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
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.
391 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine oils
Engine oils are specifically tested for their
suitability in our engines and durability for
our service intervals. Therefore, only use
approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance
System. For a listing of approved engine
oils and oil filters, refer to the Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only), or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Engine oil additivesAir conditioning refrigerant
R-134a (HFC) refrigerant and special PAG
lubricating oil are used in the air condition-
ing system.
!Using engine oils and oil filters of
specification other than those expressly re-
quired for the Maintenance 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 dam-
age not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Please follow Maintenance System recommen-
dations for scheduled oil changes. Failure to do
so will result in engine or emission control sys-
tem damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
!Do not blend oil additives with engine oil.
They may damage the engine.
Damage or malfunctions resulting from blending
oil additives are not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Never use R-12 (CFC) or mineral-based
lubricating oil. Otherwise damage to the system
will occur.
393 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuel requirements
Only use premium unleaded fuel:
The octane number (posted at the
pump) must be 91 min. It is an average
of both the Research Octane Number
(RON) and the Motor Octane Number
(MON): (RON+MON)/2. This is also
known as the ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.
Unleaded gasoline containing oxygenates
such as ethanol, IPA, IBA and TBA can be
used provided the ratio of any one of these
oxygenates to gasoline does not exceed
10%; MTBE must not exceed 15%.
The ratio of methanol to gasoline must not
exceed 3% plus additional cosolvents.
Using mixtures of ethanol and methanol is
not allowed. Gasohol, which contains
10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline,
can be used.
These blends must also meet all other fuel
requirements, such as resistance to spark
knock, boiling range, vapor pressure, etc.
Gasoline additives
A major concern among engine
manufacturers is carbon build-up caused
by gasoline. Mercedes-Benz recommends
only the use of quality gasoline containing
additives that prevent the build up of
carbon deposits.
After an extended period of using fuels
without such additives, carbon deposits
can build up especially on the intake valves
and in the combustion area, leading to
engine performance problems such as:
Warm-up hesitation
Unstable idle
Knocking/pinging
Misfire
Power lossIn areas where carbon deposits may be
encountered due to lack of availability of
gasolines which contain these additives,
Mercedes-Benz recommends the use of
additives approved by us for use on
Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Refer to Factory
Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for a listing of
approved product(s). Follow directions on
product label.
Do not blend other fuel additives with fuel.
This only results in unnecessary cost and
may be harmful to engine operation.
!Damage or malfunction resulting from poor
fuel quality or from blending additional fuel
additives other than those tested and approved
by us for use on Mercedes-Benz vehicles are not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
For a listing of approved products, refer to the
Factory Approved Service Products pamphlet
(USA only) or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
410 Index
E
Electric air pump 353
Electrical fuses 373
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electrical system, Technical data 386
Electro-hydraulic brake system 81, 86,
402
Activation 87
Deactivation 88
Driving hints 88
Emergency operating mode 87
Messages in the multifunction
display 329
Self-check 88, 334
Warning lamp 86
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
911 166
Tele Aid 215
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp-Home
Mode) 181
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 220
Trunk lid, Releasing from inside 104
Unlocking the vehicle 355Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emergency, In case of
First aid kit 353
Flat tire 362
Hazard warning flasher 111
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 300
Roadside Assistance 16, 217
Towing the vehicle 370
Emission control 245
Information label 378
System warranties 14
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 378
Engine
Break-in recommendations 234
Cleaning 297
Compartment 250
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 304
Number 378, 400
Poly-V-belt layout 379
Starting 47
Tachometer 29
Technical data 380
Turning off 56Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 253, 391
Adding 254, 389
Additives 253, 391
Checking level 253
Consumption 253
Filler neck 253
Message in the multifunction
display 339
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter 391
Temperature 29
Oil temperature indicator 307
Viscosity 400
ESP
®81, 83, 400
Messages in the multifunction
display 318
Resetting 318
Warning lamp 83, 300
ETD 74, 400
Safety guidelines 64
Exterior lamp switch 51, 106
Exterior rear view mirrors 44
411 Index
F
Filler neck, Engine oil 253
First aid kit 353
Flat tire 362
Preparing the vehicle 362
TIREFIT kit 362
Floormats* 226
Floormats* (Only Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren 722 Edition) 227
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 254,
389
Brake fluid 248, 389, 392
Capacities 389
Engine coolant 255, 390, 394
Engine oil 253, 389, 391
Power steering fluid 389
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 257, 390
Fog lamps 109, 360
Message in the multifunction
display 341Front air bags 65
Front lamps see Headlamps
Fuel 247
Additives 393
Capacity, Fuel tank 390
Consumption statistics 139, 140
Filler flap 247
Filling the tank 247
Fuel reserve warning lamp 29, 307
Gauge 29
Premium unleaded gasoline 247,
392
Requirements, Octane rating 390,
393
Fuel cap
Messages in the multifunction
display 305, 340
Fuel filler flap
Locking/unlocking 247
Fuel reserve
Message in the multifunction
display 340Fuel reserve warning lamp 29
Fuel system
Message in the multifunction
display 339
Fuel tank
Capacity 390
Filler flap 247
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 389
Fuses 373
G
Garage door opener 221
Gasoline see Fuel
GAWR 284
Gear range
Automatic transmission 174
Canceling limit 176
Limiting 174
Shifting into optimal 176, 178
Gear selector lever 32, 169
Gearshift pattern 169
Lock 48, 50, 169, 402
Position 170, 171
Position indicator 170
Shifting procedure 170
418 Index
Side marker lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 343
Replacing bulbs 360
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 285
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains 291
Snow tires* 290
Spare fuses 373
Spare parts service 376
Speed setting
Cruise control 205
Speed settings
Cruise control 205
Speedometer 29
SRS 60, 402
Indicator lamp 29, 310
Messages in the multifunction
display 323
Standing lamps 106
Standing water, Driving trough 243Start button 48
Starter battery 256, 367
Starter switch 27, 40
Starting difficulties, Engine 49
Starting the engine 47
Steering wheel 42
Buttons 30
Steering wheel gearshift control
Indicator lamp 307
Steering wheel gearshift control one-touch
gearshifting
Automatic transmission 177
Stolen Vehicle Recovery services 221
Storage compartments 206
Armrest 206
Center 207
Map pocket, Passenger footwell 206
Parcel net in trunk 207
Rear 207
Storing tires 261
Submenus see Control system submenus
Sun visors 183
Supplement Restraint System see SRS
Symbols used in this Operator’s
Manual 19T
Tachometer 29
Overspeed range 116
Tail lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 344
Replacing bulbs 359
Technical data 374
Air conditioning refrigerant 391
Brake fluid 392
Coolants 394
Electrical system 386
Engine 380
Engine oil additives 391
Engine oils 391
Fuel requirements 393
Fuels, coolants, lubricants etc. 389
Gasoline additives 393
Main dimensions 387
Poly-V-belt 379
Premium unleaded gasoline 392