2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR Owner's Manual

224 Controls in detailUseful featuresDust coverWarning!
G
Allow the engine to cool down completely
before slipping the dust cover on your vehi-
cle. Otherwise you could be seriously
burned when coming into contact with the
hot exhaust system.!To avoid damage to the vehicle and the
dust cover, observe the following:

Use the dust cover only when the
vehicle is garaged.


Cover the vehicle only when the en-
gine has cooled down completely.


The vehicle as well as the dust cov-
er must be dry before slipping the
dust cover on the vehicle.


Remove the padlock that serves as
an anti-theft device before slipping
the dust cover on or off
(page 226).


To avoid scratches, make sure the
zip fastener and the steel cable do
not come into contact with the vehi-
cle (
page 226).


Make sure the dust cover is clean
and dry before inserting it in the bag
provided with the dust cover.
iClean the dust cover according to the
care label on the inside of the dust cov-
er.

225 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 226).


226 Controls in detailUseful features
To remove the dust cover, follow the
above steps in reverse order.Anti-theft device for dust cover
The anti-theft device is located on the low-
er edge of the dust cover on the left side of
the vehicle.
1Hook and loop fastener with fabric bor-
der
2Zip fastener
3Elastic band and steel cable
4Eyes
5Padlock
1
Open hook and loop fastener 1.

Open zip fastener 2.

Tighten the steel cable by pulling elas-
tic band 3.

Secure both eyes4 of the steel cable
with a padlock5.

Close zip fastener 2.

Close fabric border using hook and
loop fastener 1.
1Not included.


227 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.

OperationThe first 1000 miles (1500 km)
Driving instructions
At the gas station
Engine compartment
Trunk
Tires and wheels
Winter driving
Maintenance
Vehicle care

230 OperationIn the “Operation” section you will find
detailed information on operating, main-
taining and caring for your vehicle. The first 1000 miles (1500 km)
The more cautiously you treat your vehicle
during the break-in period, the more satis-
fied you will be with its performance later
on. You should therefore observe the fol-
lowing for the first 1000 miles (1500 km):

Drive at varying but moderate road and
engine speeds.


Do not drive faster than 150 mph
(240 km/h).


Break in new tires for the first
100 miles (160 km), therefore avoid
high-speed cornering. Do not exceed a
speed of 125 mph (200 km/h).


Do not drive at engine speeds above
4500 rpm.


Try to avoid heavy load on the engine
(driving at full throttle) and driving at
high engine speeds (maximum of
2/3
of top speed of each gear) during this
break-in period.


Avoid accelerating by kick-down.


Change gears in good time.


Do not attempt to slow the vehicle
down by shifting to a lower gear using
the gear selector lever.


Select positions3,2 or1 only when
driving at moderate speeds (for hill
driving).


Select C as the preferred shift program
(page 173) for the first 1000 miles
1500 km).
After 1000 miles (1500 km), you may grad-
ually bring the vehicle up to full road and
engine speed.
All of the above instructions also apply
when driving the first 1000 miles
(1500 km) after the engine or the rear dif-
ferential has been replaced.
iAlways obey applicable speed limits.

231 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operating
conditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended tire
inflation pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and decel-
eration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required
by the maintenance service display.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go
traffic, on short trips and in hilly area.
Drinking and driving
Pedals
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Keep driver’s foot area clear at all times.
Objects stored in this area may impair pedal
movement.