2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS open hood

251 Operation
Engine compartment
The release lever is located in the driver’s
footwell.
1Release lever
The hood folding mechanism is disengaged
in two stages.
Pull release lever1 downwards.
This completes the first stage.2Hood latch
The hood latches are located in the upper
air intake next to the headlamp units.
Pull the hood latches2.
This completes the second stage.
Pull the hood towards you to the stop.
!Make sure the windshield wipers are not
folded away from the windshield. Otherwise the
windshield wipers or the hood could be dam-
aged.
Make sure there is sufficient clearance before
opening the hood. A minimum clearance in front
of the vehicle of
3/4ft (25 cm) is required.
iIf it was not possible to release the hood,
pull the release lever downwards more firmly.


252 Operation
Engine compartment
Press the front part of the hood.
The hood opens and will automatically
be held in position by gas-filled spring
struts.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
entirely closed.
Check that the hood is properly closed.
If the hood is not properly engaged,
repeat the closing procedure.
!Make sure there is sufficient clearance be-
fore opening the hood. A minimum overhead
clearance of 6.6 ft (2.0 m) is required.
Warning!G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hand or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged be-
fore driving. Do not continue driving if the
hood can no longer engage after an accident
for example. The hood could otherwise
come loose while the vehicle is in motion
and injure you and/or others.!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.


255 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment.
1Expansion tank
Using a rag, turn cap slowly approxi-
mately one half turn to the left to
release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches the upper
mark on the bracing rib of the ex-
pansion tank (arrow)

for warm coolant: is approximately
0.4 in (1 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 394).
Warning!G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scald-
ing hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.

Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene
glycol which may burn if it comes into
contact with hot engine parts.

297 Operation
Vehicle care
Power washer
Cleaning the windows and wiper blades
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Fold the wiper arm away from the
windshield (
page 361).
You must feel the wiper arm engage in
position.
Clean the wiper blade inserts with a
clean cloth and detergent solution.
Use a soft, clean cloth and a mild win-
dow cleaning solution on all outside
and inside glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.Cleaning the headlamps
Wipe the headlamp lens with a damp
sponge.
!Do not use power washer to clean your
vehicle or the engine.
!The hood must be opened (page 250) be-
fore folding the wiper arm away from the wind-
shield. You could otherwise damage the hood
and/or the wiper arms.
!Never open or close the hood when the wip-
er arms are folded away from the windshield.
You could otherwise damage the hood and/or
the wiper arm.
Warning!G
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch
before cleaning the wiper blades. Otherwise
the wiper motor could suddenly turn on and
cause injury.
!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!To clean the window interior, do not use a
dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners con-
taining solvents. Do not touch the inside of the
front, rear or side windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
!Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before turning the SmartKey in
the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back. If released, the force of the impact from
the tensioning spring could crack the windshield.
!Only use windshield washer fluid suitable
for plastic lamp lenses. Unsuitable windshield
washer fluid may cause damage to the plastic
lenses of the headlamps.
Do not use

a dry cloth

abrasive products

solvents

cleaning agents containing solvents
You could otherwise scratch or damage the lens
surface.

306 Practical hints
What to do if ...
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant tempera-
ture may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solution
DThe red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on while
the engine is running.There is insufficient coolant in the reservoir.Immediately add coolant to prevent en-
gine from overheating (
page 255).
If this warning lamp comes on frequently,
there is a leak in the cooling system.Have the cooling system checked by
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the coolant level is correct, the electric
radiator fan may be broken. If the coolant temperature is below
248°F (120°C), you can continue driv-
ing to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Avoid high engine loads (e.g. driving
uphill) and stop-and-go driving.
DThe red coolant temperature
warning lamp comes on while
the engine is running and you
hear a warning sound.The coolant temperature has exceeded
248°F (120°C).Stop as soon as possible in a safe loca-
tion and allow the engine and coolant
to cool down.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by open-
ing the engine hood. Stay away from the en-
gine if you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Do-
ing so may cause serious engine damage which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.

337 Practical hints
What to do if ...
During severe operating conditions and
stop-and-go city traffic, the coolant tem-
perature may rise close to 248°F (120°C).
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
Observe the coolant temperature gauge in the
instrument cluster (
page 29).
If the temperature rises again:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Warning!G
Driving when your engine is overheated can
cause some fluids which may have leaked
into the engine compartment to catch fire.
You could be seriously burned.
Steam from an overheated engine can cause
serious burns which can occur just by open-
ing the hood. Stay away from the engine if
you see or hear steam coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.!The engine should not be operated with the
coolant temperature above 248°F (120°C).
Doing so may cause serious engine damage
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

352 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
Fasten seat beltYou have forgotten to fasten
your seat belt.Fasten your seat belt.
Passenger
seat belt
Fasten seat beltYour passenger has forgotten
to fasten seat belt.Fasten your seat belt.
OYou are driving with the hood
open.Stop your vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so.
Close the hood (page 250).
There is otherwise danger of an accident.
Check doors2You are attempting to drive
with one or more doors open.Close the doors.
ÊThis message will appear
whenever the trunk lid is open.Close the trunk lid (page 103).
LTele Aid
Drive to
workshopOne or more main functions of
the Tele Aid system are
malfunctioning.Have the Tele Aid system checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
WWasher fluid,
please refillThe washer fluid level has
dropped to about 1/3 of total
reservoir capacity.
Add washer fluid (page 257).

361 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removing wiper blades Remove the SmartKey from starter
switch.
Fold the wiper arm forward.
You must feel the wiper arm engage in
position.
Set the wiper blade at 90° to the wiper
arm.
Slide the wiper blade out in direction of
arrow.
Installing wiper blades
Position the wiper blade at 90° to the
wiper arm.
Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper
arm.
Fold the wiper blade parallel to the
wiper arm.
Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield. Make sure you hold on
to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back.
Warning!G
For safety reasons, remove SmartKey from
starter switch before replacing a wiper
blade. Otherwise the motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury.
Warning!G
Wiper blades are components that are sub-
ject to wear and tear. Change the wiper
blades twice a year, preferably in the spring
and fall. Otherwise the windows will not be
properly wiped. As a result, you may not be
able to observe surrounding traffic condi-
tions and could cause an accident.
!The hood must be opened (page 250)
before folding the wiper arms away from the
windshield. You could otherwise damage the
hood and/or the wiper arm.
!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the impact
from the tensioning spring could crack the
windshield.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact the
windshield glass without a wiper blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are properly
installed. Improperly installed wiper blades may
cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, we recommend that you
have this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.