2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS wipers

Switching on/off
Combination switch
1$ Windshield wipers off2Ä Slow intermittent wiping73Å Fast intermittent wiping84° Slow continuous wiping5¯ Fast continuous wipingBí Single wipe/ î Wiping with
washer fluid
XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn the combination switch to the desired
position, depending on the intensity of the
rain.
Intermittent wiping
Only switch on intermittent wiping under wet
weather conditions or in the presence of
precipitation.
When you select intermittent wiping, the rain
sensor is activated. The rain sensor sets a
suitable wiping interval depending on the
wetness of the sensor surface automatically.
! Do not leave windshield wipers on an
intermittent setting when the vehicle is
taken to an automatic car wash or during
windshield cleaning. Windshield wipers will
operate in the presence of water sprayed
on the windshield, and windshield wipers
may be damaged as a result.
! If you have set intermittent wiping, dirt on
the surface of the rain sensor or optical
effects may cause the windshield wipers to
wipe in an undesired fashion. This could
then damage the windshield wiper blades
or scratch the windshield. You should
therefore switch off the windshield wipers
when weather conditions are dry.
XTurn the combination switch to position
Ä or Å.
After the initial wipe, pauses between
wipes are controlled by the rain sensor
automatically.
Intermittent wiping is interrupted when the
vehicle is at a standstill and a door is opened.
This protects persons getting into or out of
the vehicle from being sprayed.
Intermittent wiping will be continued when all
doors are closed and
Rthe transmission is in drive position D or
reverse gear R
or
Rthe wiper setting is changed using the
combination switch
Single wipe
XPress the combination switch briefly in
direction of arrow B to the resistance
point.
The windshield wipers wipe one time
without washer fluid.
Wiping with washer fluid
XPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow B past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with washer
fluid.
iTo prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with
washer fluid every now and then even when
it is raining.
7Rain sensor operation with low sensitivity.8Rain sensor operation with high sensitivity.
254WipersControls in detail
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 254

For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” ( Y page 325).
For information on cleaning the headlamps
with washer fluid, see “Headlamp cleaning
system” ( Y page 252).
Problems with wipers
! If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, do the following before
attempting to remove any blockage:
R Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
R Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in position
0 , same as with SmartKey removed from
starter switch).
or
R Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
R Engage the electronic parking brake.
R Remove blockage.
R Turn the windshield wipers on again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function at
all with the combination switch in position
Ä or Å ,
R set the combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed
R have the windshield wipers checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center
Power windows
Opening and closing
The door windows are opened and closed
electrically. The switches for all windows are
located on the driver’s door. The switch for
operating the passenger-side windows is
located on the passenger door.GObserve Safety notes, see page 57.GWarning!
When opening or closing the door windows,
make sure there is no danger of anyone being
harmed by the opening/closing procedure.
The door windows are equipped with the
express operation and automatic reversal
function. If in express operation mode a door
window encounters an obstruction that
blocks its path, the automatic reversal
function will stop the door window and open
it slightly.
The door windows operate differently when
the switch is pulled and held. See the “Closing
when a door window is blocked” section in
this chapter for details.
The closing of the door windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pulled past the resistance
point and released, by either pressing or
pulling the respective switch.
If a door window encounters an obstruction
that blocks its path in a circumstance where
you are closing the door windows by pressing
and holding button & on the SmartKey the
automatic reversal function will not operate.
i You can also open or close the door
windows using the SmartKey, see
“Summer opening feature” ( Y page 256)
and “Convenience closing feature”
( Y page 257).
i After switching off the ignition or
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch, you can operate the door windows
until you open a door. If no door was
opened you can operate the door windows
for up to 5 minutes.
Power windows255Controls in detailBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 255Z

Windshield fogged on the outside XSwitch the windshield wipers on
( Y page 253).
If the automatic mode of the climate control
is switched off:
XPress button _ repeatedly until one of
the following symbols P or O
appears in display H (Y page 298).
Maximum cooling MAX COOL
MAX COOL is only available in U.S. vehicles.
MAX COOL is only operational when the
engine is running.
You can use this setting to provide the fastest
possible cooling of the vehicle interior (when
windows are closed).
XActivating: Press button Ù.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
The climate control switches automatically to
the following functions:
R maximum cooling
R maximum blowing power
R the air recirculation mode is switched on
XDeactivating: Press button Ù again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
The previous settings are once again in
effect.
i To switch the maximum cooling function
off, you can also press button ^, Ã
or ¬ .
Air recirculation mode
Switch to air recirculation mode to prevent
unpleasant odors from entering the vehicle
from the outside (e. g. before driving through
a tunnel). This setting cuts off the intake of
outside air and recirculates the air in the
passenger compartment.
GWarning!
Fogged windows impair visibility,
endangering you and others. If the windows
begin to fog on the inside, switching off the
air recirculation mode immediately should
clear interior window fogging. If interior
window fogging persists, make sure the air
conditioning is activated, or press button
¬ .
XActivating: Press button g.
The indicator lamp in the button comes on.
i The air recirculation mode is activated
automatically at high outside
temperatures.
The indicator lamp in button g is not lit
when the air recirculation mode is switched
on automatically.
A quantity of outside air is added after
approximately 30 minutes.
XDeactivating: Press button g again.
The indicator lamp in the button goes out.
i The manually selected air recirculation
mode is deactivated automatically:
R after 5 minutes if the outside
temperature is below approximately
41‡ (5†)
R after 5 minutes if the air conditioning is
turned off
R after 30 minutes if the outside
temperature is above approximately
41‡ (5†)
Using driver-side settings for
passenger side
This feature is only available in Canada
vehicles.
You can use the settings of the driver’s side,
such as temperature, air volume and air
distribution, for the passenger side.
Climate control system303Controls in detailBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 303Z

RVehicle lighting (Y page 400)
RWasher system and headlamp cleaning
system (Y page 325)
RBrake fluid level (Y page 325)
Engine compartment
Hood
GWarning!
Do not pull the release lever while the vehicle
is in motion. Otherwise the hood could be
forced open by passing air flow.
This could cause the hood to come loose and
injure you and/or others.
Opening
GWarning!
Do not open the hood when the engine is
overheated. You could be seriously injured.
Observe the coolant temperature display to
determine whether the engine may be
overheated. If you see flames or smoke
coming from the engine compartment, move
away from the vehicle. Wait until the engine
has cooled. If necessary, call the fire
department.
GWarning!
You could be injured when the hood is open –
even when the engine is turned off.
Parts of the engine can become very hot. To
prevent burns, let the engine cool completely
before touching any components on the
vehicle. Comply with all relevant safety
precautions.
GWarning!
To help prevent personal injury, stay clear of
moving parts when the hood is open and the
engine is running.
The radiator fan may continue to run for
approximately 30 seconds or may even
restart after the engine has been turned off.
Stay clear of fan blades.
GWarning!
The engine is equipped with a transistorized
ignition system. Because of the high voltage
it is dangerous to touch any components
(ignition coils, spark plug sockets, diagnostic
socket) of the ignition system
Rwith the engine running
Rwhile starting the engine
Rwhen the ignition is switched on and the
engine is turned manually
XPull hood lock release lever :.
The hood is unlocked.
! Never open the hood if the wiper arms are
folded forward away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged.
XPush handle ; under the hood upwards.XPull up on the hood and then release it.
The hood will be held open at shoulder
height by gas-filled struts automatically.
322Engine compartmentOperation
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 322

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 g 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 $. Otherwise, the rain
sensor could activate and cause the wipers
to move unintentionally. This may lead to
vehicle damage.
356Vehicle careOperation
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 356

XOnly use clean water and a soft, non-
scratching cloth to clean rear view camera
lens :.
Be careful not to apply wax to rear view
camera lens : when waxing the vehicle. If
necessary, remove the wax using the
Mercedes-Benz approved Car Shampoo with
plenty of water.
! Do not clean the camera and the area
around the camera
R with a high-pressure cleaner
R with a dry cloth and strong pressure
R with aggressive cleaning agents
You could otherwise damage the camera.
Cleaning the windows and the wiper
blades
! The windshield wipers must be in a
vertical position before folding them away
from the windshield. They could otherwise
damage the hood.
Never open the hood when the wiper arms
are folded forward.
XMake sure the hood is fully closed.XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn combination switch to wiper setting
° (Y page 253).XWith wiper arms in vertical position, switch
off the ignition.GWarning!
For safety reasons, switch off wipers and
remove SmartKey from starter switch before
cleaning the windshield and/or the wiper
blades. KEYLESS-GO: Make sure the vehicle’s
on-board electronics have status 0.
Otherwise, the wiper motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury.
! Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts.
They could tear.
XFold the wiper arms forward until they snap
into place.XClean the windshield and the wiper blade
inserts with a clean cloth and mild
detergent solution.XUse a soft, clean cloth and a mild window
cleaning solution on all outside and inside
glass surfaces.
An automotive glass cleaner is
recommended.
! Fold the windshield wiper arms back onto
the windshield before pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button or turning
the SmartKey in the starter switch.
Hold on to the wiper when folding the wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the
impact from the tensioning spring could
crack the windshield.
! To clean the window interior, do not use
a dry cloth, abrasives, solvents or cleaners
containing solvents. Do not touch the
inside of the windows with hard objects
such as an ice scraper or ring. Doing so may
damage the windows.
Light alloy wheels
If possible, clean wheels once a week.
XUse Mercedes-Benz approved Wheel Care,
a soft bristle brush and a strong spray of
water for cleaning the light alloy wheels.
! Only use acid-free cleaning materials.
Acid may cause corrosion or damage the
clear coat.
! The vehicle should not be parked for an
extended period of time immediately after
it has been cleaned. This applies especially
after the wheel rims have been cleaned
with wheel rim cleaner. Wheel rim cleaners
can lead to increased corrosion of the
brake disks and brake pads. Non-approved
wheel cleaners may also damage the wheel
paint if the vehicle is not driven after
cleaning.
358Vehicle careOperation
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 358

Replacing bulbs
Safety notes
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling to a large
degree.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. Contact an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
headlamp adjustment.
GWarning!
Bulbs and bulb sockets can be very hot. Allow
the lamp to cool down before changing a bulb.
Keep bulbs out of reach of children.
Halogen lamps contain pressurized gas. A
bulb can explode if you
R touch or move it when hot
R drop the bulb
R scratch the bulb
Wear eye and hand protection.
Because of high voltage in Xenon lamps, it is
dangerous to replace the bulb or repair the
lamp and its components. We recommend
that you have such work done by a qualified
technician.
i Since replacing bulbs is a technically
highly demanding process, we recommend
to have them replaced at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
i If the headlamps are fogged up on the
inside as a result of high humidity, driving
the vehicle a distance with the lights on
should clear up the fogging.
Replacing bulbs for front lamps
You cannot replace the bulbs in the front
lamps yourself. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or a qualified
workshop.
Replacing bulbs for rear lamps
Except for the license plate lamp bulbs, you
cannot replace the bulbs in the rear lamps
yourself.
License plate lamps
A bulb of type C 5 W is required.
XSwitch off the ignition.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
$ .XInsert a flat, blunt object into gap :
between the lamp lens and the housing.
The latches are released.XPull out the lamp lens together with the flat,
blunt object out of the housing.XReplace the bulb.XInsert the lens of license plate lamp and
press it in until it audibly engages.
Replacing wiper blades
Safety notes
GWarning!
For safety reasons, switch off the wipers and
remove the SmartKey from the starter switch
(KEYLESS-GO: Make sure the vehicle’s on-
board electronics have status 0) before
replacing a wiper blade. Otherwise, the wiper
motor could suddenly turn on and cause
injury.
400Replacing wiper bladesPractical hints
BA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 400

GWarning!
Wiper blades are components that are subject
to wear and tear. Replace the wiper blades
twice a year, preferably in the spring and fall.
Otherwise the windshield will not be wiped
properly. As a result, you may not be able to
observe surrounding traffic conditions and
could cause an accident.
! To avoid damage to the hood, the wiper
arms should only be folded forward when
in the vertical position.
! Never open the hood when a wiper arm is
folded forward.
Hold on to the wiper when folding a wiper
arm back. If released, the force of the
impact from the tensioning spring could
crack the windshield.
Do not allow a wiper arm to contact the
windshield glass without a wiper blade
inserted.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
this work carried out at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Placing wiper arms in vertical position
:Wiper arms in vertical positionXMake sure the hood is fully closed.XMake sure the vehicle’s on-board
electronics have status 1.
XTurn the combination switch to wiper
setting °.
XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
repeatedly until the windshield wipers
start.
XPress the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button
when the wiper arms are in vertical
position :.
Removing wiper blades
! Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts.
They could tear.
XFold the wiper arm forward until it snaps
into place.
XTurn the wiper blade at a right angle to
wiper arm.
XSlide the wiper blade sideways out of the
retainer.
Installing wiper blades
XSlide the wiper blade onto the wiper arm
until it locks in place.
XRotate the wiper blade into a position
parallel to the wiper arm.
XFold the wiper arm backward to rest on the
windshield.
Make sure you hold on to the wiper when
folding the wiper arm back.
! Make sure the wiper blades are installed
properly. Improperly installed wiper blades
may cause windshield damage.
Replacing wiper blades401Practical hintsBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 401Z