Segment:
Luxury Grand Tourer Convertible / Roadster
Competitors:
Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet, BMW 6 Series Convertible, Jaguar XK Convertible, Aston Martin DB9 Volante (though higher tier).
Standout Features:
Retractable hardtop (Vario-roof), Active Body Control (ABC) suspension, powerful V8 and V12 engine options, luxurious interior, advanced safety systems.
Target Audience:
Affluent buyers seeking a high-performance, luxurious, and stylish convertible for comfortable touring and spirited driving.
Engine Systems:
Engine operation, lubrication, cooling, fuel delivery, emission control, ignition system, engine management (ECU), starting system, charging system.
Transmission Systems:
Automatic transmission operation, gear selection, fluid checks, basic maintenance.
Chassis Systems:
Braking system (ABS, ESP), suspension (ABC - Active Body Control), steering system, wheels and tires.
Electrical Systems:
Lighting, power windows, power seats, mirrors, climate control, infotainment system, instrument cluster, warning lamps, fuses and relays.
Body And Interior:
Convertible top operation and maintenance, door locks, interior trim, seats, safety restraints (airbags, seatbelts), cargo area.
Comfort And Convenience:
Climate control (THERMOTRONIC), COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation) system, cruise control, power adjustments.
Basic Maintenance:
Checking fluid levels (oil, coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid), tire pressure checks, basic cleaning instructions, refueling procedures.
Operation And Settings:
Operating the convertible top, using the COMAND system, adjusting seats, operating climate control, understanding instrument cluster displays and warnings.
Safety Features:
Understanding airbag deployment, proper seatbelt usage, child seat installation guidelines, emergency procedures.
Depth:
User-focused operational guidance, basic checks and fluid specifications. Does not include detailed diagnostic or repair procedures, which are found in service manuals.
Sl500 Engine:
M113 E50: 5.0L V8 SOHC (3 valves per cylinder)
Sl600 Engine:
M275 E55: 5.5L V12 SOHC Bi-Turbocharged
Sl55 Amg Engine:
M113 ML55: 5.4L V8 SOHC Supercharged
Sl500 Horsepower:
302 hp @ 5600 rpm
Sl500 Torque:
339 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm
Sl600 Horsepower:
493 hp @ 5000 rpm
Sl600 Torque:
590 lb-ft @ 1800-3500 rpm
Sl55 Amg Horsepower:
469 hp @ 6100 rpm
Sl55 Amg Torque:
516 lb-ft @ 2650-4500 rpm
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline (91 octane or higher recommended)
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Sl500 Transmission:
5-speed Automatic (722.6)
Sl600 Transmission:
5-speed Automatic (722.6) - Reinforced
Sl55 Amg Transmission:
5-speed AMG Speedshift Automatic (722.6)
Amg Speedshift:
Manual shifting mode (M) and sport modes (S), quicker shift times.
NHTSA Rating:
Not specifically rated for this model year by NHTSA in convertible configuration for all tests. Focus is on inherent design safety.
Stability Control:
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Braking Assistance:
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BAS)
Suspension Safety:
Active Body Control (ABC) contributes to vehicle stability and handling.
Airbags:
Driver and front passenger airbags, front side airbags, head airbags.
Rollover Protection:
Pop-up rollover bars behind the headrests, deployed automatically in a rollover scenario.
Seatbelts:
Pre-tensioning seatbelts with force limiters.
System Name:
COMAND 2.5 (Cockpit Management and Navigation)
Features:
CD player, AM/FM radio, GPS navigation (map DVD-based), cassette player (early units), optional CD changer.
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Optional DISTRONIC cruise control system.
Phone Integration:
Pre-wiring for hands-free telephone communication, often via a cradle and Bluetooth or proprietary Mercedes-Benz phone systems.
Oil Change Interval:
Variable, typically every 10,000 miles or 12 months, depending on driving conditions (indicated by 'Service A' or 'Service B' on the instrument cluster).
Transmission Fluid Service:
Typically every 40,000-60,000 miles, though often considered 'lifetime' by manufacturers, proactive replacement is recommended by many specialists.
Engine Oil Sl500 Sl55:
Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 (MB 229.5 specification)
Engine Oil Sl600:
Mobil 1 Synthetic 0W-40 (MB 229.5 specification) or equivalent approved V12 engine oil.
Transmission Fluid:
MB 236.10 / 236.12 approved ATF (e.g., Pentosin ATF1 or equivalent).
Coolant:
Mercedes-Benz G48 (Blue/Green) Antifreeze/Coolant concentrate, mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
Abc System:
Hydraulic leaks from ABC lines, pump failures, strut leaks, accumulator failures. Requires specialized knowledge and fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S).
V12 Ignition:
Coil pack failures, spark plug issues (especially on the rear bank), potentially expensive to service.
Convertible Top Hydraulics:
Leaks in hydraulic lines, pump issues, sensor malfunctions affecting top operation.
Electronics:
Various electronic control unit (ECU) issues, CAN bus communication problems, climate control module failures.
Sbc Brake System (Early Models):
While not on all 2004 models (some had SBC, then transitioned), SBC failures were common, leading to costly replacements. This manual would guide user on its operation, not repair.
