2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR warning

227 Controls in detail
Useful features
Floormat, driver’s side Installing
Example driver’s side1Eyelet
2Retainer pins
Lay down the floormat.

Press eyelets 1 onto retainers pins2
in direction of arrow. Removing

Pull the floormats off retainers pins.

Remove the floormat.
Warning!
G
When you are using floormats, make sure
there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats must always be securely fastened
using eyelets1 and retainer pins2.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if
necessary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal
movement.

228 Controls in detailUseful featuresFloormats* (Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722S)
Installing
Example driver’s side1Eyelet
2Retainer pins
Lay down the floormat.

Press eyelets 1 onto retainers pins2
in direction of arrow. Removing

Pull the floormats off retainers pins.

Remove the floormat.
Warning!
G
Because of the carbon fiber the footwell
could be slippery when wet. Be careful when
entering/exiting the vehicle with wet shoe
soles, you could slip on it.
When you are using floormats, make sure
there is enough clearance and that the
floormats are securely fastened.
Floormats must always be securely fastened
using eyelets1 and retainer pins2.
Before driving off, check that the floormats
are securely in place and adjust them if
necessary. A loose floormat could slip and
hinder proper functioning of the pedals.
Do not place several floormats on top of
each other as this may impair pedal
movement.
!
To avoid damage to the carbon fiber surface
please make sure your shoe soles are free of
hard particles (e.g. stones, glass) and avoid the
use of small surface heels when driving the
vehicle.

229 Controls in detail
Useful features
Dust cover Slipping dust cover on/off

Place the rolled-up dust cover with its
dark grey side facing downwards on
the vehicle roof.
Make sure the FRONT label is facing
towards the front of the vehicle.

Roll the side that is labelled FRONT
over the hood.

Roll the rear part over the tail end of
the vehicle.

Unfold the dust cover.

On the rear right, pull down the dust
cover below the bumper.

Pull down the dust cover on the right
side of the vehicle.

On the front right, pull down the dust
cover below the bumper.

On the rear left, pull down the dust
cover below the bumper.

Pull down the dust cover on the left
side of the vehicle.

On the front left, pull down the dust
cover below the bumper.
Warning!
G
Allow the engine to cool down completely
before slipping the dust cover on your vehi-
cle. Otherwise you could be seriously
burned when coming into contact with the
hot exhaust system.!
To avoid damage to the vehicle and the dust
cover, observe the following:


Use the dust cover only when the vehicle is
garaged.


Cover the vehicle only when the engine has
cooled down completely.


The vehicle as well as the dust cover must be
dry before slipping the dust cover on the
vehicle.


Make sure the dust cover is clean and dry
before inserting it in the bag provided with
the dust cover.
i
Clean the dust cover according to the care
label on the inside of the dust cover.


230 Controls in detailUseful features
To remove the dust cover, follow the
above steps in reverse order.
Roof and trunk lid racksWarning!
G
This vehicle has not been designed to
accommodate any type of roof or trunk lid
rack. Therefore do not fit such accessories.
Otherwise the rack could fall off and this
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury.!
Do not use any type of roof or trunk lid rack.
Otherwise you will damage the bodywork or
paintwork of your vehicle.


235 Operation
Driving instructions
Driving instructions
Drive sensibly – save fuel
Fuel consumption, to a great extent,
depends on driving habits and operating
conditions.
To save fuel you should:

Keep tires at the recommended tire
inflation pressures.


Remove unnecessary loads.


Allow engine to warm up under low
load use.


Avoid frequent acceleration and
deceleration.


Have all maintenance work performed
at the intervals specified in the
Maintenance Booklet and as required
by the maintenance service display.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Fuel consumption is also increased by
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go
traffic, on short trips and in hilly area.
Drinking and driving
Pedals
Warning!
G
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs
and driving are very dangerous combina-
tions. Even a small amount of alcohol or
drugs can affect your reflexes, perceptions
and judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are greatly increased when you
drink or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Warning!
G
Make sure that absolutely no objects are ob-
structing the pedals’ range of movement.
Keep the driver’s footwell clear of all obsta-
cles. If there are any floormats or carpets in
the footwell, make sure that the pedals still
have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents
and/or injury.

236 OperationDriving instructionsPower assistance
Brakes
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 84).
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 307) and
warning messages (
page 319) 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 373).
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.
i
The brake system is designed to decelerate
your SLR from high speeds at the best possible
rate. Depending on the applied brake force,
speed, and ambient conditions, the brake sys-
tem may produce a squeak-type noise when you
apply the brakes at a moderate rate, e.g. at city
traffic. If you experience this noise, you should
occasionally test the effectiveness of the brakes
by applying above-normal braking pressure at
high speeds. Please perform this braking proce-
dure three times. This will also enhance the grip
of the brake pads. If the noise continuous,
contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

237 Operation
Driving instructions
Downhill grades
Continuous or hard braking
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than to park im-
mediately, so the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.Wet roads
The first time the brakes are applied after
a long period of driving in heavy rain with-
out braking, it is possible that:


there will be a delayed braking re-
sponse


you will need to depress the brake ped-
al more firmly
You should therefore maintain a greater
distance from the vehicle in front.To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
Salty roads
!
When driving down long and steep grades,
relieve the load on the brakes by shifting into a
lower gear to use the engine’s braking power.
This helps prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.
Warning!
G
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 or in the total loss of braking per-
formance. It may not be possible to stop the
vehicle in sufficient time to avoid an
accident.
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.
Warning!
G
A layer of salt on the brake discs and the
brake linings may cause a delay in the brak-
ing effect, resulting in a significantly in-
creased braking distance, which could lead
to an accident.


238 OperationDriving instructions
Brake service
If the parking brake is released and the red
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system
(page 307) or the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Observe additional messages that may
appear in the multifunction display
(page 335).Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
To avoid this danger, you should:

occasionally brake carefully when you
are driving on salted roads, so that any
layer of salt that may have built up on
the brake discs and the brake linings is
removed without putting other road us-
ers at risk


maintain a greater distance to the vehi-
cle ahead and drive with particular care


carefully apply the brakes at the end of
a trip and immediately after commenc-
ing a new trip, so that salt residues are
removed from the brake disc
!
Because the ESP
® operates automatically,
the engine must be shut off (SmartKey in starter
switch position 0 or1) when the parking brake is
being tested on a brake test dynamometer.
Active braking action through the ESP
® may
otherwise seriously damage the brake system
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 89).