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Maintaining a Mercedes SLR McLaren

Ever wonder what's required to keep a supercar running?

The first visit during the initial 1,000 to 3,000 miles. The car is returned, and the dealer checks it over. After that, there is a standard maintenance schedule. This is it.

Every 10,000 miles or 1 year:

Interior

Function check

  • Warning/indicator lamps, illumination and interior lighting
  • Switches and controls
  • Audible warning system
  • Windshield wipers, windshield washer system
  • Headlamp cleaning system
  • Check seat belts for damage and proper function
Wheels, brakes
  • Check tire pressure monitoring system battery using STAR DIAGNOSIS
  • Read malfunction memory using STAR DIAGNOSIS and correct faults if necessary
  • Check Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) hydraulic unit
  • Deactivate Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) using STAR DIAGNOSIS
  • Check front axle wheel bearing play
  • Check rear axle wheel bearing play
  • Balance wheels
  • Check condition/thickness of brake discs front/rear
  • Check brake pads for lining thickness front/rear
  • Check and clean front and rear ventilation grille and air ducts for the brake system
  • Parking brake - Adjust cable slack
  • Check tires for damage and condition
  • Measure and record tread depth for each tire outside / center / inside
  • Correct tire inflation pressure
  • Activate Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC) using STAR DIAGNOSIS
Underside of vehicle
  • Check and clean underbody panelling
  • Check and clean ventilation grille and air ducts of the rear axle
  • Leakage - Major components
    Check for chafe marks, line routing, damaged components
    In the event of leakage, determine cause and perform repair via separate work order
  • Check condition of front axle ball joints and rubber boots
  • Check condition of steering mechanical components and rubber boots
  • Check rear axle mount for condition
  • Check drive shaft for condition
  • Check propeller shaft for condition
Engine compartment
  • Leakage - Major components
    Check for chafe marks, line routing, damaged components
    In the event of leakage, determine cause and perform repair via separate work order
  • Change engine oil and filter
  • Check condition of poly-V-belts
  • Check engine mounts
  • Check fluid level, correct as required
    If there is a loss of fluid, determine cause and perform repair via separate work order
  • Check brake system
  • Check power steering
  • Check engine cooling system (main and low temperature circuits), anti-corrosion/antifreeze protection
    Open low temperature circuit only at a coolant temperature of below 408C
    Bleed low temperature circuit
Vehicle front/rear
  • Check window glass and exterior lighting lenses
  • Check headlamp setting
  • Check wiper blade condition
Trunk

Check fluid level, correct if necessary

  • Starter battery
  • Windshield washer system (incl. summerwash/winterwash)
  • Check TIREFIT tire sealant expiration date
Service completion
  • Check parking brake according to specifications
  • Perform road test
  • Reset maintenance service counter in instrument cluster
  • Enter service in MaySIS
  • Vehicle inside and outside cleaning
  • Restore customer's vehicle setttings

At every service:

  • Query service history in MaySIS before starting
  • Record customer's vehicle adjustments
  • Wash vehicle
  • Check body for paint damage
  • Check charge status of starter and consumer batteries using "Midtronics MCR 717" tester, recharge if neccessary.
    Attach Midtronics MCR 717 Test Report
  • Replace stabilizer bar bushings
Once at 10,000 mi or 1 year:
  • Replace rear differential oil
At every 20,000 mi or 2 years:
  • Replace combination filter
  • Replace engine air filter
Every 2 years:
  • Replace brake fluid
  • Check vehicle ride height and wheel loads
  • Check wheel settings
  • Replace screws of underbody panelling
Once at 40,000 mi:
  • Automatic transmission - oil and filter change
At every 40,000 mi or 3 years:
  • Replace wheel bolts
Every 4 years:
  • Replace coolant for main circuit. Verify the correct coolant composition
  • Replace coolant for low temperature circuit. Verify the correct coolant composition
At every 40,000 mi or 4 years:
  • Replace poly-V-belt
  • Replace compressor poly>V>belt
At every 60,000 mi or 4 years:
  • Replace spark plugs
  • Replace fuel filter
Every 5 years:
  • Replace battery in remote control key
Vehicle over 150,000 mi:

    Check if all fluid levels and changes are updated

    • Transmission
    • Rear axle
    Check if air, fuel, ventilation filters are updated
    • Engine air filter
    • Fuel filter
    • Combination filter
    Check integrity of engine, mechanical components
    • Perform compression test (hot and cold)
    • Perform leak down test (hot and cold)
    • Check spark plugs
    • Exhaust system hangers and leaks
    Check damaged / worn drivetrain parts
    • Front wheel bearing play
    • Rear wheel bearing play
    • Axles joint play
    • Flexible discs
    • Tie rod and drag link joints

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© 2009 Marcus Blair Fitzhugh

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