2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS check oil

Contents
At the gas station............................... 247
Refueling ...................................... 247
Check regularly and before
a long trip .................................... 248
Engine compartment.......................... 250
Hood ............................................ 250
Engine oil...................................... 253
Transmission fluid level ................ 254
Coolant......................................... 255
Trunk ................................................. 256
Batteries....................................... 256
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 257
Tires and wheels ................................ 258
Important guidelines .................... 258
Tire care and maintenance ........... 259
Direction of rotation ..................... 261
Loading the vehicle ...................... 261
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 267
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 268
Tire labeling .................................. 274
Load identification........................ 278
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 279
Maximum tire load ....................... 280Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 281
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 281
Tire ply material ........................... 283
Tire and loading terminology ........ 284
Rotating tires ............................... 287
Anti-theft wheel nuts .................... 288
Winter driving .................................... 290
Winter tires* ................................ 290
Snow chains ................................. 291
Maintenance ...................................... 292
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 292
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 293
Calling up the maintenance
service due date........................... 293
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 294
Vehicle care ....................................... 295
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 295
Vehicle washing ........................... 296
Practical hints................................. 298
What to do if ... .................................. 300
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 300
Lamp in center console................ 312
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 314
Symbol messages ........................ 327
Where will I find ...? ........................... 353
First aid kit ................................... 353
TIREFIT kit, electric air pump,
towing eye bolt and vehicle
literature portfolio ........................ 353
Compact guide (Canada only) ...... 354
Unlocking in an emergency ............... 355
Unlocking the vehicle................... 355
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 357
Replacing bulbs ................................. 359
Front lamps.................................. 360
Rear lamps ................................... 360
Replacing wiper blades ...................... 361
Removing wiper blades ................ 361
Installing wiper blades ................. 361

121 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1Menu2Menu3Menu4Menu5Menu6Menu7
Standard display722 Edition1
1Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition.
AUDIOVehicle status
message memory2
2The Vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
SettingsTrip computerTelephone
(page 122)(page 123)(page 126)(page 128)(page 129)(page 139)(page 141)
Commands/submenus
Digital speedome-
ter/Outside tem-
peratureEngine oil tem-
peratureSelecting
radio stationCalling up vehicle
malfunction, warn-
ing and system sta-
tus messages
stored in memoryResetting to fac-
tory settingsFuel consumption
statistics since startLoading
phone book
Calling up mainte-
nance service
displayVehicle supply
voltageOperating the
CD playerInstrument clus-
ter submenuFuel consumption
statistics since the
last resetSearching for
name in
phone book
Checking tire
inflation pressureRACETIMERTime submenuResetting fuel con-
sumption statistics
Overall analysisLighting submenuDistance to empty
Lap analysisVehicle submenu
iThe headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to thoseshown in the control system displays. The first
function displayed in each menu will automati-
cally show you which part of the system you are in.

248 Operation
At the gas station
Close the fuel filler flap until you hear
the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant
2Engine oil
3Brake fluidCoolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 255) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 389).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 253).
Brake fluid
iMake sure to close the fuel filler flap before
locking your vehicle as the flap locking pin pre-
vents closing after you have locked the vehicle.
iMore information on gasoline can be found
in the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only).
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open
can cause theú malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) or the± malfunction indicator
lamp (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 305).
iOpening the hood, see (page 250).
!If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see “Practical
hints” (
page 303).


253 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new

the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Oil consumption of the SLR is slightly
higher than other vehicles. Please check
the engine oil level frequently.Checking the engine oil level
When checking the oil level,

the vehicle must be parked on level
ground

the engine must be at normal operating
temperature (min. 80°C)
Wait for at least 30 seconds with
engine still at idle.
Measure engine oil level with engine
still at idle.The oil dipstick and the cap are located on
the passenger side in the engine
compartment.
1Oil dipstick
2Filler cap
Pull out oil dipstick1 and wipe it off.
Reinsert the oil dipstick fully into the
guide.
Pull out the oil dipstick again after
3 seconds.
!Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


254 Operation
Engine compartment
Oil dipstick
The engine oil level is correct when it is
between lower mark (min) and upper mark
(max) of the oil dipstick.
Top up the engine oil if necessary.Adding engine oil
Using a rag, unscrew filler cap2 from
filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw the filler cap back on filler neck.
You will find further information about en-
gine oil in the “Technical data” section
(
page 391) and (page 389).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.
iThe filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Warning!G
The filler cap on the filler neck could be hot.
Use a rag when you unscrew the filler cap.
Otherwise you could burn yourself.
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System, or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System will result in engine
or emission control system damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine or emission
control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


295 Operation
Vehicle care
Vehicle care
Cleaning and care of the vehicle
If you have any questions about proper
care of your SLR, please contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Depending on body color the characteris-
tic carbon structure of the body surface
may become visible due to high ambient
temperatures and humidity. This phenom-
enon is related to the technology and
concept of the vehicle’s body.
While in operation, even while parked, your
vehicle is subjected to varying external
influences which, if gone unchecked, can
attack the paintwork as well as the
underbody and cause lasting damage.
Such damage is caused not only by
extreme and varying climatic conditions,
but also by:

Air pollution

Road salt

Tar

Gravel and stone chipping
To avoid paint damage, you should
immediately remove:

Grease and oil

Fuel

Coolant

Brake fluid

Bird droppings

Insects

Tree resins, etc.
Frequent washing reduces and/or elimi-
nates the aggressiveness and potency of
the above adverse influences.
More frequent washings are necessary to
deal with unfavorable conditions:

near the ocean

in industrial areas (smoke, exhaust
emissions)

during winter operation
You should check your vehicle from time to
time for stone chipping or other damage.
Any damage should be repaired as soon as
possible.
Warning!G
Many cleaning products can be hazardous.
Some are poisonous, others are flammable.
Always follow the instructions on the partic-
ular container. Always open your vehicle’s
doors or windows when cleaning the inside.
Never use fluids or solvents that are not
designed for cleaning your vehicle.
iMercedes-Benz recommends that you use
Mercedes-Benz care products. These have been
specially developed to suit Mercedes-Benz vehi-
cles and are state of the art. Mercedes-Benz
care products are available from any
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!Affixing stickers, magnets, adhesive tape or
similar materials to painted body components
may damage the paintwork.

307 Practical hints
What to do if ...
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solutions
lamp comes on while driving
and you hear a warning
sound.The Airbrake or the central locking system
is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center immediately.
>The red gearshift indicator
lamp comes on while driving.You are driving with the manual shift pro-
gram. The engine is in the overrevving
range.Shift to the next higher gear. Otherwise the
fuel supply will be interrupted to prevent the
engine from overrevving.
AThe yellow fuel reserve warn-
ing lamp comes on while
driving.The fuel level has dropped below the
reserve mark.Refuel at the nearest gas station
(
page 247).
The fuel cap is not closed tightly.Check the fuel cap (page 247).
=The engine oil temperature
indicator comes on in the
tachometer while driving.The engine oil has not yet reached its
operating temperature.Warm up the engine and do not drive at full
power until the operating temperature has
been reached.
The symbol will go out as soon as the engine
oil has reached its operating temperature.

339 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
±Visit
workshopCertain electronic systems are
unable to relay information to
the control system. The follow-
ing systems may have failed:

Coolant temperature gauge

Tachometer
Have the electronic systems checked by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Fuel system
malfunction
Visit
workshopThe fuel cooling system is
malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
:Engine oil pressure
Visit
workshopThere is no oil in the engine.
There is a danger of engine
damage.Stop your vehicle immediately in a safe location.
Switch off the engine.
Do not drive any further.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
!The engine oil level warning should not be
ignored. Extended driving with the symbol
displayed could result in serious engine damage
that is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.