Know you Benz (hood opening)
 

Do you know, that hood on SL can be raised almost vertically, using latch on the left hinge? I did not, discovered this feature by accident while reading WIS on how to remove the hood (planning for spark plugs and valve cover gaskets replacement).

It's one of the MB features where they have been (almost) consistent for 100+ years. Ease of access and repair is (was) high on their priorities.

Another nice feature I did not know about.:y

NIce feature for second, third and any subsequent owners :) I don't think any of those who bought these cars brand new really used this feature for DIY :)

It's just like heated 8 liter windshield washer tank for a car that is mostly used only in summer

Big emphasis on WAS, my V12 benz is awful to work on :(

A great deal of cars/trucks have the ability to position the hood at 90 degrees.

I've worked on many makes and models, and MBZ is the first one where I have found the ability to open the hood to a "service position" without having to physically disconnect things.

My Range Rover full size has a pull tab on one side and you simply pull it away from the hinge and push up and the hood goes to 90 degrees. You can’t remove the battery (it’s right against the firewall, even more so than your SL) without releasing the hood to 90. A great deal of cars/trucks has this feature if you look. Of the four most recent cars I’ve owned the only one that does not is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. SL550, Rover and BMW 750 all go to 90. Cars and trucks with the struts that get in the way cannot. I respect your MB knowledge Rodney but I too have been wrenching on cars and bikes for 35 + years and have taken 2 cars to over 500K miles and two harleys to over 200K miles all with the original motors and transmissions. I’m just not a respected member of this community....yet 😉

I have dealt with 14 different makes and models. SL is the only one I found this feature on. So, as you can see, YMMV depending on what cars/trucks you buy.

Perhaps you’re not looking 😉

That thought did cross my mind. I am going to check on two of these 14 tonight.

Could be just on the cars/trucks that have maintenance items near the firewall. SL550 and Rover are do it’s easy to get to the battery. I had an Austin Martin where it went to 90 so you could get at the air filter box screws.

I have no experience with Rover and very limited with BMW, but between my wife's cars, and various friends and family, I've probably touched every American and Asian make and never run across a hood service position. Every modern MB I've worked on has it. Some have a red "button" on the Lift-O-Mat strut that releases it, others have a spring-loaded lever (like the SL). A few, like the W163 ML, require that the gas strut be moved from one pivot point to another.

Perhaps you should check out a full size rover, a very comfortable and capable suv.

Well then - contribute, contribute...

I will as soon as I have an issue with mine and learned how to fix it by the experienced posters in this forum 😉

If you have an issue with bent compression or a leaking radio you can always turn to me.

What if I need to change the flux capacitor?

Can’t help you with that one, my car has no xenon footwell lights

Don't they all do that?