2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR traction control

Contents
Gear selector lever positions ....... 171
Driving tips ................................... 173
Gear ranges ................................. 174
Shift program mode selector
switch .......................................... 175
Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting .................................. 175
Steering wheel gearshift control
one-touch gearshifting ................. 177
Manual shift program ................... 179
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode) ...................... 181
Good visibility .................................... 182
Headlamp cleaning system .......... 182
Rear view mirrors ......................... 182
Sun visors .................................... 183
Rear window defroster ................. 185
Automatic climate control ................. 186
Deactivating the automatic
climate control system................. 190
Operating the automatic climate
control system in automatic mode 190
Setting the temperature ............... 191
Adjusting air distribution .............. 192
Adjusting air volume .................... 193
Maximum cooling MAXCOOL ....... 193Front defroster.............................. 194
Air recirculation mode .................. 195
Air conditioning............................. 196
Residual heat and ventilation ........ 197
Power windows .................................. 199
Opening and closing the windows. 199
Synchronizing power windows ...... 201
Summer opening feature .............. 201
Convenience closing feature......... 202
Driving systems .................................. 203
Cruise control ............................... 203
Useful features ................................... 206
Map pocket in passenger
footwell ......................................... 206
Storage compartments ................. 206
Parcel net in trunk ........................ 207
Ashtray and cigarette lighter......... 208
Power outlet ................................. 209
Telephone ..................................... 209
Tele Aid ......................................... 214
Garage door opener ...................... 221
Floormats*.................................... 226
Floormats* (Only Mercedes-Benz
SLR McLaren 722 Edition) ............ 227
Dust cover .................................... 228
Roof and trunk lid racks ................ 230
Operation.......................................... 232
The first 1000 miles (1500 km) .......... 234
Driving instructions ............................ 235
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 235
Drinking and driving...................... 235
Pedals ........................................... 235
Power assistance .......................... 236
Brakes .......................................... 236
Driving off ..................................... 239
Parking ......................................... 239
Tires.............................................. 240
Hydroplaning ................................ 241
Tire traction .................................. 241
Tire speed rating ........................... 241
Winter driving instructions ............ 242
Standing water ............................. 243
Passenger compartment............... 243
Driving abroad .............................. 243
Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 243
Catalytic converter ....................... 244
Emission control ........................... 245
Coolant temperature .................... 245

145 Controls in detail
Audio system
Audio system
Audio and telephone, operation
These instructions are intended to help
you become familiar with your
Mercedes-Benz audio system. They con-
tain useful tips and a detailed description
of the user functions.Operating safetyLocation of the audio system
The audio system control panel is located
behind a cover in the upper part of the cen-
ter console.
1Cover
Briefly press on the lower part of
cover1.
The cover opens automatically.
Warning!G
In order to avoid distraction which could
lead to an accident, the driver should enter
system settings with the vehicle at a stand-
still and operate the system only when road
and traffic conditions permit. Always pay full
attention to traffic conditions first before
operating system controls while driving.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your car is cover-
ing a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Warning!G
Any alterations made to electronic compo-
nents can cause malfunctions.
The radio, amplifier, CD changer and
telephone are interconnected. When one of
the components is not operational or has
not been removed/replaced properly, the
function of other components may be im-
paired.
This condition might seriously impair the
operating safety of your vehicle.
We recommend that you have any service
work on electronic components carried out
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.

175 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Shift program mode selector switch
1Program mode selector switch
C Comfort For comfort driving
MAN Manual For manual gear shifting
(
page 179)
S Sport For standard driving
The selected shift program appears in the
right multifunction display (
page 117).
Turn the program mode selector switch
to the desired setting.
The letter of the desired shift program
appears in the right multifunction
display.
Select C for comfort driving:

The vehicle starts out in second
gear for gentler starts. This does
not apply if full throttle is applied or
gear range1 is selected.

Traction and driving stability are
improved on icy roads.

Upshifts occur earlier even when
you give more gas. The engine then
operates at lower rpms and the
wheels are less likely to spin.Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting
With the gear selector lever in drive posi-
tion D and driving in shift programC orS,
you can limit or extend the gear range.
With the MAN shift program activated, you
can use the gear selector lever to manually
shift the gears.
The following instructions describe opera-
tion of the gear selector lever when driving
in the shift programC orS.
!Never change the program when the gear
selector lever is out of park positionP. This could
result in a change of driving characteristics for
which you may not be prepared.
iFor information on using the gear selector
lever in shift program MAN, see “Manual shift
program” (
page 179).
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

203 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving systems
The driving system of your vehicle is
described on the following pages:

Cruise control, with which the vehicle
can maintain a preset speed
For information on the BAS, ABS and ESP
®,
see “Driving safety systems” (
page 81).
Cruise control
Cruise control automatically maintains the
speed you set for your vehicle.
Use of cruise control is recommended for
driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time. You can set or resume the
cruise control at any speed over 20 mph
(30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 30).
Warning!G
The Cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a steady speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on winding roads or in heavy traf-
fic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a steady speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin
and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when
driving in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

240 Operation
Driving instructions
Tires
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and
become visible at a tread depth of
approximately
1/16in (1.6 mm), at which
point the tire is considered worn and
should be replaced.The treadwear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.Specified tire inflation pressures must be
maintained. This applies particularly if the
tires are subjected to high loads (e.g. high
speeds, heavy loads, high ambient
temperatures).
For more information, see “Tires and
wheels” (
page 258).
Warning!G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.
Warning!G
Although the applicable federal motor
vehicle safety laws consider a tire to be
worn when the treadwear indicators (TWI)
become visible at approximately
1/16in
(1.6 mm), we recommend that you do not
allow your tires to wear down to that level.
As tread depth approaches
1/8in (3 mm),
the adhesion properties on a wet road are
sharply reduced.
Depending upon the weather and/or road
surface (conditions), the tire traction varies
widely.
Have worn tires replaced in pairs (front pair
or rear pair). Otherwise the driving stability
of the vehicle will be adversely affected.
Warning!G
Do not drive with a flat tire. A flat tire affects
the ability to steer or brake the vehicle. You
may lose control of the vehicle. Continued
driving with a flat tire or driving at high
speed with a flat tire will cause excessive
heat build-up and possibly a fire.
!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.

241 Operation
Driving instructions
Hydroplaning
Depending on the depth of the water layer
on the road, hydroplaning may occur, even
at low speeds and with new tires. Reduce
vehicle speed, avoid track grooves in the
road and apply brakes cautiously in the
rain.
Tire traction
The safe speed on a wet, snow covered or
icy road is always lower than on a dry road.
You should pay particular attention to the
condition of the road whenever the outside
temperatures are close to the freezing
point.Mercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(
page 290) with a minimum tread depth
of approximately 1/6in (4 mm) on all four
wheels for the winter season to ensure
normal balanced handling characteristics.
On packed snow, they can reduce your
stopping distance compared to summer
tires. Stopping distance, however, is still
considerably greater than when the road is
not covered with snow or ice. Exercise
appropriate caution.
Tire speed rating
Regardless of the tire speed rating, local
speed limits should be obeyed. Use
prudent driving speeds appropriate to
prevailing conditions.Your vehicle is factory equipped with
“(Y)”-rated tires, which have a speed rating
of over 186 mph (300 km/h).
Warning!G
If ice has formed on the road, tire traction
will be substantially reduced. Under such
weather conditions, drive, steer and brake
with extreme caution.
!Avoid spinning of a drive wheel. This may
cause serious damage to the drivetrain which is
not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!G
Even when permitted by law, never operate
a vehicle at speeds greater than the maxi-
mum speed rating of the tires.
Exceeding the maximum speed for which
tires are rated can lead to sudden tire
failure, causing loss of vehicle control and
possibly resulting in an accident and/or
personal injury and possible death, for you
and for others.
iFor information on tire speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter tires*” (
page 290).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating”
(
page 276).

282 Operation
Tires and wheels
Quality grades can be found, where appli-
cable, on the tire sidewall between tread
shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger car tires must conform to
federal safety requirements in addition to
these grades.Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rat-
ing based on the wear rate of the tire when
tested under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course. For ex-
ample, a tire graded 150 would wear one
and one-half (1
1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their use,
however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate.Traction
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B, and C. Those grades rep-
resent the tire’s ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
TreadwearTractionTemperature
200AAA
Warning!G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.

301 Practical hints
What to do if ...
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solutions
vThe yellow ABS/ESP® warn-
ing lamp flashes while
driving.Risk of accident!
The ESP
®, ABS, or traction control has
come into operation because of detected
traction loss in at least one tire.
The cruise control is deactivated.
When driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
While driving, ease up on the accelerator.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Do not deactivate ESP®.
Exceptions: (
page 85).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.