2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR instrument cluster

87 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The switch is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1ESP
® switch

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ABS/ESP® warning lampv in
the instrument cluster comes on.
The ESP
® is deactivated.
Switching on the ESP
®

Press ESP
® switch1.
The ABS/ESP® warning lampv in
the instrument cluster goes out.
You are now again in normal driving
mode with the ESP
® switched on.
Electro-hydraulic brake system
The electro-hydraulic brake system com-
bines a hydraulic brake circuit with elec-
tronically controlled brake servo
assistance. You have increased braking
safety and improved braking comfort.
Warning!
G
When the ABS/ESP
® warning lampv is
illuminated continuously, the ESP
® is
switched off or is not operational due to a
malfunction. Vehicle stability in standard
driving maneuvers reduces.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road conditions and to the non-operating
status of the ESP
®.
!
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an ex-
tended period with the ESP
® switched off. This
may cause serious damage to the drivetrain
which is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz
Limited Warranty.
Warning!
G
Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated
in the speedometer display, for example by
the ; (USA only) or 3 (Canada only)
warning lamp. Refer to the “Practical hints”
section (
page 307). Also read and ob-
serve the messages in the instrument
cluster multifunction display (
page 334).

Controls in detailLocking and unlocking
Lighting
Instrument cluster
Control system
Audio system
Automatic transmission
Good visibility
Automatic climate control
Open air
Driving systems
Useful features

110 Controls in detailLightingRear fog lamp (driver’s side only)
Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB (
page 106).

Pull out the exterior lamp switch to
second stop.
The front fog lamps and rear fog lamp
switch on.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch comes on
(page 106).

Push in the exterior lamp switch to first
stop.
The rear fog lamp switches off.
The yellow indicator lamp† in the
exterior lamp switch goes out.
The front fog lamps remain lit.
Combination switch
The combination switch is located on the
left of the steering column.
1High beam
2High-beam flasherHigh beam

Turn the exterior lamp switch to
positionB (
page 106).

Push the combination switch in
direction of arrow1 to switch on the
high beam.
The high-beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
comes on (
page 29).

Pull the combination switch in direction
of arrow2 to its original position to
switch off the high beam.
The high-beam headlamp indicator
lampA in the instrument cluster
goes out.
High-beam flasher

Pull the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow2.

114 Controls in detailInstrument clusterFor a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
(page 28).
1Reset button
The instrument cluster is activated when
you


open a door


switch on the ignition


press the reset button1


switch on exterior lampsOpening a door will activate the instrument
cluster only for about 30 seconds.
You can change the instrument cluster
settings in the Instrument cluster submenu
of the control system (
page 132).Adjusting instrument cluster
illumination
Use the reset button1 to adjust the illu-
mination brightness for the instrument
cluster and the switches on the center
console.
To brighten illumination
Turn the reset button1 clockwise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
brighten.
To dim illumination

Turn the reset button1 counterclock-
wise.
The instrument cluster illumination will
dim.
Warning!
G
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
As a result, you will not be able to see infor-
mation about your driving conditions, such
as speed or outside temperature, warn-
ing/indicator lamps, malfunction/warning
messages or the failure of any systems.
Driving characteristics may be impaired.
If you must continue to drive, do so with
added caution. Visit an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
i
The instrument cluster illumination is
dimmed or brightened to suit ambient light
conditions.

115 Controls in detail
Instrument cluster
Coolant temperature gauge
Resetting trip odometer
Press buttonè orÿ repeatedly
until you see the standard display in
the multifunction display (
page 117).

Press buttonk orj until the
trip odometer appears in the right
multifunction display.

Press and hold the reset button1
(page 114) until the trip odometer is
reset.
Warning!
G


Driving when your engine is overheated
can cause some fluids which may have
leaked into the engine compartment to
catch fire. You could be seriously
burned.


Steam from an overheated engine can
cause serious burns which can occur
just by opening the hood. Stay away
f r o m t h e e n g i n e i f y o u s e e o r h e a r s t e a m
coming from it.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location away from
other traffic. Turn off the engine, get out of
the vehicle and do not stand near the vehicle
until the engine has cooled down.
!
Excessive coolant temperature triggers the
coolant temperature warning lamp (
page 310)
and a warning in the multifunction display
(
page 340).
The engine should not be operated with the cool-
ant temperature above 248°F (120°C). Doing so
may cause serious engine damage which is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
i
During severe operating conditions, e.g.
stop-and-go traffic, the coolant temperature may
rise close to 248°F (120°C).

116 Controls in detailInstrument clusterTachometer
The red marking on the tachometer
(page 29) denotes excessive engine
speed.
To help protect the engine, the fuel supply
is interrupted if the engine is operated
within the red marking.
Outside temperature indicator
The outside temperature is displayed in
the left or right multifunction display
(page 117), depending on the setting for
the standard display (
page 132). The temperature sensor is located in the
front bumper area. Due to its location, the
sensor can be affected by road or engine
heat during idling or slow driving. There-
fore, the accuracy of the displayed temper-
ature can only be verified by comparison to
a thermometer placed next the sensor, not
by comparison to external displays, e.g.
bank signs, etc.
When moving the vehicle into colder ambi-
ent temperatures (e.g. when leaving your
garage), you will notice a delay before the
lower temperature is displayed.
A delay also occurs when ambient temper-
atures rise. This prevents inaccurate tem-
perature indications caused by heat
radiated from the engine during idling or
slow driving.
!
Avoid driving at excessive engine speeds, as
it may result in serious engine damage that is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
Warning!
G
The outside temperature indicator is not de-
signed to serve as an ice-warning device and
is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the freez-
ing point do not guarantee that the road sur-
face is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.

117 Controls in detail
Control system
Control system
The control system is activated as soon as
the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1. The control system
enables you to call up information about
your vehicle and to change vehicle
settings.
For example, you can use the control sys-
tem to find out when your vehicle is next
due for service, to set the language for
messages in the instrument cluster
display, and much more.
The control system relays information to
the multifunction display.
Multifunction display
The multifunction display consists of the
display fields in the speedometer and the
tachometer. In its default state, the left
display field shows the outside tempera-
ture and main odometer, while the trip
odometer and the clock appears in the
right display field. This default setting is
referred to as the standard display.Standard display1Main odometer
2Outside temperature or speed
3Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
4Trip odometer
5Automatic transmission shift program
mode
6Clock
Warning!
G
A driver’s attention to the road and traffic
conditions must always be his/her primary
focus when driving.
For your safety and the safety of others, se-
lecting features through the multifunction
steering wheel should only be done by the
driver when traffic and road conditions
permit it to be done safely.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximate-
ly 14 m) every second.

129 Controls in detail
Control system
Settings menu
In the
Settings
menu there are two
functions:


The function
To reset, press reset
button for 3 seconds
with which you
can reset most the settings to those
set at the factory.


A collection of submenus with which
you can make individual settings for
your vehicle.
The following settings and submenus are
available:Resetting to factory settings
You can reset the functions of most of the
submenus to the factory settings.
For safety, the
Light Circuit Headlamp
Mode
submenu in the
Lighting
menu can
be reset with the vehicle at standstill only.

Press button è or ÿ repeatedly
until you see the
Settings
menu in the
multifunction display.

Press the reset button in the instru-
ment cluster (
page 114) for approxi-
mately 3 seconds.
In the right multifunction display you
will see the request to press the reset
button again to confirm.

Press the reset button again.
The functions of most the submenus
will reset to factory settings.
Function
Page
Resetting to factory settings
129
Submenus in the Settings menu
130
Instrument cluster submenu
132
Time submenu
133
Lighting submenu
134
Vehicle submenu
138
i
The settings you have changed will not be re-
set unless you confirm the action by pressing the
reset button a second time. After approximately
5 seconds, you see the
Settings
menu again.