Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Operator's Manual page 245

Operation
Engine compartment
The release lever is located in the driver's
footwell.
1 Release lever
244
!
Make sure the windshield wipers are
not folded away from the windshield.
Otherwise the windshield wipers or the
hood could be damaged.
Make sure there is sufficient clearance
before opening the hood. A minimum
clearance in front of the vehicle of
3
/ ft (25 cm) is required.
4
The hood folding mechanism is disengaged
in two stages.
Pull release lever 1 downwards.
This completes the first stage.
i
If it was not possible to release the
hood, pull the release lever downwards
more firmly.