2007 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG parking brake

231 Controls in detail
Driving systems
As your vehicle approaches an object, one
or more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the
eighth distance segment illuminates, you
have reached the minimum distance.

Front area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red dis-
tance segment illuminates and a con-
stant acoustic warning lasting a
maximum of 2 seconds will sound for
the second distance segment. The sig-
nal is canceled when the gear selector
lever is placed in position P or the park-
ing brake is set.


Rear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound when the first dis-
tance segment illuminates. This signal
quickens with each additional distance
segment lit. When the eighth distance
segment illuminates, the acoustic
warning becomes a constant signal.
The signal is canceled when the gear
selector lever is placed in positionD
orP or the parking brake is set.Switching the Parktronic system
on/off
You can switch off the Parktronic system
manually.
The Parktronic switch is located in the low-
er part of the center console (
page 32).
1Parktronic switch
2Indicator lamp
Switching off

Press Parktronic switch1.
Indicator lamp2 comes on.Switching on

Press Parktronic switch1 once more.
Indicator lamp2 goes out.
Parktronic system malfunction
If only the red distance segments illumi-
nate and an acoustic warning sounds,
there is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system. The Parktronic system will auto-
matically switch off after 20 seconds and
the indicator lamp in the Parktronic switch
comes on.

Have the Parktronic system checked
by an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center as soon as possible.
i
The Parktronic system switches on automat-
ically when you switch on the ignition
(
page 39).

239 Controls in detail
Useful features
Ashtray
1Cover plate
2Sliding knob
Opening ashtray
Briefly touch cover plate1.
The ashtray opens automatically.
Closing ashtray

Press cover plate1 down until it
latches.Removing the ashtray insert

Secure vehicle from movement by set-
ting the parking brake. Move the gear
selector lever to positionN.
Now you have more room to take out
the insert.

Press sliding knob2 to the right.
The insert will eject a short distance.
Replacing the ashtray insert

Press the insert into the frame until it
snaps into place.
Cigarette lighter
Switch on the ignition (
page 39).
Warning!
G
Remove ashtray only with vehicle standing
still. Set the parking brake to secure vehicle
from movement. Move gear selector lever to
positionN. With gear selector lever in
positionN, turn off the engine.
Warning!
G
Never touch the heating element or sides of
the lighter; they are extremely hot. Hold the
knob only.
Make sure that any children traveling with
you do not injure themselves or start a fire
with the hot cigarette lighter.
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* from the starter switch, take
it with you, and lock the vehicle. Do not
leave children unattended in the vehicle, or
with access to an unlocked vehicle. Unsu-
pervised use of vehicle equipment may
cause serious personal injury.


261 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 89).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 92) 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 94).
!
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 prevent overheating of the brakes and
reduces brake pad wear.

263 Operation
Driving instructions
Parking
Tires
Treadwear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. These indicators are located in six
places on the tread circumference and be-
come visible at a tread depth of approxi-
mately
1/16
in (1.6 mm), at which point
the tire is considered worn and should be
replaced.
Warning!
G
Do not park this vehicle in areas where com-
bustible materials such as grass, hay or
leaves can come into contact with the hot
exhaust system, as these materials could be
ignited and cause a vehicle fire.
To reduce the risk of personal injury as a re-
sult of vehicle movement, before
turning off
the engine and leaving the vehicle always:


Keep right foot on brake pedal.


Firmly depress parking brake pedal.


Move the gear selector lever to
positionP.


Slowly release brake pedal.


When parked on an incline, turn front
wheels towards the road curb.


Turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position0 and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch, or press the
start/stop button (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO*).


Take the SmartKey or the SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO* and lock vehicle when
leaving.
!
Set the parking brake whenever parking or
leaving the vehicle. In addition, move gear selec-
tor lever to positionP. When parking on hills,
turn front wheels towards the road curb.
Warning!
G
If you feel a sudden significant vibration or
ride disturbance, or you suspect that possi-
ble damage to your vehicle has occurred,
you should turn on the hazard warning flash-
ers, carefully slow down, and drive with cau-
tion to an area which is a safe distance from
the road.
Inspect the tires and the vehicle underbody
for possible damage. If the vehicle or tires
appear unsafe, have the vehicle towed to
the nearest Mercedes-Benz Center or tire
dealer for repairs.

335 Practical hints
What to do if …
Problem
Possible cause/consequence
Suggested solution
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on while driving and
you hear a warning sound.
You are driving with the parking brake set.

Release the parking brake
(page 54).
;
(USA only)
3
(Canada only)
The red brake warning lamp
comes on when the engine is
running and you hear a warn-
ing sound.


There is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system.


There is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir.

Read and observe messages in the
display (
page 347).

Risk of accident! Carefully stop the
vehicle in a safe location or as soon as
it is safe to do so and notify an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center. Do not
add brake fluid! This will not solve the
problem.
Warning!
G
Driving with the brake warning lamp illumi-
nated can result in an accident. Have your
brake system checked immediately if the
brake warning lamp stays on. Do not add
brake fluid before checking the brake sys-
tem.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can re-
sult in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts and the brake fluid catching fire. You
can be seriously burned.!
If you find that the brake fluid in the brake
fluid reservoir has fallen to the minimum mark or
below, have the brake system checked for brake
pad thickness and leaks.

352 Practical hintsWhat to do if …Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
ABS
ABS, ESP
inoperative
See
Oper. Manual
The ABS and ESP
® have switched off
due to a malfunction.
The BAS is also deactivated.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
still functioning normally but without
the ABS, the ESP®, and the BAS avail-
able.

Continue driving with added caution.
Wheels may lock during hard braking,
reducing steering capability.

Have the system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.
Failure to follow these instructions increases
the risk of an accident.
––– mph
Cruise control
You have attempted to set a speed be-
low 20 mph (30 km/h).

Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(page 210).
The ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on the ESP
® (page 92).
The gear selector lever is set to posi-
tion P, R, or N.

Move the gear selector lever or position D.
The vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.

Release the parking brake (
page 54).

353 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
––– mph
Distronic
You have attempted to set a speed be-
low 20 mph (30 km/h).

Accelerate to a speed exceeding
20 mph (30 km/h) and set the speed
(page 210).
The ESP
® is switched off.

Switch on the ESP
® (page 92).
The gear selector lever is set to posi-
tion P, R, or N.

Move the gear selector lever or position D.
The vehicle is secured with the parking
brake.

Release the parking brake (
page 54).
DISTRONIC
Inoperative
Distronic* is malfunctioning or the dis-
play is malfunctioning.

Visit an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
as soon as possible.
Currently
unavailable.
See
Oper. Manual
Distronic* is deactivated because the
functionality is impaired by external in-
terferences, e.g. high-frequency sourc-
es such as too stations, speed
measuring systems etc.

Leave the area of the external interfer-
ence.

Activate Distronic* again (
page 218)
when the message
DISTRONIC available
again
appears.
Distronic* is deactivated because the
Distronic* sensor has not sensed any
other vehicles or objects, e.g. road
sign or such, for a long time.

Try to activate Distronic* again
(page 218) when the message
DISTRONIC available again
appears.

367 Practical hints
What to do if …
Left display
Right display
Possible cause/consequence
Possible solution
T
Reduced
brake effect
Depress brake
pedal fully!
The electro-hydraulic brake system
is in emergency operation mode.
Considerably greater brake pedal
force is required and the stopping
distance is increased.
The maximum speed is limited to
55 mph (90 km/h).

Stop the vehicle in a safe location or as soon
as it is safe to do so.

Apply the parking brake (
page 61).

Do not drive any further.

Prevent the vehicle from rolling away by
blocking the wheels with wheel chocks or oth-
er sizable objects.

Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
or call for Roadside Assistance (
page 247).
Warning!
G
Driving while this message is displayed can
result in an accident. Have your brake sys-
tem checked immediately.
If the electro-hydraulic brake system enters
its emergency operation mode, the driver
must apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much fur-
ther than normal to obtain braking effect.
If necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the
electro-hydraulic brake system, we recom-
mend that the vehicle be transported with
all wheels off the ground using flatbed or ap-
propriate wheel lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on
the ground is only permissible for distances
up to 30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to
exceed 30 mph (50 km/h). For more infor-
mation, see “Towing the vehicle”
(page 421).