2005 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS coolant level

ContentsAt the gas station............................... 240
Refueling ...................................... 240
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 241
Engine compartment.......................... 243
Hood ............................................ 243
Engine oil...................................... 246
Transmission fluid level ................ 248
Coolant......................................... 249
Trunk ................................................. 250
Batteries....................................... 250
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 251
Tires and wheels ................................ 253
Important guidelines .................... 253
Tire care and maintenance ........... 254
Direction of rotation ..................... 256
Loading the vehicle ...................... 256
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 262
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 264
Tire labeling .................................. 268
Load identification........................ 272
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 273Maximum tire load ....................... 274
Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 275
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 276
Tire ply material ........................... 278
Tire and loading terminology ........ 278
Rotating tires ............................... 281
Anti-theft wheel nuts .................... 282
Winter driving .................................... 284
Winter tires* ................................ 284
Snow chains ................................. 285
Maintenance ...................................... 286
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator........................... 286
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 287
Calling up the service due date .... 287
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 288
Vehicle care ....................................... 289
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 289
Vehicle washing ........................... 290
Practical hints................................. 294
What to do if ... .................................. 296
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 296
Lamp in center console................ 303
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 304
Symbol messages ........................ 309
Where will I find ...? ........................... 340
First aid kit ................................... 340
TIREFIT kit, electric air pump,
towing eye bolt and vehicle
literature portfolio ........................ 340
Locking/unlocking in an emergency . 342
Unlocking the vehicle................... 342
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 344
SmartKey ..................................... 345
Replacing bulbs ................................. 346
Front lamps.................................. 347
Rear lamps ................................... 347
Replacing the wiper blades................ 348
Removing wiper blades ................ 348
Installing wiper blades ................. 348

55 Getting started
Driving
The coolant temperature is
above 248°F (120°C)
The coolant is too hot and is no longer
cooling the engine.
Stop the vehicle as soon as possible
and turn off the engine. Allow engine
and coolant to cool.

Check the coolant level and add cool-
ant if necessary (
page 249).In case of accident
If the vehicle is leaking gasoline:

Do not start the engine under any cir-
cumstances.

Notify local fire and/or police authori-
ties.
If the extent of the damage cannot be de-
termined:

Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If no damage can be determined on the


major assemblies


fuel system


engine mount:

Start the engine in the usual manner.

241 Operation
At the gas station

Replace fuel cap by turning it
clockwise.
You will hear when fuel cap is
tightened.

Close the fuel filler flap until you hear
the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant
2Engine oil
3Brake fluidCoolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 249) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 375).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 246).
Brake fluid
iMore information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause theú malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (USA only) or
the± malfunction indicator lamp
(Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 299).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 243).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 298).

249 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine compart-
ment.
1Expansion tank

Using a rag, turn cap slowly approxi-
mately one half turn to the left to
release any excess pressure.

Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches the upper
mark on the bracing rib of the ex-
pansion tank (arrow)


for warm coolant: is approximately
0.4 in (1 cm) higher

Add coolant as required.

Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 380).
Warning!
G
In order to avoid any possibly serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.


Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 194°F (90°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.


Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately
1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scald-
ing hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.


Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene
glycol which may burn if it comes into
contact with hot engine parts.

300 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Problem
Possible cause
Suggested solution
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running.
There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.

Immediately add coolant to prevent
engine from overheating
(page 249).
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.

Have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric
radiator fan may be broken.

If the coolant temperature is below
248°F (120°C), you can continue
driving to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
D
The red coolant warning lamp
comes on while driving and you
hear a warning sound.
The coolant temperature has exceeded
248°F (120°C).

Stop as soon as possible and allow
the engine and coolant to cool down.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly overheat-
ed can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns and can occur just by opening
the engine hood. Stay away from the engine
if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Turn off the engine, get out of the vehicle
and do not stand near the vehicle until the
engine has cooled down.

319 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
B
Coolant
Check level!
The coolant level is too low.

Add coolant (
page 249).

If you have to add coolant frequently, have the cooling
system checked by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Warning!
G
Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine parts.
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol which
may burn if it comes into contact with hot
engine parts. You can be seriously burned.
!Do not ignore the low engine coolant
level warning. Extended driving with
the message and symbol displayed
may cause serious engine damage not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Do not drive without sufficient amount
of coolant in the cooling system. The
engine will overheat causing major
engine damage.

380 Technical dataFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:

corrosion protection


freeze protection


boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -22°F (-30°C) and corro-
sion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-22°F (-30°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).
The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase in the boil-over
protection. Refer to Service Booklet for re-
placement interval.Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Service Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification (see Facto-
ry Approved Service Products pamphlet)
are used to renew the coolant concentra-
tion or bring it back up to the proper level.
To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 45% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately
- 22°F [-30°C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approximately
- 49°F [-45°C]), the engine temperature
will increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of anticorro-
sion/antifreeze.If the coolant level is low, water and
MB 325.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze should
be used to bring it up to the proper level
(have cooling system checked for signs of
leakage). Please make sure the mixture is
in accordance with label instructions.
The water in the cooling system must meet
minimum requirements, which are usually
satisfied by normal drinking water. If you
are not sure about the water quality, con-
sult an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

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