Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, R129 (EU)

Manual transmission fluid capacity & service interval

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, R129 (EU) manual transmission fluid has a capacity range of 1,5 to 1,6 liters. Service intervals include checks at 10000 km and 30000 km. The data covers 3 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
SL 280 (1993-2001)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,5 liter
  • Check 30000 km
  • Code: 5/1
300 SL (1989-1993)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,5 liter
  • Check 10000 km
  • Code: 5/1
300 SL-24V (1989-1993)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,6 liter
  • Check 10000 km
  • Code: 5/1

Additional Notes

  • The 300 SL carries a manual transmission fluid capacity of 1.5 liters, while the 300 SL-24V holds 1.6 liters, making the 24-valve variant the highest-capacity unit among the 1989-1993 configurations.
  • The 0.1-liter difference between the 300 SL and 300 SL-24V reflects the distinct gearbox designs associated with each engine, as the 24-valve inline-six typically pairs with a different transmission housing than the standard unit.
  • The SL 280, covering 1993-2001, returns to a 1.5-liter capacity, placing it on par with the base 300 SL rather than the higher-capacity 24V unit.
  • All three configurations carry a normal use condition, meaning the stated intervals apply to standard operating environments rather than elevated-stress or severe-duty cycles.
  • The 300 SL and 300 SL-24V share a 10,000 km check interval, which represents a relatively short service window and reflects the maintenance expectations common to late 1980s and early 1990s European vehicle standards.
  • The SL 280 carries a 30,000 km check interval, three times longer than the 10,000 km interval specified for the earlier 1989-1993 models, indicating a notably different service schedule despite a similar fluid capacity.
  • A check interval, as opposed to a drain-and-fill interval, typically means verifying the fluid level rather than performing a full fluid exchange, so the 30,000 km figure for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class R129 SL 280 does not necessarily correspond to a complete fluid replacement cycle.

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