2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS ignition

89 Safety and Security
Performance enhancement system
Automatic mode
This mode should be used for normal driv-
ing conditions.
Slide the Airbrake switch4 to
position2.
With the ignition on the Airbrake
swings upwards to an angle of 5° and
then returns to its initial position.
When the vehicle exceeds a speed of
60 mph (95 km/h), the Airbrake
swings up to an angle of 10°. Rapid braking
If you need to brake in an emergency from
a speed of more than 60 mph (95 km/h),
the Airbrake automatically swings upwards
to an angle of 62°.
This allows you to achieve the best possi-
ble braking performance in an emergency.
Warning!
G
Hard braking activates the Airbrake which
may block the view through the interior rear
view mirror. In this case, monitor the traffic
behind you through the exterior rear view
mirrors.

92 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming tow-away alarm
Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Tow-away alarm off button
2Indicator lamp

Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press button 1.
Indicator lamp2 in button1 comes
on briefly.

Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the
tow-away protection disarms
automatically. The tow-away alarm
remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm
while the ignition is switched on.

103 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Illumination of the emergency release
button:

The button will flash for 30 minutes
after opening the trunk.


The button will flash for 60 minutes
after closing the trunk.
Automatic locking
The doors and the trunk lid lock automati-
cally when the vehicle is set into motion.
You can open a locked door from the in-
side. Open door only when conditions are
safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic locking
using the control system (
page 135).
Locking and unlocking from the inside
You can lock or unlock the vehicle from in-
side using the central locking switches.
This can be useful, for example, if you want
to unlock the passenger door from the in-
side or want to lock the vehicle before
starting to drive.
The central locking switch does not lock or
unlock the fuel filler flap.
iThe emergency release button does
not open the trunk lid if the vehicle
battery is discharged or disconnected.
If the vehicle has previously been
locked from the outside with the
SmartKey, opening the trunk from the
inside using the emergency release
button will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system.
To cancel the alarm, do one of the
following:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.


Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iThe doors unlock automatically after an
accident if the force of the impact ex-
ceeds a preset threshold.
The vehicle locks automatically when
the ignition is switched on and the
wheels are turning at vehicle speeds of
approximately 9 mph (15 km/h) or
more. You could therefore lock yourself
out when the vehicle

is pushed


is on a test stand
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

110 Controls in detailLightingHazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be
switched on at all times, even with the
SmartKey removed from the starter
switch.
The hazard warning flasher switches on
automatically when an airbag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is
located on the upper part of the center
console.
1Hazard warning flasher switchSwitching on hazard warning flasher

Press hazard warning flasher
switch1.
All turn signals are flashing.Switching off hazard warning flasher

Press hazard warning flasher switch1
again.
iWith the hazard warning flasher
activated and the combination switch
set for either left or right turn, only the
respective turn signals will operate
when the ignition is switched on.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch1 once to
switch it off.

113 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Instrument cluster
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see (
page 28).
The instrument cluster is activated when
you


open a door


switch on the ignition


press the reset button (
page 29)


switch on exterior lamps
Opening a door will activate the instrument
cluster only for about 30 seconds.
You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 128).
Instrument cluster illumination
Use the reset button to adjust the illumina-
tion brightness for the instrument cluster
and the switches on the center console.To brighten illumination

Turn the reset button in the instrument
cluster (
page 29) clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination

Turn the reset button in the instrument
cluster (
page 29) counterclockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
iThe instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened to suit ambient
light conditions.

178 Controls in detailGood visibilityFor information on the windshield wipers,
see (
page 53) and adjusting the mirrors,
see (page 43).
Headlamp cleaning system
The switch is located on the left side of the
dashboard.
1To clean the headlamps

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).

Press switch 1.
The headlamps are cleaned with a
high-pressure water jet.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Windshield washer system
and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 251).

179 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear view mirrors
For more information on setting the rear
view mirrors, see “Mirrors” (
page 43).
Auto-dimming mirror
The reflection brightness of the interior
rear view mirror will respond automatically
to glare when


the ignition is switched on
and


incoming light from headlamps falls on
the sensor in the interior rear view
mirror.
The rear view mirror will not react if


reverse gearR is engaged


the interior lighting is turned on
Warning!
G
The auto-dimming function does not react if
incoming light is not aimed directly at sen-
sors in the interior rear view mirror.
Glare can endanger you and others.Warning!
G
In the case of an accident liquid electrolyte
may escape from the mirror housing if the
mirror glass breaks.
Electrolyte has an irritating effect. Do not
allow the liquid to come into contact with
eyes, skin, clothing, or respiratory system.
In case it does, immediately flush affected
area with water, and seek medical help if
necessary.
!Electrolyte drops coming into contact
with the vehicle paint finish can be
completely removed only while in the
liquid state and by applying plenty of
water.Warning!
G
Exercise care when using the passen-
ger-side exterior rear view mirror. The mirror
surface is convex (outwardly curved surface
for a wider field of view). Objects in mirror
are closer than they appear. Check your
interior rear view mirror or glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.

190 Controls in detailAutomatic climate controlResidual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.Activating

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 or0 o r r e m o v e i t f r o m t h e
starter switch.

Press button T (
page 184).
The indicator lamp on button T
comes on.Deactivating

Press button T (
page 184).
The indicator lamp on button T
goes out.
The residual heat is automatically turned
off:


when the ignition is switched on


after about 30 minutes


if the battery voltage drops
iHow long the system will provide heat-
ing depends on the coolant tempera-
ture and the temperature set by the
operator. The blower will run at speed
setting1 regardless of the air distribu-
tion control setting.