2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR towing

Practical hintsWhat to do if ...
Where will I find ...?
Unlocking in an emergency
Replacing SmartKey batteries
Replacing bulbs
Replacing the wiper blades
Flat tire
Batteries
Towing the vehicle
Fuses

320 Practical hintsWhat to do if ...Left display
Right display
Possible cause/
consequence
Possible solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
Reduced
brake effect
Visit workshop
The electrohydraulic
brake system is in emer-
gency operation mode.
Considerably greater
brake pedal force is re-
quired and the pedal
travel is longer. The stop-
ping distance is in-
creased.

Continue driving with added caution.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immedi-
ately. Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.
Failure to follow these instructions increases the risk of
an accident.
Increased
stopping distance
Visit workshop
Warning!
G
Driving while these messages are displayed
can result in an accident. Have your brake
system checked immediately.
If there is a malfunction in the electrohy-
draulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels
off the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 360).
If the electrohydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much fur-
ther than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Stopping distance is increased!

342 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.

360 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleMercedes-Benz recommends that the vehi-
cle be transported with all wheels off the
ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
When circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehi-
cle may be towed with all wheels on the
ground or front wheels raised only so far as necessary to have the vehicle moved to a
safe location where the recommended
towing methods can be employed.
!Use flatbed or wheel lift/dolly equip-
ment with SmartKey in starter switch
turned to position0.
Do not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
To prevent damage during transport,
do not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
Switch off the tow-away alarm and the
automatic central locking.
!If the vehicle is towed with the front
axle raised, the engine must be shut off
(SmartKey in starter switch position0
or1). Otherwise the ESP
® will immedi-
ately be engaged and will apply the rear
wheel brakes.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, the gear selector lever
must be in positionN and the
SmartKey must be in starter switch
position2.
When towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground or the front axle raised,
the vehicle may be towed only for dis-
tances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph
(50 km/h).
!To be certain to avoid a possibility of
damage to the transmission, however,
we recommend the drive shaft be dis-
connected at the rear axle drive flange
for any towing beyond a short tow to a
nearby garage. Warning!
G
If circumstances require towing the vehicle
with all wheels on the ground, always tow
with a tow bar if:

the engine will not run


there is a malfunction in the electrohy-
draulic brake system


there is a malfunction in the power sup-
ply or in the vehicle’s electrical system
as that will be necessary to adequately con-
trol the towed vehicle.

361 Practical hints
Towing the vehicle
Prior to towing the vehicle with all wheels on
the ground, make certain that the SmartKey
is in starter switch position2.
If the SmartKey is left in starter switch
position0 for an extended period of time, it
can no longer be turned in the switch. In this
case, the steering is locked. To unlock, re-
move SmartKey from starter switch and re-
insert.iTo signal turns while being towed with
the hazard warning flasher in use, turn
SmartKey in starter switch to
position2 and activate the combina-
tion switch for the left or right turn sig-
nal in the usual manner – only the
selected turn signal will operate.
Upon canceling the turn signal, the haz-
ard warning flasher will operate again.
Warning!
G
The brake system requires electrical power
to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased! Adapt your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see
“Electrohydraulic brake system”
(page 84).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the ve-
hicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
!Towing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed tow-
ing eye bolt. Never attach tow cable,
tow rope or tow rod to the vehicle chas-
sis, frame or suspension parts.iWhen towing the vehicle with all wheels
on the ground, please note the follow-
ing:
With the automatic central locking acti-
vated and the SmartKey in starter
switch position2 the vehicle doors
lock if the left front wheel as well as the
right rear wheel are turning at vehicle
speeds of approximately 9 mph
(15 km/h) or more.
To prevent the vehicle door locks from
locking, deactivate the automatic
central locking (
page 137).

362 Practical hintsTowing the vehicleInstalling/reinstalling towing eye bolt
Take the towing eye bolt1 from its
storage compartment (
page 342).1Towing eye bolt

Remove cover from the access hole.

Screw towing eye bolt1 in to its stop.

Remove the towing eye bolt when you
no longer need it. To do this, carry out
the above steps in reverse order.
Points to bear in mind

The vehicle must not be tow-started.


If the vehicle is to be towed, only tow it
with all wheels on the ground.


If the vehicle has suffered transmission
damage, only tow it with the propeller
shaft disconnected.


Before towing the vehicle, make sure
the battery is connected and charged.
Otherwise you will not be able to switch
on the ignition and move the selector
lever to N. There will then be no power
assistance when steering and braking.
Transporting the vehicle
The towing eye bolt can be used to pull the
vehicle onto a trailer or transporter for
transporting purposes.
Move the selector lever to N.
iThe gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP and the SmartKey
will not turn in the starter switch if the
battery is disconnected or discharged.
See notes on the battery (
page 356).
!Only secure the tow bar to the towing
eye bolt. The vehicle could otherwise
be damaged.!Your vehicle is equipped with a front
towing eye bolt only (
page 362).
You cannot tow other vehicles with
your vehicle.
!Due to the low clearance height of the
SLR, care must be taken when loading
and unloading from a transporter to
avoid damaging the vehicle body work.
To secure the vehicle, only tie it down
by the wheels or tires. Otherwise it
could be damaged.

392 IndexAutomatic climate control 182
Adjusting air volume 186
Air conditioning refrigerant 378
Air conditioning, Cooling 192
Air distribution 187
Air recirculation mode 188
Air vents 183
Control panel 184
Deactivating system 191
Defrosting 181, 188
MAXCOOL 187
Residual heat utilization 190
Side air vents 31
Temperature 185
Temperature sensor 33
Automatic headlamp mode 106
Automatic lighting control, Interior
lighting 111Automatic transmission 167
Accelerator position 173
Damage 362
Driving tips 173
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 178
Gear ranges 170
Gear selector lever 32, 167
Gear selector lever position 167, 171
Gear shifting malfunctions 178
Kickdown 173
Manual gearshift program 176
Manual shifting 168
One-touch gearshifting 168
Shift program mode selector
switch 173
Starting the engine 49
Steering wheel gearshift control 174
Towing 362
Transmission fluid level 249
Automatic transmission fluid 249B
BabySmart
TM
Airbag deactivation system 75, 385
Compatible child seats 385
Self-test 75
Backup lamp 349
Messages in the multifunction
display 332
Bar 281
BAS 81, 385
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking battery condition 99
Replacing 346
Batteries, Vehicle 251
Charging 358
Consumer battery 356
Jump starting 356
Maintenance 356
Messages in the multifunction
display 315
Starter battery 251
Batteries, vehicle
Consumer battery 251
Battery charger 358
Bead 281
Bi-Xenon headlamps 385

395 Index
Driving 46, 51
Abroad 238
Hints, Electrohydraulic brake
system 86
Hydroplaning 236
In winter 237
Instructions 46, 231
Problems 56
Safety systems 79
Systems 197
Through standing water 238
Tips, Automatic transmission 173
Driving safety systems 79
ABS 79
BAS 81
Electrohydraulic brake system 84
ESP
®
81
Driving systems
Cruise control 197
Dust cover 224E
Electric air pump 342
Electrical fuses 363
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electrical system, Technical data 374
Electrohydraulic brake system 79, 84,
388
Activation 85
Deactivation 86
Driving hints 86
Emergency operating mode 84
Messages in the multifunction
display 319
Self-check 85, 318
Warning lamp 84
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 164
Tele Aid 209
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp Home
Mode) 178
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 215
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 102
Unlocking the vehicle 344
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETDEmergency, In case of
First aid kit 342
Flat tire 351
Hazard warning flasher 110
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 298
Roadside Assistance 16, 211
Towing the vehicle 360
Emission control 240
Information label 368
System warranties 14
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 368
Engine
Break-in recommendations 230
Cleaning 293
Compartment 244
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 301
Number 368, 386
Poly-V-belt layout 369
Starting 49
Tachometer 29
Technical data 370
Turning off 58
Engine coolant see Coolant