2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR key

85 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
For more information, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 304).
Warning!
G
Never switch off the ESP
® when you see the
ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v flashing in
the instrument cluster. In this case proceed
as follows:


While driving off, apply as little throttle
as possible.


While driving, ease up on the
accelerator.


Adapt your speed and driving style to
the prevailing road conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid.
The ESP
® cannot prevent accidents
resulting from excessive speed.
Warning!
G
The ESP
® cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase the traction afforded. The ESP
®
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and
skillful driver can prevent accidents. The ca-
pabilities of an ESP
® equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or danger-
ous manner which could jeopardize the
user’s safety or the safety of others.
!
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.
The ESP
® will only function properly if you use
wheels of the recommended tire size
(
page 385).

88 Safety and SecurityDriving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
automatically activated when you

unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey


open the driver’s or passenger door


turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1


depress the brake pedal


release the parking brake
Warning!
G
The electro-hydraulic brake system requires
electrical power to operate.
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)
comes on and warning messages
(
page 334) appear in the multifunction
display while driving. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the electro-hy-
draulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported 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
u p t o 3 0 m i l e s ( 5 0 k m ) a n d a t a s p e e d n o t t o
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 373).
i
If the electro-hydraulic brake system is acti-
vated as the brake pedal is first depressed, you
may feel a reduced pedal resistance and longer
pedal travel than normal. When releasing the
pedal, you may also feel the brake pedal pulsate
and you may hear a sound which is caused by the
activation of the electro-hydraulic brake system
pump. This is normal and not an indication of a
malfunction. Pedal travel returns to normal when
you release the brake pedal and the sound soon
ceases.
If you experience the above while driving and the
red brake warning lamp (
page 307) illumi-
nates and/or warning messages appear in the
multifunction display (
page 334), the brake
system is malfunctioning. Follow the instructions
of the warning message(s) and have the brake
system checked immediately.

89 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake servo assis-
tance switches off automatically

approximately 2 minutes after you
turned the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position0 or removed the
SmartKey


approximately 20 seconds after you
locked the vehicle from the outside
Notes on driving with the
electro-hydraulic brake system


Following extended periods of only mi-
nor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This im-
proves the grip of the brake pads and
prevents possible brake noise.


After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle. This
produces heat which serves to dry the
brake disks.


On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear. If you need
to brake, do not keep the brake pedal
depressed, instead depress it repeat-
edly in short intervals.


After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.


Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be
installed on your vehicle. Brake pads
not approved by Mercedes-Benz may
impair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!
G
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system car-
ried out by qualified technicians only. Con-
tact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information. The electro-hydrau-
lic brake system must be deactivated prior
to working on the system. High pressure is
intermittently built up in the system as part
of its automatic self-test. In addition, the
system is automatically activated when the
vehicle is unlocked by remote control, when
the driver or passenger door is opened,
when the SmartKey in the starter switch is
turned to position1, when the brake pedal
is depressed or when the parking brake is
released. Failure to deactivate the system
prior to maintenance will cause brake pis-
tons to extend and brake fluid to leak, which
may result in injuries (contusions and acid
burns). Extended brake pistons may also
cause injury.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.

93 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft systems
Immobilizer
The immobilizer prevents unauthorized
persons from starting your vehicle.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
The engine can be started by anyone with
a valid SmartKey that is left inside the ve-
hicle.
Activating
Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
Deactivating

Switch on the ignition (
page 40).
Anti-theft alarm system
Once the alarm system has been armed, a
visual and audible alarm is triggered when
someone opens

a door


the trunk


the hood


the storage compartment between the
backrests


the storage compartment under the
armrest
The alarm will stay on, even if the activat-
ing element (a door, for example) is imme-
diately closed.The alarm system will also be triggered
when


someone attempts to raise the vehicle


someone opens a door from the inside
if the vehicle was locked with the
SmartKey


someone opens the trunk with the
emergency release button
i
In case the engine cannot be started (yet the
vehicle’s battery is charged), the system is not
operational. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or call
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA), or
1-800-387-0100 (in Canada).
i
If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, a call to the Response Center is ini-
tiated automatically by the Tele Aid system
(
page 215) provided Tele Aid service was sub-
scribed to and properly activated, and that nec-
essary cellular service and GPS coverage are
available.

94 Safety and SecurityAnti-theft systemsArming the alarm system
Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times
to indicate that the alarm system is
activated. The indicator lamp in the
central locking switch (
page 105) be-
gins to flash after arming the alarm
system.Disarming the alarm system

Unlock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash once to
indicate that the alarm system is
disarmed.Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
or

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
i
If the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times, a door or the trunk may not be properly
closed.
Close the respective element and lock the
vehicle again.
i
The alarm system will rearm automatically
after approximately 40 seconds if neither a door
nor the trunk lid was opened.

95 Safety and Security
Anti-theft systems
Tow-away alarm
Once the tow-away alarm is armed, a visual
and audible alarm will be triggered when
someone attempts to raise the vehicle.
Arming tow-away alarm
Lock your vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is automatically
armed after about 30 seconds.Disarming tow-away alarm
To prevent triggering the tow-away alarm,
switch off the tow-away alarm feature
before towing the vehicle, or when parking
on a surface subject to movement, such as
a ferry or auto train.
The button is located on the lower part of
the center console.
1Tow-away alarm off button
2Indicator lamp

Switch off the ignition and remove the
SmartKey.

Press button 1.
Indicator lamp2 in button1 comes
on briefly.

Exit and lock your vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm remains disarmed
until you lock your vehicle again.
Canceling the alarm
To cancel the alarm:

Press buttonŒ or‹ on the
SmartKey.
or

Insert the SmartKey in the starter
switch.
i
The tow-away protection alarm is triggered,
for example, if the vehicle is lifted on one side.
If the alarm stays on for more than 30 seconds,
a call to the Response Center is initiated auto-
matically by the Tele Aid system (
page 221)
provided Tele Aid service was subscribed to and
properly activated, and that necessary cellular
service and GPS coverage are available.
i
When you unlock your vehicle, the tow-away
protection disarms automatically. The tow-away
alarm remains disarmed until you lock the
vehicle again.
i
You cannot disarm the tow-away alarm while
the ignition is switched on.

98 Controls in detailIn the “Controls in detail” section you will
find detailed information on how to oper-
ate the equipment installed on your vehi-
cle. If you are already familiar with the
basic functions of your vehicle, this section
will be of particular interest to you.
To quickly familiarize yourself with the ba-
sic functions of the vehicle, refer to the
“Getting started” section of this manual.
The corresponding page numbers are
given at the beginning of each segment.Locking and unlocking
SmartKey
Your vehicle comes supplied with two
SmartKeys, each with remote control and
a removable mechanical key.
The SmartKey provides an extended oper-
ating range. To prevent theft, however, it is
advisable to only unlock the vehicle when
you are in close proximity to it.
The SmartKey centrally locks and unlocks:

the doors


the trunk


the fuel filler flap


the storage compartment between the
backrests


the storage compartment under the
armrest
SmartKey with remote control1‹ Lock button
2Š Unlock button for trunk
3Mechanical key locking tab
4ŒUnlock button
5Battery check lamp
6Â Panic button !
To prevent possible malfunction, avoid
exposing the SmartKey to high levels of
electromagnetic radiation.
i
When you unlock the vehicle, the
electro-hydraulic brake system is activated.

99 Controls in detail
Locking and unlocking
Factory setting
Global unlocking
Press buttonŒ.
All turn signal lamps flash once. The
anti-theft alarm system is disarmed.
The vehicle will lock again automatically
and rearm the anti-theft alarm system
within approximately 40 seconds of
unlocking if:


neither door nor trunk is opened


the SmartKey is not inserted in the
starter switch


the central locking switch is not
activated
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. It is possible
for children to open a locked door from the
inside, which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
i
Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of Industry
Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference re-
ceived, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this device
could void the user’s authority to operate the
equipment.
!
If you cannot lock or unlock the vehicle with
the SmartKey, then the batteries in the Smart-
Key are discharged, the SmartKey is malfunc-
tioning or the vehicle battery is drained.


Check the batteries in the SmartKey
(page 100) and replace them if necessary
(page 359).


Use the mechanical key to unlock the vehicle
(page 357).


Have the vehicle battery and the battery con-
nections checked. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
If the SmartKey is malfunctioning, contact Road-
side Assistance or an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.