Contents
Introduction....................................... 12
Product information ............................. 13
Operator’s Manual ............................... 14
Service and warranty information .. 14
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 15
Maintenance .................................. 16
Roadside Assistance ...................... 16
Change of address or ownership.... 16
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 17
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
compliance .................................... 17
Where to find it .................................... 18
Symbols ............................................... 19
Operating safety .................................. 20
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 20
Problems with your vehicle .................. 21
Reporting safety defects...................... 22
Reporting safety defects ................ 22
Vehicle data recording......................... 23
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 23
At a glance.......................................... 24
Cockpit ................................................. 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part ...................................... 31
Lower part ...................................... 32
Overhead control panel ........................ 33
Control panel on the door sill ............... 34
Getting started................................... 36
Unlocking ............................................. 38
Starter switch positions .................. 40
Adjusting .............................................. 42
Seats .............................................. 42
Steering wheel ................................ 43
Mirrors ............................................ 44
Driving .................................................. 46
Fastening the seat belts ................. 46
Starting the engine ......................... 49
Parking brake ................................. 50
Driving off ....................................... 51
Switching on headlamps ................. 52
Turn signals .................................... 53
Windshield wipers ........................... 54
Problems while driving.................... 56
Parking and locking .............................. 57
Parking brake ................................. 57
Switching off headlamps................. 58
Turning off the engine ..................... 58
Releasing seat belts........................ 59
Locking ........................................... 59
ContentsSafety and Security........................... 60
Occupant safety................................... 62
Airbags ........................................... 63
Seat belts ....................................... 69
Children in the vehicle .................... 72
Panic alarm .......................................... 78
Activating ....................................... 78
Deactivating ................................... 78
Driving safety systems ......................... 79
ABS ................................................ 79
BAS ................................................ 81
ESP
®............................................... 81
Electrohydraulic brake system ....... 84
Performance enhancement system ..... 87
Airbrake.......................................... 87
Anti-theft systems................................ 90
Immobilizer..................................... 90
Anti-theft alarm system .................. 90
Tow-away alarm ............................. 92
Controls in detail............................... 94
Locking and unlocking ......................... 96
SmartKey ....................................... 96
Opening the doors ....................... 100
Opening the trunk ........................ 100
Closing the trunk lid ..................... 101
Trunk emergency release ............. 102
Automatic locking ........................ 103
Locking and unlocking from
the inside ..................................... 103
Lighting.............................................. 105
Exterior lamp switch..................... 105
Combination switch ..................... 109
Hazard warning flasher ................ 110
Interior lighting............................. 111
Trunk lamp ................................... 112
Courtesy lighting .......................... 112
Instrument cluster ............................. 113
Instrument cluster illumination .... 113
Coolant temperature gauge ......... 114
Resetting the trip odometer ......... 115
Tachometer .................................. 115
Outside temperature indicator ..... 115Control system .................................. 117
Multifunction display.................... 117
Multifunction steering wheel........ 118
Menus .......................................... 120
Standard display menu ................ 122
AUDIO menu ................................ 123
Vehicle status message memory
menu............................................ 124
Settings menu .............................. 126
Trip computer menu..................... 137
TEL menu ..................................... 139
Audio system ..................................... 143
Audio and telephone, operation ... 143
Operating safety .......................... 143
Location of the audio system ....... 143
Operating and display elements... 144
Button and soft key operation...... 146
Operation ..................................... 146
Radio operation ........................... 149
Cassette operation ...................... 152
CD changer operation .................. 156
Telephone operation .................... 160
Automatic transmission ..................... 167
One-touch gearshifting ................ 168
Gear ranges ................................. 170
Gear selector lever positions ....... 171
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
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
20 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:
the safety precautions in this manual
the “Technical data” section in this
manual
traffic rules and regulations
motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.
At a glanceCockpit
Instrument cluster
Multifunction steering wheel
Center console
Overhead control panel
Control panel on the door sill
27 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Hood lock release
244
2
Cruise control lever
197
3
Instrument cluster
28,
113
4
Multifunction steering wheel
30,
118
5
Overhead control panel
33
6
Center console
31, 32
7
Starter switch
40
8
Horn
Item
Page
9
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
43
a
Headlamp washer button
179
b
Exterior lamp switch
52,
105
c
Combination switch
Turn signals
Windshield wipers
High beam
53
54
109
30 At a glanceMultifunction steering wheel
Item
Page
1
Left multifunction display in
the speedometer
117
2
Right multifunction display in
the tachometer
117
Operating control system
3
Selecting the submenu or set-
ting the volume:
Press button
æup/to increase
çdown/to decrease
118
4
Telephone:
Press button
íto take a call
ìto end a call
118
Item
Page
5
Menu systems:
Press button
èfor next menu
ÿfor previous menu
118
6
Moving within a menu:
Press button
jfor next display
kfor previous display
118