2009 MERCEDES-BENZ SLR checking oil

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

121 Controls in detail
Control system
Menus, submenus and functions
Menu1
Menu2
Menu3
Menu4
Menu5
Menu6
Menu7
Standard display
722 S
1
1Only Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster 722 S
AUDIO
Vehicle status
message memory
2
2The Vehicle status message memory menu is only displayed if there is a message stored.
Settings
Trip computer
Telephone
(page 122)
(page 123)
(page 127)
(page 128)
(page 129)
(page 139)
(page 141)
Commands/submenusDigital speedome-
ter/Outside tem-
perature
Engine oil tem-
perature
Selecting
radio station
Calling up vehicle
malfunction, warn-
ing and system sta-
tus messages
stored in memory
Resetting to fac-
tory settings
Fuel consumption
statistics since start
Loading
phone book
Calling up mainte-
nance service
display
Vehicle supply
voltage
Operating the
CD player
Instrument clus-
ter submenu
Fuel consumption
statistics since the
last reset
Searching for
name in
phone book
Checking tire
inflation pressure
RACETIMER
Time submenu
Resetting fuel con-
sumption statistics
Overall analysis
Lighting submenu
Distance to empty
Lap analysis
Vehicle submenu
i
The headings used in the menus table are
designed to facilitate navigation within the sys-
tem and are not necessarily identical to those shown in the control system displays.
The first function displayed in each menu will automatically show you which part of the system
you are in.

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).

253 Operation
Engine compartment
Engine oil
The amount of oil your engine needs will
depend on a number of factors, including
driving style. Higher oil consumption can
occur when

the vehicle is new


the vehicle is driven frequently at
higher engine speeds
Engine oil consumption checks should only
be made after the vehicle break-in period.
Oil consumption of the SLR is slightly
higher than other vehicles. Please check
the engine oil level frequently.Checking the engine oil level
When checking the oil level,


the vehicle must be parked on level
ground


the engine must be at normal operating
temperature (min. 80°C)

Wait for at least 30 seconds with
engine still at idle.

Measure engine oil level with engine
still at idle.The oil dipstick and the cap are located on
the passenger side in the engine
compartment.
1Oil dipstick
2Filler cap

Pull out oil dipstick1 and wipe it off.

Reinsert the oil dipstick fully into the
guide.

Pull out the oil dipstick again after
3 seconds.
!
Do not use any special lubricant additives,
as these may damage the drive assemblies.
Using special additives not approved by
Mercedes-Benz may cause damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


414 Index
First aid kit 356
Flat tire 365
Hazard warning flasher 111
Instrument cluster, Indicator
lamps 304
Roadside Assistance 16, 218
Towing the vehicle 373
Emission control 245
Information label 382
System warranties 14
Engine
Break-in recommendations 234
Cleaning 299
Compartment 250
Malfunction indicator lamp 29, 308
Number 382, 404
Poly-V-belt layout 383
Starting 47
Tachometer 29
Technical data 384
Turning off 56Engine coolant see Coolant
Engine oil 253, 395
Adding 254, 393
Additives 253, 395
Checking level 253
Consumption 253
Filler neck 253
Message in the multifunction
display 344
Recommended engine oils and oil
filter 395
Temperature 29
Oil temperature indicator 311
Viscosity 404
ESP
®
82, 84, 404
Messages in the multifunction
display 323
Resetting 323
Warning lamp 84, 304
ETD 75, 404
Safety guidelines 64
Exterior lamp switch 51, 106
Exterior rear view mirrors 44F
Filler neck, Engine oil 253
First aid kit 356
Flat tire 365
Preparing the vehicle 365
TIREFIT kit 365
Floormats* 227
Floormats* (Only Mercedes-Benz SLR
McLaren 722 S) 228
Fluids
Automatic transmission fluid 254,
393
Brake fluid 249, 393, 396
Capacities 393
Engine coolant 255, 394, 398
Engine oil 253, 393, 395
Power steering fluid 393
Windshield washer and headlamp
cleaning system 257, 394
Fog lamps 109, 362
Message in the multifunction
display 346
Front air bags 65
Front lamps see Headlamps

419 Index
Telephone 345
Tires 351
Trunk lid 353
Washer fluid 354
Multifunction steering wheel 30, 118,
405
Button operation 118
N
Net, parcel 210
Neutral gear position, Automatic
transmission 169
Night security illumination 109, 136
Normal occupant weight 287
Number, Vehicle Identification
(VIN) 382, 407
O
Occupant Classification System see OCS
Occupant distribution 287
Occupant safety
Air bags 62
Children and air bags 63
Children in the vehicle 76
Fastening the seat belts 45Infant and child restraint systems 76
OCS 67
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70
Seat belts 72
SRS 60
OCS 67, 405
Self-test 71
Octane number 406
Odometer
Main 117
Trip 115
Oil level see Engine oil, Checking level
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting
Gear selector lever 175
Steering wheel gearshift
control* 177
Operating safety
Audio system 145
Vehicle 20
Operator’s manual 356Outside temperature 122
Outside temperature see Displays
Overdue maintenance service 295
Overhead control panel 33
Overspeed range, Engine 116, 405
P
Panic alarm 81
Parcel net in trunk 210
Parking 55, 240
Parking brake 32
Engaging 56
Message in the multifunction
display 339
Releasing 49
Parking lamps 106
Message in the multifunction
display 348
Replacing bulbs 361
Parts service 380
PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF indicator
lamp 70
Passenger compartment 244
Passenger front air bag