2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR brake light

243 Operation
Driving instructions
Road salts and chemicals can adversely
affect braking efficiency. Increased pedal
force may become necessary to produce
the normal braking effect.
Depressing the brake pedal periodically
when traveling at length on salt-strewn
roads can bring road-salt-impaired braking
efficiency back to normal.
If the vehicle is parked after being driven
on salt-treated roads, the braking
efficiency should be tested as soon as
possible after driving is resumed.
For more information, see “Winter driving”
(
page 292).
Standing water
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
If the vehicle becomes stuck in snow, make
sure snow is kept clear of the exhaust pipe
and from around the vehicle with the engine
running. Otherwise deadly carbon monoxide
(CO) gases may enter vehicle interior
resulting in unconsciousness and death.
To assure sufficient fresh air ventilation,
open a window slightly on the side of the
vehicle not facing the wind.Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the
road surface is free of ice.
!
Do not drive through flooded areas or water
of unknown depth. Before driving through water,
determine its depth. Never accelerate before
driving into water. The bow wave could force
water into the engine and auxiliary equipment,
thus damaging them.
If you must drive through standing water, drive
slowly to prevent water from entering the pas-
senger compartment or the engine compart-
ment. Water in these areas could cause damage
to electrical components or wiring of the engine
or transmission, or could result in water being in-
gested by the engine through the air intake caus-
ing severe internal engine damage. Any such
damage is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.

249 Operation
At the gas station
Coolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 255) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 393).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 253).
Brake fluidWindshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system
For more information on filling up the
washer reservoir, see “Windshield washer
system and headlamp cleaning system”
(
page 257).
Vehicle lighting
Check function and cleanliness. For more
information on replacing light bulbs, see
“Replacing bulbs” (
page 361).
For more information on exterior lamps,
see “Exterior lamp switch” (
page 106).Tire inflation pressure
For more information on tire inflation pres-
sure, see “Checking tire inflation pressure
manually” (
page 271).
!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks immediately. Notify an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Do not add brake fluid as this will not solve the
problem. For more information, see “Practical
hints” (page 307).

361 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp
assemblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
!
Do not replace the LEDs or bulbs yourself.
You could otherwise damage the vehicle lighting
system or parts of the vehicle. Only have the
LEDs or bulbs replaced by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i
If the headlamps are fogged up on the inside
as a result of high humidity, driving the vehicle a
distance should clear up the fogging.
i
Substitute bulbs will be brought into use
when lamps malfunction. Observe the messages
in the multifunction display (
page 346).
i
If one of the following bulbs blows, another
bulb will adopt its function:


Rear turn signals


Brake lamps


Side lamps


Tail lamps

403 Technical terms
ABS
(A
nti-lock B
raking S
ystem)
Prevents the wheels from locking up
during braking so that the vehicle can
continue to be steered.
Accessory weight
(
page 286)
ACL
(Airbrake/C
entral L
ocking)
Controls the locking mechanism of the
Airbrake and the central locking
system.
Air pressure
(
page 286)
Aspect ratio
(page 286)
Bar
(page 286)BAS
(B
rake A
ssist S
ystem)
System for potentially reducing braking
distances in emergency braking situa-
tions. The system is activated when it
senses an emergency based on how
fast the brake is applied.
Bead
(
page 286)
Bi-Xenon headlamps
Headlamps which use an electric arc as
the light source and produce a more in-
tense light than filament headlamps.
Bi-Xenon headlamps produce low
beam and high beam.
CAC
(Customer A
ssistance C
enter)
Mercedes-Benz customer service cen-
ter, which can help you with any ques-
tions about your vehicle and provide
assistance in the event of a
breakdown.CAN system
(C
ontroller A
rea N
etwork)
Data bus network serving to control
vehicle functions such as door locking
or windshield wiping depending on
vehicle settings and/or ambient
conditions.
Cockpit
All instruments, switches, buttons and
indicator/warning lamps in the passen-
ger compartment needed for vehicle
operation and monitoring.
Cold tire inflation pressure
(
page 286)
Control system
The control system is used to call up
vehicle information and to change
component settings. Information and
messages appear in the multifunction
display. The driver uses the buttons on
the multifunction steering wheel to
navigate through the system and to
adjust settings.

411 Index
Bluetooth
® interface 213
Storage location 210
Body surface 297
Brake
Electro-hydraulic brake system 87
Brake Assist System see BAS
Brake disks
Wear 239
Brake fluid 393, 396
Checking 249
Messages in the multifunction
display 335
Brake lamps 362
High-mounted brake lamp 362
Messages in the multifunction
display 346
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display 339
Wear 239
Brakes 236
Excessive loads 239
Warning lamp 29, 307Break-in period 234
Bulbs
Messages in the multifunction
display 346
Replacing 361
C
CAC 403
California retail buyers and lessees, impor-
tant notice for 15
Call priority, Tele Aid 220
CAN system 403
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants 393
Cargo area see Trunk
Cassette player 154
Catalytic converter 245
CD changer 158
Location 159
CD player 127
Center console
Lower part 32
Upper part 31
Central lockingAutomatic 104, 139
Central locking switch 31
Locking/unlocking from inside 105
Central locking switch 105
Child restraints 60
Children in the vehicle 76
Air bags 63
Indicator lamp, passenger front air
bag 70
Infant and child restraint systems 60,
70, 79
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 67
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70, 317
Cigarette lighter 210
Cleaning
Soft top 300
Clock 29, 133
Setting time 134
Closed circuit racing
Brakes 239
Cockpit 26, 403
Cold tire inflation pressure 286

416 Index
Low beam 107
Messages in the multifunction
display 346
Replacing bulbs 361
Switch 51, 106
Head-thorax air bag 67, 404
High performance driving 239
High-beam flasher 51, 110
Replacing bulbs 361
High-beam headlamps
Indicator lamp 29
Messages in the multifunction
display 346
Replacing bulbs 361
Switching on 110
High-mounted brake lamp 362
High-pressure cleaners 299
Hood 250
Messages in the multifunction
display 353
Horn 27
HVAC see Automatic climate control
Hydroplaning 241I
Identification labels 382
Identification Number, Vehicle (VIN) 382
Ignition 40
Immobilizer 93
Indicator lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Infant and child restraint systems see Chil-
dren in the vehicle
Inflation pressure see Tires, Inflation pres-
sure
Inside door handle 34
Instrument cluster 28, 114, 405
Illumination brightness 114
Lamps 304
Messages in display see Multifunction
display messages
Multifunction display 117
Instrument lighting see Instrument cluster,
Illumination brightness
Instrument panel see Instrument cluster
Instruments and controls see Cockpit
Interior lighting 112
Delayed switch-off 137
Interior rear view mirror 44Auto-dimming 181
Interior storage spaces see Storage com-
partments
J
Jacking up the vehicle 365
Jump starting 370
K
Key, Mechanical 357
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp 100
Checking the batteries 100
Factory setting 99
Locking/unlocking 98
Locking/unlocking, Global setting 99
Locking/unlocking, Selective
setting 100
Loss of 101
Messages in the multifunction
display 345
Positions in starter switch 40
Remote control 98
Replacing the batteries 359
Turning off the engine 56

417 Index
Unlocking, Trunk 100
Kickdown 173, 405
Kilopascal 287
Knee air bags 66
L
Labels
Certification 382
Emission control label 382
Lamps
Exterior 361
Lamps, exterior
Messages in the multifunction
display 346
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS 29, 306
ABS/ESP
®
29, 304
Airbrake 29, 311
Battery, SmartKey 100
Brake 29, 307
Center console 317
Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale 29, 315Coolant 29, 310
Engine malfunction 29, 308
Engine oil temperature 29, 311
Fog lamps 109
Fuel reserve 29, 311
Gearshift 29, 311
High beam 29
Instrument cluster 304
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF 70, 317
Passenger front air bag off 317
Seat belt telltale 29, 312
Seat belts 312–313
SRS 29, 61, 314
Turn signals 29
Language, Setting 133
License plate lamp
Messages in the multifunction
display 347
Replacing bulbs 361
License plate lamps 362
Light sensorMessages in the multifunction
display 347
Lighter see Cigarette lighter
Lighting
Automatic headlamp mode 107
Exterior 106
Instruments 114
Interior 112
Low-beam headlamps 107
Manual headlamp mode 107
Limp-Home Mode, Automatic
transmission 180
Linkage covers 202
Loading see Vehicle loading
Location
Audio system 145
Compact guide (Canada only) 209
Vehicle literature portfolio 356
Locator lighting 109, 135
Loss of
Keys 101
Service and Warranty Information
Booklet 381

425 Index
Dimensions 391
Locking/unlocking 39, 57, 98, 105
Modifications and alterations, Operat-
ing safety 20
Towing 373
Transporting 375
Unlocking in an emergency 357
Vehicle care 297
Vehicle Identification Number see VIN
Vehicle lighting 249
Vehicle literature portfolio 356
Vehicle loading 262
Load limit 263
Roof and trunk lid racks 230
Terminology 286
Vehicle maximum load on the tire 289
Vehicle Recovery services, Stolen
(Tele Aid) 221
Vehicle status message memory
menu 128
Vehicle washing 298
VIN 382, 407W
Warning lamps see Lamps, Indicator and
warning
Warning sounds
Drivers seat belts 74
Exterior lamps 57
Parking brake 50
Warranty coverage 14, 381
Washer fluid see Windshield washer fluid
Washer reservoir level 257
Washing the vehicle 297
Wear pattern, Tires 289
Wheel bolts
Anti-theft wheel nuts 290
Tightening torque 290
Wheels, Sizes 386
Wheels, Tires and 259
Wind screen 201
Windows see Power windows
Windshield
Cleaning 299Defogging 192
Windshield washer fluid 257, 401
Message in the multifunction
display 354
Mixing ratio 401
Refilling 257
Wiping with 53
Windshield washer system 401
Windshield wipers 27, 52
Cleaning wiper blades 299
Replacing wiper blades 363
Single wipe 53
Winter driving 292
Instructions 242
Snow chains 293
Tires* 292
Winter tires* 292