2006 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR engine oil

ContentsAt the gas station............................... 241
Refueling ...................................... 241
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 242
Engine compartment.......................... 244
Hood ............................................ 244
Engine oil...................................... 247
Transmission fluid level ................ 249
Coolant......................................... 250
Trunk ................................................. 251
Batteries....................................... 251
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 252
Tires and wheels ................................ 254
Important guidelines .................... 254
Tire care and maintenance ........... 255
Direction of rotation ..................... 257
Loading the vehicle ...................... 257
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 264
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 266
Tire labeling .................................. 271
Load identification........................ 275
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 276
Maximum tire load ....................... 277Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 278
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 279
Tire ply material ........................... 281
Tire and loading terminology ........ 281
Rotating tires ............................... 284
Anti-theft wheel nuts .................... 285
Winter driving .................................... 287
Winter tires* ................................ 287
Snow chains ................................. 288
Maintenance ...................................... 289
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 289
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 290
Calling up the service due date .... 290
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 291
Vehicle care ....................................... 292
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 292
Vehicle washing ........................... 293
Practical hints................................. 296
What to do if ... .................................. 298
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 298
Lamp in center console................ 306
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 307
Symbol messages ........................ 315
Where will I find ...? ........................... 342
First aid kit ................................... 342
TIREFIT kit, electric air pump,
towing eye bolt and
vehicle literature portfolio ............ 342
Compact guide (Canada only) ...... 343
Unlocking in an emergency ............... 344
Unlocking the vehicle................... 344
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 346
Replacing bulbs ................................. 348
Front lamps.................................. 349
Rear lamps ................................... 349
Replacing the wiper blades................ 350
Removing wiper blades ................ 350
Installing wiper blades ................. 350

Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 351
Preparing the vehicle ................... 351
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit ........ 351
Batteries ............................................ 356
Charging the batteries ................. 358
Towing the vehicle ............................. 360
Installing/reinstalling
towing eye bolt ............................ 362
Points to bear in mind .................. 362
Transporting the vehicle............... 362
Fuses ................................................. 363
Technical data.................................. 364
Spare parts service............................. 366
Warranty coverage ............................. 367
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 367
Identification labels ............................ 368
Engine number.............................. 368
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 369
Engine ................................................ 370
Rims and tires .................................... 371
Mixed size tires ............................. 372
Winter tires* ................................. 373
Electrical system ................................ 374
Main dimensions ................................ 375
Weights .............................................. 376Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 377
Capacities ..................................... 377
Engine oils .................................... 378
Engine oil additives ....................... 378
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 378
Brake fluid .................................... 379
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 379
Fuel requirements......................... 380
Gasoline additives......................... 380
Coolants ....................................... 381
Windshield and headlamp
washer system.............................. 383
Technical terms............................... 384Index................................................. 390

29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
with
114
DCoolant temperature
warning lamp
302
2
Speedometer with;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
300
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
300
vABS/ESP
® warning
lamp
298
>Gearshift indicator
lamp
303
303
LLeft turn signal
indicator lampKRight turn signal
indicator lamp
Item
Page
3
Left multifunction display
with

Outside temperature
115


Main odometer
117
4
Reset button
113
5
Tachometer with
115
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
109
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, USA only
301
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only
301
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp
299
XTire pressure warning
lamp
305
Item
Page
1Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
304
304
6
Right multifunction display
with

Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
117,
170,
171


Trip odometer
117


Automatic transmission
shift program mode
117,
173


Clock
131
=Engine oil temperature
indicator
303
7
Fuel gauge withAFuel reserve warning
lamp
303

242 OperationAt the gas station
Replace fuel cap by turning it clockwise
until it audibly engages.

Close the fuel filler flap until you hear
the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant
2Engine oil
3Brake fluidCoolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 250) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 377).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 247).
Brake fluid
iMore information on gasoline can be
found in the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet.
Leaving the engine running and the fuel
cap open can cause theú malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (USA only) or
the± malfunction indicator lamp
(Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 301).
iOpening the hood, see (
page 244).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the
brake fluid reservoir has fallen to the
minimum mark or below, have the
brake system checked for brake pad
thickness and leaks immediately.
Notify an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately. Do not add brake
fluid as this will not solve the problem.
For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 300).


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

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.

248 OperationEngine compartmentChecking the engine oil level
When checking the oil level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


the engine must be at normal operating
temperature (min. 80°C)

Wait for at least 30 seconds with
engine still at idle.

Measure engine oil level with engine
still at idle.The dipstick and the cap are located on the
passenger side in the engine compart-
ment.
1Dipstick
2Filler cap

Pull out dipstick1 and wipe it off.

Reinsert the dipstick fully into the
guide.

Pull out the dipstick again after
3 seconds.
DipstickThe engine oil level must be between the
lower (min) and upper (max) marks.
Top up the engine oil if necessary.iThe difference in level between the up-
per and lower marks represents a
volume of about 2.1 US qt (2.0 l).

249 Operation
Engine compartment
Adding engine oil

Using a rag, unscrew filler cap2 from
filler neck.

Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.

Screw the filler cap back on filler neck.
You will find further information about en-
gine oil in the “Technical data” section
(
page 378) and (
page 377).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.
Warning!
G
The filler cap on the filler neck could be hot.
Use a rag when you unscrew the filler cap.
Otherwise you could burn yourself.
!Only use approved engine oils and oil
filters required for vehicles with
Maintenance System. For a listing of
approved engine oils and oil filters,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those
expressly required for the Maintenance
System, or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those
called for by the Maintenance System
will result in engine damage not cov-
ered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained
off. It could cause damage to the
engine and catalytic converter not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.