Page 286 of 425

285 Operation
Tires and wheels
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door A-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit and production options
weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lb).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lb (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.PSI (Pounds per square inch)
A standard unit of measure for air pressure
-> bar, kilopascal (kPa).
Recommended tire inflation pressure
Recommended tire inflation pressure
listed on the Tire and Loading Information
placard located on driver’s door B-pillar for
normal driving conditions. Provides best
handling, tread life and riding comfort.
Rim
A metal support for a tire or a tire and tube
assembly upon which the tire beads are
seated.
Sidewall
The portion of a tire between the tread and
the bead.
Page 291 of 425

290 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:
Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.
Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB Summerfit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures (
page 397).
Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.
Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires*
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS and
ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!A wheel change should only be carried out
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Other-
wise there is a danger of damaging the vehicle by
jacking it up incorrectly.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.
Page 294 of 425

293 Operation
Maintenance
Maintenance service term exceeded
If you have exceeded the suggested main-
tenance service term, you will see the fol-
lowing message in the right multifunction
display:
Service exceeded by .. days
Service exceeded by .. miles
Any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will
reset the maintenance service indicator
following a completed maintenance
service.Calling up the maintenance service due
date
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Press buttonè orÿ on the
multifunction steering wheel repeated-
ly until the standard display appears in
the multifunction display (
page 117).
Press button k or j on the
multifunction steering wheel until the
maintenance service indicator service
symbol 9 appears in the left multi-
function display and the maintenance
service deadline appears in the right
multifunction display.
iIf the vehicle is not be used for a longer pe-
riod of time, do not disconnect the consumer
battery. Instead, maintain the condition of the
battery by using the battery charger approved by
Mercedes-Benz for use on the SLR and supplied
with the car (
page 369). This charger automat-
ically controls the charge rate, and can be left
connected to the car for long periods without
damage to the battery.
If the battery supplying the vehicle’s electrical
consumers is disconnected, the days of discon-
nection will not be included in the count shown
by the maintenance service indicator. To arrive
at the true maintenance service deadline, you
will need to subtract these days from the days
shown in the maintenance service indicator.
Do not confuse the maintenance service indica-
tor with the engine oil level indicator:.
Page 303 of 425

302 Practical hints
What to do if ...
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solutions
-The yellow ABS indicator
lamp comes on while the
engine is running.Risk of accident!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP
®
are also switched off.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the automatic
transmission may also be malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is still
functioning normally but without ABS
available.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 314).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be charged
sufficiently.When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the ABS indicator
lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.
Page 318 of 425

317 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
ABSABS, ESP
inoperative
See
Oper. ManualRisk of accident!
The ABS and ESP
® ha ve s witc he d off
due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is still functioning normally but with-
out the ABS, the ESP
®, and the BAS
available.
Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Convenience
functionstemporarily
unavailableThe battery for electrical consumers
has insufficient voltage and can no
longer supply the convenience func-
tions such rear window heating.As soon as the on-board voltage is sufficient,
you will see the following message in the multi-
function display:
Convenience functions
available again
. The electrical consumers are
switched on again.
Cruise control––– mph
(USA only)
––– km/h
(Canada only)
You have attempted to resume a
stored speed, but nothing is stored.Store a speed (page 204).
You have attempted to set a speed
below 20 mph (30 km/h).Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(
page 204).
The ESP® is switched off.Switch on the ESP® (page 86).
Exceptions: (
page 85).
Page 328 of 425
327 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Symbol messages
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
malfunctionThe Airbrake locking mecha-
nism is malfunctioning.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
#Battery/Alternator
Stop carThe battery is malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake
system requires electrical
energy and therefore has only
limited operation. Considerably
greater brake pedal force is
required and the pedal travel is
longer. The stopping distance is
increased. If necessary, apply
full pressure to the brake pedal.Stop the vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. Adjust
driving to be consistent with reduced braking
responsiveness.
Do not drive any further.
Call Roadside Assistance.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
immediately.
Page 329 of 425

328 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
#The battery is no longer
charging. Possible causes:
alternator malfunctioning
broken poly-V-belt
Do not forget that the brake
system requires electrical
energy and may be operating
with restricted capability.
Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the
pedal travel is longer. The stop-
ping distance is increased. If
necessary, apply full pressure
to the brake pedal.
Stop the vehicle immediately in a safe location and
check the poly-V-belt.
If it is broken:
Do not continue to drive. Otherwise, the engine will
overheat due to an inoperative water pump which
may result in damage to the engine. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
If it is in order:
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center imme-
diately. Adjust driving to be consistent with reduced
braking responsiveness.
Read and observe additional messages in the
multifunction display.
The starter battery has been
charged with a battery charger
or jump started.Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
There is a malfunction in the
electronic system.Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Page 333 of 425
332 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/
consequencePossible solution
;(USA only)
3(Canada only)
Reduced
brake effect
Start engineThe battery has insufficient
voltage and cannot supply
sufficient power to the
electro-hydraulic brake system.
Considerably greater brake
pedal force is required and the
pedal travel is longer. The
stopping distance is increased.Start the engine.
As soon as the engine is running, the message
disappears.
Increased
stopping distance
Start engine
Warning!G
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to
your health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not run the engine in confined areas
(such as a garage) which are not properly
ventilated.