Page 371 of 417
370 Technical dataRims and tiresMixed size tires
Turbine-style
10-spoke-style*
5-spoke-style*
Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
9J x 19
9J x 18
9J x 18
Wheel offset
1.83 in (46.5 mm)
1.77 in (45 mm)
1.77 in (45 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
255/35 ZR19 (96Y) XL
1
245/40 ZR18 (93Y)
245/40 ZR18 (93Y)
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
11
1/2 J x 19
11
1/2 J x 18
11
1/2 J x 18
Wheel offset
1.77 in (45 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
1.73 in (44 mm)
Summer tires (radial-ply tires)
295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL
1
295/35 ZR18 (99Y)
1
1Must not be used with snow chains.
295/35 ZR18 (99Y)
1
!Only use Michelin tires of the sizes and
types noted above. They are the only
tires approved for use on the SLR. Use
of tires not specially approved for the
SLR could result in unanticipated per-
formance characteristics. For more in-
formation, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 372 of 417
371 Technical data
Rims and tires
Winter tires*Front axle:Rims (light alloy)
9J x 18
Wheel offset
1.77 in (45 mm)
Tires (radial-ply tires)
245/40 R18 97V XL M+S
Rear axle:Rims (light alloy)
9J x 18
Wheel offset
1.77 in (45 mm)
Tires (radial-ply tires)
245/40 R18 97V XL M+S
!Only use Michelin tires of the sizes and
types noted above. They are the only
tires approved for use on the SLR. Use
of tires not specially approved for the
SLR could result in unanticipated per-
formance characteristics. For more in-
formation, contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Page 379 of 417

378 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Brake fluid
During vehicle operation, the boiling point
of the brake fluid is continuously reduced
through the absorption of moisture from
the atmosphere. Under extremely strenu-
ous operating conditions, this moisture
content can lead to the formation of bub-
bles in the system, thus reducing the sys-
tem’s efficiency.
Therefore, the brake fluid must be re-
placed every two years, preferably in the
spring.
Only brake fluid approved by
Mercedes-Benz is recommended. Your au-
thorized Mercedes-Benz Center will pro-
vide you with additional information.
Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research (R) octane num-
ber and the Motor (M) octane number:
(R+M)/2). This is also known as the
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
!To maintain the engine’s durability and
performance, premium unleaded gaso-
line must be used. If premium unleaded
is not available and low octane fuel is
used, follow these precautions:
have the fuel tank only partially
filled with unleaded regular and fill
up with premium unleaded as soon
as possible
avoid full throttle driving and abrupt
acceleration
do not exceed an engine speed of
3000 rpm if the vehicle is loaded
with a light load such as two per-
sons and no luggage
do not exceed
2/3 of maximum ac-
celerator pedal position if the vehi-
cle is fully loaded or operating in
mountainous terrain
Page 386 of 417

385 Technical terms
ABS
(A
nti-lock B
raking S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 278)
ACL
(Airbrake/C
entral L
ocking)
Controls the locking mechanism of the
Airbrake and the central locking sys-
tem.
Air pressure
(
page 278)
Aspect ratio
(page 278)BabySmart
TM1
airbag deactivation
system
This system detects if a special system
compatible child restraint seat is in-
stalled on the front passenger seat. The
system will automatically deactivate
the passenger front airbag when such a
seat is properly installed (PASSENGER
AIRBAG OFF warning lamp on the lower
centre console lights up).
BabySmart
TM
compatible child seats
Special restraint system for children.
The sensor system for the passenger
seat prevents deployment of the pas-
senger front airbag if a BabySmart
TM
compatible child seat is installed. See
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for availability.
Bar
(
page 278)BAS
(B
rake As
sist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 278)
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a break-
down.
1BabySmart
TM is a trademark of Siemens
Automotive Corp.
Page 393 of 417

392 IndexAnti-theft alarm system 90
Arming 91
Canceling alarm 91
Disarming 91
Anti-theft device
Dust cover 224
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 90
Tow-away alarm 91
Anti-theft wheel nuts 282
Fitting 283
Removing 283
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Ashtray 202
Aspect ratio 278
AUDIO menu 122
Operating CD player 123
Selecting radio station 123
Audio system 31, 143
Audio and telephone, operation 143
Button and soft key operation 146
Cassette operation 152
CD operation 156
Location 143
Operating and display elements 144
Operating safety 143Operation 146
Radio operation 149
Switching off 146
Switching on 146
Telephone operation 160
Auto-dimming for interior rear view
mirror 179
Automatic
Interior lighting control 111
Automatic car wash 290
Automatic central locking
Activating/deactivating (control
system) 135
Automatic climate control 31, 182
Adjusting air distribution 187
Adjusting air volume 185, 186
Air recirculation 188
Center air vents 31
Deactivating 191
Defrosting the windshield 188
MAXCOOL 187
Residual heat utilization 190
Side air vents 31
Temperature sensor 33
Automatic headlamp mode 106Automatic transmission 167
Accelerator position 173
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 177
Fluid level 248
Gear ranges 170
Gear selector lever 167
Gear selector lever position 167, 171
Gear shifting malfunctions 177
Kickdown 173
Manual shifting 168
One-touch gearshifting 168
Shift program mode selector
switch 173
Steering wheel gearshift control 174
Towing 360
Transmission fluid 248
Automatic transmission fluid 248
Page 395 of 417

394 IndexCenter air vents 31
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Center storage compartment 201
Centigrade
Setting temperature units 129
Central locking
Automatic 103
Central locking switch 31, 103
Switching on/off (control
system) 135
Unlocking from inside 103
Changing
Bulbs 346
CDs 156
Charging the batteries (vehicle) 355
Battery charger 356Checking
Brake fluid 241
Coolant level 241, 249
Engine oil level 241
Tire inflation pressure 242
Vehicle lighting 242
Washer reservoir level 242
Child safety
Airbags 64
Automatic child seat recognition 75
Infant and child restraint systems 62
Cigarette lighter 202
Cleaning
Headlamps 178, 293
Vehicle 290
Windows 292
Windshield 53
Wiper blades 291Cleaning tires 255
Clearing
Service display 286
Clock 128
Closing
Hood 246
Trunk lid 102
Windows 193, 194
Windows with SmartKey 195
Cockpit 26, 386
Cold tire inflation pressure 278
Combination switch 27, 51, 109
High beam flasher 51
Windshield wipers 52
Comfort
Shift program mode 173
Compact guide 341
Control and operation of radio
transmitters 237
Page 396 of 417

395 Index
Control system 117, 386
AUDIO menu 122
Display digital speedometer 122
Functions 119, 121
Instrument cluster submenu 128
Lighting submenu 130
Menus 120, 121
Multifunction display 117
Multifunction steering wheel 118
Selecting radio system 123
Settings menu 125
Standard display menu 117, 122
Submenus 119, 121
TEL menu 138
Trip computer menu 136
Vehicle submenu 134
Coolant 249, 380
Adding 249
Anticorrosion/antifreeze
quantity 381
Checking level 249
Messages in the multifunction
display 320Temperature 239
Temperature gauge 114
Topping up 249
Warning lamp 29, 300
Coolant level
Checking 241, 249
Messages in the multifunction
display 319
Cooling see Air conditioning
Courtesy lighting 112
Cruise control 197, 386
Canceling 198
Driving downhill 198
Driving uphill 198
Fine adjustment 199
Lever 27, 197
Setting current speed 198
Setting speeds 199
Curb weight 278
Customer Assistance Center 385D
Daytime running lamp mode 107
Setting 131
Deactivating
Air conditioning (cooling) 192
Air recirculation mode 189
Alarm 91
Anti-theft alarm system 91
Automatic climate control 191
Central locking (control system) 135
Cruise control 198
Engine with the SmartKey 58
ESP 83
Exterior lamps 106
Exterior lamps delayed shut-off 132
Headlamps 57
Immobilizer 90
Interior light delayed switch-off 134
Interior lighting delayed shut-off 134
Manual gearshift program 177
Rear window defroster 181
Residual heat 190
Tow-away alarm 92
Page 397 of 417

396 IndexDeep water see Standing water
Defroster
Rear window 181
Defrosting the windshield 188
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps 132
Interior lighting 134
Delayed switch-off
Interior lighting 134
Delayed switch-off time
Cellular phone 205
Department of Transportation see DOT
Differential
Message in the multifunction
display 322
Difficulties
While driving see Problems while driv-
ing
With starting 49
Digital speedometer 122
Direction of rotation (tires) 256
Display elements
Audio system 144Displays
Digital speedometer 122
Maintenance service indicator 286
Showing vehicle status
messages 124
Vehicle status messages 304
Distance to empty (range)
Calling up 138
Door
Handle 34
Message in the multifunction
display 318
Opening 100
Opening from the inside 100
Opening from the outside 100
Opening in an emergency 343
Unlocking from the outside 98
DOT 279
Downhill driving
Cruise control 198
Downshifting 168
Drinking and driving 229Driving 45, 50
Driving abroad 236
Hydroplaning 234
In winter 235
Problems 54
Safety systems 79
Through standing water 236
Driving abroad 236
Driving hints
SBC brake system 86
Driving instructions 229
Driving off 232
Driving safety systems 79
ABS 79
BAS 81
ESP 81
SBC brake system 84
Driving systems 197
Cruise control 197
Driving tips 173
Dust cover 222
Slipping on/off 223