2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG tow

advisable to brake the vehicle with
considerable force prior to parking. The heat
generated serves to dry the brakes.
Salt-covered roadsGWarning!
A layer of salt on the brake discs and the brake
linings may cause a delay in the braking
effect, resulting in a significantly increased
braking distance, which could lead to an
accident.
To avoid this danger, you should:
R occasionally brake carefully when you are
driving on salt-covered roads, so that any
layer of salt that may have built up on the
brake discs and the brake linings is
removed without putting other road users
at risk
R maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead and drive with particular care
R carefully apply the brakes at the end of a
trip and immediately after commencing a
new trip, so that salt residues are removed
from the brake disc
Brake service
! The brake fluid level in the reservoir may
be too low if the red brake warning lamp in
the instrument cluster comes on while the
engine is running and an acoustic warning
sounds. Observe additional messages in
the multifunction display that may appear.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Have the brake system inspected
immediately. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and use brake fluid
recommended by Mercedes-Benz.
GWarning!
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that safe
braking is substantially impaired. This could
result in an accident.
! Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in position
0 or 1, or SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer or when the vehicle is being
towed with the rear axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
If your brake system is only subjected to
moderate loads, you should occasionally test
the effectiveness of the brakes by applying
above-normal braking pressure at higher
speeds. This will also enhance the grip of the
brake pads.
GWarning!
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) ( Y page 62).
High-performance brake system and
ceramic brake system
GWarning!
New vehicle brake pads and disks, and
replacement brake pads and disks may take
several hundred miles of driving until they
provide optimum braking efficiency. Until that
time, you may need to use increased brake
pedal pressure while braking. Please be aware
of this and adjust your driving and braking
accordingly during this break-in period.
350Driving instructionsOperation
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Have paintwork repairs performed at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Have stone chipping repairs as soon as
possible.
Remove the following immediately if possible.
Do not apply strong force.
R Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse them of with water afterwards.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush for remains
that have not come off.
R Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
them of with water afterwards. Use a soft
bristle toothbrush for remains that have not
come off.
R Remove tree resins, grease, oil, wax, and
gasoline with commercially available
benzine.
R Dab off tar splashes or tar stains with tar
remover.
Engine cleaning
Prior to cleaning the engine compartment,
make sure to protect electrical components
and connectors from contact with water and
cleaning agents.
Corrosion protection, such as MB
Anticorrosion Wax should be applied to the
engine compartment after every engine
cleaning. Before applying, all control linkage
bushings and joints should be lubricated. The
poly-V-belt and all pulleys should be
protected from any wax.
Vehicle washing
In the winter, thoroughly remove all traces of
road salt as soon as possible.
When washing the vehicle underbody, do not
forget to clean the inner sides of the wheels.
GWarning!
After washing the vehicle, braking efficiency
may be reduced. Reduced braking efficiency
could cause an accident.
Brake the vehicle significantly after washing
the vehicle. Observe the traffic situation when
doing so. The brake discs will warm up and
dry faster. Drive carefully after washing the
vehicle until the brakes have dried and you
can notice that brake efficiency has been
restored.
Hand-washXDo not use hot water or wash your vehicle
in direct sunlight.XOnly use a soft, wet cloth or sponge to
clean the vehicle.XOnly use a mild vehicle wash detergent,
such as Mercedes-Benz approved Car
Shampoo.XThoroughly spray the vehicle with a
diffused jet of water.XDo not spray directly towards the
ventilation intake.XUse plenty of water and rinse the sponge
and chamois frequently.XRinse with clean water and dry with a
chamois thoroughly.
Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the
finish.
Automatic car wash
You can have your vehicle washed in an
automatic car wash from the start. Brushless
car washes are preferable.
XTo protect the filter system, activate the air
recirculation mode using button 0074 on
the climate control panel.
! Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic
touchless car wash which uses caustic
spray. Caustic spray will damage the paint
or ornamental moldings.
If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before
running it through the automatic car wash.
! Make sure the combination switch is set
to wiper setting 0027. Otherwise, the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers
to move unintentionally. This may lead to
vehicle damage.
356Vehicle careOperation
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Vehicle equipment ............................362
Where will I find...? ...........................362
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display .......................364
What to do if... ................................... 388
Unlocking/locking manually ...........397
Replacing SmartKey battery ............399
Replacing bulbs ................................. 400
Replacing wiper blades ....................400
Flat tire .............................................. 402
Wheel change .................................... 405
Battery ............................................... 410
Jump starting .................................... 413
Towing the vehicle ............................415
Fuses .................................................. 417361Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 361

XTo remove jack \000n from storage well casing
\000p, loosen hook and loop fastener \000o.
XRemove jack \000n with storage well casing
\000p.
\000qFuse chart\000rWheel wrench\000sTowing eye bolt
Collapsible wheel chock
The collapsible wheel chock serves to secure
the vehicle, e.g. while changing a wheel.
XTake the collapsible wheel chock from the
vehicle tool kit (Y page 362).
XSetting up: Tilt both plates upward \000F.XFold the lower plate outward \000G.XGuide the tabs of the lower plate all the way
into the openings of base plate \000

AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-SPEED TransmissionDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and 0050 Solutions0060
Parking Lock
Malfunct. Apply
Parking BrakeThe transmission cannot be shifted to park position P anymore.XMake sure the electronic parking brake is engaged.XBlock the wheels of the vehicle with suitable objects before
leaving the vehicle.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Have the vehicle
transported with all wheels off the ground or towed with the rear
axle raised ( Y page 415).0093
Stop Engage 'P'The transmission is malfunctioning. The vehicle is not propelled
anymore and will coast to standstill.XStop the vehicle in a safe location.XContact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.0093
Transmission Oil
Cooling
MalfunctionThe coolant pump of the transmission is malfunctioning. The
transmission could overheat.XSelect the AMG menu via the control system ( Y page 287) and
check the transmission fluid temperature.XAvoid heavy load on the engine and transmission such as a
dynamic manner of driving.XWhen the transmission fluid temperature is below 248‡
(120 †), continue to drive to the next authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center.0093
Trans. Oil
Overheated Drive
on with CareThe transmission fluid is overheated. Manual program mode M
and limiting the gear range are not available anymore. The engine
output is limited according to the degree of the overheating.XReduce the transmission fluid temperature by moderate driving.What to do if...
Lamps in the instrument cluster
Notes
If any of the following lamps in the instrument
cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-
check when switching on the ignition, have
the respective bulb checked and replaced if
necessary.
When you switch on the ignition, all lamps in
the instrument cluster come on. The low-
beam headlamp indicator lamp, high-beam
headlamp indicator lamp, turn signal
indicator lamps, and the indicator lamp for
the rear fog lamp will only come on if
activated. If a lamp in the instrument cluster
fails to come on when the ignition is switched
on, have it checked and replaced if necessary.388What to do if...Practical hints
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Jump startingGWarning!
Failure to follow these directions will cause damage to the electronic components, and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
Never lean over batteries while connecting or jump starting. You might get injured.
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.
Attempting to jump start a frozen battery can result in it exploding, causing personal injury.
Read all instructions before proceeding.
! Do not tow-start the vehicle. You could otherwise seriously damage the transmission which
is not covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Avoid repeated and lengthy starting attempts.
Do not attempt to start the engine using a battery quick-charge unit.
If the engine does not run after several unsuccessful starting attempts, have it checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Excessive unburned fuel generated by repeated failed starting attempts may damage the
catalytic converter and may present a fire risk.
Make sure the jumper cables do not have loose or missing insulation.
Make sure the cable clamps do not touch any other metal part while the other end is still
attached to a battery.
If the battery is discharged, the engine can be started with jumper cables and the fully charged
battery of another vehicle or an equivalent starter pack. Observe the following:
R Access to the battery is not possible on all vehicles. If you cannot access the battery of the
other vehicle, provide jump start power by an external battery or starter pack.
R Jump starting should only be performed when the engine and catalytic converter are cold.
R Do not jump start the engine or charge the battery if the battery is frozen. Let the battery
thaw out first.
R Only jump start from batteries with the same voltage rating (12 V). Jump starting with a
more powerful battery could damage the vehicle’s electrical system. Such damage will not
be covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
R Only use jumper cables with sufficient cross-section and insulated terminal clamps.
R Always make sure the jumper cables are not on or near pulleys, fans or other parts that
move when an engine is started or running.
R Should the battery be drained completely, let the donating power source charge the vehicle
for several minutes before reattempting the starting process.
The battery is located in the engine compartment on the passenger side.
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Towing the vehicle
Safety notes
Mercedes-Benz recommends that the vehicle
be transported with all wheels off the ground
using flatbed or appropriate wheel lift/dolly
equipment. This method is preferable to other
types of towing.
! To prevent damage during transport, do
not tie down vehicle by its chassis or
suspension parts.
If circumstances do not permit the
recommended towing methods, the vehicle
may be towed with all wheels on the ground
or rear axle raised only so far as necessary to
have the vehicle moved to a safe location
where the recommended towing methods
can be employed.
! Before towing the vehicle observe the
following instructions:
RDo not tow-start the vehicle. You could
otherwise seriously damage the
transmission which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
RDo not tow with sling-type equipment.
Towing with sling-type equipment over
bumpy roads will damage radiator and
supports.
RTowing of the vehicle should only be
done using the properly installed towing
eye bolt. Never attach a tow cable, tow
rope or tow rod to the vehicle chassis,
frame or suspension parts.
GWarning!
With the engine not running, there is no power
assistance for the brake and steering
systems. In this case, it is important to keep
in mind that a considerably higher degree of
effort is necessary to brake and steer the
vehicle. Adapt your driving accordingly.
! Avoid pulling the vehicle abruptly or
diagonally, since it could result in damage
to the chassis alignment.
! Do not use the towing eye bolt for
recovery, as this could damage the vehicle.
If in doubt, recover the vehicle with a crane.
iIf the battery is disconnected or
discharged
Rthe transmission will remain in park
position P
Rthe SmartKey will not turn in the starter
switch
For more information see “Battery”
(Y page 410) or “Jump starting”
(Y page 413).
Installing towing eye bolt
The towing eye bolt is supplied with the
vehicle tool kit, located in the storage
compartment underneath the trunk floor
(Y page 362).
XTake the towing eye bolt and the wheel
wrench out of the trunk.
Your vehicle is equipped with a front towing
eye bolt only. You cannot tow other vehicles
with your vehicle.
Removing cover in front bumper
XPull off cover \000F.XRemove cover \000F from the opening.
Cover \000F is tethered with a plastic strap.
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Fixing towing eye boltXScrew towing eye bolt 0047 clockwise into
threaded hole to its stop.XInsert wheel wrench into towing eye and
tighten towing eye bolt 0047 by turning it
clockwise.
Removing towing eye bolt
XLoosen towing eye bolt 0047 by turning it
counterclockwise.XUnscrew towing eye bolt 0047.XReinstalling cover: Engage cover 0046
( Y page 415) at bottom and press at top.XStore the towing eye bolt 0047 and wheel
wrench back into the vehicle tool kit.
Towing with rear axle raised
! The vehicle may be towed only for
distances up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a
speed not to exceed 30 mph (50 km/h).
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, the wheels on the ground have to
move freely. Therefore follow the respective
steps below, after the rear axle being raised:
XSwitch on the hazard warning flasher
( Y page 252).XMake sure the transmission remains in
neutral position N. Observe instructions,
see “Shifting into neutral position N”
( Y page 263).!
Because the ESC operates automatically,
the engine and ignition must be shut off
(KEYLESS-GO start/stop button in position
0 or 1, or SmartKey in starter switch
position 0 or 1) when the electronic parking
brake is being tested on a brake test
dynamometer or when the vehicle is being
towed with the rear axle raised.
Active braking action through the ESC may
otherwise seriously damage the brake
system which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
! Keep in mind that it is important for the
SmartKey to be left in starter switch with
the ignition switched off. As soon as the
SmartKey is removed from the starter
switch the transmission will shift to park
position P.
Towing with all wheels on the ground
GWarning!
When there is a malfunction in the brake
system, the vehicle must be towed using a tow
bar.
Before towing make sure the steering wheel
is unlocked and can be moved.
The vehicle must not be towed when the
power supply or the vehicle’s electrical
system are malfunctioning.
GWarning!
While the vehicle is being towed,
R the engine may turn off
R the electrical system may fail
R the battery voltage may drop too far.
All or any of this will block the rear axle.
This could cause an accident and injure you
and/or others.
! You must not use the KEYLESS-GO start/
stop button when towing the vehicle. Use
the SmartKey instead.
416Towing the vehiclePractical hints
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