259 Operation
Driving instructions
To help prevent brake disk corrosion after
driving on wet road surfaces (particularly
salted roads), it is advisable to brake the
vehicle with considerable force prior to
parking. The heat generated serves to dry
the brakes.
If your brake system is normally only sub-
jected to moderate loads, you should occa-
sionally test the effectiveness of the
brakes by applying above-normal braking
pressure at higher speeds. This will also
enhance the grip of the brake pads.
Refer to the description of the Brake Assist
System (BAS) (
page 84).If the parking brake is released and the
brake warning lamp in the instrument clus-
ter stays on, there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system
(
page 88) or the brake fluid level in the
reservoir is too low.
Brake pad wear or a leak in the system may
be the reason for low brake fluid in the res-
ervoir.
Have the brake system inspected immedi-
ately.
All checks and service work on the brake
system should be carried out by qualified
technicians only. Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
Only install brake pads and brake fluid rec-
ommended by Mercedes-Benz.
After hard braking, it is advisable to drive
on for some time, rather than to park im-
mediately, so the air stream will cool down
the brakes faster.
Warning!
G
Make sure not to endanger any other road
users when carrying out these braking
maneuvers.
Warning!
G
If other than recommended brake pads are
installed, or other than recommended brake
fluid is used, the braking properties of the
vehicle can be degraded to an extent that
safe braking is substantially impaired. This
could result in an accident.
Be certain to read and observe the warning
notices on brake pad replacement
(page 89).!When driving down long and steep
grades, relieve the load on the brakes
by shifting into a lower gear to use the
engine’s braking power. This helps pre-
vent overheating of the brakes and re-
duces brake pad wear.
403 Practical hints
Flat tire
After driving vehicle for an initial
10 minutes, check tire inflation pres-
sure using the pressure gauge on the
air pump.
Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible to obtain a
new TIREFIT kit.
Bring used TIREFIT materials to an au-
thorized 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
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.
If tire inflation pressure is at least
20 psi (1.3 bar), inflate tire to correct pres-
sure (see placard on the driver’s door
B-pillar), and drive vehicle to nearest tire re-
pair facility to have tire repaired or replaced.
Recommended duration of use:
300 miles (500 km) at 50 mph (80 km/h)
with the recommended tire inflation pres-
sure.
Warning!
G
Follow recommend inflation pressures.
Do not overinflate tires. Overinflating tires
can result in sudden deflation (blowout) be-
cause they are more likely to become punc-
tured or damaged by road debris, potholes,
etc.
Do not underinflate tires. Underinflated tires
wear unevenly, adversely affect handling
and fuel economy, and are more likely to fail
from being overheated.
Do not overload the tires by exceeding the
specified vehicle capacity weight (as indicat-
ed by the label on the pillar in the driver’s
door opening). 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.
457 Technical terms
Overspeed range
Engine speeds within the red marking
on the tachometer dial, see “Tachome-
ter” (
page 133). Avoid this engine
speed range, as it may result in serious
engine damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
Parktronic (Parking assist)*
System which uses visual and acoustic
signals to assist the driver during park-
ing maneuvers.
Poly-V-belt drive
Drives engine-components (alternator,
AC compressor, etc.) from the engine.Power train
Collective term designating all compo-
nents used to generate and transmit
motive power to the drive axles, includ-
ing
engine
clutch/torque converter
transmission
transfer case
drive shaft
differential
axle shafts/axles
Production options weight
(
page 311)Program mode selector switch
Used to switch the automatic transmis-
sion between standard operation (S)
and comfort operation (C).
SL 55 AMG with steering wheel gear-
shift control and manual shift program:
In addition to S and C (for regular S or
comfort C operation, see above), you
can use MANUAL for manual shift pro-
gram.
PSI
(P
ounds p
er s
quare i
nch)
(
page 312)
Recommended tire inflation pressure
(page 312)
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 en-
gine has been turned off.
458 Technical termsRetractable hardtop
Hardtop roof that can be opened and
closed at the push of a button and
stored in the trunk.
Rim
(
page 312)
Roll bar
Occupant protection system which
consists of tubular steel sheathed in
plastic. The roll bar is lowered into the
car body during normal driving condi-
tions and raised automatically. It may
also be manually raised and lowered by
operating a button during critical driv-
ing situations.
RON
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.Shift lock
When the vehicle is parked, this lock
prevents the gear selector lever from
being inadvertently moved out of posi-
tion P without SmartKey turned and
brake pedal depressed.
Sidewall
(
page 312)
SRS
(Supplemental R
estraint S
ystem)
Seat belts, emergency tensioning de-
vice and airbags. Though independent
systems, they are closely interfaced to
provide effective occupant protection.Tele Aid System
(Tele
matic A
larm I
dentification on D
e-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response: automatic and man-
ual emergency, roadside assistance
and information. Tele Aid is initially ac-
tivated by completing a subscriber
agreement and placing an acquain-
tance call.
The Tele Aid system is operational pro-
vided that the vehicle’s battery is
charged, properly connected, not dam-
aged and cellular and GPS coverage is
available.
Tightening torque
Force times lever arm (e.g. a lug
wrench) with which threaded fasteners
such as wheel bolts are tightened.
TIN
(T
ire I
dentification N
umber)
(
page 312)
Tire load rating
(page 312)
465 Index
Driving
Abroad 266
Driving off 260
Electro-hydraulic brake system 90
Hydroplaning 262
In winter 264, 315
Instructions 51, 257
Problems 56
Safety systems 82
Systems 204
Through standing water 265
With Distronic* 216
Driving safety systems 82
ABS 82, 83
BAS 82, 84
Electro-hydraulic brake system 82,
88
ESP
®
82, 85
Driving systems 204
ABC 219
Cruise control 204
Distronic* 207
Parktronic* 223
DTR see DistronicE
Easy-entry/exit feature 43, 156
Messages in the multifunction
display 369
Electric air pump 384, 408
Electrical outlet see Power outlet
Electro-hydraulic brake system 82, 88,
454
Activation 89
Deactivation 90
Driving hints 90
Messages in the multifunction
display 361, 362
Self-check 89
Warning lamp 88
Electronic Stability Program see ESP
®
Emergency calls
Tele Aid 238, 240
Emergency engine shut-down 426
Emergency operation (Limp Home
Mode) 176
Emergency operations
Automatic transmission (Limp Home
Mode) 176
Glove box, Unlocking 386
Load assist, Lowering 388Locking/unlocking the vehicle 385,
387
Remote door unlock, Tele Aid 245
Trunk lid, Releasing from the
inside 111
Trunk lid, Unlocking 386
Emergency Tensioning Device see ETD
Emission control 267
Information label 430
System warranties 10
Vacuum line routing diagram
label 430
Engine
Block heater (Canada only) 316
Break-in recommendations 256
Cleaning 323
Compartment 272
Malfunction indicator lamp 27, 335
Number 430, 455
Poly-V-belt layout 431
Starting 49
Tachometer 27
Technical data 432
Turning off 60
Engine coolant see Coolant
471 Index
Oil see Engine oil
One-touch gearshifting 169
Canceling gear range limit 169
Downshifting 169
Upshifting 169
Opening
Doors from the inside 107
Fuel filler flap 269
Hood 272
Luggage cover 196
Retractable hardtop (SmartKey) 199
Retractable hardtop (switch) 196
Side windows 193
Storage compartment in the
armrest 229
Storage compartment in the center
console 229
Sunshade 203
Trunk from inside vehicle 108
Trunk lid 108
Windows 192
Operating
CD player 142
Navigation system 143
Radio 141
Telephone* 159Ornamental moldings 325
Overdue maintenance service 319
Overhead control panel 31
Overspeed range 133, 457
P
Paintwork code see Certification label
Panic alarm 81
Panic button on SmartKey 81
Panorama roof*
Sunshade 203
Sunshade closing 203
Sunshade opening 203
Parcel net
In front passenger footwell 231
Parcel net in trunk 231
Parking 261
Parking assistance (Parktronic*) 223
Parking brake
Engaging 59
Releasing 51
Parking brake pedal 23
Parking lamps 392
Switching on 123
Parktronic* 30, 223, 457
Activating 226
Cleaning system sensors 326Malfunctioning 227
Minimum distance 225
Range 224
Rear sensors 225
System sensors 326
Warning indicators 23, 225
Parktronic* deactivation switch 30
Parts service 428
Passenger side
Front airbag 70
Head-thorax airbag 71
Pedals 257
Phone book* 160
Loading 160
Quick search 160
Phone number*
Dialing 160
Redialing 161
Poly-V-belt drive 457
Layout 431
Potential problems associated with under-
inflated and overinflated tires 299
Pounds per square inch see PSI
Power assistance 258
Power outlet 237