Contents
Introduction....................................... 12
Product information ............................. 13
Operator’s Manual ............................... 14
Service and warranty information .. 14
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 15
Maintenance .................................. 16
Roadside Assistance ...................... 16
Change of address or ownership.... 16
Operating your vehicle outside
the USA or Canada......................... 17
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
compliance .................................... 17
Where to find it .................................... 18
Symbols ............................................... 19
Operating safety .................................. 20
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 20
Problems with your vehicle .................. 21
Reporting safety defects...................... 22
Reporting safety defects ................ 22
Vehicle data recording......................... 23
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 23
At a glance.......................................... 24
Cockpit ................................................. 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part ...................................... 31
Lower part ...................................... 32
Overhead control panel ........................ 33
Control panel on the door sill ............... 34
Getting started................................... 36
Unlocking ............................................. 38
Starter switch positions .................. 40
Adjusting .............................................. 41
Seats .............................................. 41
Steering wheel ................................ 42
Mirrors ............................................ 43
Driving .................................................. 45
Fastening the seat belts ................. 45
Starting the engine ......................... 48
Switching on the headlamps........... 51
Turn signals .................................... 52
Windshield wipers ........................... 52
Problems while driving.................... 54
Parking and locking .............................. 56
Parking brake ................................. 56
Switching off headlamps................. 57
Turning off the engine ..................... 58
Contents
Automatic transmission ..................... 167
One-touch gearshifting................. 168
Gear ranges ................................. 170
Gear selector lever positions ....... 171
Shift program mode selector
switch .......................................... 173
Driving tips ................................... 173
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 174
Manual gearshift program ............ 175
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 177
Good visibility .................................... 178
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 178
Rear view mirrors ......................... 179
Sun visors .................................... 180
Rear window defroster ................. 181
Automatic climate control ................. 182
Adjusting the temperature ........... 185
Adjusting air volume .................... 186
Adjusting air distribution .............. 187
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 187
Defrosting the windshield ............ 188
Air recirculation mode.................. 188
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 190Deactivating the automatic
climate control system ................. 191
Air conditioning............................. 192
Power windows .................................. 193
Opening and closing the windows. 193
Synchronizing power windows ...... 196
Driving systems .................................. 197
Cruise control ............................... 197
Useful features ................................... 200
Map pocket in passenger
footwell ......................................... 200
Storage compartments ................. 200
Parcel net in trunk ........................ 201
Ashtray and cigarette lighter......... 202
12-V socket .................................. 203
Telephone ..................................... 203
Tele Aid ......................................... 207
Garage door opener ...................... 215
Floormats...................................... 221
Dust cover .................................... 222
Roof and trunk lid racks ................ 225
Operation.......................................... 226
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 228
Driving instructions ............................ 229
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 229
Drinking and driving...................... 229
Pedals ........................................... 229
Power assistance .......................... 230
Brakes .......................................... 230
Driving off ..................................... 232
Parking ......................................... 232
Tires.............................................. 233
Hydroplaning ................................ 234
Tire traction .................................. 234
Tire speed rating ........................... 234
Winter driving instructions ............ 235
Standing water ............................. 236
Passenger compartment............... 236
Driving abroad .............................. 236
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 237
Catalytic converter ....................... 237
Emission control ........................... 238
Coolant temperature .................... 239
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
Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 349
Preparing the vehicle ................... 349
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit ........ 349
Batteries ............................................ 354
Charging the batteries ................. 355
Towing the vehicle ............................. 357
Installing/reinstalling towing
eye bolt ........................................ 359
Points to bear in mind .................. 360
Transporting the vehicle............... 360
Fuses ................................................. 361
Technical data.................................. 362
Spare parts service............................. 364
Warranty coverage ............................. 365
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 365
Identification labels ............................ 366
Engine number.............................. 366
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 367
Engine ................................................ 368
Rims and tires .................................... 369
Mixed size tires ............................. 370
Winter tires* ................................. 371
Electrical system ................................ 372
Main dimensions ................................ 373
Weights .............................................. 374Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 375
Capacities ..................................... 375
Engine oils .................................... 377
Engine oil additives ....................... 377
Air conditioner refrigerant ............ 377
Brake fluid .................................... 378
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 378
Fuel requirements......................... 378
Gasoline additives......................... 379
Coolants ....................................... 380
Windshield and headlamp
washer system.............................. 382
Technical terms............................... 384Index................................................. 390
27 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Hood lock release
243
2
Cruise control lever
197
3
Instrument cluster
28,
113
4
Multifunction steering wheel
30,
118
5
Overhead control panel
33
6
Center console
31, 32
7
Starter switch
40
8
Horn
Item
Page
9
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
42
a
Headlamp washer button
178
b
Exterior lamp switch
51,
105
c
Combination switch
Turn signals
Windshield wipers
High beam
52
53
109
29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
withDCoolant temperature
warning lamp
300
2
Speedometer with;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
298
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
298
vABS/ESP warning
lamp
296
>Gearshift indicator
lamp
301
LLeft turn signal indica-
tor lampKTurn signal indicator
lamp, right
Item
Page
3
Left multifunction display
with
Trip odometer
117
Main odometer
117
4
Reset button
113
5
Tachometer with
115
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
109
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, USA only
299
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only
299
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp
297
Item
Page
1Supplemental restraint
system indicator lamp
302
6
Right multifunction display
Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
117,
170,
171
Outside temperature
115
Automatic transmission
shift program mode
117,
173
Clock
129
=Engine oil temperature
symbol
301
7
Fuel gauge withAFuel reserve warning
lamp
301
40 Getting startedUnlockingStarter switch positionsStarter switch
0For removing SmartKey
1Power supply for some consumers
2Ignition (power supply for all consum-
ers) and drive position. All lamps (ex-
cept high beam headlamp indicator
lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) in the instrument
cluster come on. If a lamp in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on when the
ignition is switched on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in
the instrument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, see “Lamps in instrument clus-
ter” (
page 296).
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.
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except
high beam headlamp indicator lamp
and turn signal indicator lamps if acti-
vated) in the instrument cluster come
on. This indicates that the respective
systems are operational. They should
go out when the engine is running.
!If the SmartKey is left in the starter
switch position0 for an extended peri-
od of time, it can no longer be turned in
the starter switch.
Remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch and reinsert.
If the SmartKey can still not be turned
in the starter switch, the starter battery
may not be sufficiently charged.
Have the starter battery checked
and charged if necessary
(page 355). Contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
To prevent accelerated battery
discharge and a possible dead battery,
always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.
51 Getting started
Driving
Switching on the headlamps
Low beam headlamps
The exterior lamp switch is located on the
dashboard to the left of the steering wheel.Exterior lamp switch1Lights off
2Low beam headlamps on
Turn switch toB.
For more information on headlamps, see
“Lighting” (
page 105).High beam
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch1High beam
2High beam flasher
Push combination switch in direction of
arrow1.
The high beam indicatorA in the
instrument cluster comes on.
For more information on high beam, see
“Combination switch” (
page 109).
!Simultaneously depressing the acceler-
ator pedal and applying the brake re-
duces engine performance and causes
premature brake and drivetrain wear.iYou can open a locked door from the
inside. Open door only when conditions
are safe to do so.
You can deactivate the automatic lock-
ing using the control system
(page 135).