2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS towing

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

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

87 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
automatically activated when you

unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey

open the driver’s or passenger door

turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1

depress the brake pedal

release the parking brake
Warning!G
The electro-hydraulic brake system requires
electrical power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 303)
comes on and warning messages
(
page 329) appear in the multifunction
display while driving. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the electro-hy-
draulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels
off the ground using flatbed or appropriate
wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
u p t o 3 0 m i l e s ( 5 0 k m ) a n d a t a s p e e d n o t t o
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(
page 370).
iIf the electro-hydraulic brake system is acti-
vated as the brake pedal is first depressed, you
may feel a reduced pedal resistance and longer
pedal travel than normal. When releasing the
pedal, you may also feel the brake pedal pulsate
and you may hear a sound which is caused by the
activation of the electro-hydraulic brake system
pump. This is normal and not an indication of a
malfunction. Pedal travel returns to normal when
you release the brake pedal and the sound soon
ceases.
If you experience the above while driving and the
red brake warning lamp (
page 303) illumi-
nates and/or warning messages appear in the
multifunction display (
page 329), the brake
system is malfunctioning. Follow the instructions
of the warning message(s) and have the brake
system checked immediately.

94 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Tow-away alarm off button
2Indicator lamp
Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.
Press button 1.
Indicator lamp2 in button1 comes
on briefly.
Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:
Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
or
Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
iThe tow-away protection alarm is triggered,
for example, if the vehicle is lifted on one side.
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 221)
provided Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are available.
iWhen you unlock your vehicle, the tow-away
protection disarms automatically. The tow-away
alarm remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
iYou cannot disarm the tow-away alarm while
the ignition is switched on.

218 Controls in detail
Useful features
When the connection is established, the
message
Call connected appears in the
multifunction display. The Tele Aid system
will transmit data generating the vehicle
identification number, model, color and lo-
cation (subject to availability of cellular
and GPS signals).
A voice connection between the Roadside
Assistance dispatcher and the occupants
of the vehicle will be established.
Describe the nature of the need for
assistance.
The Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance
dispatcher will either dispatch a qualified
Mercedes-Benz technician or arrange to
tow your vehicle to the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. For services such
as labor and/or towing, charges may
apply. Refer to the Roadside Assistance
Manual for more information.These programs are only available in the
USA:

Sign and Drive services: Services such
as jump start, a few gallons of fuel or
the replacement of a flat tire are
obtainable.Information button ¡
The Information button¡ is located in
the center armrest cover.
1Information button¡
Open the center storage compartment
(
page 207).
Press and hold the button1 (for
longer than 2 seconds).
A call to the Customer Assistance
Center will be initiated. The button will
flash while the call is in progress. The
message
Connecting call will appear
in the multifunction display.
iThe indicator lamp in the Roadside
Assistance button• remains illuminated in
red for approximately 10 seconds during the sys-
tem self-check after switching on the ignition (to-
gether with the SOS button and the Information
button¡).
See system self-check (
page 215) if the indi-
cator lamp does not come on in red or stays on
longer than approximately 10 seconds.
If the indicator lamp in the Roadside Assistance
button• is illuminated continuously and
there was no voice connection to the Response
Center established, then the Tele Aid system
could not initiate a Roadside Assistance call (e.g.
the relevant cellular phone network is not avail-
able). The message
Call failed! appears in
the multifunction display.
Roadside Assistance calls can be terminated us-
ing the ìbutton on the multifunction
steering wheel.


236 Operation
Driving instructions
Power assistanceBrakes
Warning!G
The brake system requires electrical energy
for operation.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 303) and
warning messages (
page 314) in the in-
strument cluster come on while driving. To
brake, the driver must then apply signifi-
cantly greater brake pedal pressure and de-
press the pedal much further to obtain the
expected braking effect. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal. Brakes are
only applied to the front wheels. Stopping
distance is increased! If there is a malfunc-
tion in the electro-hydraulic brake system,
we recommend that the vehicle be trans-
ported with all wheels off the ground using
flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(
page 370).
With the engine not running, there is no
power assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle.
Warning!G
After driving in heavy rain for some time
without applying the brakes or through wa-
ter deep enough to wet brake components,
the first braking action may be somewhat
reduced and increased pedal pressure may
be necessary to obtain expected braking
effect. Maintain a safe distance from
vehicles in front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will
cause excessive and premature wear of the
brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating
thereby significantly reducing their effec-
tiveness. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.

264 Operation
Tires and wheels
Step 3
Subtract the combined weight of the
driver and passengers from XXX kilo-
grams or XXX lbs.
Step 4
The resulting figure equals the avail-
able amount of cargo and luggage load
capacity. For example, if the “XXX”
amount equals 1400 lbs and there will
be five 150 lbs passengers in your
vehicle, the amount of available cargo
and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs
(1400 - 750 (5 x150) = 650 lbs).Step 5
Determine the combined weight of
luggage and cargo being loaded on the
vehicle. That weight may not safely
exceed the available cargo and luggage
load capacity calculated in step 4.
Step 6 (if applicable)
If your vehicle will be towing a trailer,
load from your trailer will be trans-
ferred to your vehicle. Consult this
manual to determine how this reduces
the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle (
page 266).The following table shows examples on
how to calculate total and cargo load
capacities with varying seating configura-
tions and number and size of occupants.
The following examples use a load limit
of 1500 lbs. This is for illustration
purposes only. Make sure you are using
the actual load limit for your vehicle stated
on the vehicle’s placard (
page 263).


266 Operation
Tires and wheels
Certification label
Even after careful determination of the
combined weight of all occupants, cargo
and the trailer tongue load (if applicable)
(
page 266) as to not exceed the permis-
sible load limit, you must make sure that
your vehicle never exceeds the Gross Vehi-
cle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross
Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) for either the
front or rear axle. You can obtain the
GVWR and GAWR from the certification la-
bel. The certification label can be found on
the driver’s door A-pillar, see “Technical
data” (
page 378).Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The
total weight of the vehicle, all occupants,
all cargo, and the trailer tongue load
(
page 266) must never exceed the
GVWR.
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The to-
tal allowable weight that can be carried by
a single axle (front or rear).
To assure that your vehicle does not ex-
ceed the maximum permissible weight
limits (GVWR and GAWR for front and rear
axle), have the loaded vehicle (including
driver, passengers and all cargo and, if ap-
plicable, trailer fully loaded) weighed on a
suitable commercial scale.Trailer tongue load
The tongue load of any trailer is an impor-
tant weight to measure because it affects
the load you can carry in your vehicle. If a
trailer is towed, the tongue load must be
added to the weight of all occupants riding
and any cargo you are carrying in the
vehicle. The tongue load typically is ten
percent of the trailer weight and
everything loaded in it.
Your Mercedes-Benz has been designed
primarily to carry passengers and their
cargo. Mercedes-Benz does not recom-
mend trailer towing with your vehicle.