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
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.
287 Operation
Tires and wheels
DOT (D
epartment o
f T
ransportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross A
xle W
eight R
ating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door A-pillar.
GVW (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door A-pillar.GVWR (G
ross V
ehicle W
eight R
ating)
This is the maximum permissible vehicle
weight of the fully loaded vehicle (weight of
the vehicle including all options, passen-
gers, fuel, and cargo and, if applicable,
trailer tongue load). It is indicated on
certification label located on the driver’s
door A-pillar.
Kilopascal (kPa)
The metric unit for air pressure. There are
6.9 kPa to 1 psi; another metric unit for air
pressure is bars. There are
100 kilopascals (kPa) to 1 bar.
Maximum load rating
The maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight,
total load limit and production options
weight.Maximum tire inflation pressure
This number is the greatest amount of air
pressure that should ever be put in the tire
under normal driving conditions.
Normal occupant weight
The number of occupants the vehicle is
designed to seat, multiplied by
68 kilograms (150 lb).
Occupant distribution
The distribution of occupants in a vehicle
at their designated seating positions.
Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed
regular production options weighing over
5 lb (2.3 kilograms) in excess of those
standard items which they replace, not
previously considered in curb weight or
accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty
battery, and special trim.
370 Practical hintsBatteries Your vehicle is equipped with two batter-
ies:
The starter battery (located in the
trunk)
The battery for electrical consumers
(located in the trunk)
Warning!
G
Failure to follow these instructions can
result in severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting,
you might get injured.
Observe all safety instructions and precau-
tions when handling automotive batteries
(page 256).
Battery fluid contains sulfuric acid. Do not
allow this fluid to come in contact with eyes,
skin or clothing. In case it does, immediately
flush affected area with water and seek
medical help if necessary.
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas,
which is flammable and explosive. Keep
flames or sparks away from battery, avoid
improper connection of jumper cables,
smoking, etc.
!
You must not jump start the vehicle, other-
wise the vehicle electrical systems could be
damaged.
Only use the battery charge unit tested and ap-
proved by Mercedes-Benz for use on the SLR to
charge the battery or maintain the battery
charge. Using other battery chargers may cause
damage to the vehicle and/or personal injury.
Information on charging the batteries
(
page 371).
Have the batteries checked regularly by an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Refer to
Maintenance Booklet for maintenance intervals
or contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for further information.
If it is necessary to replace the batteries, contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.Warning!
G
Do not place metal objects on the battery as
this could result in a short circuit.
Use leak-proof batteries only to avoid the
risk of acid burns in the event of an
accident.
421 Index
Roof rack 230
Roof see Soft top
S
Safety
Driving safety systems 82
Occupant 60
Reporting defects 22
Safety belts see Seat belts
Seat belt force limiter 75
Seat belts 60
Children in the vehicle 76
Fastening seat belts 45
Message in the multifunction
display 353
Proper use of 46
Safety guidelines 64
Telltale 312
Warning lamp 312–313
Seating capacity 264
Seats 41
Selector lever see Gear selector leverSelf-test
Lamps in the instrument cluster 304
OCS 71
Tele Aid 216
Service and warranty information 14
Service intervals see Service indicator
Service life
Tires 261
Vehicle batteries 256
Service see Maintenance
Service, Parts 380
Settings
Control system menus 120
Control system submenus 121
Factory, SmartKey 99
Individual, Vehicle 129
Menus and submenus 119
Resetting to factory settings, Control
system 129
Selective, SmartKey 100
Time 133Shift program mode selector switch, Auto-
matic transmission 175
Shifting, Automatic transmission 169
Side air vents 185
Side marker lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display 348
Replacing bulbs 362
Side windows see Power windows
Sidewall 288
SmartKey see Key, SmartKey
Snow chains 293
Snow tires* 292
Soft top
Care 300
Messages in the multifunction
display 354
Opening and closing 198
Soft top linkage
Cover 202
Spare fuses 376
Spare parts service 380
Speed setting
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