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
223 Controls in detail
Useful features
Slipping dust cover on/off
Place the rolled-up dust cover with its
dark grey side facing downwards on
the vehicle roof.
Make sure the FRONT label is facing to-
wards the front of the vehicle.
Roll the side that is labelled FRONT
over the hood.
Roll the rear part over the tail end of
the vehicle.
Unfold the dust cover.
On the rear right, pull down the dust
cover below the bumper.
Pull down the dust cover on the right
side of the vehicle.
On the front right, pull down the dust
cover below the bumper.
On the re a r le ft , p ul l down the dus t c ov-
er below the bumper.
Pull down the dust cover on the left
side of the vehicle.
On the front left, pull down the dust
cover below the bumper. iYou can now apply the anti-theft de-
vice, see “Anti-theft device for dust
cover” (
page 224).
225 Controls in detail
Useful features
Roof and trunk lid racks
!To avoid damage to the vehicle and the
dust cover, observe the following:
Once you have secured the dust
cover with the anti-theft device, the
dust cover can be removed only by
using force. This can cause damage
to the dust cover (tearing) or to the
paintwork.
The dust cover anti-theft device will
not prevent burglary or vehicle
theft.
Warning!
G
This vehicle has not been designed to
accommodate any type of roof or trunk lid
rack. Therefore do not fit such accessories.
Otherwise the rack could fall off and cause
serious personal injury.!Do not use any type of roof or trunk lid
rack. Otherwise you will damage the
bodywork or paintwork of your SLR.
279 Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
Certification label located on the driver's
door B-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the Certification label
located on the driver's door B-pillar.GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
Certification label located on the driver's
door B-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to one psi; another metric unit for
air pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to one bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
354 Practical hintsBatteries Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:
The starter battery (located in the
trunk)
The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can re-
sult in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 250).
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.!You must not jump start the vehicle,
otherwise the vehicle electrical sys-
tems could be damaged.
Only use the battery charge unit tested
and approved by Mercedes-Benz for
use on the SLR to charge the battery or
maintain the battery charge. Using oth-
er battery chargers may cause damage
to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Information on charging the batteries
(page 355).
Have the batteries checked regularly
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for maintenance intervals or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
further information.
If it is necessary to replace the batter-
ies, notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an
accident.
405 Index
Q
Quick search
Phone book 141
R
Radio
Selecting stations 123
Station search 123
Station selection setting 135
Radio operation 149
Radio see Radio operation
Radio transmitters, control and
operation 237
Range (distance to empty)
Calling up 138
Reactivating
Automatic climate control 191
Reading lamp 33
Rear
Storage compartment 201
Rear bulbs 347Rear fog lamp
Switching on 109
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 181
Rear-view mirror 33
Recommended inflation pressure 280
Redial memory 142
Refueling 240
Refuelling
Unleaded premium grade
gasoline 240
Regular checks 241
Remote control
SmartKey 96
Removing
Anti-theft wheel nuts 283
Replacing
Battery (SmartKey) 344
Wiper blades 348Resetting
All functions (control system) 126
ESP 307
Fuel consumption 138
Maintenance service indicator 288
Trip odometer 115
Residual heat utilization 190
Restraint system see Infant and child re-
straint systems
Restraint systems 62
Airbags 62, 63
Child seat recognition 62
Child seats 62
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 62, 72
Seat belts 62, 69
Rim 280
RON 240, 388
Roof rack 225