Page 10 of 425

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
Page 32 of 425
31 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper partItemPage
1Central locking switch105
2Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch111
3Central unlocking switch105
4Air temperature controls for
center and side air vents192
5Air volume controls for center
and side air vents193
6Selects the shift program
mode175
ItemPage
7Selects the Airbrake mode89
8Selects the manual shift
program mode179
9Audio system120,
145
aAutomatic climate control186
bEngine start button48
Page 34 of 425
33 At a glance
Overhead control panel
Overhead control panel
ItemPage
1Left reading lamp on/off112
2Temperature sensor for
automatic climate control186
3Right reading lamp on/off112
4Interior lighting control112
5Hands-free microphone for
Tele Aid (emergency call
system) and telephone
(see separate operating
instructions)209
6Interior rear view mirror44,
182
7Garage door opener221
8Tele Aid (emergency call
system) button214
Page 97 of 425
Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Audio system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Automatic climate control
Power windows
Driving systems
Useful features
Page 186 of 425

185 Controls in detail
Good visibility
Rear window defroster
The rear window defroster uses a large
amount of power. To keep the battery
drain to a minimum, switch off the
defroster as soon as the rear window is
clear. The defroster is automatically
deactivated after approximately
6 to 17 minutes of operation depending on
the outside temperature.Activating
Press buttonF on the automatic
climate control panel (
page 188).
The indicator lamp on the button
comes on.Deactivating
Press buttonF again.
The indicator lamp on the button goes
out.
Warning!G
Any accumulation of snow and ice should be
removed from the rear window before
driving. Visibility could otherwise be
impaired, endangering you and/or others.
!If the rear window defroster switches off too
soon and the indicator lamp starts flashing, this
means that too many electrical consumers are
operating simultaneously and there is insuffi-
cient voltage in the battery. The system re-
sponds automatically by deactivating the rear
window defroster.
As soon as the battery has sufficient voltage, the
rear window defroster automatically switches
back on automatically.
Page 187 of 425
186 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Page 188 of 425
187 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Function
1Left side air vent, adjustable
2Left center air vent, adjustable
3Air temperature controls for center
and side air vents
4Right center air vent, adjustable
5Right side air vent, adjustable
6Air volume control for right side air
vent
7Air volume control for center air
vents
8Air volume control for left side air
vent
9Automatic climate control panel
iFor draft-free ventilation, move the sliders
for the center air vents to the middle position.
Page 189 of 425
188 Controls in detail
Automatic climate control
Automatic climate control panel
Function
1Air distribution, left (automatic or
manual operation)
2Front defroster
3Air recirculation
4Rear window defroster (page 185)
5Air distribution, right (automatic or
manual operation)
Function
6Temperature control, right
7Automatic climate control on/off
(entire system)
8Residual heat/ventilation
9Air volume control (automatic or
manual operation)
aAC cooling on/off
bTemperature control, left