Contents
Shift program mode selector
switch .......................................... 173
Driving tips ................................... 173
Steering wheel gearshift control .. 174
Manual gearshift program ............ 176
Emergency operation
(Limp Home Mode) ...................... 178
Good visibility .................................... 179
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 179
Rear view mirrors ......................... 179
Sun visors .................................... 180
Rear window defroster ................. 181
Automatic climate control ................. 182
Adjusting the temperature ........... 185
Adjusting air volume .................... 186
Adjusting air distribution .............. 187
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 187
Defrosting the windshield ............ 188
Air recirculation mode.................. 188
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 190
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system................. 191
Air conditioning ............................ 192Power windows .................................. 193
Opening and closing the
windows........................................ 193
Synchronizing power windows ...... 195
Summer opening feature .............. 195
Convenience closing feature......... 196
Driving systems .................................. 197
Cruise control ............................... 197
Useful features ................................... 200
Map pocket in passenger
footwell ......................................... 200
Storage compartments ................. 200
Parcel net in trunk ........................ 201
Ashtray and cigarette lighter......... 202
Power outlet ................................. 203
Telephone ..................................... 203
Tele Aid ......................................... 208
Garage door opener ...................... 216
Floormats...................................... 223
Dust cover .................................... 224
Roof and trunk lid racks ................ 227
Operation.......................................... 228
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 230
Driving instructions ............................ 231
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 231
Drinking and driving...................... 231
Pedals ........................................... 231
Power assistance .......................... 232
Brakes .......................................... 232
Driving off ..................................... 234
Parking ......................................... 234
Tires.............................................. 235
Hydroplaning ................................ 236
Tire traction .................................. 236
Tire speed rating ........................... 236
Winter driving instructions ............ 237
Standing water ............................. 238
Passenger compartment............... 238
Driving abroad .............................. 238
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 238
Catalytic converter ....................... 239
Emission control ........................... 240
Coolant temperature .................... 240
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).
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.
282 OperationTires and wheelsDOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
Certification label located on the driver’s
door A-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GWV must never exceed the
GWVR indicated on the Certification label
located on the driver’s door A-pillar.GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
Certification label located on the driver’s
door A-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
vehicle capacity weight and production
options weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lbs).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lbs (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
357 Practical hints
Batteries
Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an
accident.
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. The same applies if
battery is disconnected. 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! Adjust your driving style according-
ly. For more information, see
“Electrohydraulic brake system”
(page 84).
Warning!
G
With a disconnected battery
you will no longer be able to turn the
SmartKey in the starter switch
the gear selector lever will remain
locked in positionP
401 Index
Parking lamps 105
Message in the multifunction
display 332
Replacing bulbs 348
Parts service 366
PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF
Indicator lamp 75, 306
Passenger compartment 238
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 231
Performance enhancement system,
Airbrake 87
Phone see Telephone
Poly-V-belt drive 388
Layout 369
Power assistance 232
Power outlet 203
Power train 388
Power washer 293
Power windows 193
Cleaning 294
Operating 193
Synchronizing 195
Practical hints 296
Premium unleaded gasoline 379Problems
While driving 56
With the vehicle 21
Product information 13
Production options weight 282
Program mode selector switch, Automatic
transmission 173, 388
PSI 283
Push starting 356
R
Radio
Operation 149
Selecting stations 123
Radio transmitters 238
Range (distance to empty) 139
Reading lamp 112
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 181
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 283
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 215
Redial memory 142
Refrigerant, Air conditioning 378Refueling 241
Regular checks 242
Remote control, SmartKey 96
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 215
Replacing bulbs 348
Reporting safety defects 22
Research Octane Number see RON
Reset button, in Instrument cluster 113,
289
Residual heat utilization 190
Restraint systems 62
Airbags 62, 63
Children in the vehicle 72
Emergency Tensioning Device
(ETD) 62, 72
Seat belts 62, 69
Rims 283, 371
Roadside Assistance 16, 211
RON 241, 388
Roof rack 227
S
Safety
Driving safety systems 79
Occupant 62
Reporting defects 22
Safety belts see Seat belts
405 Index
Replacing bulbs 348
Turning off the engine 58
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 284
Units, Setting
Speedometer 129
Temperature 129
Tire inflation pressure 137
Unleaded gasoline, Premium 241, 379
Useful features 200
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 368
Vehicle
Batteries 251
Break-in the vehicle 230
Control system, Settings menu 126
Dimensions 375
Locking/unlocking 38, 59, 96, 103
Modifications and alterations, Operat-
ing safety 20
Towing 360
Transporting 362
Unlocking in an emergency 344
Vehicle capacity weight 284Vehicle care 292
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle lighting 243
Vehicle literature portfolio 342
Vehicle loading 257
Load limit 258
Roof and trunk lid racks 227
Terminology 281
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 284
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid) 215
Vehicle status message memory
menu 124
Vehicle washing 293
VIN 368, 389
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Exterior lamps 59
Parking brake 52
Seat belt telltale 69
Warranty coverage 14, 367
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 252
Washing the vehicle 292Wear pattern, Tires 284
Wheel bolts
Anti-theft wheel nuts 285
Tightening torque 285
Wheels, Sizes 372
Wheels, Tires and 254
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 294
Defrosting/Defogging 188
Windshield washer fluid 252, 383
Message in the multifunction
display 341
Mixing ratio 383
Refilling 252
Wiping with 55
Windshield washer system 383
Windshield wipers 27, 54
Cleaning wiper blades 294
Replacing wiper blades 350
Single wipe 55
Winter driving 287
Instructions 237
Snow chains 288
Tires* 287
Winter tires* 287