 Hints fo r Driving ...................... 4‘ Tire Chains ...............................4‘ Traveling Abroad .................... 4‘ Contents Vehicle Care MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance System ............................................. 46 Severe Operating Conditions . 46 Engine Oil Change and Filter Change ....................................... 47 Autom atic TransmissionFluid and Filter Change ...........47 Spare Parts Service .....................47 Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle 48 Jobs related to Care .................49 Practical Hints Ash t r a y s ......................................... 52 Rear Seat Cushion .......................52 First Aid Kit ................................... 53 Luggage or Ski Racks .................53 Spare Wheel, Jack, Vehicle Tool Kit ............................. 53 Wheels, Tires, Changing Wheels .........................54 Wheels and Tires .....................54 Changing Wheels .....................55 Tire Inflation Pressure .............56 Checking Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc................................. 57 Engine Oil Level Check ...........57 Replenishing Coolant ...............57 Autom atic Transmission Fluid Level .................................58 Electrical System ........................... 59 Fuses ............................................59 Battery ..........................................59 Spark Plugs ............................... 59 Replacing B u lb s ......................... 60 Sliding Roof-Emergency Operation ....................................... 64 Unlocking of the Filler Flap . . . . 64 Em ergency-starting and Towing the Vehicle ..................................... 65 Jump Starting ............................... 66 Vehicle Operation Driving Technical Data - Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. Identification Plates ..................... 68 Vehicle Data Cards ....................... 69 Technical Data ............................... 70 Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 72 C apacities ................................... 72 Engine Oils ................................. 74 Brake Fluid ................................. 74 Coolants ..................................... 75 Service Literature ......................... 76 Vehicle Care Practical Hints Technical Data - Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. 5 Vehicle Operation Instruments and Controls For m ore detailed descriptions see quoted pages. 14 450 SL: Switch fo r front dome lamps 450 SLC: Switch fo r rear dome lamp 15 Switch fo r autom atic antenna (page 31) 16 Switch fo r heated rear w indow (page 24) 17 450 SLC: Switch fo r e lectric sliding roof (page 28) 1 Swivelling side ventilation outlets (page 20) 2 C ontrol lever fo r side ventilation (page 20) 3 Parking brake release button (page 34) 4 Hood release lever (page 34) 18 Radio (page 29) 5 Parking brake pedal (page 34) 19 Autom atic clim ate control (page 20) 6 Com bination switch (page 18) 20 Ash tray with lighter (page 24, 52) 7 Lighting switch (page 17) 21 450 SLC: Loudspeaker - fader control (page 30) 8 Instruction tag (except tourist vehicle). Use only unleaded gasoline 22 Switch group fo r w indow lifters (page 25) 9 23 Cruise control (page 19) Hazard warning flasher switch Push switch = hazard warning flasher system switched on Push switch once more = hazard warning flasher system switched off 24 Glove com partm ent (to open, shift handle sideways). Only illum inated if steering lock is in position “ 1” or “ 2” . 25 Loudspeaker cover, right and left 10 Instrum ent cluster (page 10) 11 Horn control 12 Steering lock with ig n itio n /sta rte r switch (page 17) 13 Swivelling outlets fo r cooled air (page 20) 8 Instruments and Controls 9 Instrument Cluster 1 Coolant tem perature gauge (° C) Up to red m arking: Maximum permissible temperature fo r an antifreeze-blended fill protecting down to -30 ° C /-2 2 ° F 12 Seat belt warning lamp (red) 13 Fuel gauge with reserve warning lamp (yellow) Fuel reserve for approxim ately 35-40 km /22-25 miles For capacity, refer to page 73 and last page Brake pad wear indicator lamp (red): Lamp comes on w hile braking and driving if the front wheel brake pads are worn down, refer to page 41 14 Dimmer knob for instrum ent lamps, continuous adjustment 3 Oil pressure gauge (bar) 15 Resetting knob for trip odometer (push button) 4 Main odometer 16 5 Trip odometer Brake warning lamp (red) comes on if • the parking brake is engaged • too little brake fluid is in the reservoir 6 Knob for clock adjustment (press in for adjustments) 17 High beam indicator lamp (blue) 18 Charge indicator lamp (red): Comes on when the steering lock key is moved to driving position “ 2” and must go out when the engine is idling 19 Turn signal indicator lamp, left (green) 2 7 Electric clock 8 Tachometer 9 Red m arking on tachometer: Excessive engine revolutions 10 Turn signal indicator lamp, right (green) 11 02-Sensor replacement indicator lamp (red): When the indicator lamp comes on, the 02-Sensor must be replaced Note A stop is provided on the speedometer at the 138 k m /h /8 5 mph reading. Speeds in excess of 138 k m /h /8 5 mph w ill no longer be recorded. Instrument Cluster ( li mm mill 9224 11 Keys Doors > Flat Key The flat key fits all vehicle locks. We recommend that you carry the flat key with you and keep it in a safe place so that it is always handy, if needed (e.g. in your wallet). Never leave the flat key in the vehicle. Master Key - square headed - fits all locks on the car. Supplementary Key - rounded head - fits only the door locks and the steering lock. This key is intended to be used whenever the car is left 12 with an attendant. Be sure to lock glove com partm ent and trunk with the master key. Obtaining Replacement Keys Replacement keys can be obtained only via MERCEDES-BENZ service stations. If the keys are lost, assistance is rather tim e con­ suming and expensive. Opening the Doors From outside: pull handle outwards (1). From inside: pull handle in door panel (4). Locking and Unlocking of Doors From the outside: turn key. From the inside: actuate safety catch. 2 3 Unlocking Locking One cannot lock: • the driver’s door if it is open. • any door if the door lock has not engaged fully. In this case open the door and shut it again. Keys Master Lock System The master lock system enables the front passenger door, the fuel tank fille r flap and the trunk lid to be locked or unlocked together with the d river’s door. When locking or unlocking, the locking levers on both doors must move sim ul­ taneously. If one locking lever fails to do so, the lock of that particular door is not properly engaged. The door must then be opened and closed correctly. With the master lock system in the locked position, the fron t passenger door can be locked and unlocked either with the locking lever or with the key. Actuation of the locking lever on the front passenger door, however, is not possible when the master lock system is in the unlocked position. The trunk lid can also be unlocked separately by turning master key counterclockwise to the stop. Push the trunk lock button in with it and lift the lid. Return the key to its initial position and w ithdraw it. To lock the lid, close it firm ly. It w ill then be locked again by the master lock system. A provision has been made to fa cilitate permanent locking of the trunk lid fo r positive prevention of access to trunk by unauthorized persons. Before leaving vehicle with an attendant, lock trun k w ith master key (square head) by turning key clockwise to stop (tum bler slot vertical), then provide attendant with round-headed supplem entary key. Thus, the trunk lock has been excluded from the operation of the master lock system and cannot be opened except with the square­ headed master key. Doors To reverse this, turn trunk lock counterclockw ise back to hori­ zontal position of the tum bler slot w ith master key. Lock w ill then be reengaged in master lock system; that is, it w ill autom atically be locked or unlocked depending on whether the driver’s door is locked or unlocked. The master lock system operates on vacuum generated bytheengine. A reservoir allows the master lock system to be actuated about five tim es after the engine is turned off. If the system can then no longer be engaged, idle engine fo r a short period. If no vacuum is available, doors and trunk have to be locked individually in the normal manner. The fuel tank fille r flap, however, remains unlocked. Note: If the fille r flap cannot be opened when the master lock system is unlocked, refer to "U nlocking of the Filler Flap” (page 64). 13 accom modated in the respective lateral panelling of the rear passenger compartm ent. With opened doors the backrests will fold forw ard w ithout pressing the buttons. Adjustment of Driver’s Seat and Front Passenger Seat Forw ard/backw ard adjustm ent: lift handle (1), push seat backward or forward and allow handle to re­ engage. Height adjustm ent of driver’s seat (3 positions): pull out rotary handles (2) at the rear ends of the guide rails, turn to desired position and allow to reengage. The height of the front passenger seat can be adjusted, if necessary, by relocating the guide rails (2 positions). To do so, unscrew both the rear clam ping screws and screw in again at the respective bore. 14 Back rest tilt: turn handwheel (3) back or forth. For full reclining of backrest, seat should be moved to one of the forw ardm ost positions and headrest removed. For driving, return back­ rest to upright position and push seat back. Replace headrest. 450 SL: After disengaging the stop by lifting knob (4), the back rest can be folded forwards. 450 SLC: Backrests are vacuumlocked when the doors are closed. One can unlock them from the rear seat by means of a button (5) Note: Prior to operating the vehicle, the driver should adjust the seat height for proper vision as well as fore-aft placem ent and seat back angle to insure adequate control, reach, operation, and com fort. The head­ rest should also be adjusted for proper height so that when the cushion is tipped com pletely for­ ward, it should form a cradle behind the seat occupant’s head. Both the inside and outside re a rv ie w mirrors should then be adjusted for ade­ quate rearward vision. Fasten seat belts. C hildren under the age of six or under the w eight of 23 kg/50 lb should be seated in the back seat with an approved restraint system properly secured. All seat, headrest, and rear view m irror adjustm ents as well as faste­ ning of seat belts should be accom ­ plished before the vehicle is put into motion. Seats 450 SLC Safety Belts Warning System: The indicator is illuminated for 4-8 seconds after turning the steering lock key to position “ 2” . If the safety belt of the d river’s seat is not fastened a warning buzzer sounds simultaneously. Fastening of fro n t and rear seat belts (with inertia reel): • • Pull belt with tongue (1) across shoulder and lap. The belt must not be twisted and must be tight. Press tongue (1) into buckle (2) and allow to engage audibly. Unfastening, fro n t and rear: • Depress red button (3) in buckle (2). • Return tongue (1) to initial position. 450 SLC: On entering or leaving the rear passenger com partm ent, the safety belt must be disengaged from guide (4). 15 i Seats > Operation of belts with inertia reel: The safety belt inertia reel stops the belt from unwinding further in case of vehicle deceleration in any d irec­ tion or if the belt is pulled out quickly. Functional test: The locking function of the inertia reel can be tested by braking, driving around a bend or by pulling the belt out quickly. Note: No safety belt can be used fo r more than one person. Belts are not intended fo r children. A fter an accident, inspect the safety belts and replace them, if required. The belt anchors in the vehicle should also be checked. Renew damaged belt webbing. Belt webbing must not be routed via sharp edges. No m odifications which may affect the efficiency of the belts must be made. For cleaning and care of belt webbing, refer to page 49. 16 Safety Headrest Detaching headrests: Adjust headrest to support the back of the head at the level of the upper end of the ear. Pull headrest out to the stop. Release arrester by depressing locking knob to be felt under the backrest covering material and pull up headrest, holding it by the LH headrest post (viewed in driving direction). Finally pull out headrest com pletely with both hands. Height adjustm ent: Press headrest slightly forward (1) and reset upward or downward. The headrest locking knob of the front seat is located below the LH headrest post (2). Controls 9232 Steering Lock 0 Steering is locked when the key is withdrawn and the steering lock is engaged. The key can be withdrawn only in zero position. Note: Do not remove key from steering lock while the vehicle is in mo­ tion as this w ill cause the en­ gagement of the steering lock thus rendering the vehicle in­ operable. Steering is unlocked. (If necessary, move steering wheel slightly to turn the key clockwise to position “ 1 ” .) 2 Driving position Starting: Continue turning key clockwise to the stop. The starter is engaged when the key is pressed against the stop. The starter nonrepeat unit requires the key to be returned to position “ 0” prior to a new starting attempt. Notes: The follow ing items can be operated with the key in steering lock position “ 1” . Wiper, windshield washer, head­ lamp flasher, lighter, glove com part­ ment lamp, radio, e lectric seat heater fo r front seats. The power supply to the standing lamps is disrupted if the key in the steering lock is in position “ 2” . A warning buzzer sounds when the key has been left in steering lock positions “ 1” or “ 0” and the d rive r’s door is opened. Lighting Switch 0 Off-position 1 Parking lamps (includes side m arker lamps, tail lamps, license plate lamps, instrum ent panel lamps) 4 2 Same as pos. 1 plus headlamps 3 Standing lamps, right 4 Standing lamps, left A Turn to position 2 and pull out to first detent = same as position 2 plus fog lamps B Available for an option Note: With the steering lock key removed and the d river’s door or the front passenger's door open a signal sounds if the vehicle’s exterior lamps are not switched off (standing lamps excepted). 17 Controls I 6 C ontrol for w indshield washer system When the washer system is switched on, the wipers also operate 7 Windshield w iper control 0 1 II III W indshield w iper switched off Interm ittent wiping Normal w iper speed High w iper speed Hints: Combination Switch 1 2 3 4 5 18 Low beam (lighting switch turned clockwise to 2nd notch) High beam (lighting switch turned clockwise to 2nd notch) Headlamp flasher (high beam available independent of lighting switch position) Turn signals, right Turn signals, left To operate the turn signals, move the com bination switch past the point of resistance (up or down). The switch is autom atically can­ celled when the steering wheel is turned by a large enough angle. To signal m inor directional changes of the vehicle, such as changing lanes on a highway, move com bi­ nation switch to the point of resi­ stance only and hold it there. If one of the turn signals fails, the turn signal indicator system flashes and sounds at a faster sequence than under normal operating conditions. Fog lamps w ill only operate together with low beam headlamps. Fog lamps are turned off auto­ m atically when lighting switch is returned to off-position. Controls 3 Cruise Control Any given speed above a range of approximately 16-40 k m /h / 10-25 mph, depending on model, can be maintained with the cruise control by operating the switch. 1 = S e ttin g (touch switch) Accelerating (hold switch) 2 = Setting (touch switch) Decelerating (hold switch) Normally the vehicle is accele­ rated to the desired speed with the accelerator. Speed is set by briefly pushing the switch to position “ 1” or “ 2” , and the accelerator can be released. The speed can be increased (e. g. for passing) by using the accelerator. As soon as the accelerator is released, the previously set speed w ill be resumed autom atically. If the set speed is to be in­ creased or decreased slightly (e. g. fo r adaptation to the flow of traffic), hold switch in position “ 1” or “ 2” until the desired speed is reached. When the switch is released, the newly set speed remains constant. 3 = Cancelling To cancel the cruise control, briefly push lever to position ''3". The cruise control w ill also be cancelled if the brake pedal is actuated or if the vehicle speed drops on steep grades by more than 20 % below the set speed. 4 = R esum e If the lever is briefly pushed to position “ 4 ” when driving at a speed exceeding approxim ately 16-40 k m /h /1 0 -2 5 mph, depending on model, that speed is resumed which was set prior to the cancellation of the cruise control. The last memorized speed is cancelled when the key in the steering lock is turned to position “ 1” or “ 0” . Im portant: Please do not use the cruise control if traffic conditions do not make it advisable to maintain a steady speed, i. e. in heavy traffic or on tw isting or slick and muddy roads. Position “ Resume” should be engaged only if the driver is fully aware of the previously set speed and wishes to resume this parti­ cular preset speed. When driving with the cruise control, the selector lever must not be shifted to position "N ” as otherwise the engine will overrev. Automatic Climate Control mn in ! C LIM A TE CO NTROL — ---------- • ~ '-ti AIR COND AUTO L LO I t O FF I ' " 1 Temperature selector wheel “ DEF” button 2 “ OFF” button Refrigerant com pressor switch 3 “ AUTO-LO” button Swivelling outlets fo r cooled air 4 “ AUTO-HI” button 5 “ BI-LEVEL” button Swivelling outlets fo r side ventilation 20 10 Lever fo r side ventilation open = towards center of vehicle closed = tow ards outside of vehicle Automatic Climate Control The autom atic clim ate control is designed to maintain the desired temperature in the vehicle interior. Heating, cooling and air distribution (top, center, bottom) are controlled automatically. The blower speeds w ill be varied autom atically depend­ ing on the push button setting, operating and temperature conditions. Norm ally only one adjustm ent is necessary fo r the entire year. If required to be altered, only slight adjustm ents should be made to this tem perature setting. 2 “ OFF” button: Switching off the autom atic clim ate control. Sim ultaneously the fresh air supply to the vehicle interior is cut off. This position can be briefly selected in the case of odorous or dust annoyances or when passing through an auto­ m atic car wash. 3 “ AUTO-LO” button: Normal vehicle operation. The automatic clim ate control is operational only if the engine is running. For adaptation to the weather con­ ditions various functions can be selected with the pushbuttons. Air outlets 8 - 9 must then be adjusted as required. Buttons 2 - 6 can be pressed only individually. The indicator lamps in the individual buttons come on if the buttons are pressed and the vehicle lamps are switched on. 1 Temperature selector wheel The desired temperature in the vehicle interior can be set with the selector wheel. This setting w ill provide heating or cooling of the ve hicle ’s in­ te rio r depending on the selector wheel setting and the outside temperature. If heating is re­ quired, the fresh air supply and the blower w ill remain in the off position until the engine cooling w ater is slightly warmed up. Only then w ill warm air enter the interior of the vehicle and be distributed mainly to the footw ell outlets. A small amount of air is directed to the windshield to ensure defogging under nor­ mal weather conditions. For the defogging of the side windows, air can be diverted from the side outlets 9 depending on the posi­ tion of levers 10. The center out­ lets 8 remain closed during heating operation. If cooling of the interior is re­ quired, the blow er w ill start imm ediately regardless of en­ gine temperature. The air is routed via center outlets 8 into the ve hicle ’s interior and addi­ tionally via the side outlets 9 depending on the position of lever 10. No air is allowed to flow to the windshield and to the footwell. The blow er speed will be autom atically reduced in several steps in the heating or cooling cycle as the interior tem perature approaches the preselected tem perature on the tem perature wheel 1. Automatic Climate Control 4 5 “ AUTO-HI” button: Fast heating or cooling of vehicle interior. A ir conditioning, air distribution and blow er control are the same as in position “ 3” “ AUTO-LO". The blower, however, operates at a higher speed. “ BI-LEVEL” button: For fogged-up windows. During heating and cooling operations air is channelled to the windshield and to the footwell. During the cooling ope­ ration air also enters via the center sw ivelling outlets 8. The vehicle interior is cooled practically free of draft with more air being blown into the footw ell. The blow er then operates at a higher speed than “ AUTO-LO” . We recommend this position at low am bient temperatures. “ DEF” button: For iced-up windows. Independent of the position of the tem perature selector wheel air heated to maximum tempe­ rature is channelled to the w indshield. For the side windows, open swivelling outlets 9. R efrigerant com pressor switch: Switching the air conditioning com pressor on and off. The com pressor can be switched off com pletely in the positions “ AUTO-LO” and “ AUTO-HI” , e. g. if no cooling is required because of low ambient tem peratures (fuel economy). Fresh air is supplied to the footwell if the refrigerant com ­ pressor is switched off w hile the system is w orking in the cooling mode. Fresh air enters the vehicle through openings in fron t of the windshield (keep free of snow). 450 SLC and 450 SL with hardtop: When the windows are closed the air is emitted through ventilation opening below the rear window. Do not cover up ventilation openings with clothes etc. Important! In order to keep the air condi­ tioning section of the climate con­ trol system in good w orking condi­ tion at all times, it is necessary to operate the A /C com pressor briefly at least once a month even during the seasons it is norm ally not re­ quired. Switch com pressor switch to “ ON” and depress “ AUTO-LO” or “ AUTO-HI” button. Make sure that the am bient tem perature is above 2° C /36° F since the A /C com pressor w ill not operate below this temperature. Various Equipment < Interior Lamps The footwell lamps below the instrument panel are switched on as long as one of the doors is open 450 SL: The front dome lamps are switched on and off by means of a rocker switch on the instrument panel. 450 SLC: The switch for the front lamp has 3 positions. Position I: lamp is switched on and off by the door contact switches. Position II: lamp is continuously switched off. Position III: lamp is continuously switched on. The rear dome lamp is switched on and off by means of the toggle switch on the instrum ent panel. Rear View Mirrors Outside rear view m irror: Outside rear view m irror (2) can be randomly adjusted by means of lever (1). can be dim m ed by means of lever on lower m irror edge. Lever in opposite driving d irection = normal position. Lever in driving direction = antidazzle position. Sun Visor Swing sun visor down to protect against sun dazzle. If sunlight enters through the side windows, disengage visor from inner mount­ ing and swing to the side. Inside rear view m irror: M irror housing can be randomly adjusted. In addition m irror 23 Various Equipment > A heavy load is imposed on the battery due to the high power requirement. For this reason, switch off the heated rear window as soon as it is demisted or defrosted. It is shut off autom atically after a maximum of 30 minutes. Always remove heavy layers of ice and snow first. Shelf below Rear Window Lighter Heated Rear Window Turn key in steering lock to position “ 1” or “ 2” . Turn key in steering lock to position “ 2” . When the rear window heater is turned on, the white indicator lamp in the switch (1) comes on. Push the lighter in to heat it. It will pop out as soon as the filam ent glows. 24 Do not carry heavy or hard objects on the shelf below the rear window. Such items could become dislodged during hard braking or upon a ve­ hicle crash causing distraction or serious injury to the vehicle occu­ pants. Various Equipment Electric Window Lifters (450 SLC) Switch group fo r window lifters: 1 front, left 2 rear, left 3 front, right 4 rear, right 5 Safety switch The electric w indow lifters can only be operated with the steering lock in position “ 2” . All four windows can then be operated using the switches in the center console. The rear side windows can also be operated using the switches (5) in each rear side panel as long as the safety switch “ S ” in the center console is depressed. If the safety switch is not depressed, inadvertent operation of the rear side windows (for instance, by children) is pre­ vented. When the ignition switch is turned off, the windows cannot be operated. Roadster Top > 4. Disengage top fram ework by turning locks (4) inwards. Then detach locking handles. 5. Swing back top fram ework and slip top into top storage com part­ ment (5). Stow overhanging can­ vas in the storage compartment. 6. Close top storage compartm ent cover, making sure that both sides (6) are locked. Raising the roadster top: If possible, park vehicle in the shade as continuous exposure to sun rays w ill harm canvas color and rubber coating. To lower or raise the folding top or to remove or attach the hardtop, find two locking handles in a bag stowed in the glove compartm ent. They are used to engage or disen­ gage locks (4). Put locking handles back into the glove com partm ent after use. Lowering the roadster top: A wet or frozen canvas top must not be folded. 26 1. Unlock top bow (2) and top storage com partm ent cover (3) by shifting lever (1) to position C. Lever w ill autom atically return to position B (bow remains un­ locked but the top storage com partm ent cover can be locked). If the top bow cannot be raised in this position, shift lever (7) to position E. 2. Lift up top bow. 3. Open top storage com partm ent cover (3). 1. Move lever (1) to position C and open top storage compartm ent cover (3). 2. Pull top out of storage com part­ ment and rest top fram ework against windshield header bar. 3. Tighten top fram ework by turning locks (4) outwards. 4. Close top storage compartm ent cover, making sure that both sides (6) are locked. 5. Move downwards top bow until it locks and tighten with lever (1) (position A). Hardtop 3. Insert locking handles into windshield header bar locks and swivel inwards. Detach locking handles. 4. Disconnect plug and socket of the heated rear window in the R-H rear passenger com part­ ment. ( 5. Cautiously detach hardtop by removing it to the rear. Attaching hardtop: Removal or attachment of the hardtop is best done in a MERCEDES-BENZ service station, although this can be carried out by 2 persons. The roadster top must be com pletely dry before it is placed in the storage compartm ent. To lower or raise the folding top or to remove or attach the hardtop, find two locking handles in a bag stowed in the glove compartm ent. They are used to engage or disen­ gage the locks in w indshield header bar and behind the doors (8). Put locking handles back into the glove com partm ent after use. The hardtop is secured at 5 attachment points: Front = two locks in w indshield header bar Side = one lock behind each door (8) Rear = top bow lock Removal of hardtop: 1. Disengage rear locks with levers (1 and 7). (Lever 1 in position B, lever 7 in position E.) 2. Turn side locks (8) rearwards to the stop with locking handles. 1. Shift lever (1) to position B and lever (7) to position D. 2. C arefully position hardtop, sim ultaneously inserting all locking pins into the respective locks. 3. Insert both the locking handles into the forw ard locks and swing outwards. 4. Insert locking handles into side locks (8) and swivel forward to the stop. 5. Push lever (1) to position A. 6. C onnect plug and socket of the heated rear w indow in the R-H rear passenger compartment. 27 Hardtop The roadster top may become moldy if it is kept enclosed in the storage com partm ent fo r an exten­ ded period. We recommend you to have the roadster top removed in a MERCEDES-BENZ service station if you intend to drive only with the hardtop fo r a lengthy period. Should the roadster top, however, Sliding Roof (450 SLC) be kept in the car, unfold and air it thoroughly (do not expose to the sun) at regular intervals during the wet and cold seasons. A special container fo r the storage of roadster tops or hardtops is avail able from your MERCEDES-BENZ service station. Toggle switch (1) next to glove compartment. Push at the right (symbol) = Opening Push at the left = Closing If the e le ctric drive fails, the sliding roof can also be moved by hand. Refer to “ Sliding RoofEmergency O peration” . Radio 1 O n-O ff/V olum e Control 2 Tone Control 3 Push buttons for band selec­ tion and tuning of preset stations (band selection only on radios with built-in cassette player) 4 Manual tuning control 5 Search sensitivity switch 6 Autom atic tuning bar (Mexico models only) 7 Cassette release 8 Fast forward 9 Fast rewind m 8 9 90 Europa (Radio with Pushbutton Tuning) 3 f-'- 3 ■ ■ l l l i 'l ^ country W^ P p s uJ b ui rb , Mexico Cassette (Radio with Autom atic Signal Seeker and built-in Cassette Player) JS 8854 10 Cassette slot For control location, refer to the illustration on the type of radio installed in your MERCEDES-BENZ. The radio can only be operated with the ignition key in the number “ 1” or “ 2” position. Radio > On-O ff/Volum e Station Tuning Turn knob (1) clockwise to switch radio on and to increase volume. Green control lamp on the dial w ill light up. First, select desired band by pressing one of the AM or FM station buttons (3), then tune manually by turning control knob (4). For good reception, accu­ rate manual tuning is important. Tone Turn lever (2) clockwise to increase treble range and counterclockw ise to increase bass range. Front-Rear Speaker Balance (450 SLC) This control is installed whenever the vehicle is equipped with rear speakers. Turn rearward to in­ crease volume of rear speakers and forward to increase volume of front speakers. 30 To preset stations on pushbutton tuning radios in either the AM or FM band, pull station buttons (3), carefully tune in the desired station, push button slowly and firm ly all the way in, then release. Autom atic station tuning (on signal seeking radios only) is accom pli­ shed by m om entarily depressing the “ Autom atic Tuning" bar (6). The tuner moves from the left towards the right side of the dial and stops whenever a useable station isfound. Operating the autom atic tuning bar again causes the tuner to resume its search function. When the end of the band is reached, the tuner w ill autom atically return to the beginning of the band and start the search operation again. The position of the search sensiti­ vity switch (5) determ ines whether the tuner w ill stop at many or the most powerful stations only. Position I “ country” Selector stops at every useable station Position II “ suburb” Selector stops only at more powerful stations Position III Selector stops only at “ c ity ” the strongest stations Radio The height of the antenna can furtherm ore be adjusted continu­ ously by actuating the antenna switch: • • 8864 Autom atic Antenna The antenna switch can be actua­ ted with the radio switched on and the key in steering lock positions “ 1” or “ 2” . • • • If the antenna switch is in center position, the antenna extends autom atically to a specific height, if the antenna switch is engaged in the “ max.” position, the antenna extends fully, if the antenna switch is engaged in the “ off" position, the antenna w ill not extend or w ill retract completely. If the antenna switch is in center position, the antenna w ill extend to the specific height. The an­ tenna can be further extended or retracted to any height by rocking the switch (not engaging it). If the antenna is to be retracted, e. g. fo r playing casettes, engage switch in “ o ff” position. When the key is turned to steering lock position “ 0” or the radio is turned off, the antenna w ill retract completely. FM Reception FM signals travel in a “ line-ofsig h t” . Reflections or “ dead spots” may cause cancellations or loss of the signal as well as strong signal overloading or capture. Lowering the antenna height in strong signal areas may elim inate many of the resulting problem s and restore good tone quality. However, fringe area reception requires the full antenna length to capture weak incom ing signals. The antenna can be operated by depressing the re­ spective side of the rocker switch. FM Stereo Reception When tuned to a FM stereo station, the red Stereo Indicator Lamp w ill light up. Because more information is carried in the FM stereo signal than in FM m onoraul broadcasts, flutter, cancellation and capture effects may be even more notice­ able. The noisefree broadcast range, therefore, is somewhat less and accurate tuning to the strongest available stereo stations is required, especially fo r fringe area reception. Your radio is equipped with a speci­ ally designed Stereo Decoder which autom atically switches the radio from stereo to mono reception if the signal becomes too weak. However, the Stereo Indicator Lamp remains lit to avoid the distracting flicker at short-tim e signal changes. The radio w ill return to the stereo mode autom atically when signal strength permits it. Radio Tape Playback (Mexico Cassette Model) This type of radio provides fo r the playback of prerecorded stereo music through the unique com bina­ tion of all the features of an autom atic signalseeking stereo radio with a tape player. To start playback, insert stereo cassette through the swing-away door of the cassette slot and depress until the mechanism engages. (Note: Full reel on the right tape side of cassette first.) The cassette w ill be autom atically released when the tape reaches its end. To play the other side, remove the cassette from the radio, turn it upside down and reinsert through the slot. To manually eject the cassette, push the release bar (7). When the cassette is ejected, the unit w ill autom atically switch to radio reception. For fast forw ard or rewind of the tape, depress button 8 or 9 past point of resistance. To stop tape winding, depress opposing button to point of resistance only. Care of the Tape Player Use only good quality cassettes with a maximum playing time of 45 minutes per side (C 90). “ Un­ w ound” tapes can be fixed by rewinding either reel with a pencil inserted in its hub. The pick-up head and roller should be cleaned occasionally to maintain the original high quality sound reproduction. Driving 33 Parking Brake Hood To open, pull handle (below the L-H side of instrum ent panel) to un­ lock it. The hood opens to the safety catch stop. Pull lever in radiator grille as indicated by the 34 arrow and lift hood (windshield w iper arms must not be folded out). To close, press down hood firmly. Note: There is a risk of injury when the hood is open and the engine is running. Depress parking brake pedal (1). When the steering lock key is in position “ 2” , the brake warning lamp in the instrum ent cluster comes on. To release, pull release button (2) on the instrum ent panel. The parking brake releases in one rapid movement. The parking brake w arning lamp in the instrument cluster must go out. Have the follow ing items checked regularly and p rior to any long trip 1 Fuel Supply Use unleaded gasoline, fo r octane rating see “ Capacities and last page” . Do not force fuel tank flap. 2 Tire Pressure For tire pressure table refer to fuel filler flap or last page. Check at least every other week. For more details see “ Wheels, Tires, Changing W heels” . 3 Oil/Fluid Level: Engine, Automatic Transmission See “ Checking Fuels, Coolants, Lubri­ cants, e tc.” , “ Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. and last page". 4 Coolant Level See “ Checking Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, e tc.” , “ Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. and last page” . 5 Brake Fluid When the minimum mark on the reservoir is reached, have the system checked (brake lining thickness, leaks). 6 Windshield Washer Replenish with w ater mixed with w indshield washer detergent (container is in the engine compartm ent). 7 Battery Replenish with distilled water only. See “ Electrical System ” . Vehicle Lighting Check fo r function and cleanliness. 35 Catalytic Converter Cautions Your MERCEDES-BENZ is equipped with m onolithic catalytic con­ verters, an im portant element in conjunction with the 02-sensor to achieve substantial control of the pollutants in the exhaust emissions. Keep your vehicle in proper operating condition by follow ing our recommended maintenance instructions as outlined in your maintenance booklet. Should any noticeable irregularities in the engine operation occur such as misfiring of one or more cylinders, indicated by audible signs, excessive unburned fuel may reach the converter causing it to overheat. Continued operation of your vehicle can result in damage to the converter. For the same reason we caution against: • Misuse or abuse of your vehicle engine • Refueling with leaded gasoline • Excessive idling with cold engine • Push or tow starting your vehicle with hot engine. As with any vehicle, do not idle or park or operate this vehicle in areas where com bustible materials such as grass, hay or leaves can come into contact with a hot exhaust system, as these materials could be ignited. We urge your cooperation by follow ing the above instructions to achieve cleaner air. Starting and Turning off the Engine Engage parking brake or service brake before starting the engine. Place the gear selector lever in either “ N" or “ P” position before starting the engine. Turn key in steering lock to posi­ tion “ 2” . The charge indicator lamp must come on. Cold Engine accelerator to the flo o r and con­ tinue cranking until the engine runs sm oothly. Release key and back off accelerator after the engine has started. If the coolant tem perature is very high (e.g. after hard driving on mountain roads), do not shut off the engine imm ediately but allow it to run on fo r 1-2 minutes at increased idle speed. Cold Start at Normal Ambient Temperatures (about 15° C -3 5 ° C/ 59° F -9 5 ° F) Hints Turn key in steering lock clockwise to the stop. If necessary, depress the accelerator slow ly after the engine has started firing. Release key only when the engine is running smoothly. Turn the key in steering lock clock­ wise to the stop. Start w ithout actuating accelerator. Release key only when the engine is running smoothly. Hot Engine Turning off Turn key in steering lock clockwise to the stop. Do not actuate accele­ rator. If the engine has not fired after approx. 4 seconds, depress Turn the key in the steering lock to position “ 0” and only remove the key when the vehicle is at standstill. Observe the oil pressure gauge imm ediately after starting the engine. In a very cold engine the oil pressure w ill only rise slowly, some tim e after the engine has started. Do not rev up the engine before pressure is registered on the pressure gauge. The charge indicator lamp must go out as soon as the engine has started. Do not engage the starter con­ tinuously for more than 20 seconds. At ambient temperatures of less than -20 C /-4 F, depress the accelerator three times prior to starting. Starting and Shifting Gears Do not store any objects in the d rive r’s footwell area because they could become lodged under the operator’s pedals thus rendering these controls partially or totally inoperative. Test service brake after driving off. Warm up the engine sm oothly. Do not place full load on the engine until the operating tem perature has been reached. accelerator after having attained the desired speed, the transm ission w ill shift up again. Gearshifting is controlled by the vehicle speed. The autom atic transm ission fa c ili­ tates and sim plifies the handling of the vehicle. The individual gears are shifted autom atically dependent upon selector lever position, vehicle speed and accelerator position. “ P” Parking lock. The parking lock is an additional safeguard when parking the vehicle. Engage only when the car is stationary. “ R” Reverse gear. Shift reverse gear only with the vehicle at halt. Hint Selector Lever Positions The autom atic gear shifting process can be adapted to specific operating conditions by means of the selector lever. brake before moving off. The ve­ hicle may otherwise start creeping when the selector lever is in a driving position. When parking the vehicle or if w ork­ ing on the vehicle with the engine running, depress parking brake pedal and move selector lever to position “ P” . A ccelerator position Starting Shift selector lever to the desired driving position only when the engine is idling and the service brake is applied. Do not release the Depressing the accelerator beyond full throttle to kickdown position means dow nshifting to the next lower gear and thus maximum acceleration. If you ease up on the Partial throttle = early upshifting = normal acceleration Full throttle = retarded upshifting = maximum acceleration “ N” Neutral. No power is trans­ m itted from the engine to the rear axle. When the brakes are released, the vehicle can be moved freely (pushed, towed or towstarted). Do not engage “ N” when driving except when the vehicle is in danger of skidding (e. g. on icy roads). See page 44. Starting and Shifting Gears “ D” Drive. All gears are available. The vehicle starts out in 1 st gear. Position “ D” affords optimum driving characteristics under all normal operating conditions. “ S” Slope. Upshifting to 2nd gear only. The vehicle starts out in 1st gear. Suitable for moderate ascents and descents. As the transmission shifts up to 2nd gear only, this position permits the utilization of the engine braking effect. With the selec­ to r lever in position “ S” and the accelerator depressed to full throttle, 1 st gear covers a w ider speed range than with the selector lever in position “ D” . “ L” Low. No upshift, transm ission w ill remain in 1st gear. For driving on steep mountain passes, for trailer operation in m ountai­ nous regions, for driving under severe operating conditions and as a braking position on extremely steep declines. Maneuvering To maneuver in restricted area, e. g. when pulling into a parking space, control the car speed by gradually releasing the service brake. Accelerate gently and do not pump the accelerator. To rock a car out of soft ground (mud or snow), alternately shift one forward gear range and the reverse gear at partial throttle. Trailer operation Do not allow the engine speed to drop too low at uphill gradients to prevent the engine from laboring at low RPMs. Depending on the degree of the incline, shift selector lever to positions “ S” or “ L ” early enough to maintain engine rpms w ithin best torque range. Stopping For brief halts, e. g. at traffic lights, leave the selector lever in a driving position and control vehicle with the service brake. For longer stops with the engine idling, shift selector lever to posi­ tion “ N ” . When stopping the car on a slope, do not hold it by means of the accelerator but use the brake. This avoids unnecessary heat-up of the transm ission. Safe Driving Always drive according to the rule “ Safety firs t” . The com fortable ride of the vehicle may easily tem pt you to underestim ate the speed you are actually driving at. For this reason you should get used to keeping an eye on the speedo­ meter needle because high speeds demand long stopping distances. Do not attem pt to move or roll the vehicle with the engine not in ope­ ration, as engine-driven accessories such as the power steering system or power brakes are not “ pow ered” , therefore, requiring substantially more effort fo r their operation even though they always remain mecha­ nically operative. Do not allow your tires to wear down too far. With less than appr. 3 m m /'/s in of tread, the antiskid properties on a wet road fall off sharply. Depending upon the weather a nd / or road pavement, the grip of the tires varies widely. The retention of the specified tire pressure is essential. This applies particularly if the tires are subjected to high loads (e.g. high speeds, heavy loads, high ambient tem ­ peratures). Aquaplaning: Depending on the depth of the water layer on the road, aquaplan­ ing may occur even with tires still showing the full tread depth, and even at low speeds. Avoid track grooves in the road and apply brakes cautiously in the rain. Tire friction: Dry road = 100 % Wet road = from approx. 50 % to approx. 80 % (be particularly cau­ tious on wet and dirty roads) Icy road = approx. 15 % A given speed at which a vehicle driven on dry roads can still be fully controlled must be reduced when the same vehicle is to be driven safely on a wet or icy road. You should pay particular attention to the condition of the road as soon as the prevailing tem peratures fall close to the freezing point. If ice has formed on the road (e. g. due to fog), a thin film of w ater is then quickly produced on the ice which substantially reduces the grip of the tires. Under such weather con­ ditions, drive, steer and brake particularly carefully. We recommend M + S radial-ply tires fo r the cold season. On ice or packed snow, they can reduce your stopping distance as compa­ red with summer tires. Stopping distance, however, is nevertheless considerably greater than when the road is wet or dry. When driving down long and steep declines, relieve the brakes by engaging selector lever position “ S” or “ L” . This prevents over­ heating of the brakes and reduces brake pad wear. After hard braking it is advisable not to switch off the engine right away but to drive on fo r some time so the air stream w ill cool down the brakes faster. When driving in heavy rain for some tim e w ithout applying the brakes, the first braking action may be somewhat retarded and increased pedal pressure may be necessary. For this reason, stay further away from vehicle in front. Safe Driving The condition of the parking brake w ill be checked during every main­ tenance service. Furthermore it is recommended to exert once or tw ice between the regular maintenance services, a maximum pressure of 10 kp/22 lb on the parking brake pedal for 10 seconds while tra­ velling at a speed around 50 k m /h / 30 mph on dry road. Pull release knob during this process! Repeat procedure once or twice. Exercise care, the stoplamps do not work. Have all inspections of and w ork on the brake system carried out by a MERCEDES-BENZ service station. If the parking brake is released and the brake warning lamp in the in­ strument cluster comes on, the brake fluid level in the reservoir is too low. A leak or brake pad w ear may cause a shortage of brake fluid in the reservoir. Have brake system checked in a MERCEDES-BENZ service station as soon as possible. Install only brake pads recomm en­ ded by us. If other than recommended brake pads are installed, the braking pro­ perties of the vehicle can be affec­ ted to an extent that the safety is substantially impaired. Brake Pad Wear Indicator Lamp The brake pad wear indicator lamp in the instrum ent cluster comes on when the key in the steering lock is turned to driving position “ 2” and it must go out when the engine is running. If the indicator lamp lights up during braking or driving, this shows that the front wheel brake pads are worn down. Have brake system checked in a MERCEDES-BENZ service station as soon as possible. Brake Fluid During the course of the operation of the vehicle, the boiling point of the brake fluid is continuously being reduced through the absorption of m oisture from the atmosphere. Under extrem ely hard operating conditions, this m oisture content can lead to the form ation of vapor in the system thus reducing the system ’s efficiency. The brake fluid must therefore be replaced annu­ ally, preferably in the spring. It is recommended to use only brake flu id approved by MERCEDESBENZ. Your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer w ill provide you with additional inform ation. Charge Indicator Lamp Should the charge indicator lamp fail to come on prior to starting when the ignition key is in posi­ tion “ 2” or should it fail to go out after starting or during operation, this indicates a fa ult which must be repaired at a MERCEDES-BENZ service station as soon as possible. Safe Driving Oil Pressure Gauge The oil pressure may drop at idle speed to 0.5 bar/7.1 psi if the engine is at operating temperature. This w ill not jeopardize its opera­ tional reliability. Pressure must, however, rise imm ediately upon acceleration. The oil pressure gauge does not provide any inform ation concerning the oil level in the engine. Coolant Temperature Gauge Due to the pressurized cooling system, the coolant only starts boiling at a tem perature of approx. 125° C /257° F with an antifreezeblended coolant fill protecting down to -3 0 ° C /-2 2 ° F (see also “ Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc.” ). During severe operating conditions and stop-and-go city traffic the coolant temperature must not rise above the red marking. Emission Control Engine Oil Consumption Certain systems of the engine serve to keep the toxic components of the exhaust gases w ithin per­ missible lim its required by law. (Nevertheless, we urgently advise you not to let the engine run in a closed garage.) These systems, of course, w ill function properly only when maintained strictly according to factory specifications. Any adjustments on the engine should, therefore, be carried out only by qualified MERCEDES-BENZ techni­ cians. The adjustments of the engine should not be altered in any way. Moreover, the specified service and maintenance jobs must be carried out regularly according to MERCEDES-BENZ servicing requirements. For details refer to O wner’s Emission C ontrol and Maintenance Manual. Engine oil consum ption can only be determ ined after a certain mileage has been covered. During the break-in period, higher oil con­ sumption may be noticed and is normal. Frequent high engine speed operation w ill also cause increased oil consumption. The First 1500 km/1000 Miles Special Operating Conditions The more cautiously you treat your engine during the break-in period, the more satisfied you w ill be with its performance later on. Therefore, drive your vehicle during the first 1500 km/1000 miles at moderate vehicle and engine speeds. Winter Driving During this period, avoid heavy loads (full throttle driving) and high RPMs (no more than % of maximum permissible speed in each gear) and do not force the engine to labor at low engine speed. Avoid accelerating by kickdown. It is not recommended to brake vehicle by means of manually shifting to a lower gear. We recom ­ mend to select positions “ S” or “ L” only at moderate speeds (for hill driving). After 1500 km/1000 miles speeds may gradually be increased to the permissible maximum. Have your car w interized in a MERCEDES-BENZ service station before the onset of winter. • Additive in the w indshield washer system: Add w indshield washer solvent to the w ater in the w indshield washer system. • • Engine oil change: If no “ all year round” engine oil is used, fill with recommended w inter oil. For viscosity and capacity refer to “ Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc. and last page” . • Antifreeze in the coolant: Check antifreeze protection periodically. For capacity refer to “ Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, e tc.” . Test battery: Battery capacity drops with decreasing ambient temperature. A well charged battery ensures that the engine can always be started, even at low am bient temperatures. • Tires: For the cold season we recommend mounting M + S radial-ply tires on all wheels. Permissible top speed for M + S radial-ply tires is 160 k m /h / 100 m iles/h. Special Operating Conditions Hints for Driving The most im portant rule fo r 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 means of corrective steering action. Provided the traffic conditions w ill allow, only brake in a way that the wheels are locked for no more than fractions of a second as otherwise the steerability of the vehicle is lost. Thawing salts and w ater can adver­ sely affect the braking efficiency. Increased pressure on the pedal m aybe required to achieve the usual braking effect. We therefore recom ­ mend you to actuate the brakes repeatedly in order to test their efficiency after driving on salt treated roads fo r some time. In doing this it must, of course, be made sure that no danger is crea­ ted fo r other road users. 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 adhering to the safety requirements. Should the braking efficiency have deteriora­ ted considerably it can be im­ proved again by braking several times. Tire Chains Tire chains can only be used on the driving wheels. Use only chains tested and recommended by us. Any MERCEDES-BENZ service station w ill readily advise you. Retighten newly mounted tire chains after a few miles of driving. Do not exceed perm issible maximum speed of 50 k m /h /3 0 mph. On clear roads, remove the chains as soon as practicable. Adhere to the m anufacturer’s mounting instruc­ tions. Traveling Abroad Abroad, too, there is a widely-spread MERCEDES-BENZ service network at your disposal. If you travel into areas which are not listed in the index of your service station book­ let, you should request pertinent inform ation from your dealer. Vehicle Care MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance System Like any other mechanical equip­ ment, the vehicle requires care and maintenance. A maintenance booklet is delivered with your car listing all the m ainte­ nance jobs that must be carried out after the follow ing mileages: • Once after 1300-1600 km / 800-1000 miles. • Once after 12 000 km / 7500 miles. • After 24 000 km /15 000 miles and thereafter every 24 000 km / 15 000 miles, but at least once every two years. We would also like to draw your attention to the hints contained in the maintenance booklet covering necessary lubrication service every 12 000 km/7500 miles, addi­ tional maintenance jobs every 48 000 km /30 000 miles and MB individual maintenance as required. Renew brake fluid once a year, preferably in spring. Use only brake fluids recommended by MERCEDES-BENZ. The vehicle must receive the pre­ scribed maintenance a n d /o r lubri­ cation w ork at the specified intervals as listed in the maintenance book­ let. Verification of perform ance of such m aintenance/lubrication work should be recorded in the spaces provided in the maintenance booklet. The maintenance jobs are described in detail in a manual which you can order from your MERCEDES-BENZ service station. A small sticker attached to the door post of the driver’s door by the service station personnel is to remind you when the next main­ tenance service or lubrication service is due. Lubrication service Maintenance service Severe Operating Conditions In the case of severe operating conditions or heavy use mainly in city traffic or over short distances, frequent mountain driving, poor roads, dusty and muddy conditions, trailer operation, hard and sporty driving, etc. it may be necessary to inspect e.g. • the front axle brake linings • the tires • air cleaner (clean or renew element) at shorter intervals. Any MERCEDES-BENZ service station w ill be pleased to give you expert and individual advice. MERCEDES-BENZ Maintenance System Engine Oil Change and Filter Change Automatic Transmission Fluid and Filter Change To be carried out every 12 000 km / 7500 miles, but at least once a year if year-round m ultigrade oil is used. Otherwise at least tw ice a year (in spring and fall). To be carried out every 48 000 km / 30 000 miles according to the maintenance booklet. Under severe operating conditions, have the autom atic transm ission fluid changed every 24 000 km / 15 000 miles w ithout filte r change. Under severe operating conditions the oil should be changed every 6000 km/3750 miles. It is not mandatory to change the filte r at this oil change. For regular oil level checks, refer to “ Checking Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc.” . Spare Parts Service All MERCEDES-BENZ service sta­ tions store the MERCEDES-BENZ original spare parts required for m aintenance and repair work. In addition, depots are provided all over the globe intended to en­ sure the rapid supply of MERCEDES-BENZ original spare parts. More than 200 000 different spare parts, even fo r rather old vehicle models, are furtherm ore stocked in the central plant warehouses. We w arrant maximum operational efficiency and reliability as well as optimum retention of the vehicle value when MERCEDES-BENZ o riginal spare parts are installed, as they are subjected to most severe quality inspections. Each part has been specifically develop­ ed, manufactured or selected fo r and adapted to MERCEDES-BENZ vehicles. For this reason, only MERCEDESBENZ original spare parts should be installed. Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle In operation, your vehicle is sub­ jected to a great amount of varying external influences which, if gone unchecked, can attack the paint­ w ork as well as the underbody and cause lasting damage. Such damage is caused not only extreme and varying clim atic con­ ditions, but also by air pollution, road salt, tar, gravel and stone chipping. Grease and oil, fuel, coolant, brake fluid, bird droppings, tree resins, etc. should be imme­ diately removed to avoid paint damage. Frequent washing, how­ ever, reduces a n d /o r elim inates the aggressivity and potency of the above adverse influences. Special car-care measures may be necessary to deal with unfavor­ able conditions; for example, near the coast, in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust emissions), or during w inter operation. You should check over your vehicle from tim e to time fo r stone chipp­ ing or other damage. Any damage should be repaired as soon as possible. In doing so, do not neglect the underside of the car. A prerequisite for a thorough check is a washing of the underbody follow ed by a rustproofing treatm ent. Your vehicle has been treated at the factory with a wax-base rustproofing in the body cavities. A fter every engine cleaning you should have the engine com part­ ment rustproofed. Before rustproofing, all control linkage bush­ ings have to be lubricated with hydraulic oil (check with your local MERCEDES-BENZ dealership for recommended brands). We have selected car-care products and com piled recomm endations which are specially matched to our vehicles and which always reflect the newest in technological stand­ ing. You can obtain MB car-care products at every MERCEDESBENZ service station. Scratches, corrosive deposits, corrosion or damage due to negli­ gent or incorrect care cannot always be removed with the car-care products recommended here. In such cases it is best to seek aid at your MERCEDES-BENZ service station. The follow ing topics deal with the cleaning and care of your vehicle and give im portant “ how -to” in­ form ation as well as references to recommended MB car-care products. Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle Car Wash Tar Stains Before washing your vehicle, re­ move insect residues. The car should not be washed in the sun. Thoroughly spray the car with a diffused jet of water. D irect only a very weak spray towards the venti­ lation intake. Use plenty of w ater and rinse the sponge and chamois frequently. Rinse with clear w ater and thoroughly wipe dry with a chamois. If the vehicle has been run through an automatic car wash - in parti­ cular one of the older in s ta lla tio n srewipe the recessed sections pro­ vided in the tail lamps (for improved prevention of soiling) if necessary. No solvents (fuels, thinners etc.) must be used. In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of road salt as soon as possible. When washing the car underbody, do not forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels. Quickly remove tar stains before they dry and become more d ifficult to remove. Window Cleaning Use a w indow cleaning solution on very dirty or oil-stained windows. Clean w indshield w iper blades with a clean cloth and washing solution. Replace blades once or tw ice a year. Plastic (Vinyl) and Rubber Parts Do not use oil or wax on these parts. Seat Belts The webbing must not be treated with chemical cleaning agents. Use only clear, lukewarm w ater and soap. Do not dry the webbing at tem peratures above 80° C /1760 F or in direct sunlight. Never bleach or re-dye the webbing. Steering Wheel, Instrument Cluster and Selector Lever Use a gentle dish-washing deter­ gent or mild detergent fo r delicate fabrics as a washing solution. Wipe with a cloth moistened in luke­ warm solution. Do not use scour­ ing agents. Upholstery Leather: Wipe leather upholstery with a damp cloth and dry th or­ oughly. Exercise particular care when cleaning perforated leather as its underside should not become wet. Velours: Pressure marks resulting from dampness and heat may appear to be stains. Such marks can be removed by wiping with a moistened brush, ironing with a wet cloth or by treating with a dry shampoo. Do not sit on damp up­ holstery. Quick drying is achieved by applying hot air - fo r example, by using a hair dryer. If in doubt, please consult your MERCEDESBENZ service station. Cleaning and Care of the Vehicle Paintwork Do not apply wax if your car is parked in the sun or if the hood is still hot. For maximum protection, the paintwork should be waxed approxim ately once every three months. Use the appropriate MERCEDES-BENZ Touch-Up Stick for quick and provisional repairs of m inor paint damage. Light Alloy Wheels If possible, clean wheels once a week with lukewarm water and autoshampoo. Use an ample supply of water. To remove stubborn marks, use polish or paint cleaner and apply with buffing cloth or a soft cloth. Ornamental Moldings (Chrome-Plated, Aluminium) For regular cleaning and care of very dirty chrome-plated parts, use a chrome cleaner. Roadster Top (Rubber-coated Canvas) Stow only a com pletely dry top in the storage compartm ent. If the top is kept in the storage com partm ent fo r a lengthy period, unfold and air it well with the windows down from time to time. Remove bird droppings immediately. The organic acid swells the rubber and causes the top to leak. In general regular spraying or cleansing with clear w ater w ill do. Wash top only when heavily soiled, not every tim e the car is washed. Caution: Never use any gasoline, thinner, tar and stain removers or sim ilar organic solvents to clean top or rear window. Dry cleaning: Brush top (always from front to rear) with a soft-bristled brush. Wet cleaning: Brush the dry top. Wash with a mild detergent and an ample supply of lukewarm w ater by w iping the canvas with a soft-bristled brush or a sponge from front to rear. Then cleanse thoroughly with clear water. If only parts of the top have been washed, wet the entire top at the end of the proceedings and allow the unfolded and tightened top to air-dry. Wipe the rear window with a cloth soaked with a detergent and rub dry. Do not use sharp-edged instruments fo r the removal of ice and snow. Important! The seams of the top may start to leak due to im proper care and cleaning, as well as due to usage over a long period of time. A resealing of the top seams can be carried out at every MERCEDESBENZ service station. Practical Hints i 51 Practical Hints Ash trays > Removal of front ash tray: Pull out ash tray up to the stop. Depress center locking spring (1) and remove ash tray. To install ash tray: Position ash tray squarely and push in. Removal of rear ash tray (450 SLC): Press down ash tray when opening it and remove it. To install ash tray: Position ash tray squarely and push in. Rear Seat Cushion (450 SLC) Removal: Push in left and right spring clamps (1 ), slightly raise rear seat cushion at the fron t side and pull toward the front. Installation: Push rear end of rear seat cushion under rear seat back as far as it w ill go and press seat cushion front section downward until it rests on th o 52 /'-'i l o R i n n o i m n n r t Practical Hints First Aid Kit Luggage or Ski Racks Spare Wheel, Jack, Vehicle Tool Kit The first aid kit is stowed in a cavity in the hat shelf at the rear. The only type of rack to be mounted on the roof we recom ­ mend is the drip rail mounted type which has no other supports (suc­ tion cups or legs) to support the rack on the roof. Such supports may lead to marring of the paint or even denting of the roof if excessive w eight is placed on the rack. Your MERCEDES-BENZ dealer can give further advice. Spare wheel (1) is stowed in a trough below the folding trunk flo o r (3). Jack (2) and tools are located in the trunk on the right side. Note: The jack is designed exclusively for jacking up the vehicle at the jack tubes provided on either side of the vehicle. Jack stands must be used when w orking under the vehicle. 53 < Wheels Tires Changing Wheels Wheels and Tires In case of replacem ent we recom ­ mend you use tires of identical design, version and brand. See any MERCEDES-BENZ service station fo r inform ation on tested and recommended wheels and tires for summer and w inter operation. They w ill also offer more advice con­ cerning tire service and purchase. Mount single newly acquired tires on the front wheels. If any tires are replaced and the spare tire is new and of the same make and version, mount the spare wheel on the vehicle as road wheel. We recom ­ mend that you break in new tires for approx. 100 km /60 miles at moderate speed. For tire specifications, refer to “ Technical Data". Rotating wheels: The wheels can be rotated accord­ ing to the degree of tire wear while retaining the same sense of rota­ tion. Rotating, however, should be carried out before the characteristic tire wear pattern (shoulder wear on front wheels and tread center wear on rear wheels) becomes visible at a mileage of 5000-10 000 km / 3000-6000 miles as otherwise the driving properties deteriorate. Slowly leaking air (e.g. due to a nail in the tire) may cause damage to the tire such as tread separation. Regular tire pressure checks at intervals of no more than 14 days are therefore essential. For the tire pressure checks, keep in mind that hot tires show higher pressure than cold tires. See tire pressure chart on last page. Should the tire pressure decrease constantly, check whether foreign objects have penetrated the tire or if rim or valve allow the air to leak. Thoroughly clean the inner side of the wheels any tim e you rotate the wheels or wash vehicle underside. Dented or bent rims cause tire pressure loss and damage to the tire beads. For this reason, check rims fo r damage at regular intervals. The rim flanges must be checked fo r wear before a tire is mounted. Remove burrs, if there are any. Observe wheel bolts! 1 2 For forged light alloy rims only For steel rims only Caution: Do not use the long wheel bolts (1) intended fo r light alloy wheels only when mounting steel rims. Use only the shorter bolts (2) for the steel rims. Wheels Changing Wheels 1. Depress parking brake pedal. 2. Move selector lever to position “p„ 3. Safeguard vehicle against rolling off by using chocks or similar. Place chocks under both oppo­ site wheels (on dow nhill side), on a level road on both sides of the opposite front wheel when changing a rear wheel. 4. Using the com bination wrench, loosen but do not yet remove the wheel bolts. 5. Clean jack supporting tube, if necessary. (Jack tubes are behind the fron t wheel housings and in front of the rear wheel housings.) 6. Insert jack arm into the tube hole up to the stop. Position the jack so that it w ill always be vertical Tires Changing Wheels as seen from the side, even on inclines. Jack up the vehicle until the wheel is clear of the ground. 7. Then back out the wheel bolts. Protect bolt threads from dirt and sand. Remove the wheel. 8. Adjust the jack to allow the wheel to be slipped on w ithout being lifted. 9. Slip on wheel and press against wheel m ounting flange. Turn in wheel bolts. 55 < Wheels Tires Changing Wheels 10. Lower car and remove jack. Tighten the five bolts evenly by going around the wheel and tightening every other bolt until all the bolts are tight. Observe a tightening torque of 10 m kp/ 72 Ib-ft. 11. C orrect tire pressure. 56 Tire Inflation Pressure A table (see fuel fille r flap or last page) lists the tire inflation pres­ sures specified fo r summer and w inter tires as well as for the vary­ ing operating conditions. Tire pressures listed for light loads are minimum values offering high driving com fort. Increased inflation pressures for heavy loads produce favorable handling characteristics with lighter loads and are perfectly permissible. The ride of the vehicle, however, w ill become somewhat harder. Tire tem perature and pressure in­ crease with the vehicle speed. Tire pressure should therefore only be corrected on cold tires. C orrect tire pressure in hot tires only if pressure has dropped below the data listed in the table and the respective operating conditions are taken into consideration. Checking Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. removing cap. The coolant reser­ vo ir contains hot w ater and is under pressure. First turn cap to first notch to relieve excess pressure using a rag. If opened immediately, hot scalding fluid and steam w ill be blown out under pressure. Add cold w ater only if engine is run­ ning. Both hot and cold engines can be readily filled up with hot water (see also “ fuels, coolants, lubri­ cants, e tc.” , page 75). Engine Oil Level Check 1 Dipstick 2 Oil fille r hole Check engine oil level at regular intervals, e. g. after refueling, with the engine at operating tem perature and shut off. The vehicle should be parked on level ground and the oil level must be somewhere between the lower and the upper mark on dipstick (1 ); do not replenish in excess of the upper mark. For viscosity and capacity, see “ Fuels, Coolants, Lubricants, etc., and last page” . Replenishing Coolant 1 Coolant Filler 2 Marking for coolant level The coolant reservoir with fille r neck is arranged away from the radiator. To replenish coolant, the car must be on level ground. Do not remove pressure cap on coolant reservoir if engine tem ­ perature is above 90° C /194° F. Allow engine to cool down before If a small amount of coolant has to be added (due to evaporation of water), plain w ater can be added. If a larger quantity of coolant has to be added, a 50/50 m ixture of water and antifreeze should be used. The coolant level must reach: • the mark indicated on the reser­ vo ir when the coolant is cold. • approxim ately 2 c m /0.8 in higher when the coolant is hot. The drain plugs are situated on the R-H and L-H engine side and on the radiator bottom. 57 < Checking Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. Automatic Transmission Fluid Level At regular intervals, check the fluid level of the autom atic transm ission together with the engine oil level prior to every long trip. Check transm ission fluid level with the engine idling, parking brake engaged and selector lever in posi­ tion “ P” . The vehicle must be parked on level ground. Prior to the check, allow engine to idle fo r approx. 1 to 2 minutes. Measure oil level with the dipstick com pletely inserted and the locking lever released (1 ). Painstaking cleanliness must be observed! To wipe the dipstick, use a clean, lint-free cloth (preferably leather). To fill the transm ission with fluid, only pour it through a fine-mesh filte r into the dipstick opening. Even the slightest im purity may cause operational troubles. 58 The oil level in the transm ission is dependent upon the oil temperature. The maximum and minimum oil level marks on the dipstick are applicable references only if the transm ission fluid has reached its normal operating tem perature of 80° C /176- F. - If, however, the transm ission fluid cools down to 20-30° C /68- 860 F, which is the normal shop tem perature range, then the maximum oil level w ill be approxim ately 30 mm/1.2 in below the minimum mark on the dipstick. We stress this point because an oil change is norm ally performed when the transm ission oil has cooled down to shop temperature. The fluid level must not exceed the dipstick maximum mark with the fluid at operating temperature. Drain or siphon off excess fluid, if required. Then push dipstick all the way in and swing locking lever down­ wards (2). Electrical System Battery The battery is located in the trunk. Replenish with distilled water approxim ately every 4 weeks, and more often in summer and in hot zones. Do not use metal funnels and do not perforate the diaphragm of the battery overfill protection. The battery is filled to the maximum level when the w ater level in the cell filling chamber stops going down. Fuses The fuse box (1) is accom modated in the R-H side flo o r space. A table in the fuse box cover (2) depicts all the protected electrical units. Fuses must not be repaired or bridged. Spare fuses for emergencies (ob­ serve amperage and color) are stowed with the tools. Diagnose the cause of a short circu it before replacing a burnedout fuse. If battery acid is to be extracted for battery diagnosis purposes, per­ forate the diaphragm with the hydrom eter or the tube attached to it. Coat battery term inal clamps with acidproof grease. Keep battery clean and dry. Only tow vehicle with the battery connected. Only charge battery with the rapid charger when it is disconnected from the vehicle circuit. Note: While the engine is running the battery term inal clamps must not be loosened or detached as otherwise the alternator and other electronic units would be damaged. Spark Plugs This vehicle is equipped with spark plugs as required for driving in the USA. Should additional inform ation be necessary, your MERCEDESBENZ dealer w ill be happy to offer advice. Electrical System Replacing Bulbs Front Lamps To remove, push the bulb in and turn to the left, then lift the bulb out. (Sealed Beam Version USA Specifications) To install, grip the bulb with a paper tissue or sim ilar cloth, align the pins on the base of the bulb with the grooves in the bulb socket, push in lightly and turn to the right until the stop is felt. 1 Cover 2 Securing screws for cover 3 Horizontal aiming screws 4 Vertical aiming screws Install only bulbs of prescribed wattage. Refer to “ Technical Data and last page” . Headlamp Aiming Correct headlamp aiming is of para­ mount importance to the road­ worthiness of the car. Check and readjust headlamps at regular inter­ vals and invariably when a lamp has been replaced. 60 Loosen securing screws 2 and detach cover 1 . 5 High and low beam sealed-beam unit (type 2): Loosen clam ping screws 8, remove retaining ring and unit, disconnect plug and socket on unit. 6 High beam sealed-beam unit (type 1 ): Loosen clam ping screws 9, remove retaining ring and unit, disconnect plug and socket on unit. 7 Side marker lamp: Remove unit 5, loosen clamping screw 10 and detach lamp holder. Depress bulb, turn left and pull out. Electrical System 13 Bulb for turn signal, clearance and standing lamps: The lamps are located below the bumper. Loosen securing screws 11 and remove lens 12. Depress bulb 13, turn left and pull out. When replacing the lens, it must be ensured that the lug in the lens is at the bottom. 14 Bulb for fog lamp: Loosen securing screws 15 and remove housing. Detach holding spring 16, remove bulb 14 and disconnect plug 17. Tail Lamp Assembly Remove both knurled nuts in the trunk and pull off lens assembly. To replace the bulbs, depress, turn left and pull out. 1 Backup lamp 2 Stop lamp 3 Tail, parking and standing lamp 4 Turn signal lamp (ball lamp) side m arker lamp (festoon lamp) 61 Electrical System 8212 License Plate Lamp Footwell Lamps Dome Lamps Loosen both the securing screws (1) of the lamp, detach lens with gas­ ket (2) and pull down lamp hol­ der (3) on the L-H side. When replacing the lens, it must be assured that the lug in the lens is on the L-H side. Press off lamp (1) at the nose (2), replace bulb and press lamp on again. 450 SLC: To replace the bulb, slightly press forward dome lamp to the right (1), lift up at left side (2) and then pull out to the left. Remove rear dome lamp likewise. 450 SL: To replace the bulb, pull out lamp. 62 Electrical System Glove Compartment Lamp Trunk Lamp To replace the bulb, pull out lamp. The trunk lamp (1 ) is easily accessible when the trunk lid (2) is opened. To replace the bulb, depress, turn counterclockw ise and take it out. 63 Sliding Roof-Emergency Operation (450 SLC) Should the electric drive become defective, the sliding roof can also be moved manually. A manual drive (2) is provided on the drive m otor (located in the trunk, R-H side) for this purpose. By means of the adapter (3) held in 64 bracket (1 ) on the mounting plate and with a screw driver the manual drive can be rotated and the sliding roof moved to the desired position. For this purpose, remove jack first. To close the sliding roof, turn clockwise. Unlocking of the Filler Flap If the fille r flap cannot be opened when the master lock system is un­ locked, w ithdraw the link of the vacuum element (on RH side in trunk). Em ergency-starting and Towing the Vehicle Towing eyes are situated under­ neath the R-H front and rear end. Use a solid towing link such as a towbar. Never start a hot engine by towing or pushing the vehicle as the catalysts m ight otherwise suffer damage. For another starting attempt, tow car again fo r a short w hile with the selector lever in position "N ” and then repeat starting procedure. Only tow -start vehicle with the battery connected and the key in steering lock position “ 2” . Move selector lever to position “ N ” , switch on ignition and then towstart the vehicle. The same procedure may be used for starting the engine w hile rolling downhill. Caution: As long as the engine is not running, the power assistance system is inoperative and substantially greater pedal forces need to be applied fo r braking; increased effort is also required to steer the car. After reaching a speed of 30 k m /h / 18 mph, maintain this speed for about two minutes in order to ensure sufficient oil pressure in the transm ission. Emergency Engine Start (Tow-starting) The engine must be cold if it is to be started by towing or pushing the vehicle. To start the engine, move selector lever to “ L” . Only touch the accele­ rator when the engine is revolving. As soon as the engine has fired, return the selector lever to “ N” immediately. If the engine fails to fire w ithin a few seconds, return the selector lever from “ L ” to “ N” as otherwise the transm ission may be damaged. Towing the Vehicle The vehicle may be towed with the driving wheels on the ground and the selector lever in position “ N” for distances up to 120 km / 75 miles and at a speed not to exceed 50 k m /h /3 0 mph. To positively avoid a possibility of damage to the transm ission, how­ ever, we recomm end to disconnect the drive shaft at the rear axle drive flange on any towing beyond a short tow to a nearby garage. Jump Starting If the battery is discharged the engine can be started with jum per cables (minimum lead cross section is 35 mm2) and the (12 V) battery of another vehicle. Proceed as follows: • • 66 Turn key to steering lock position “ 0” . Run engine of jum per vehicle at high idle. • First connect jum per cables to the positive battery term inals and then to the negative terminals. • Start engine as normal. • After the engine has started, first remove jum per cables from the negative battery term inals and then from the positive terminals. Instructions: A discharged battery can freeze at approx. -1 0 ° C / + 14° F. In all cases it must be thawed out before jum per leads are used. Never lean over batteries while jum p starting, you m ightget burned. Technical Data Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. 67 i Identification Plates When ordering spare parts, please quote chassis and engine numbers. V 1 2 68 C ertification Tag (left door pillar) Identification Tag (left w indow post) The illustration depicts model 450 SL. On model 450 SLC identi­ fication plates are arranged accordingly. 3 Chassis No. 4 Body No. and Paintwork No. 5 Engine No. on engine block, rear 6 Inform ation Tag California version Vacuum line routing for emission control system 7 Emission C ontrol Tag 8 Emission C ontrol Tag Catalyst Inform ation Vehicle Data Cards 9073 The vehicle data cards bear all the im portant data relating to your vehicle. Data card No. 1 bears the key number and should on no account be left in the vehicle. Submit this card to your MERCEDES-BENZ service station to request a replace ment key in case of loss. Data card No. 2 bears no key data and is kept in the maintenance booklet. Presenting this card to the service station w ill facilitate the processing of the order. < 69 Technical Data Type Type ................................................. 450 SL (107 044) ................................................. 450 SLC (107 024) V-belts: Water pump - fan - power steering pump 2 V-belts .................................................. 9 .5x1 17 0 mm Alternator ............................................. 9.5 x 1050 mm Air conditioning .................................... 12.5x 910 mm Transmission Engine Engine .......................................................................... 117 Mode of o p e ra tio n ................................ 4-stroke engine, gasoline injection No. of cylinders ................................................................ 8 Bore ......................................................... 92 mm/3.62 in Stroke ..................................................... 85 mm/3.35 in Total piston d is p la c e m e n t 4520 cm 3/275^8 in 3 Compression r a t i o '. . . . . 8 Output according to S A E 160 net bhp/4200 rpm Firing order ...........................................1 -5 -4 -8 -6 -3 -7 -2 70 Design .......................... Autom atic three-speed torque-converter transm ission Steering System Design ..................................................... Power steering Electrical System Alternator ..........................................................1 4 V /7 0 A Starter m otor ............................................. 1 2 V /1 .5 k W Battery ..............................................................1 2 V /8 8 A h Spark plugs see “ last page” Technical Data Bulbs 12 V High and low b e a m s. .Sealed beam insert No. 1 and 2 Fog lamps H3 Turn signal, clearance and standing lamps, f r o n t .................... 21/5 W /3 2 /3 cp Side marker lamps, f r o n t 4 W /2 cp Side marker lamps, r e a r 5 W festoon lamp Turn signal lamps, r e a r 21 W /32 cp Tail and standing lamps, rear . . . 10 W festoon lamp Stop la m p s 21 W /32 cp Backup lamps 21 W /32 cp License plate la m p s ..................... 5 W festoon lamp Footwell lamps ............................. 10 W festoon lamp Dome lamps: 450 SL ................... 5 W festoon lamp 450 SLC ................ 10 W festoon lamp Glove compartm ent lamp .......... 5 W festoon lamp Trunk lamp ................................... 5 W /3 cp Hardtop 450 SLC: .................. Wheel base 450 SL: . 450 SLC: Track, front .............. Track, rear .............. 1300 1290 1330 2460 2820 1452 1440 m m / 51.2 m m / 50.8 m m / 52.4 m m / 96.9 m m /111.0 m m / 57.2 m m / 56.7 in in in in in in in Rims - Tires Rims, forged light a ll o y ........................... 6V2 J X 14 H 2 Summer tires: Radial-ply tires .......................................... 205/70 HR 14 W inter tires: Radial-ply tires 205/70 SR 14 M + S W e ig h ts ......................................... See certification tag Main Dimensions Overall vehicle length 450 S L : .............................................. 450 SLC: .......................................... Overall vehicle width .................... Overall height (ready fo r driving) 450 SL: ....................... .. Roadster 4630 4990 1790 mm/182.3 in mm/196.4 in m m / 70.5in 71 Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. Capacities Vehicle com ponents and their respective lubricants must match. Therefore use only brands tested and recommended by us. Capacity 8.0 1/8.4 US qt Total oil capacity in case of engine oil change w ithout filte r replacement 7.5 1/7.9 US qt Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. m ultigrade o il Total oil capacity in case of engine oil and filte r change Enquire at your MERCEDES-BENZ service station. S A E 40 m a y b e u s e d if a m b ie n t te m p e ra tu r e s c o n s ta n tly e x c e e d + 3 0° C / + 8 6° F. Autom atic transm ission 72 Initial fill: 8.9 1/9.4 US qt Fluid change: 7.9 1/8.3 US qt Autom atic transm ission fluid (ATF) Fuels Rear axle Coolants Lubricants etc. Capacities Capacity Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. 1.3 I/2.7 US pt Hypoid gear oil SAE 90 Accelerator control linkage H ydraulic fluid Power steering 1.4 I/3.0 US pt Autom atic transm ission fluid (ATF) Front wheel hubs approx. 70 g each/2.5 oz. each M ultipurpose or antifriction bearing grease Grease nipples M ultipurpose or lubrication grease Door locks Special grease Battery term inals Bosch special grease Brake reservoir 0.5 1/1.1 US pt Brake fluid W indshield washer system approxim ately 5.0 I/5.3 US qt W ater plus w indshield detergent Fuel tank approxim ately 90 I/23.8 US gal including a reserve of approxim ately 13 I/3.4 US gal Cooling system 15.0 1/15.8 US qt Unleaded gasoline: Average Octane of Research and M otor 87 (RON of 91) Coolant Fuels Coolants Lubricants etc. Engine Oils Engine oils are specifically tested for th eir suitability in our engines. Therefore, use only engine oils recommended by us. Inform ation on recommended brands is available at any MERCEDES-BENZ service station. A new or reconditioned engine is filled with an initial operation oil I 74 in the factory or in a MERCEDESBENZ service station. This oil is specially developed fo r the specific operating conditions during the first 1300-1600 km /800-1000 miles. A recommended engine oil may be used fo r topping up if the oil level drops to the dipstick minimum mark prior to the first service 1300-1600 km /800-1000 miles. Brake Fluid Brake fluid should be changed once a year, preferably in spring. Only use brake fluid recommended by us. For further inform ation, refer to “ Safe D riving” . Fuels Coolants The coolant is a m ixture of water and antifreeze. In production, the cooling system is filled with an antifreeze-water m ixture offering protec­ tion to approx. -30 ° C /-22 °F . The red mark on the temperature gauge in the instrument cluster is matched to this antifreeze-water m ixture (approx. boiling point 125° C/ 257° F). The protection against corrosion is also ensured by this m ixture making it unnecessary to add a corrosion inhibitor. The coolant remains in the cooling system all year round and must be renewed after 2 years at the latest. If coolant has leaked from the cool­ ing system, replace the missing quantity with water and a recom ­ mended brand of antifreeze. For normal replenishment (due to evaporation of water) plain water w ill do. The water should be clean, soft to medium soft and contain a m ini­ mum amount of scale form ing minerals (potable w ater quality). The coolant m ixture should always contain enough antifreeze to ensure protection to a minimum of - 20° C/ -4 ° F. If antifreeze is not available, add a corrosion inhibitor to the cooling w ater to ensure proper protection against corrosion. To treat the cool­ ing water, do not use more than 1 % (10 cm3/l) of a recommended corrosion inhibitor. W ithout antifreeze in the cooling system, the w ater already starts boiling at approx. 118° C /224° F, which means that the pointer of the tem perature gauge in the instru­ ment cluster may still be below the red mark. Coolants Lubricants etc. Antifreeze Your vehicle contains a number of aluminum parts. The use of alu­ minum com ponents in m otor vehicle engines necessitates that a n tifree ze /coo lan t used in such engines be specifically form ulated to protect the aluminum parts. (Failure to use such antifreeze/ coolant may result in a significantly shortened service life.) While there may be a number of antifreeze/coolants available which w ill provide the requisite protection, all such products have not been tested for MERCEDES-BENZ vehicles. The follow ing products, however, are deemed suitable for use in your car: MERCEDES-BENZ Anti-Freeze and Summer Coolant. Protection up to_______ Antifreeze -20 ° - 4° -3 0 ° -2 2 ° -4 0 ° -4 0 ° C F C F C F 5.25 I 5.6 US qt 6.75 I 7.1 US qt 7.75 I 8.2 US qt 75 Service Literature Customers who are interested in ordering service literature for th eir vehicles are advised to contact our subsidiaries in the U.S. or Canada at the follow ing addresses, respectively for U.S.A.: M ercedes-Benz of N.A. Inc. One Mercedes Drive P. O. Box 350 Montvale, New Jersey 07645 Att: Technical Publications Tel: (201) 573-0600 fo r Canada: M ercedes-Benz of Canada 849 Eglinton Ave., East Toronto 17, Ont., Canada Att: Service Department Tel: 416-425-3550 The above companies w ill be happy to handle any such requests from customers. We consider this to be the best way in obtaining accurate inform ation fo r your vehicle. P rinted In G erm any W e re s e rv e th e r ig h t to m o d ify th e te c h n ic a l d e ta ils o f th e v e h ic le as g iv e n in th e d a ta a n d illu s t r a tio n s o f th is O w n e r ’s M a n u a l (s .e .e .o .). R e p rin tin g , tr a n s la tio n a n d c o p y in g , e v e n o f e x c e r p ts , is n o t p e rm itte d w ith o u t o u r p r io r a u th o r iz a tio n in w r itin g . Z K D IX. 79. 6. R. 76 The last page What you should know at the gas station • Fuel: Unleaded gasoline: Average Octane of Research and Motor 87 (RON of 91). Fuel tank capacity approx. 90 I/23.8 US gal, this includes a 13 I/3.4 US gal reserve. • Engine Oil: Year-round m ultigrade oils 10 W-40/10 W-50/15 W-40/15 W-50. For further inform ation, refer to page 72. Quantity differential between upper and lower dipstick m arking level: 2.0 1/2.1 US qt. • Automatic Transmission: Autom atic transm ission fluid (ATF). For level checks and replenishment, refer to page 58. • Coolant: For normal replenishment, use w ater (potable w ater quality). For further inform ation (e. g. antifreeze), refer to page 75. • Bulbs: High and low beams: Sealed beam insert No. 1 and 2, turn signal, clearance and standing lamps, front 21/5 W /3 2 /3 cp, turn signal lamps, rear 21 W /32 cp, tail and standing lamps, rear 10 W festoon lamp, stop lamps 21 W /32 cp. For further inform ation, refer to “ Technical Data". • Spark Plugs: Bosch W 9 D. Beru 14-9 D, Champion N 12 Y. • Tire Pressure: Cold tires: bar Dsi Summer tires: 2.2’ 32’ _____________ 2.5’ 36’ W inter tires: 2.2 2.5 36 32 Warm tires: +- 0.3 b a r /+ 4 psi 1 For driving up to 175 km /h/110 mph -0.2 b a r/-4 psi