Contents
Gear selector lever positions ....... 171
Driving tips ................................... 173
Gear ranges ................................. 174
Shift program mode selector
switch .......................................... 175
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 175
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting ................. 177
Manual shift program ................... 179
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 181
Good visibility .................................... 182
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 182
Rear view mirrors ......................... 182
Sun visors .................................... 183
Rear window defroster ................. 185
Automatic climate control ................. 186
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system................. 190
Operating the automatic climate
control system in automatic mode 190
Setting the temperature ............... 191
Adjusting air distribution .............. 192
Adjusting air volume .................... 193
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 193Front defroster.............................. 194
Air recirculation mode .................. 195
Air conditioning............................. 196
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 197
Power windows .................................. 199
Opening and closing the windows. 199
Synchronizing power windows ...... 201
Summer opening feature .............. 201
Convenience closing feature......... 202
Driving systems .................................. 203
Cruise control ............................... 203
Useful features ................................... 206
Map pocket in passenger
footwell ......................................... 206
Storage compartments ................. 206
Parcel net in trunk ........................ 207
Ashtray and cigarette lighter......... 208
Power outlet ................................. 209
Telephone ..................................... 209
Tele Aid ......................................... 214
Garage door opener ...................... 221
Floormats*.................................... 226
Floormats* (Only Mercedes-Benz
SLR McLaren 722 Edition) ............ 227
Dust cover .................................... 228
Roof and trunk lid racks ................ 230
Operation.......................................... 232
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 234
Driving instructions ............................ 235
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 235
Drinking and driving...................... 235
Pedals ........................................... 235
Power assistance .......................... 236
Brakes .......................................... 236
Driving off ..................................... 239
Parking ......................................... 239
Tires.............................................. 240
Hydroplaning ................................ 241
Tire traction .................................. 241
Tire speed rating ........................... 241
Winter driving instructions ............ 242
Standing water ............................. 243
Passenger compartment............... 243
Driving abroad .............................. 243
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 243
Catalytic converter ....................... 244
Emission control ........................... 245
Coolant temperature .................... 245
Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 362
Preparing the vehicle ................... 362
Sealing tires with TIREFIT ............. 362
Batteries ............................................ 367
Charging the batteries ................. 368
Towing the vehicle ............................. 370
Installing/reinstalling towing
eye bolt ........................................ 372
Points to bear in mind .................. 372
Transporting the vehicle............... 372
Fuses ................................................. 373
Technical data................................. 374
Spare parts service ............................ 376
Warranty coverage............................. 377
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ..................... 377
Identification labels ........................... 378
Engine number ............................. 378
Layout of poly-V-belt drive ................. 379
Engine................................................ 380Rims and tires .................................... 381
Mixed size tires ............................. 382
Winter tires* ................................. 384
Electrical system ................................ 386
Main dimensions ................................ 387
Weights .............................................. 388
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 389
Capacities ..................................... 389
Engine oils .................................... 391
Engine oil additives ....................... 391
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 391
Brake fluid..................................... 392
Premium unleaded gasoline .......... 392
Fuel requirements ......................... 393
Gasoline additives......................... 393
Coolants ....................................... 394
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system............ 397
Technical terms............................... 398
Index................................................. 404
189 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
The automatic climate control is operation-
al whenever the engine is running. You can
operate the climate control system in ei-
ther the automatic or manual mode. The
system cools or heats the interior depend-
ing on the selected interior temperature
and the current outside temperature.Nearly all dust particles, pollutants and
odors are filtered out before outside air en-
ters the passenger compartment through
the air distribution system.
The air conditioning will not engage (no
cooling) if the ±mode is activated
(
page 196).
Warning!G
When operating the automatic climate con-
trol, the air that enters the passenger com-
partment through the air vents can be very
hot or very cold (depending on the set tem-
perature). This may cause burns or frostbite
to unprotected skin in the immediate area of
the air vents. Always keep sufficient dis-
tance between unprotected parts of the
body and the air vents. If necessary, use the
air distribution controls (
page 192) to di-
rect the air to air vents in the vehicle interior
that are not in the immediate area of
unprotected skin.
Warning!G
Follow the recommended settings for heat-
ing and cooling given on the following
pages. Otherwise the windows could fog up,
impairing visibility and endangering you
and/or others.
iSevere conditions (e.g. strong air pollution)
may require replacement of the filter before its
scheduled interval. A clogged filter will reduce
the air volume to the interior.
If the vehicle interior is hot, ventilate the interior
before driving off. The automatic climate control
will then adjust the interior temperature to the
set value much faster.
Keep the air intake grille in front of the wind-
shield free of snow and debris.
190 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating the automatic climate
control system
Deactivating
It is possible to completely deactivate the
automatic climate control system.
Press button M (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Reactivating
Press button M (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
or
Turn one of the temperature controls
on the automatic climate control
(
page 188).
The indicator lamp on button M
goes out.Operating the automatic climate
control system in automatic mode
Air distribution and air volume can be
adjusted automatically by the automatic
climate control system. You can also ad-
just the settings for air distribution and air
volume manually.
Warning!G
When the automatic climate control system
is switched off, the outside air supply and
circulation are also switched off. Only
choose this setting for a short time. Other-
wise the windows could fog up, impairing
visibility and endangering you and/or
others.
iUnder certain circumstances, e.g. when the
fuel system is too hot and needs to be cooled,
the cooling switches on again automatically. The
red lamp on the ± button the automatic
climate control panel flashes.
After cooling the fuel system sufficiently, the air
conditioning switches off again and the red lamp
stops flashing.
iWhen operating the automatic climate
control system in automatic mode, you will only
rarely need to adjust the temperature, air volume
and air distribution.
In automatic mode, cooling with dehumidify is
switched on. This function can be switched off if
necessary (
page 196).
194 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Front defroster
You can use this setting to defrost the
windshield, for example if it is iced up.
You can also defog the windshield and the
side windows.
Activating
Press button P (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.
The air conditioning switches to the
following functions automatically:
cooling on to dehumidify
maximum blower speed and
heating power
air flows onto the windshield
and the front side windows
the air recirculation mode is
switched offDeactivating
Press button P (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. Defrosting is turned off.
The previous settings are in effect
again.Windshield fogged on the outside
Switch the windshield wipers on
(
page 52).
If the automatic air distribution and air
volume are switched off:
Turn air distribution controls1 and 5
(
page 188) to position h ork.
or
Press control buttons 1, 5 and 9
(
page 188).
The control buttons are engaged.
TheU symbol on the control
buttons come on. Air distribution and
air volume are adjusted automatically.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield or the side windows are clear again.
iThe cooling remains switched on.
iKeep this setting selected only until the
windshield is clear again.
195 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside. This setting cuts off the
intake of outside air and recirculates the
air in the passenger compartment.Activating
Press button , (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.DeactivatingPress button , (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
At outside temperatures above 79°F
(26°C) the system will not automatically
switch back to outside air.
Warning!G
Fogged windows impair visibility, endanger-
ing you and others. If the windows begin to
fog on the inside, switching off the air
recirculation mode immediately should clear
interior window fogging. If interior window
fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning (
page 196) is activated, or
press buttonP.
iThe air recirculation mode is activated auto-
matically
at high outside temperatures
if the concentration of carbon monoxide
(CO) and nitrogen oxide (NO
X) in the outside
air increases, for example in a tunnel
A quantity of outside air is added after approxi-
mately 30 minutes.
If you have turned off the air conditioning
(
page 196) or the outside temperature is be-
low 41°F (5°C), the air recirculation mode will
not switch on automatically.
iThe manually selected air recirculation
mode is deactivated automatically
after 5 minutes if the outside temperature is
below approximately 41°F (5°C)
after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off
after 30 minutes if the outside temperature
is above approximately 41°F (5°C)
196 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Air recirculation mode with conve-
nience closing or opening feature
Activating
Press and hold button,.
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on. The air recirculation mode is
activated. The windows will close.Deactivating
Press and hold button,.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out. The air recirculation mode is deac-
tivated. The windows will return to their
previous position.
Air conditioning
The air conditioning (cooling) function is
operational when the engine is running and
cools the vehicle interior down to the se-
lected temperature. In addition, the cool-
ing function dehumidifies the air in the
vehicle interior, thus preventing the
windows from fogging up.
Warning!G
Never operate the windows if there is the
possibility of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
In the event that the procedure causes po-
tential danger, the closing of the windows
can be immediately halted by releasing
the, button or by pressing and pulling
the respective window switch.
iA window will only return to its previous po-
sition if it has not moved to another position us-
ing the respective window switch after it was
closed with button,.
Warning!G
If you turn off the cooling function, the
vehicle will not be cooled when weather
conditions are warm. The windows can fog
up more quickly. Window fogging may
impair visibility and endanger you and/or
others.
iCondensation may drip out from underneath
the vehicle. This is normal and not an indication
of a malfunction.
197 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Deactivating
It is possible to deactivate the cooling
function of the automatic climate control
system. The air in the vehicle will then no
longer be cooled or dehumidified.
Press ± button (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the ±
button comes on. The cooling function
switches off after a short delay.Activating
Moist air can fog up the windows. You can
dehumidify the air with the air
conditioning.
Press ± button again (page 188).
The indicator lamp on the ± button
goes out.
The air conditioning uses the refrigerant
R134A. This refrigerant is free of CFCs
which are harmful to the ozone layer.
Residual heat and ventilation
With the engine switched off, it is possible
to continue to heat or ventilate the interior
for up to 30 minutes. This feature makes
use of the residual heat produced by the
engine.
iUnder certain circumstances, e.g. when the
fuel system is too hot and needs to be cooled,
the cooling switches on again automatically. The
red lamp on the ± button the automatic
climate control panel flashes.
After cooling the fuel system sufficiently, the air
conditioning switches off again and the red lamp
stops flashing.
!If you press the ± button on the auto-
matic climate control panel and it starts to flash,
this indicates that the air conditioning is losing
refrigerant. The compressor has turned off. The
air conditioning cannot be turned on again.
Have the air conditioning checked at the nearest
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iHow long the system will provide heating
depends on the coolant temperature and the
selected temperature. The blower will run at low
speed regardless of the air distribution control
setting.