2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR hood open

244 OperationEngine compartmentHood OpeningWarning!
G
Do not pull the release lever while the
vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the hood
could be forced open by passing air flow.Warning!
G
The exhaust areas on the engine hood and
between the doors and front wheels get very
hot. Avoid contact with them, otherwise
there is the risk of severe burns.
Warning!
G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running. Make sure the hood is
properly closed before driving. When closing
the hood, use extreme caution not to catch
hands or fingers.
The radiator fan may also start at any time
automatically, even after the SmartKey has
been removed from the starter switch. Stay
clear of fan blades.Warning!
G
Engine components may become very hot.
Avoid contact with them, otherwise there is
the risk of severe burns.
Warning!
G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnos-
tic socket) of the ignition system

with the engine running


while starting the engine


if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually

245 Operation
Engine compartment
The release lever is located in the driver's
footwell.
1Release leverThe hood folding mechanism is disengaged
in two stages.

Pull release lever1 downwards.
This completes the first stage.
!Make sure the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged.
Make sure there is sufficient clearance
before opening the hood. A minimum
clearance in front of the vehicle of 3/4ft (25 cm) is required.
iIf it was not possible to release the
hood, pull the release lever downwards
more firmly.

246 OperationEngine compartment2Hood latch
The hood latches are located in the upper
air intake next to the headlamp units. 
Pull the hood latches2.
This completes the second stage.

Pull the hood towards you to the stop.

Press the front part of the hood.
The hood opens and will automatically
be held in position by gas-filled spring
struts.!Make sure there is sufficient clearance
before opening the hood. A minimum
overhead clearance of 6.6 ft (2.0 m) is
required.

250 OperationEngine compartmentCoolant
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 381).
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.

294 OperationVehicle careWiper blades

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Fold the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield (
page 350).
You must feel the wiper arm engage in
position. You can now clean the wiper
blade.

Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.

After cleaning the wiper blade, fold the
windshield wipers back again before
turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch.Window cleaning
!The hood must be opened
(page 244) before folding the wiper
arm away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the hood
and/or the wiper arms.
!Never open or close the hood when the
wiper arms are folded away from the
windshield. You could otherwise dam-
age the hood and/or the wiper arm. Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the wiper blades. Otherwise
the wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back
onto the windshield before turning the
SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the
wiper arm back. If released, the force
of the impact from the tensioning
spring could crack the windshield.
!The hood must be opened
(page 244) before folding the wiper
arm away from the windshield. You
could otherwise damage the hood
and/or the wiper arms.
!Never open or close the hood when the
wiper arms are folded away from the
windshield. You could otherwise dam-
age the hood and/or the wiper arm. Warning!
G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the windshield. Otherwise
the wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.

302 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Problem
Possible cause/consequence
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 250).
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 in a safe lo-
cation and allow the engine and cool-
ant 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.

324 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
Ï
Coolant
Stop, put engine
off
The coolant is too hot.

Stop the vehicle in a safe location and turn off the en-
gine.

Only start the engine again after the message disap-
pears. You could otherwise damage the engine.
Warning!
G
Driving when your engine is badly over-
heated 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 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.
!The engine should not be operated with
the coolant temperature above 248°F
(120°C). Doing so may cause serious
engine damage which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

329 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
±
Fuel system
malfunction
Visit
workshop
The fuel cooling system is
malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
A
Reserve fuel
The fuel level has fallen into the
reserve range.

Refuel at the next gas station (
page 241).
Check
fuel cap
See Oper. Manual
A loss of pressure has been de-
tected in the fuel system. The
fuel cap may not be closed
properly or the fuel system may
be leaky.

Check the fuel cap (
page 241).
If it is not closed properly:

Close the fuel cap.
If it is closed properly:

Have the fuel system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
ì
Tel
Enter PIN
You have not yet entered your
PIN in you telephone.

Enter the PIN for your SIM card.
O
Close
hood
You are driving with the hood
open.

Close the hood (
page 244).
I
Remove
key
You have forgotten to remove
the SmartKey.

Remove the SmartKey from the starter switch.
Replace
key
No additional code available for
the SmartKey.

Have the SmartKey checked. Notify an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.