MERCEDES-BENZ SLR 2009 R199 Owner's Manual

361 Practical hints
Replacing bulbs
Replacing bulbs
Safe vehicle operation depends on proper
exterior lighting and signaling. It is there-
fore essential that all bulbs and lamp
assemblies are in good working order at all
times.
Correct headlamp adjustment is extremely
important. Have headlamps checked and
readjusted at regular intervals and when a
bulb has been replaced. See an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for headlamp
adjustment.
!
Do not replace the LEDs or bulbs yourself.
You could otherwise damage the vehicle lighting
system or parts of the vehicle. Only have the
LEDs or bulbs replaced by 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 should clear up the fogging.
i
Substitute bulbs will be brought into use
when lamps malfunction. Observe the messages
in the multifunction display (
page 346).
i
If one of the following bulbs blows, another
bulb will adopt its function:


Rear turn signals


Brake lamps


Side lamps


Tail lamps

362 Practical hintsReplacing bulbs
Front lamps
Rear lamps
Lamp
Type
1
Additional turn signal
LEDs
2
Turn signal
PY 21 W
3
Side marker lamp
WY 5 W
4
Parking lamp
W5W
5
Low- and high-beam
lamp
D2S, 35 W
6
High-beam flasher
H7, 55 W
7
Front fog lamp
H3, 55 W
Lamp
Type
8
Brake/parking lamp
LEDs
9
Turn signal lamp
LEDs
a
Side marker lamp
P21W
b
High-mounted brake
lamp
LEDs
c
License plate lamp
C5W
d
Rear fog lamp
P21W
e
Backup lamp
P21W
f
Reflector
-

363 Practical hints
Replacing wiper blades
Replacing wiper blades
Removing wiper blades

Remove the SmartKey from starter
switch.

Fold the wiper arm forward.
You must feel the wiper arm engage in
position.

Set the wiper blade at 90° to the wiper
arm.

Slide the wiper blade out in direction of
arrow.
Warning!
G
For safety reasons, remove SmartKey from
starter switch before replacing a wiper
blade. Otherwise the motor could suddenly
turn on and cause injury. Warning!
G
Wiper blades are components that are sub-
ject to wear and tear. Change the wiper
blades twice a year, preferably in the spring
and fall. Otherwise the windows will not be
properly wiped. As a result, you may not be
able to observe surrounding traffic condi-
tions and could cause an accident.!
The hood must be opened (
page 250)
before folding the wiper arms away from the
windshield. You could otherwise damage the
hood and/or the wiper arm.
!
Do not pull on the wiper blade inserts. They
could tear.

364 Practical hintsReplacing wiper bladesInstalling wiper blades 
Position the wiper blade at 90° to the
wiper arm.

Slide the wiper blade onto the wiper
arm.

Fold the wiper blade parallel to the
wiper arm.

Fold the wiper arm backward to rest on
the windshield. Make sure you hold on
to the wiper when folding the wiper arm
back.
!
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.
Do not allow the wiper arms to contact the
windshield glass without a wiper blade inserted.
Make sure the wiper blades are properly
installed. Improperly installed wiper blades may
cause windshield damage.
For your convenience, we recommend that you
have this work carried out by an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

365 Practical hints
Flat tire
Flat tire
The vehicle is equipped with the TIREFIT
kit.Preparing the vehicle
Park the vehicle in a safe distance from
moving traffic on a hard, flat surface
when possible.

Turn on the hazard warning flashers.

Turn the steering wheel so that the
front wheels are in a straight ahead
position.

Set the parking brake.

Move the gear selector lever to park
positionP.

Turn off the engine (
page 56).

Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.

Have any passenger exit the vehicle at
a safe distance from the roadway.
Sealing tires with TIREFIT
Small tire punctures, particularly those in
the tread, can be sealed with TIREFIT.
TIREFIT can be used in ambient tempera-
tures down to -4°F (-20°C).

Foreign objects (e.g. screws or nails)
should not be removed from the tire.

Take TIREFIT, the sticker, and the
electric air pump out of the trunk.
!
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.
i
Open door only when conditions are safe to
do so.
Warning!
G
TIREFIT is a limited repair device. TIREFIT
cannot be used for cuts or punctures larger
than approximately 0.16 in (4 mm) and tire
damage caused by driving with extremely
low tire inflation pressure, or on a flat tire, or
a damaged wheel.
Do not drive the vehicle under such
circumstances.
Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz
Center for assistance or call Roadside
Assistance. !
After using TIREFIT, the tire inflation
pressure sensor may have to be replaced.


366 Practical hintsFlat tireTwo-part sticker1Sticker for instrument cluster
2Sticker for wheel
Attach sticker part1 where it will be
easily seen by the driver on the instru-
ment cluster.

Attach sticker part2 to the damaged
tire (close to the valve).1TIREFIT container
2Flap
3Notch
4Electrical plug
5Air hose
6Flange

Open flap 2 on the electric air pump.

Pull plug4 and air hose5 out of the
pump housing.
Warning!
G
Take care not to allow the contents of
TIREFIT to come in contact with hair, eyes or
clothing. TIREFIT is harmful if inhaled,
swallowed or absorbed through the skin -
causes skin, eye and respiratory irritation.
Any contact with eyes or skin should be
flushed immediately with plenty of water.
If clothing comes in contact with TIREFIT,
change clothing as soon as possible.
In case of allergic reaction or rash, consult a
physician immediately.Warning!
G
Keep TIREFIT out of reach of children.
If swallowed, rinse mouth immediately with
plenty of water and drink plenty of water.
Do not induce vomiting!
Consult a physician immediately.
Keep away from open flame or heat source.
i
If sealant has leaked out, let it dry. You can
then peel it off.
If you get sealant on your clothing, have it dry-
cleaned as soon as possible.


367 Practical hints
Flat tire

Screw the air pump’s air hose5 onto
flange6 of the TIREFIT container.

Stick TIREFIT container1 upside
down into notch3 of the electric air
pump.
7Tire valve
8Electric air pump switch
9Pressure gauge and vent screw
aFiller hose

Unscrew the valve cap from tire
valve7.

Screw filler hosea onto tire valve7.

Close vent screw9 on pressure
gauge.

Insert electrical plug4 into vehicle
cigarette lighter socket.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1 (
page 40).

PressI on electric air pump switch8.
The electric air pump should now
switch on and inflate the tire.After 5 minutes, the pressure gauge must
display at least 26 psi (1.8 bar). The air
hose can become hot during inflation.
Please exercise appropriate caution.

If this tire inflation pressure is not at-
tained, turn off the electric air pump,
detach the filler hose from the tire
valve, and drive vehicle back and forth
very slowly approximately 30 ft (10 m).
This serves to better distribute the
TIREFIT sealant material inside the tire.

Unscrew the air pump’s air hose5
from flange6 of the TIREFIT
container.

Screw air hose5onto tire valve7.

Inflate the tire again.
Warning!
G
Observe safety instructions on air pump
label.
!
Do not operate the electric air pump longer
than 8 minutes without interruption. Otherwise it
may overheat.
You may operate the air pump again after it has
cooled off.


368 Practical hintsFlat tire
After attaining a tire inflation pressure
of 26 psi (1.8 bar), press0 on electric
air pump switch8.
The electric air pump should now be
switched off.

Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 (
page 40).

Detach the electric air pump.
The air hose may still be hot. Please
exercise appropriate caution.

Store the electrical plug and the air
hose behind the flap and place the
electrical air pump back in the trunk.

Close the trunk lid.

Drive off immediately.
The TIREFIT sealant will distribute itself
evenly inside the tire.

After driving vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check tire inflation pres-
sure using the pressure gauge on the
air pump.

If tire inflation pressure is at least
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate tire to correct
pressure (see placard on driver’s door
B-pillar) and contact a nearest qualified
workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, to have the
damaged tire replaced.
Recommended duration of use:
A maximum of 300 miles (500 km) at
or below 50 mph (80 km/h) with the
recommended tire inflation pressure.
Warning!
G
If a tire inflation pressure of 26 psi (1.8 bar)
is not attained, the tire is too severely
damaged for TIREFIT to provide a reliable
tire repair.
In this case, TIREFIT cannot properly seal
the tire.
Do not drive the vehicle.
Contact the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center
or call Roadside Assistance.
Warning!
G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of
50 mph (80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not
designed to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.
Warning!
G
If tire inflation pressure has fallen below
20 psi (1.3 bar), do not continue to drive the
vehicle.
Park your vehicle safely away from the road-
way and contact the nearest authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center or Roadside
Assistance.
Have the damaged tire replaced.


369 Practical hints
Flat tire

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a
new TIREFIT kit.

Bring used TIREFIT materials to an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center for
proper disposal.

Replace your TIREFIT container every
4 years. Replacement containers are
available at your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Warning!
G
Have worn or damaged tires replaced in
pairs (front pair or rear pair) an make sure
the tires rotate in the direction specified
(page 262). Otherwise, the driving stabili-
ty of the vehicle will be adversely affected,
especially when driving at high speeds.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend tire inflation pressures.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear excessively and/or unevenly,
adversely affect handling and fuel economy,
and are more likely to fail from being
overheated.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflated tires
can adversely affect handling and ride
comfort, wear unevenly, increase stopping
distance, and result in sudden deflation
(blowout) because they are more likely to
become punctured or damaged by road
debris, potholes etc.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified load limit or vehicle capacity
weight as indicated on the placard on the
driver’s door B-pillar. Overloading the tires
can overheat them, possibly causing a
blowout.
Warning!
G
Do not exceed vehicle speed of 50 mph
(80 km/h). A TIREFIT repair is not designed
to operate at higher speeds.
The sticker must be attached on the instru-
ment cluster where it will be easily seen by
the driver.
Vehicle handling characteristics may
change. Adapt your driving accordingly.

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.