27 At a glance
Cockpit
ItemPage
1Cruise control lever203
2Steering wheel gearshift
button 177
Steering wheel gearshift
paddles (only Mercedes-Benz
SLR McLaren 722 Edition)177
3Instrument cluster28,
114
4Multifunction steering wheel30,
118
5Overhead control panel33
6Center console31, 32
7Starter switch40
8Horn
ItemPage
9Headlamp washer button182
aSteering wheel adjustment
stalk42
bHood lock release250
cExterior lamp switch51,
106
dCombination switch
Turn signals
Windshield wipers
High beam
51
52
110
52 Getting started
Driving
Windshield wipers
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
Combination switch
1Single wipe
Wiping with windshield washer fluid
2Switching on windshield wipers
Switch on the ignition (page 40).Switching on windshield wipers
Turn the combination switch in direc-
tion of arrow 2 to the desired position,
depending on the intensity of the rain.
0Windshield wipers off
IIntermittent wiping
IINormal wiper speed
IIIFast wiper speed
iTo signal minor directional changes, such as
changing lanes, press combination switch to
point of resistance only and release. The corre-
sponding turn signals will flash three times.!Do not operate the windshield wipers when
the windshield is dry. Dust that accumulates on
a windshield might scratch the glass and/or
damage the wiper blades when wiping occurs on
a dry windshield. If it is necessary to operate the
wipers in dry weather conditions, always operate
the windshield wipers with windshield washer
fluid (
page 53).
!If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, stop the vehicle in a safe
location, remove the SmartKey from starter
switch before attempting to remove any
blockage.
The hood must be opened (page 250) be-
fore folding the wiper arms away from the
windshield. You could otherwise damage the
hood and/or the wiper arm.
Remove the blockage.
Turn the windshield wipers on again.If windshield wipers fail to function at all in
switch positionI,
set the combination switch to the next
highest wiper speed
have the windshield wipers checked at the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
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.
225 Controls in detail
Useful features
Reprogramming a single signal
transmitter button
To program a device using a signal trans-
mitter button previously trained, follow
these steps:
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Press and hold the desired signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4).
Do not release the button.
Indicator lamp1 will begin to flash af-
ter 20 seconds. Without releasing the
signal transmitter button, proceed with
programming starting with step 3.Operation of integrated remote control
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Select and press the appropriate inte-
grated signal transmitter button (2,
3 or4) to activate the remote
controlled device.
The integrated remote control trans-
mitter continues to send the signal as
long as the button is pressed – up to
20 seconds.
Erasing the integrated remote control
memory
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Simultaneously press and hold outer
signal transmitter buttons2 and 4,
for approximately 20 seconds, until
indicator lamp1 flashes rapidly. Do
not hold for longer than 30 seconds.
The codes of all three channels are
erased.Programming tips
If you are having difficulty programming
the integrated remote control, here are
some helpful tips:
Check the frequency of the hand-held
remote control5 (typically located on
the reverse side of the remote). The in-
tegrated remote control is compatible
with radio-frequency devices operating
between 280-390 MHz.
Put a new battery in hand-held remote
control5. This will increase the likeli-
hood of the hand-held remote control
sending a faster and more accurate sig-
nal to the integrated remote control.
While performing step 3, hold
hand-held remote control5 at differ-
ent lengths and angles from the signal
transmitter button (2, 3 or4) you
are programming. Attempt varying
angles at the distance of 2 to 5 in
(5 to 12 cm) away or the same angle at
varying distances.
iUpon completion of programming the inte-
grated remote control, make sure you retain the
hand-held remote control that came with the ga-
rage door opener, gate operator or other device.
You may need it for use in other vehicles, for fu-
ture programming of an integrated remote con-
trol, or simply for continued use as a hand-held
remote control to operate the respective device
in other situations.
iIf you sell your vehicle, erase the codes of all
three channels.
250 Operation
Engine compartment
Hood Opening
Warning!G
Do not pull the release lever while the
vehicle is in motion. Otherwise the hood
could be forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose
and injure you and/or others.
Warning!G
The exhaust areas on the engine hood and
between the doors and front wheels get very
hot. Avoid contact with them, otherwise
there is the risk of severe burns.
Warning!G
If you see flames or smoke coming from the
engine compartment, or if the coolant tem-
perature gauge indicates that the engine is
overheated, do not open the hood. Move
away from the vehicle and do not open the
hood until the engine has cooled. If neces-
sary, call the fire department.
Warning!G
You could be injured when the hood is open
– even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool off com-
pletely before touching any components on
the vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
Warning!G
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may also start at any time
automatically, even after the SmartKey has
been removed from the starter switch. Stay
clear of fan blades.
Warning!G
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnos-
tic socket) of the ignition system
with the engine running
while starting the engine
if ignition is “on” and the engine is
turned manually
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.
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.