Page 237 of 417

236 OperationDriving instructionsFor more information, see “Winter driving”
(page 284).
Standing water
Passenger compartmentDriving abroad
Abroad, there is an extensive
Mercedes-Benz service network at your
disposal. If you plan to drive into areas
which are not listed in the index of your
Mercedes-Benz Center directory, you
should request pertinent information from
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior result-
ing in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice.
!Do not drive through flooded areas or
water of unknown depth. Before driving
through water, determine its depth.
Never accelerate before driving into
water. The bow wave could force water
into the engine and auxiliary equip-
ment, thus damaging them.
If you must drive through standing wa-
ter, drive slowly to prevent water from
entering the passenger compartment
or the engine compartment. Water in
these areas could cause damage to
electrical components or wiring of the
engine or transmission, or could result
in water being ingested by the engine
through the air intake causing severe
internal engine damage. Any such
damage is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Always fasten items being carried as
securely as possible.
In an accident, during hard braking or sud-
den maneuvers, loose items will be thrown
around inside the vehicle, and cause injury
to vehicle occupants unless the items are
securely fastened in the vehicle.
The trunk is the preferred place to carry
objects.
Page 251 of 417

250 OperationTrunkBatteries
Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies.
Starter battery in the trunk
Consumer battery in the trunk
These batteries should always be suffi-
ciently charged in order to achieve its rat-
ed service life. A flat battery must be fully
recharged. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for battery maintenance intervals.
If you use your vehicle mostly for
short-distance trips, you will need to have
the battery charge checked more
frequently.
When replacing batteries, always use bat-
teries approved by Mercedes-Benz. Have
this work only carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If you do not intend to operate your vehicle
for an extended period of time, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center about
steps you need to observe.For more information on battery mainte-
nance, see “Batteries” (
page 354).
G
Observe all safety instructions
and precautions when handling
automotive batteries.
A
Risk of explosion
D
Keep flames or sparks away
from battery. Do not smoke.
B
Battery acid is caustic. Do not
allow it to come into contact
with skin, eyes or clothing.
In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with clean
water and seek medical help if
necessary.
E
Wear eye protection.
C
Keep children away.
F
Follow the instructions in this
Operator’s Manual.
!You must not jump start the vehicle,
otherwise the vehicle electrical sys-
tems could be damaged.
Page 252 of 417

251 OperationTrunk
Windshield washer system and head-lamp cleaning system
Fluid for the windshield washer system and
the headlamp cleaning system is supplied
from the windshield washer reservoir. It
has a capacity of approximately
7.4USqt(7l).
During all seasons, add MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate “S” to water. Premix
the windshield washer fluid in a suitable
container.
Refill the reservoir with MB Windshield
Washer Concentrate and water (or
commercially available premixed
windshield washer solvent/antifreeze,
depending on ambient temperatures).
Always use washer solvent/antifreeze
where temperatures may fall below the
freezing point. Failure to do so could
result in damage to the washer
system/reservoir.The washer fluid reservoir is located in the
trunk underneath the floor on the left hand
side.
1Quick-release fasteners
2Loop
Lift up the interior floor panel by
loop2.
Turn the quick-release fasteners
counterclockwise1 and remove the
cover.
!Only use washer fluid which is suitable
for plastic lenses. Improper washer
fluid can damage the plastic lenses of
the headlamps.Warning!
G
Washer solvent/antifreeze is highly flamma-
ble. Do not spill washer solvent/antifreeze
on hot engine parts, because it may ignite
and burn. You could be seriously burned.
Page 253 of 417
252 OperationTrunk3Cap for windshield washer reservoirOpening washer fluid reservoir
Pull up cap3 by the tab.
Closing washer fluid reservoir
Press cap3 on to the filler neck until
it engages fully.
For more information, see “Windshield and
headlamp washer system” (
page 382).
Page 319 of 417
318 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause
Possible solution
<
Seat belt system
Drive to
workshop!
The seat belt system is mal-
functioning.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately.
O
Close
hood!
You are driving with the hood
open.
Close the hood (
page 243).
Ê
Close
trunk lid!
This message will appear when-
ever the trunk lid is open.
Close the trunk lid (
page 102).
J
Door open!
You are attempting to drive
with one or more doors open.
Close the doors.
<
Airbrake malf.!
The Airbrake locking mecha-
nism is malfunctioning.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Page 341 of 417

340 Practical hintsWhere will I find ...?First aid kit
The first aid kit is located on the right-hand
side in the trunk.
1First aid kit
2Retaining strap
Open the retaining strap2.
Remove the first aid kit1.TIREFIT kit, electric air pump, towing
eye bolt and vehicle literature portfolio
The TIREFIT kit, the electric air pump, the
vehicle literature portfolio and the towing
eye bolt are located on the right-hand side
underneath the floor in the trunk.
1Vehicle literature portfolio
2TIREFIT kit, electrical air pump
3Towing eye bolt
iCheck expiration dates and contents
for completeness at least once a year
and replace missing/expired items.
iWhen your SLR is delivered, you will
find the vehicle literature portfolio in
the rear storage compartment
(page 201). For permanent storage
in the vehicle, keep the vehicle litera-
ture portfolio in the storage compart-
ment in the trunk.
!Your vehicle is equipped with a front
towing eye bolt only.
You cannot tow other vehicles with
your vehicle.
Page 343 of 417
342 Practical hintsLocking/unlocking in an emergencyUnlocking the vehicle
Unlocking the trunk
If you are unable to unlock the trunk with
the SmartKey, open the trunk with the
mechanical key.
The handle is located above the rear
license plate recess.1Mechanical key locking tab
2Mechanical key
Move locking tab1 in the direction of
arrow.
Slide mechanical key2 out of the
housing.
Trunk lid lock3Unlocking
Insert the mechanical key in the trunk
lid lock.
Perform the following two steps simul-
taneously:
Turn the mechanical key
counterclockwise to the stop, to
position3.
Pull the trunk lid handle and lift the
trunk lid.
iUnlocking the trunk with the mechani-
cal key will trigger the anti-theft alarm
system when the door is opened.
To cancel the alarm, insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Page 344 of 417
343 Practical hints
Locking/unlocking in an emergency
Unlocking the driver’s door
If you can no longer lock or unlock the
doors using the SmartKey, unlock the driv-
er’s door using the emergency release
catch.The emergency release catch is located on
the left side in the trunk.
1Emergency release catch
Unlock the trunk (
page 342).
Pull emergency release catch1.
The door is unlocked.
Open the door in the normal way.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
iUnlocking the driver’s door with the
emergency release catch will trigger
the anti-theft alarm system.
To cancel the alarm, insert the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
iIf it still is not possible to unlock the
door, pull more firmly on the emergen-
cy release catch.