2009 Mercedes SLR McLaren Owner's Manual - Page 298

Operation Vehicle care You should check your vehicle from time to time for stone chipping or other damage. Any damage should be repaired as soon as possible. Vehicle washing Hand-wash Do not use hot water or wash your vehicle in direct sunlight. Only use a mild car wash detergent, which is recommended by Mercedes-Benz. Only use a soft sponge or a washing brush. Thoroughly spray the vehicle with a diffused jet of water. Direct only a very weak spray towards the ventilation intake. Use plenty of water and rinse the sponge and chamois frequently. Rinse with clean water and thoroughly dry with a chamois. Do not allow cleaning agents to dry on the finish. ! Do not use scouring agents on these parts. Never apply strong force and only use a soft, non-scratching cloth when cleaning the vehicle. Do not attempt to wipe the surface with a dry cloth or sponge. Otherwise you may scratch or damage the paint. ! When washing the vehicle, fine and rigid particles in sponges or brushes could scratch or otherwise damage the paint. This applies to both, hand-wash or automatic car wash. Mercedes-Benz recommends you to have your vehicle cleaned at an automatic car wash from the start, preferably one without brushes, or to use plenty of water when hand-washing your vehicle. Do not wash the car in direct sunlight and when the body surface is hot. In the winter, remove salt residue quickly and thoroughly. Automatic car wash You can have your car washed in an automatic car wash from the start. Automatic car washes without brushes are preferable. To protect the filter system, switch the automatic climate control to air recirculation mode ( page 193). ! Do not clean your vehicle in an automatic touchless car wash which uses caustic spray. Otherwise, the caustic spray will damage the paint or ornamental moldings. Do not choose final hot-wax conservation when taking the vehicle to an automatic car wash. If the vehicle is very dirty, prewash it before running it through the automatic car wash. 298