29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
ItemPage
1Coolant temperature gauge
with115
DCoolant temperature
warning lamp306
2Speedometer with
;Brake warning lamp,
USA only303
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only303
vABS/ESP® warning
lamp300
>Gearshift indicator
lamp307
indicator lamp
KRight turn signal
indicator lamp
ItemPage
3Left multifunction display
with
Outside temperature116
Main odometer 117
4Reset button114
5Tachometer with116
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator110
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, USA only304
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only304
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp302
XLow tire pressure
telltale311
ItemPage
1Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp310
with
Current gear selector lever
position/gear range117,
171,
174
Trip odometer117
Automatic transmission
shift program mode117,
175
Clock133
=Engine oil temperature
indicator307
7Fuel gauge with
AFuel reserve warning
lamp 307
123 Controls in detail
Control system
722 Edition menu1
The main screen of the 722 Edition menu
shows you the gear currently engaged as
well as the engine oil temperature.
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the 722 Edition menu.
1Engine oil temperature
2Gear indicatorUse buttons k or j to select the fol-
lowing functions in the 722 Edition menu:
Vehicle supply voltage
Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the 722 Edition menu.
Press button j repeatedly until you
see the vehicle supply voltage.
1Vehicle supply voltage
2Gear indicator
1Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition.
iThe engine oil temperature symbol flashes if
the engine oil temperature has not yet reached
80°C. During this time, avoid driving at full
engine speed.
iIf the engine reaches the overspeed range
and you are driving in the manual shift
programMAN, the menu will be shown in red. In
addition, you will see
up next to gear
indicator2 as a reminder to upshift.FunctionPage
Vehicle supply voltage123
RACETIMER124
Overall analysis126
Lap analysis126
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.
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
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.
390 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
CapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Cooling systemapprox. 10.6 US qt (10.0 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Low temperature cooling system
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition
approx. 5.3 US qt (5.0 l)
approx. 6.3 US qt (6.0 l)MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
Fuel tank
including a reserve of25.6 US gal (97.0 l)
3.2 US gal (12.0 l)Premium unleaded gasoline:
Minimum Posted Octane 91
(Avg. of 96 RON/86 MON)
Air conditioning systemR-134a refrigerant and special PAG lubricant
oil (never R-12)
Windshield washer and headlamp cleaning
system7.4 US qt (7 l)MB Windshield Washer Concentrate1
1Use MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and water for temperatures above freezing or MB Windshield Washer Concentrate “MB SummerFit” and
commercially available premixed windshield washer solvent/antifreeze for temperatures below freezing. Follow suggested mixing ratios (page 397).
394 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Coolants
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze, which pro-
vides:
corrosion protection
freeze protection
boiling protection (by increasing the
boiling point)
The cooling system was filled at the factory
with a coolant providing freeze protection
to approximately -35°F (-37°C) and
corrosion protection.
If the antifreeze mixture is effective to
-35°F (-37°C), the boiling point of the cool-
ant in the pressurized cooling system is
reached at approximately 266°F (130°C).The coolant solution must be used year
round to provide the necessary corrosion
protection and increase in the boil-over
protection. Refer to Maintenance Booklet
for replacement interval.
Coolant system design and coolant used
determine the replacement interval. The
replacement interval published in the
Maintenance Booklet is only applicable if
MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze solu-
tion or other Mercedes-Benz approved
products of equal specification are used to
renew the coolant concentration or bring it
back up to the proper level.
For information on other Mercedes-Benz
approved products of equal specification,
refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) or contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.To provide important corrosion protection,
the solution must be at least 50% anticor-
rosion/antifreeze (equivalent to freeze
protection to approximately
-35°F [-37°C]). If you use a solution that is
more than 55% anticorrosion/antifreeze
(freeze protection to approximately
-49°F [-45°C]), the engine temperature
will increase due to the lower heat transfer
capability of the solution. Therefore, do not
use more than this amount of
anticorrosion/antifreeze.
!Add premixed coolant solution only. Adding
water and MB 325.0 Anticorrosion/Antifreeze
separately from each other, could cause engine
damage not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.