automatic transmission MERCEDES-BENZ SLR CLASS 2007 Owner's Manual

180 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Turn program selector switch3 to the
desired setting (I, II or III).
Downshifting
Briefly press left shift button1 or pull
the left shift paddle1 (
page 177).
or
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the left in theD-direction.
The transmission shifts to the next
lower gear. Upshifting
Briefly press right shift button2 or
pull the right shift paddle2
(
page 177).
or
Briefly press the gear selector lever to
the right in theD+direction.
The transmission shifts to the next
higher gear.If the red gearshift indicator lamp>
comes on in the speedometer display
(
page 29), shift to the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be interrupt-
ed to prevent the engine from overrevving.
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition:
If you have selected the 722 Edition menu
(
page 123) and up appears in the right
multifunction display in addition to the red
gearshift indicator lamp>, shift to the
next higher gear. The fuel supply will other-
wise be interrupted to prevent the engine
from overrevving.
Deactivating manual gearshift program
Turn program mode selector switch1
(
page 175) to the shift programC
orS.
The selected gearshift program ap-
pears in the right multifunction display.
iThe currently selected manual shift program
(I, II or III) does not appear in the right multifunc-
tion display. The current setting is indicated only
on the program mode selector switch 3.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
iWhen you brake or stop, the transmission
shifts down to a gear from which you can easily
accelerate or take off.
!In the manual program modeM, the trans-
mission will not upshift, even if the engine has
reached its overrevving range. Shift up to the
n ext g ear bef ore t he en gi ne has reac hed i ts over-
revving range. Make absolutely certain that the
engine speed does not reach the red marking on
the tachometer (
page 28). Otherwise the en-
gine could be damaged which is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.

181 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Emergency operation
(Limp-Home Mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less re-
sponsive or sluggish or the transmission
no longer shifts, the transmission is most
likely operating in limp-home (emergency
operation) mode. In this mode only second
gear and reverse gear can be activated.
Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
Move gear selector lever to park
positionP.
Turn off the engine.
Wait at least 10 seconds before
restarting.
Restart the engine.
Move gear selector lever to drive
positionD (for second gear) or
positionR.
Have the transmission checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.

205 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever to
position1 and hold it up until the de-
sired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever to
position2 and hold it down until the
desired speed is reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1.
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2.Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly push the cruise control lever to
position4.
The cruise control resumes the last set
speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will
resume the last speed set.
iWhen you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the transmission will automatically
downshift if the engine’s braking power does not
brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The speed stored in memory should only be
set again if prevailing road conditions per-
mit. Possible acceleration or deceleration
differences arising from returning to preset
speed could cause an accident and/or
serious injury to you and/or others.

284 Operation
Tires and wheels
Tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those
standard items which may be replaced) of
automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power
seats, radio, and heater, to the extent that
these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether
installed or not).
Air pressure
The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire.
Air pressure is expressed in pounds per
square inch (psi), or kilopascal (kPa) or
bars.
Aspect ratio
Dimensional relationship between tire
section height and section width
expressed in percentage.Bar
Another metric unit for air pressure. There
are 14.5038 pounds per square inch (psi)
to 1 bar; there are 100 kilopascals (kPa)
to 1 bar.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel wires wrapped
by steel cords that hold the tire onto the
rim.
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire inflation pressure when your vehicle
has been sitting for at least three hours or
driven no more than one mile (1.6 km).
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with stan-
dard equipment including the maximum
capacity of fuel, oil, and coolant, and, if so
equipped, air conditioning and additional
optional equipment, but without passen-
gers and cargo.DOT (Department of Transportation)
A tire branding symbol which denotes the
tire meets requirements of the
U.S. Department of Transportation.
GAWR (G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
The GAWR is the maximum permissible
axle weight. The gross vehicle weight on
each axle must never exceed the GAWR for
the front and rear axle indicated on the
certification label located on the driver’s
door A-pillar.
GVW (G
ross Vehicle Weight)
The GVW comprises the weight of the
vehicle including fuel, tools, spare wheel,
installed accessories, passengers and
cargo and, if applicable, trailer tongue
load. The GVW must never exceed the
GVWR indicated on the certification label
located on the driver’s door A-pillar.

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.

326 Practical hints
What to do if ...
Left displayRight displayPossible cause/consequencePossible solution
TransmissionVisit
workshopThe provided operating safety of the
automatic transmission is reduced.Drive with added caution and have
the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center immediately.
TransmissionShift to NThe transmission is in neutral although the
gear selector lever is not.Move the gear selector lever to
neutral positionN.

389 Technical data
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Fuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Capacities
Vehicle components and their respective
lubricants must match. Therefore only use
products tested and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
Please refer to the Factory Approved
Service Products pamphlet (USA only), or
inquire at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Warning!G
Comply with all valid regulations with
respect to handling, storing and disposing of
service fluids. Otherwise you could
endanger persons or the environment.
Keep service fluids out of the reach of
children.
For health reasons, you should prevent ser-
vice fluids from coming into direct contact
with your skin or clothing.
If a service fluid is swallowed, contact a
physician immediately.
CapacityFuels, coolants, lubricants, etc.
Engine with oil filter9.0 US qt (8.5 l)Approved engine oils
Automatic transmission8.5 US qt (8.0 l)MB Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear axle2.3 US qt (2.2 l)Hypoid gear oil SAE 75 W 85
Power steeringapprox. 1.15 US qt (1.1 l)MB Power Steering Fluid
(Pentosin CHF 11S)
Brake system1.6 US qt (1.5 l)MB Brake Fluid (DOT 4+)

400 Technical terms
Cruise control
Driving convenience system for auto-
matically maintaining the vehicle speed
set by the driver.
Curb weight
(
page 284)
DOT
(D
epartment of Transportation)
(
page 284)
Engine number
The number set by the manufacturer
and placed on the cylinder block to
uniquely identify each engine
produced.
Engine oil viscosity
Measure of the internal oil friction (vis-
cosity) at different temperatures. The
higher the temperature the oil can tol-
erate without thinning too much, or the
lower the temperature it can tolerate
without thickening too much, the bet-
ter the viscosity characteristics of the
oil.ESP
®
(Eectronic Stability Program)
Improves vehicle handling and
directional stability.
ETD
(E
mergency Tensioning Device)
Device which deploys in certain frontal
and rear collisions exceeding the sys-
tem’s threshold to tighten the seat
belts.
->SRS
GAWR
(G
ross Axle Weight Rating)
(
page 284)
Gear range
Number of gears which are available to
the automatic transmission for shifting.
The automatic gear shifting process
can be adapted to specific operating
conditions using the gear selector lever
or the steering wheel gearshift control
buttons.GPS
(G
lobal Positioning System)
Satellite-based system for relaying
geographic location information to and
from vehicles equipped with special re-
ceivers. Employs CD digital maps for
navigation.
GVW
(G
ross Vehicle Weight)
(
page 284)
GVWR
(G
ross Vehicle Weight Rating)
(
page 285)
Head-thorax air bag
Installed in the doors, these air bags
protect occupants during side impact
collisions exceeding a preset thresh-
old. Unlike normal side air bags,
head-thorax air bags are also designed
to provide protection for the head area.

402 Technical terms
Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles,
including

engine

clutch/torque converter

transmission

transfer case

drive shaft

differential

axle shafts/axles
Production options weight
(
page 285)
Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic trans-
mission between sport operation (S),
comfort operation (C) and manual
operation (MAN).
PSI
(P
ounds per square inch)
(
page 285)Recommended tire inflation pressure
(
page 285)
REST
(Residual Engine Heat Utilization)
Feature that uses the engine heat
stored in the coolant to heat the vehi-
cle interior for a short time after the
engine has been turned off.
Rim
(
page 285)
RON
(R
esearch Octane Number)
The Research Octane Number for gaso-
line as determined by a standardized
method. It is an indication of a gaso-
line’s ability to resist undesired detona-
tion (knocking). The average of both
the MON (Motor Octane Number) and
RON (Research Octane Number) is
posted at the pump, also known as
ANTI-KNOCK INDEX.Electro-hydraulic brake system
Electronically controlled hydraulic
braking system for increased braking
safety and comfort.
Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of park
position P without SmartKey turned
and brake pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(page 285)
SRS
(S
upplemental Restraint System)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and air bags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.

405 Index
A
ABS 81, 399
Indicator lamp 29, 302
Messages in the multifunction
display 316, 317
ABS/ESP
®
Warning lamp 29, 300
Accelerator position, automatic
transmission 173
Accessory weight 284
Accident 54
ACL 399
Messages in the multifunction
display 323
Additional turn signals, Exterior
mirror 360Air bags 62
Children 63
Front, Driver 65
Front, Passenger 66
Head-thorax 65, 66
Knee 66
Occupant Classification System
(OCS) 67
Passenger front air bag off indicator
lamp 70
Safety guidelines 64
Air conditioning system see Automatic cli-
mate control
Air distribution 191, 192
Air pressure 284
Air pressure see Tire inflation pressure
Air recirculation mode 195
Air vents 187
Air volume 191, 193Airbrake 31, 89
Automatic mode 91
Emergency braking 91
Manual mode 90
Message in the multifunction
display 327
Test Mode 90
Warning lamp 29, 307
Alarm system see Anti-theft systems
Anticorrosion/antifreeze 390, 396
Antiglare, Interior rear view mirror 182
Antilock Brake System see ABS
Anti-theft systems
Anti-theft alarm system 92
Immobilizer 92
Tow-away alarm 94
Anti-theft wheel nuts 288
Aquaplaning see Hydroplaning
Armrest 206