Page 248 of 409

247 Operation
Engine compartment
Closing
Pull the hood upwards in the center, 
against the resistance of the gas-filled 
spring struts.
Hold the front center part of the hood 
with both hands and push it back-
wards. After pushing the hood back-
wards about half-way, you will feel the 
hood passing a crest and the resulting 
force pulling the hood away from you. 
At that point, let go of the hood and let 
it fall onto the latches. 
The hood should now be locked and en-
tirely closed. 
Check that the hood is properly closed. 
If the hood is not properly engaged, re-
peat the closing procedure.
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will 
depend on a number of factors, including 
driving style. Higher oil consumption can 
occur when
the vehicle is new
the vehicle is driven frequently at 
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only 
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Oil consumption of the SLR is slightly high-
er than other vehicles. Please check the 
engine oil level frequently.
Warning!
G
Be careful that you do not close the hood on 
anyone.
!Make sure the rollers at the rear of the 
hood are engaged and the guide pins 
line up with the guide holes. Otherwise 
the hood may be damaged.
!Do not use any special lubricant addi-
tives, as these may damage the drive 
assemblies. Using special additives not 
approved by Mercedes-Benz may 
cause damage not covered by the 
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.  
     
        
        Page 393 of 409

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 
     
        
        Page 399 of 409

398 IndexInstrument cluster 28, 113, 387
Illumination brightness 113
Lamps 298
Messages in display see Multifunction 
display messages
Multifunction display 117
Instrument lighting 113
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 111
Delayed switch-off 135
Interior rear view mirror 44
Auto-dimming 179
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments
J
Jacking up the vehicle 351
Jump starting 356K
Key, Mechanical 344
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 98
Checking the batteries 99
Factory setting 98
Locking/unlocking 96
Locking/unlocking, Global setting 98
Locking/unlocking, Selective 
setting 98
Loss of 99
Messages in the multifunction 
display 329
Opening and closing the 
windows 195, 196
Positions in starter switch 40
Remote control 96
Replacing the batteries 346
Turning off the engine 58
Unlocking, Trunk 99
Kickdown 173, 387
Kilopascal 282
Knee airbags 68L
Labels
Certification 368
Emission control label 368
Vacuum line routing 368
Lamps
Exterior 348
Lamps, exterior
Messages in the multifunction 
display 330
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 299
ABS/ESP
®
29, 298
Airbrake 29, 303
Battery, SmartKey 98
Brake 29, 300
Center console 306
Coolant 29, 302
Engine malfunction 29, 301
Engine oil temperature 29, 303
Fog lamps 108
Fuel reserve 29, 303
Gearshift 29, 303
High beam 29
Instrument cluster 298
Maintenance service indicator 289