engine MERCEDES-BENZ SLR 2006 R199 Owner's Manual

Our company and staff congratulate you on the purchase of your new Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
Your selection of our product is a demonstration of your trust in our company name. Furthermore, it exemplifies your desire to own
an automobile that will be as easy as possible to operate and provide years of service.
Should you have any questions, please contact your dealer contact for your Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren or call us at
1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in the USA) or 1-888-881-6611 (in Canada). Your dealer contact will co-ordinate appointments for servicing of
your vehicle and clarify any issues arising from the use of your Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.
Your Mercedes-Benz represents the efforts of many skilled engineers and craftsmen. To help assure your driving pleasure, and also
the safety of you and your passengers, we ask you to make a small investment of time:

P le as e r e a d t h i s m a n u a l c ar e f u ll y , t h e n r e tu r n i t to y o ur v e h i c le w h e r e i t w i l l b e h an d y f o r y o u r r e f e r e n c e .


Please follow the recommendations contained in this manual. They are designed to acquaint you with the operation of your
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren.


Please pay attention to the warnings and cautions contained in this manual. They are designed to help improve the safety of the
vehicle operator and occupants.
We extend our best wishes for many miles of safe, pleasurable driving.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
A DaimlerChrysler Company

Contents
Introduction....................................... 12
Product information ............................. 13
Operator’s Manual ............................... 14
Service and warranty information .. 14
Important notice for California
retail buyers and lessees of
Mercedes-Benz automobiles .......... 15
Maintenance .................................. 16
Roadside Assistance ...................... 16
Change of address or ownership.... 16
Operating your vehicle outside the
USA or Canada............................... 17
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
compliance .................................... 17
Where to find it .................................... 18
Symbols ............................................... 19
Operating safety .................................. 20
Proper use of the vehicle ............... 20
Problems with your vehicle .................. 21
Reporting safety defects...................... 22
Reporting safety defects ................ 22
Vehicle data recording......................... 23
Information regarding electronic
recording devices........................... 23
At a glance.......................................... 24
Cockpit ................................................. 26
Instrument cluster ................................ 28
Multifunction steering wheel ................ 30
Center console ..................................... 31
Upper part ...................................... 31
Lower part ...................................... 32
Overhead control panel ........................ 33
Control panel on the door sill ............... 34
Getting started................................... 36
Unlocking ............................................. 38
Starter switch positions .................. 40
Adjusting .............................................. 42
Seats .............................................. 42
Steering wheel ................................ 43
Mirrors ............................................ 44
Driving .................................................. 46
Fastening the seat belts ................. 46
Starting the engine ......................... 49
Parking brake ................................. 50
Driving off ....................................... 51
Switching on headlamps ................. 52
Turn signals .................................... 53
Windshield wipers ........................... 54
Problems while driving.................... 56
Parking and locking .............................. 57
Parking brake ................................. 57
Switching off headlamps................. 58
Turning off the engine ..................... 58
Releasing seat belts........................ 59
Locking ........................................... 59

ContentsAt the gas station............................... 241
Refueling ...................................... 241
Check regularly and before
a long trip ..................................... 242
Engine compartment.......................... 244
Hood ............................................ 244
Engine oil...................................... 247
Transmission fluid level ................ 249
Coolant......................................... 250
Trunk ................................................. 251
Batteries....................................... 251
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system ........... 252
Tires and wheels ................................ 254
Important guidelines .................... 254
Tire care and maintenance ........... 255
Direction of rotation ..................... 257
Loading the vehicle ...................... 257
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 264
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 266
Tire labeling .................................. 271
Load identification........................ 275
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 276
Maximum tire load ....................... 277Maximum tire inflation pressure .. 278
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards (U.S. vehicles) ............. 279
Tire ply material ........................... 281
Tire and loading terminology ........ 281
Rotating tires ............................... 284
Anti-theft wheel nuts .................... 285
Winter driving .................................... 287
Winter tires* ................................ 287
Snow chains ................................. 288
Maintenance ...................................... 289
Clearing the maintenance
service indicator message............ 289
Maintenance service term
exceeded ..................................... 290
Calling up the service due date .... 290
Resetting the maintenance
service indicator........................... 291
Vehicle care ....................................... 292
Cleaning and care of the vehicle .. 292
Vehicle washing ........................... 293
Practical hints................................. 296
What to do if ... .................................. 298
Lamps in instrument cluster ........ 298
Lamp in center console................ 306
Vehicle status messages in the
multifunction display.................... 307
Symbol messages ........................ 315
Where will I find ...? ........................... 342
First aid kit ................................... 342
TIREFIT kit, electric air pump,
towing eye bolt and
vehicle literature portfolio ............ 342
Compact guide (Canada only) ...... 343
Unlocking in an emergency ............... 344
Unlocking the vehicle................... 344
Replacing SmartKey batteries ........... 346
Replacing bulbs ................................. 348
Front lamps.................................. 349
Rear lamps ................................... 349
Replacing the wiper blades................ 350
Removing wiper blades ................ 350
Installing wiper blades ................. 350

Contents
Flat tire .............................................. 351
Preparing the vehicle ................... 351
Sealing tires with TIREFIT kit ........ 351
Batteries ............................................ 356
Charging the batteries ................. 358
Towing the vehicle ............................. 360
Installing/reinstalling
towing eye bolt ............................ 362
Points to bear in mind .................. 362
Transporting the vehicle............... 362
Fuses ................................................. 363
Technical data.................................. 364
Spare parts service............................. 366
Warranty coverage ............................. 367
Loss of Service and Warranty
Information Booklet ...................... 367
Identification labels ............................ 368
Engine number.............................. 368
Layout of poly-V-belt drive .................. 369
Engine ................................................ 370
Rims and tires .................................... 371
Mixed size tires ............................. 372
Winter tires* ................................. 373
Electrical system ................................ 374
Main dimensions ................................ 375
Weights .............................................. 376Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc. .......... 377
Capacities ..................................... 377
Engine oils .................................... 378
Engine oil additives ....................... 378
Air conditioning refrigerant ........... 378
Brake fluid .................................... 379
Premium unleaded gasoline.......... 379
Fuel requirements......................... 380
Gasoline additives......................... 380
Coolants ....................................... 381
Windshield and headlamp
washer system.............................. 383
Technical terms............................... 384Index................................................. 390

17 Introduction
Operator’s Manual
Operating your vehicle outside the USA or Canada
If you plan to operate your vehicle in for-
eign countries, please be aware that:

service facilities or replacement parts
may not be readily available,


unleaded gasoline for vehicles with cat-
alytic converters may not be available;
the use of leaded fuels will damage the
catalysts,


gasoline may have a considerably low-
er octane rating, and improper fuel can
cause engine damage.Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
compliance
The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren vehicle
does not comply with the state certifica-
tion regulations of select states. It is not
permitted to register the vehicle in such
states. Check with an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for details.

20 IntroductionOperating safety
Proper use of the vehicle
Proper use of the vehicle requires that you
are familiar with the following information
and rules:

the safety precautions in this manual


the “Technical data” section in this
manual


traffic rules and regulations


motor vehicle laws and safety stan-
dards
Warning!
G
Work improperly carried out on electronic
components and associated software could
cause them to cease functioning. Because
the vehicle’s electronic components are in-
terconnected, any modifications made may
produce an undesired effect on other sys-
tems. Electronic malfunctions could seri-
ously impair the operating safety of your
vehicle.
See an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for repairs or modifications to electronic
components.
Other improper work or modifications on the
vehicle could also have a negative impact on
the operating safety of the vehicle.
Some safety systems only function while the
engine is running. You should therefore nev-
er turn off the engine while driving.
Warning!
G
Heavy blows against the vehicle underbody
or tires/wheels, for example when running
over an obstacle, road debris or a pothole,
may cause serious damage and impair the
operating safety of your vehicle. If you feel a
sudden significant vibration or ride distur-
bance, or you suspect that damage to your
vehicle has occurred, you should turn on
your hazard warning flashers, carefully slow
down, and drive with caution to an area
which is a safe distance from the road.
Inspect the vehicle underbody and
tires/wheels for possible damage. If the ve-
hicle appears unsafe, have it towed to the
nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or other qualified maintenance or repair fa-
cility for further inspection or repairs.
Warning!
G
Various warning labels are attached to your
vehicle. These warning labels are intended
to make you and others aware of various
risks. You should not remove any of these
warning labels unless explicitly instructed to
do so by information on the label itself. Re-
moval of any of these labels may cause you
and others to be unaware of certain risks
which may result in an accident and/or per-
sonal injury.

29 At a glance
Instrument cluster
Item
Page
1
Coolant temperature gauge
with
114
DCoolant temperature
warning lamp
302
2
Speedometer with;Brake warning lamp,
USA only
300
3Brake warning lamp,
Canada only
300
vABS/ESP
® warning
lamp
298
>Gearshift indicator
lamp
303
303
LLeft turn signal
indicator lampKRight turn signal
indicator lamp
Item
Page
3
Left multifunction display
with

Outside temperature
115


Main odometer
117
4
Reset button
113
5
Tachometer with
115
AHigh beam headlamp
indicator
109
?Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, USA only
301
±Engine malfunction in-
dicator lamp, Canada
only
301
-Antilock Brake System
(ABS) indicator lamp
299
XTire pressure warning
lamp
305
Item
Page
1Supplemental
Restraint System (SRS)
indicator lamp
304
304
6
Right multifunction display
with

Current gear selector lever
position/gear range
117,
170,
171


Trip odometer
117


Automatic transmission
shift program mode
117,
173


Clock
131
=Engine oil temperature
indicator
303
7
Fuel gauge withAFuel reserve warning
lamp
303

31 At a glance
Center console
Center console
Upper part
Item
Page
1
Central locking switch
103
2
Hazard warning flasher
on/off switch
110
3
Central unlocking switch
104
4
Center and side air vent
adjustment
182
5
Selects the shift program
mode
173
Item
Page
6
Selects the Airbrake mode
87
7
Selects the manual shift
program mode
176
8
Audio system
120,
143
9
Automatic climate control
182
a
Engine start button
49

40 Getting startedUnlockingStarter switch positions
Starter switch
0For removing SmartKey
1Power supply for some consumers
2Ignition (power supply for all consum-
ers) and drive position. All lamps (ex-
cept high beam headlamp indicator
lamp and turn signal indicator lamps
unless activated) in the instrument
cluster come on. If a lamp in the instru-
ment cluster fails to come on when the
ignition is switched on, have it checked
and replaced if necessary. If a lamp in
the instrument cluster remains on after
starting the engine or comes on while
driving, see “Lamps in instrument clus-
ter” (
page 298).
Warning!
G
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch, take it
with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsuper-
vised use of vehicle equipment may cause
an accident and/or serious personal injury.

41 Getting started
Unlocking
iWhen you switch on the ignition, the
indicator and warning lamps (except
high beam headlamp indicator lamp
and turn signal indicator lamps unless
activated) in the instrument cluster
come on. The indicator and warning
lamps (except high beam headlamp in-
dicator lamp and turn signal indicator
lamps if activated) should go out when
the engine is running. This indicates
that the respective systems are opera-
tional.
!If the SmartKey is left in the starter
switch position0 for an extended peri-
od of time, it can no longer be turned in
the starter switch.

Remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch and reinsert.
If the SmartKey can still not be turned
in the starter switch, the starter battery
may not be sufficiently charged.


Have the starter battery checked
and charged if necessary
(page 358). Contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center.
To prevent accelerated battery
discharge and a possible dead battery,
always remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch when the engine is not in
operation.