check engine MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS 2007 User Guide

248 Operation
At the gas station
Close the fuel filler flap until you hear
the latch close shut.
Check regularly and before a long trip
1Coolant
2Engine oil
3Brake fluidCoolant
For normal replenishing, use water (pota-
ble water quality). For more information,
see “Coolant” (
page 255) and see “Fu-
els, coolants, lubricants, etc.”
(
page 389).
Engine oil level
For more information on engine oil level,
see “Engine oil” (
page 253).
Brake fluid
iMake sure to close the fuel filler flap before
locking your vehicle as the flap locking pin pre-
vents closing after you have locked the vehicle.
iMore information on gasoline can be found
in the Factory Approved Service Products
pamphlet (USA only).
Leaving the engine running and the fuel cap open
can cause theú malfunction indicator lamp
(USA only) or the± malfunction indicator
lamp (Canada only) to illuminate.
For more information, see “Practical hints”
(
page 305).
iOpening the hood, see (page 250).
!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 303).


252 Operation
Engine compartment
Press the front part of the hood.
The hood opens and will automatically
be held in position by gas-filled spring
struts.Closing
Pull the hood upwards in the center,
against the resistance of the gas-filled
spring struts.
Hold the front center part of the hood
with both hands and push it back-
wards. After pushing the hood back-
wards about half-way, you will feel the
hood passing a crest and the resulting
force pulling the hood away from you.
At that point, let go of the hood and let
it fall onto the latches.
The hood should now be locked and
entirely closed.
Check that the hood is properly closed.
If the hood is not properly engaged,
repeat the closing procedure.
!Make sure there is sufficient clearance be-
fore opening the hood. A minimum overhead
clearance of 6.6 ft (2.0 m) is required.
Warning!G
When closing the hood, use extreme caution
not to catch hand or fingers. Be careful that
you do not close the hood on anyone.
Make sure the hood is securely engaged be-
fore driving. Do not continue driving if the
hood can no longer engage after an accident
for example. The hood could otherwise
come loose while the vehicle is in motion
and injure you and/or others.!Make sure the rollers at the rear of the hood
are engaged and the guide pins line up with the
guide holes. Otherwise the hood may be
damaged.


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.


254 Operation
Engine compartment
Oil dipstick
The engine oil level is correct when it is
between lower mark (min) and upper mark
(max) of the oil dipstick.
Top up the engine oil if necessary.Adding engine oil
Using a rag, unscrew filler cap2 from
filler neck.
Add engine oil as required. Be careful
not to overfill with oil.
Be careful not to spill any oil when adding.
Avoid environmental damage caused by oil
entering the ground or water.
Screw the filler cap back on filler neck.
You will find further information about en-
gine oil in the “Technical data” section
(
page 391) and (page 389).
Transmission fluid level
The transmission fluid level does not need
to be checked. If you notice transmission
fluid loss or gear shifting malfunctions,
have an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
check the transmission.
iThe filling quantity between the upper and
lower marks on the oil dipstick is approximately
2.1 US qt (2.0 l).
Warning!G
The filler cap on the filler neck could be hot.
Use a rag when you unscrew the filler cap.
Otherwise you could burn yourself.
!Only use approved engine oils and oil filters
required for vehicles with Maintenance System.
For a listing of approved engine oils and oil fil-
ters, refer to the Factory Approved Service
Products pamphlet (USA only) in your vehicle
literature portfolio, or contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Using engine oils and oil filters of specification
other than those expressly required for the Main-
tenance System, or changing of oil and oil filter
at change intervals longer than those called for
by the Maintenance System will result in engine
or emission control system damage not covered
by the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
!Excess oil must be siphoned or drained off.
It could cause damage to the engine or emission
control system not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.


255 Operation
Engine compartment
Coolant
The engine coolant is a mixture of water
and anticorrosion/antifreeze. To check
the coolant level, the vehicle must be
parked on level ground and the engine
must be cool.
The coolant expansion tank is located on
the passenger side of the engine
compartment.
1Expansion tank
Using a rag, turn cap slowly approxi-
mately one half turn to the left to
release any excess pressure.
Continue turning the cap to the left and
remove it.
The coolant level is correct if the level

for cold coolant: reaches the upper
mark on the bracing rib of the ex-
pansion tank (arrow)

for warm coolant: is approximately
0.4 in (1 cm) higher
Add coolant as required.
Replace and tighten cap.
For more information, see “Coolants”
(
page 394).
Warning!G
In order to avoid potentially serious burns:

Use extreme caution when opening the
hood if there are any signs of steam or
coolant leaking from the cooling system,
or if the coolant temperature gauge indi-
cates that the coolant is overheated.

Do not remove pressure cap on coolant
reservoir if coolant temperature is
above 158°F (70°C). Allow engine to
cool down before removing cap. The
coolant reservoir contains hot fluid and
is under pressure.

Using a rag, slowly open the cap
approximately1/2 turn to relieve excess
pressure. If opened immediately, scald-
ing hot fluid and steam will be blown out
under pressure.

Do not spill antifreeze on hot engine
parts. Antifreeze contains ethylene
glycol which may burn if it comes into
contact with hot engine parts.

290 Operation
Winter driving
Before the onset of winter, have your
vehicle winterized at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. This service
includes:

Check of anticorrosion and antifreeze
concentration.

Addition of cleaning concentrate to the
water of the windshield and headlamp
cleaning system. Add MB Concentrate
“MB Summerfit” to a premixed wind-
shield washer solvent/antifreeze
which is formulated for below freezing
temperatures (
page 397).

Battery test. Battery capacity drops
with decreasing ambient temperature.
A well charged battery helps to make
sure that the engine can be started,
even at low ambient temperatures.

Tire change. Mercedes-Benz recom-
mends M+S rated radial-ply tires with a
minimum tread depth of approximately
1/6in (4 mm) on all four wheels for the
winter season.
Winter tires*
Always use winter tires at temperatures
below 45°F (7°C) and whenever wintry
road conditions prevail. Not all M+S rated
tires provide special winter performance.
Make sure the tires you use show the
mountain/snowflake.marking on the
tire sidewall. These tires meet specific
snow traction performance requirements
of the Rubber Manufacturers Association
(RMA) and the Rubber Association of Can-
ada (RAC) and have been designed specif-
ically for use in snow conditions. Use of
winter tires is the only way to achieve the
maximum effectiveness of the ABS and
ESP
® in winter operation.
For safe handling, make sure that all
mounted winter tires are of the same make
and have the same tread design.Always observe the speed rating of the
winter tires installed on your vehicle. If the
maximum speed for which your tires are
rated is below the speed rating of your
vehicle, you must place a notice to this
effect where it will be seen by the driver.
Such notices are available from your tire
dealer or from any authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
!A wheel change should only be carried out
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Other-
wise there is a danger of damaging the vehicle by
jacking it up incorrectly.
Warning!G
Winter tires with a tread depth of less than 1/6in (4 mm) must be replaced. They are no
longer suitable for winter operation.

300 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Lamps in instrument clusterGeneral information:
If any of the following lamps in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on during the bulb self-check when switching on the
ignition, have the respective bulb checked
and replaced if necessary.
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solutions
vThe yellow ABS/ESP® warn-
ing lamp comes on while the
engine is running.Risk of accident!
The ESP
® has been switched off.
When the ESP
® is switched off it will not
stabilize the vehicle if the system recog-
nizes that the vehicle starts to skid or that
a wheel is spinning.
Switch the ESP® back on (page 86).
Exceptions: (
page 85).
If leaving the ESP® switched off, adapt your
speed and driving to the prevailing road and
weather conditions.
If the ESP
® cannot be switched on:
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.
Risk of accident!
The ESP
® is not operational due to a
malfunction.
Read and observe additional messages in
the multifunction display (
page 314).
Continue driving with added caution.
Adapt your speed and driving to the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as possible.

302 Practical hints
What to do if ...
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solutions
-The yellow ABS indicator
lamp comes on while the
engine is running.Risk of accident!
The ABS has detected a malfunction and
has switched off. The BAS and the ESP
®
are also switched off.
If the ABS control unit is malfunctioning,
other systems such as the automatic
transmission may also be malfunctioning.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is still
functioning normally but without ABS
available.
Continue driving with added caution. Wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability.
Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 314).
The charging voltage has fallen below
10 volts. The ABS has switched off.
The battery may not be charged
sufficiently.When the voltage is above this value again, the
ABS is operational again and the ABS indicator
lamp should go out.
If the ABS indicator lamp does not go out:
Have the generator (alternator) and the
battery checked.

303 Practical hints
What to do if ...
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solutions
3(Canada only)
;(USA only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.Release the parking brake (page 49).
3(Canada only)
;(USA only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while the engine is
running and you hear a
warning sound.
Risk of accident!

There is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system.

There is insufficient brake fluid in the
reservoir.
Carefully stop the vehicle in a safe location
or as soon as it is safe to do so and contact
an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do
not add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Read and observe messages in the
multifunction display (
page 314).
Warning!G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake
system.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.
!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.

304 Practical hints
What to do if ...
ProblemPossible cause/consequenceSuggested solutions
ú(USA only)
±(Canada only)
The yellow engine malfunc-
tion indicator lamp comes on
while the engine is running.
There is a malfunction in:

The fuel injection system

The ignition system

The emission control system

Systems which effect emissions
Such malfunctions may result in excessive
emissions values and may switch the
engine to its limp-home (emergency
operation) mode.
Have the vehicle checked as soon as possi-
ble by an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
An on-board diagnostic connector is used by
the service station to link the vehicle to the
shop diagnostics system. It allows the accu-
rate identification of system malfunctions
through the readout of diagnostic trouble
codes. It is located in the front left area of
the footwell next to the parking brake pedal.
Your fuel tank is empty.After refueling, start, turn off, and restart the
engine three or four times in succession.
The limp-home mode is canceled. You do not
need to have your vehicle checked.
iSome states may by law require you to visit
a workshop immediately as soon as the engine
malfunction indicator lamp comes on. Check
local requirements.