2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS Owners Manual

88 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake servo assis-
tance switches off automatically

approximately 2 minutes after you
turned the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or removed the
SmartKey

approximately 20 seconds after you
locked the vehicle from the outside
Notes on driving with the
electro-hydraulic brake system

Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads and
prevents possible brake noise.

After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks.

On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear.

After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.

Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be
installed on your vehicle. Brake pads
not approved by Mercedes-Benz may
impair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system car-
ried out by qualified technicians only. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information. The electro-hydrau-
lic brake system must be deactivated prior
to working on the system. High pressure is
intermittently built up in the system as part
of its automatic self-test. In addition, the
system is automatically activated when the
vehicle is unlocked by remote control, when
the driver or passenger door is opened,
when the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1, when the brake pedal
is depressed or when the parking brake is
released. Failure to deactivate the system
prior to maintenance will cause brake pis-
tons to extend and brake fluid to leak, which
may result in injuries (contusions and acid
burns). Extended brake pistons may also
cause injury.
Warning!G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

89 Safety and Security
Performance enhancement system
Performance enhancement system
Airbrake
The Airbrake enhances the vehicle’s driv-
ing stability. It adapts the aerodynamics of
the vehicle to the driving conditions ac-
cording to the speed and the mode set.
This is achieved using a moveable spoiler.
The Airbrake is located at the rear edge of
the trunk lid.
Warning!G
When operating the Airbrake, make sure
there is no danger of anyone being harmed
by the Airbrake operation (i.e. raising and
lowering of flap). Be especially careful when
small children are around.
Warning!G
The following factors increase the risk of
accidents:

Excessive speed, especially in turns

Wet and slippery road surfaces

Following another vehicle too closely
The Airbrake cannot reduce this risk.
Always adjust your driving style to the pre-
vailing road and weather conditions.
iIn winter operation, the maximum effective-
ness of the Airbrake is only achieved with winter
tires (M + S tires) or snow chains as required.

90 Safety and Security
Performance enhancement system
The Airbrake switch is on the upper part of
the center console.
Airbrake modes
1Manual
2Automatic
3Test
4Airbrake switch
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
The system runs a self-test to ensure
correct operation of the Airbrake.Test mode
The test mode allows you to check that the
Airbrake is functioning correctly.
This mode can only be activated when the
vehicle is at standstill.
Slide Airbrake switch4 to
position3.
The Airbrake swivels upwards to an
angle of 60°.
Release the Airbrake switch.
The Airbrake returns to its initial
position.Manual mode
In this mode, the Airbrake is set to an angle
of 30° (Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
722 Edition: 35°). The driver downforce
mode enhances stability while reducing
agility.
Slide the Airbrake switch4 to
position1.
The Airbrake swivels upwards to an an-
gle of 30° (Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren 722 Edition: 35°) and stays in
this position.
iIn manual mode, the Airbrake automatic
function is activated during hard braking, see
“Automatic mode” (
page 91).
!Before deactivating manual mode, check
the Airbrake for any objects which may have be-
come lodged, e.g. branches or leaves, and
remove them.
Otherwise the Airbrake can no longer function
correctly.

91 Safety and Security
Performance enhancement system
Automatic mode
This mode should be used for normal driv-
ing conditions.
Slide the Airbrake switch4 to
position2.
With the ignition switched on, the
Airbrake swivels upwards to an angle
of 5° and then returns to its initial
position.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren:
When the vehicle exceeds a speed of
60 mph (95 km/h), the Airbrake wing
swivels up to an angle of 10°.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
722 Edition:
When the vehicle exceeds a speed of
75 mph (120 km/h), the Airbrake wing
swivels up to an angle of 15°. Rapid braking
During hard braking at a speed of more
than 60 mph (95 km/h), the Airbrake auto-
matically swivels up to an angle of 60°.
This allows you to achieve the best possi-
ble braking performance in an emergency.
Warning!G
Hard braking activates the Airbrake which
may block the view through the interior rear
view mirror. In this case, monitor the traffic
behind you through the exterior rear view
mirrors.

92 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
Activating
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door

the trunk

the hood

a storage compartment in the rear

the storage compartment under the
armrestThe alarm system will also be triggered
when

someone attempts to raise the vehicle

someone opens a door from the inside
if the vehicle was locked with the
SmartKey

someone opens the trunk with the
emergency release button
iIn case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
iThe alarm will stay on, even if the activating
element (a door, for example) is immediately
closed.
If the alarm stays on for more than 30 seconds,
a call to the Response Center is initiated auto-
matically by the Tele Aid system (
page 214)
provided Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are available.

93 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Arming the alarm system
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the alarm system is
activated. The indicator lamp in the
central locking switch (
page 105) be-
gins to flash after arming the alarm
system.Disarming the alarm system
Unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash once to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed.Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
or
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iIf the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times, one of the following elements may not be
properly closed:

a door

the trunk
Close the respective element and lock the
vehicle again.
iThe alarm system will rearm automatically
after approximately 40 seconds if neither a door
nor the trunk lid was opened.

94 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Tow-away alarm off button
2Indicator lamp
Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.
Press button 1.
Indicator lamp2 in button1 comes
on briefly.
Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
or
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is triggered,
for example, if the vehicle is lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than 30 seconds,
a call to the Response Center is initiated auto-
matically by the Tele Aid system (
page 221)
provided Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are available.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the tow-away
protection disarms automatically. The tow-away
alarm remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm while
the ignition is switched on.

95