2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR cruise control

Contents
Setting the temperature ............... 189
Adjusting air distribution .............. 190
Adjusting air volume .................... 191
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ...... 191
Front defroster ............................. 192
Air recirculation mode.................. 193
Air conditioning ............................ 194
Residual heat and ventilation ....... 195
Open air ............................................. 196
Opening and closing the door windows
196
Synchronizing power windows ..... 198
Opening and closing the soft top . 198
Wind screen ................................. 201
Linkage covers ............................. 202
Driving systems ................................. 205
Cruise control .............................. 205
Useful features .................................. 209
Map pocket in passenger footwell 209
Storage compartments ................ 209
Parcel net in trunk........................ 210
Ashtray and cigarette lighter ........ 210
Power outlet................................. 212
Telephone .................................... 212
Tele Aid ........................................ 215
Garage door opener ..................... 221Floormat, driver’s side .................. 227
Floormats* (Only Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren Roadster 722S) .............. 228
Dust cover .................................... 229
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.......................................... 240
Tires .............................................. 240
Hydroplaning................................. 241
Tire traction .................................. 241
Tire speed rating ........................... 242
Winter driving instructions ............ 242
Standing water.............................. 243
Passenger compartment ............... 244
Driving abroad .............................. 244Control and operation of radio
transmitters .................................. 244
Catalytic converter ....................... 245
Emission control ........................... 245
Coolant temperature .................... 246
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 head-
lamp cleaning system ................... 257
Tires and wheels ................................ 259
Important guidelines ..................... 259
Tire care and maintenance ........... 260
Direction of rotation ..................... 262
Loading the vehicle ....................... 262
Recommended tire inflation pressure ..
268
Checking tire inflation pressure .... 270

27 At a glance
Cockpit
Item
Page
1
Cruise control lever
205
2
Steering wheel gearshift
paddle
177
3
Instrument cluster
28,
114
4
Multifunction steering wheel
30,
118
5
Overhead control panel
33
6
Center console
31, 32
7
Starter switch
40
8
Horn
Item
Page
9
Headlamp washer button
181
a
Steering wheel adjustment
stalk
42
b
Hood lock release
250
c
Exterior lamp switch
51,
106
d
Combination switch

Turn signals


Windshield wipers


High beam
51
52
110

205 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 82).
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.

206 Controls in detailDriving systems1Sets current or higher speed
2Sets current or lower speed
3Cancels the cruise control
4Resumes at last set speed
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.

Briefly lift1 or depress2 the cruise
control lever.
The current speed is set.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
Canceling the cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:

Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.
or

Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position3.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
speed set is stored for later use.The cruise control is automatically can-
celled, when


the vehicle speed is below 20 mph
(30 km/h)


ESP
® is in operation or switched off
with the ESP
® switch (
page 87)


you move the gear selector lever to
neutral positionN while driving
i
On uphill or downhill grades, the cruise
control may not be able to maintain the set
speed. Once the grade eases, the set speed will
be resumed.
!
However, the gear selector lever should not
be moved to neutral positionN while driving, ex-
cept to coast when the vehicle is in danger of
skidding (e.g. on icy roads).
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will re-
sume the last speed set.
The last stored speed is canceled when you turn
off the engine.

207 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever to
position1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Setting a lower speed

Depress the cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.

Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Warning!
G
If you increase the set vehicle speed, keep in
mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has made the necessary adjust-
ments.
Increase the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
i
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will
resume the last speed set.Warning!
G
If you decrease the set vehicle speed, keep
in mind that it may take a brief moment until
the vehicle has made the necessary adjust-
ments.
Decrease the set vehicle speed to a value
that the prevailing road conditions and legal
speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden and
unexpected acceleration of the vehicle
could cause an accident and/or serious in-
jury to you and others.
i
When you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the transmission will automatically
downshift if the engine’s braking power does not
brake the vehicle sufficiently.

208 Controls in detailDriving systemsFine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1.
Slower

Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)

Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.

Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.Warning!
G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and/or others.

242 OperationDriving instructionsMercedes-Benz recommends winter tires
(page 292) 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).
Winter driving instructions
The most important rule for slippery or icy
roads is to drive sensibly and to avoid
abrupt acceleration, braking and steering
maneuvers. Do not use the cruise control
system under such conditions.
When the vehicle is in danger of skidding,
move gear selector lever to neutral
positionN. Try to keep the vehicle under
control by corrective steering action.
!
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.i
For information on tire speed rating for win-
ter tires, see “Winter tires*” (
page 292).
For additional general information on tire speed
markings on tire sidewall, see “Tire speed rating”
(
page 279).
i
For information on driving with snow chains,
see “Snow chains” (
page 293).
Warning!
G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of control loss.

305 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solutions
v
The 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 86).
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.