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.
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.
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).
361 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removing wiper blades Remove the SmartKey from starter
switch.
Fold the wiper arm forward.
You must feel the wiper arm engage in
position.
Set the wiper blade at 90° to the wiper
arm.
Slide the wiper blade out in direction of
arrow.
Installing wiper blades
Position the wiper blade at 90° to the
wiper arm.
Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper
arm.
Fold the wiper blade parallel to the
wiper arm.
Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield. Make sure you hold on
to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back.
Warning!G
For safety reasons, remove SmartKey from
starter switch before replacing a wiper
blade. Otherwise the motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury.
Warning!G
Wiper blades are components that are sub-
ject to wear and tear. Change the wiper
blades twice a year, preferably in the spring
and fall. Otherwise the windows will not be
properly wiped. As a result, you may not be
able to observe surrounding traffic condi-
tions and could cause an accident.
!The hood must be opened (page 250)
before folding the wiper arms away from the
windshield. You could otherwise damage the
hood and/or the wiper arm.
!Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.
!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.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact the
windshield glass without a wiper blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are properly
installed. Improperly installed wiper blades may
cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, we recommend that you
have this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
413 Index
Interior rear view mirror 44
Auto-dimming 182
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments
J
Jacking up the vehicle 362
Jump starting 367
K
Key, Mechanical 355
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 100
Checking the batteries 101
Factory setting 99
Locking/unlocking 98
Locking/unlocking, Global setting 99
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 100
Loss of 101
Messages in the multifunction
display 340
Opening and closing the
windows 201, 202
Positions in starter switch 40Remote control 98
Replacing the batteries 357
Turning off the engine 56
Unlocking, Trunk 101
Kickdown 173, 401
Kilopascal 285
Knee air bags 66
L
Labels
Certification 378
Emission control label 378
Vacuum line routing 378
Lamps
Exterior 359
Lamps, exterior
Messages in the multifunction
display 341Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 302
ABS/ESP
®29, 300
Airbrake 29, 307
Battery, SmartKey 100
Brake 29, 303
Center console 312
Coolant 29, 306
Engine malfunction 29, 304
Engine oil temperature 29, 307
Fog lamps 109
Fuel reserve 29, 307
Gearshift 29, 307
High beam 29
Instrument cluster 300
Low tire pressure telltale 29, 311
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 70, 312
Seat belt telltale 29, 308
Seat belts 308–309
SRS 29, 61, 310
Turn signals 29
Language, Setting 133
416 Index
P
Panic alarm 80
Parcel net in trunk 207
Parking 55, 239
Parking brake 32
Engaging 56
Message in the multifunction
display 334
Releasing 49
Parking lamps 106
Message in the multifunction
display 343
Replacing bulbs 359
Parts service 376
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 70
Passenger compartment 243
Passenger front air bag
Messages in the multifunction
display 319–322
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70, 312Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals 235
Performance enhancement system,
Airbrake 89
Phone see Telephone
Poly-V-belt drive 401
Layout 379
Power assistance 236
Power outlet 209
Power train 402
Power washer 297
Power windows 199
Cleaning 297
Operating 199
Synchronizing 201
Practical hints 298
Premium unleaded gasoline 392
Problems
While driving 54
With the vehicle 21
Product information 13
Production options weight 285Program mode selector switch, Automatic
transmission 175, 402
PSI 285
Push starting 367
R
RACETIMER see Control system menus,
722 Edition
Radio
Operation 151
Selecting stations 127
Radio transmitters 243
Reading lamp 113
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps see Tail lamps
Rear view mirrors see Mirrors
Rear window defroster 185
Recommended tire inflation
pressure 285
Recovery services, Stolen vehicle
(Tele Aid) 221
Redial memory 144
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
421 Index
U
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards 286
Units, Setting
Digital speedometer 132
Unleaded gasoline, Premium 247, 392
Useful features 206
V
Vacuum line routing diagram label 378
Vehicle
Batteries 256
Control system, Settings menu 129
Dimensions 387
Locking/unlocking 38, 57, 98, 105
Modifications and alterations, Operat-
ing safety 20
Towing 370
Transporting 372
Unlocking in an emergency 355
Vehicle care 295
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle lighting 249
Vehicle literature portfolio 353Vehicle loading 261
Load limit 262
Roof and trunk lid racks 230
Terminology 284
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 286
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid) 221
Vehicle status message memory
menu 128
Vehicle washing 296
VIN 378, 403
W
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 74
Exterior lamps 57
Parking brake 50
Warranty coverage 14, 377
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 257
Washing the vehicle 295
Wear pattern, Tires 287
Wheel bolts
Anti-theft wheel nuts 288
Tightening torque 287Wheels, Sizes 382
Wheels, Tires and 258
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 297
Defogging 194
Windshield washer fluid 257, 397
Message in the multifunction
display 352
Mixing ratio 397
Refilling 257
Wiping with 53
Windshield washer system 397
Windshield wipers 27, 52
Cleaning wiper blades 297
Replacing wiper blades 361
Single wipe 53
Winter driving 290
Instructions 242
Snow chains 291
Tires* 290
Winter tires* 290