2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR Owner's Manual

288 OperationWinter drivingSnow chains
Snow chains should only be driven on
snow-covered roads at speeds not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). Remove chains
as soon as possible when driving on roads
without snow.Please observe the following guidelines
when using snow chains:


Use of snow chains is not permissible
with all wheel/tire combinations.


Snow chains should only be used on
the rear wheels. Follow the manufac-
turer’s mounting instructions.


Only use snow chains that are
approved by Mercedes-Benz. Your
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
be glad to advise you on this subject.


Use of snow chains may be prohibited
depending on location. Always check
local and state laws before installing
snow chains.
iWhen driving with snow chains, you
may wish to deactivate the ESP
®
(
page 83) before setting the vehicle
in motion. This will improve the
vehicle’s traction.
!Use of snow chains is not permissible
with tire sizes:

255/35 ZR19 (96Y) XL


295/30 ZR19 (100Y) XL


295/35 ZR18 (99Y)

289 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance
In order to maintain the performance and
safety of your SLR, we strongly recom-
mend that you have your vehicle serviced
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
every 12 months, even if the vehicle has
covered less than 10 000 miles
(15 000 km) in that time.
The maintenance service indicator will
notify you when your next maintenance
service is due within the next 12 months or
10 000 miles (15 000 km), whichever
comes sooner.
Failure to have the vehicle maintained in
accordance with the Maintenance Booklet
and maintenance service indicator at the
designated times/mileage will result in
vehicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.Before your next maintenance service is
due, one of the following messages will ap-
pear in the right multifunction display while
you are driving or when you switch on the
ignition:
Service in .. days
Service in .. miles

When the maintenance service is due, the
following message appears in the multi-
function display:
Carry out Service
Clearing the maintenance service indicator message
The maintenance service indicator mes-
sage is automatically cleared after 30 sec-
onds when you switch on the ignition. You
can also clear it yourself.
1Reset button
Press reset button 1.
The maintenance service indicator
message is cleared and the standard
display appears in the multifunction
display (
page 117).

290 OperationMaintenanceMaintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested ser-
vice term, you will see the following mes-
sage in the right multifunction display:Service exceeded by .. days
Service exceeded by .. milesAny authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.
Calling up the service due date
Switch on the ignition (
page 40).

Press buttonè orÿ on the
multifunction steering wheel repeated-
ly until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display (
page 117).

Press button k or j on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator service
symbol 9 appears in the left multi-
function display and the service dead-
line appears in the right multifunction
display.
iIf the vehicle is not be used for a longer
period of time, do not disconnect the
consumer battery. Instead, maintain
the condition of the battery by using
the battery charger approved by
Mercedes-Benz for use on the SLR and
supplied with the car (
page 358).
This charger automatically controls the
charge rate, and can be left connected
to the car for long periods without dam-
age to the battery.
If the battery supplying the vehicle’s
electrical consumers is disconnected,
the days of disconnection will not be in-
cluded in the count shown by the ser-
vice indicator. To arrive at the true
service deadline, you will need to sub-
tract these days from the days shown
in the service indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance
service indicator with the engine oil
level indicator:.

291 Operation
Maintenance
Resetting the maintenance service indicator
In the event that the maintenance service
on your vehicle is not carried out by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, you can
have the maintenance service indicator
reset. The automotive maintenance facility
carrying out the maintenance service will
find the information for resetting the
maintenance service indicator in the
maintenance-relevant information for your
vehicle. Such information is available from
either your authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center or directly from Mercedes-Benz.
iIf the maintenance service indicator
was inadvertently reset, have an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
correct it.
Only reset if the proper maintenance
service has been performed. Resetting
the system without performing the
proper service as called for by the
maintenance service indicator will
result in engine damage and/or other
vehicle damage not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

292 OperationVehicle careCleaning and care of the vehicle
If you have any questions about proper
care of your SLR, please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.Depending on body color the characteris-
tic carbon structure of the body surface
may become visible due to high ambient
temperatures and humidity. This phenom-
enon is related to the technology and con-
cept of the vehicle’s body.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the under-
body and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:


Air pollution


Road salt


Tar


Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:


Grease and oil


Fuel


Coolant


Brake fluid


Bird droppings


Insects


Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:


near the ocean


in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)


during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible to prevent corrosion.
Warning!
G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.iMercedes-Benz recommends that you
use Mercedes-Benz care products.
These have been specially developed
to suit Mercedes-Benz vehicles and are
state of the art. Mercedes-Benz care
products are available from any
Mercedes-Benz Center.

293 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle washingTo wash the car, use:


a car shampoo, which is recommended
by Mercedes-Benz


a soft sponge or a washing brush


plenty of water

Spray the car down thoroughly using
plenty of water.

Wash out the sponge and chamois fre-
quently.

Rinse off with clean water.

Dry the car well with a chamois.Power washer
!When washing the vehicle, fine and rig-
id particles in sponges or brushes
could scratch or otherwise damage the
paint. This applies to both, hand-wash
or automatic car wash. Mercedes-Benz
recommends you to have your vehicle
cleaned at an automatic car wash from
the start, preferably one without brush-
es, or to use plenty of water when
hand-washing your vehicle.
Do not wash the car in direct sunlight
and when the body surface is hot.
In the winter, remove salt residue
quickly and thoroughly.
iAfter running the vehicle through an au-
tomatic car wash, wipe any wax off of
the windshield (
page 294). This will
prevent smears and reduce wiping
noise which can be caused by residual
wax on the windshield.
!Do not use power washer to clean your
vehicle or the engine.

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.

295 Operation
Vehicle care

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 wind-
shield.

Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is recom-
mended.

After cleaning the windshield, fold the
windshield wipers back again before
turning the SmartKey in the starter
switch.Cleaning the headlamps

Wipe the headlamp lens with a damp
sponge.
!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.
!Only use windshield washer fluid suit-
able for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuitable
windshield washer fluid may cause
damage to the plastic lenses of the
headlamps.
Do not use

a dry cloth


abrasive products


solvents


cleaning agents containing solvents
You could otherwise scratch or damage
the lens surface.