2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owners Manual

Seat belts
86 Correct driver's seat position
1
Steering wheel
2 Seat belt
3 Seat G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the driver's seat when the vehi-
cle is stationary. You will otherwise be dis-
tracted from the road and traffic conditions
and you could lose control of the vehicle as ar
esult of the seat moving. This could
cause an accident. G
Risk of accident
Only adjust the steering wheel when the
vehicle is stationary and do not pull away
until the steering wheel adjustment mech-
anism is locked in position. You might oth-
erwise drive without the steering wheel
adjustment mechanism being locked in
position. As aresult you could be distracted
from road and traffic conditions by an unex-
pected movement of the steering wheel
and thereby cause an accident.
The steerability of the vehicle is however
not affected.
X Check whether seat 3and the head
restraint are adjusted properly
(Y page 74).
Make sure that:
R you are as far awayf rom the driver's front
airbagasp ossible
R you are sitting in anormal upright posi-
tion
R you can fasten the seat belt properly
R you have moved the backrest to an
almost vertical position R
you have set the seat angle so that your
thighs are gently supported
R you can depress the pedals properly
R you have adjusted the head restraint so
that the back of yourh ead is supported
at eye level by the central area of the
head restraint
X Check whether steering wheel 1is adjus-
ted properly (Y page 78).
Make sure that:
R you can hold the steering wheel with your
arms slightly bent
R you can move yourl egs freely
R you can see all the displays in the instru-
ment cluster clearly
X Check whether you have fastened seat belt
2 properly (Y page 83).
It should:
R fit snugly across yourb ody
R be routed across the middle of your
shoulder
R routed in yourp elvic area across the hip
joints Controls
230_AKB; 5; 4, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.9.6 2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00-Seite 86 Dateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Lights
87Lights
Light switch
For reason sofsafety, Mercedes-Ben zrecom-
mends that you driv ewith th elight sswitched
on eve ndurin gthe daytime. In som ecoun-
tries, daytime operatio nofheadlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations .Inthese countries, th edipped-
beam headlamps are automaticall yswitched
on when th eengineiss tarted.
i If you driv eincountries in whic htraffic
drives on th eopposit eside of th eroad to
th ec ountr ywher ethe vehicle is registered,
oncomin gtraffic may be dazzle dbythe
asymmetrical dipped-beam headlamps.
Hav ethe headlamps changed to symmet-
rical dipped beam when driving in these
countries. You can obtain information
about this from any Mercedes-Ben zService
Centre. $
a
Left-han dparking lamp
% g
Right-hand parking lamp
& M
Lightsoff/constan theadlamp mode
( U
Automatic headlamp mode/con-
stant headlamp mode
) C
Side lamps, licence plate and instru-
mentlighting
* B
Dipped-beam headlamps or main-
beam headlamps
, ¥
Foglamps
. †
Rear foglamp
i The exterior lighting automatically
switches off when you remove the key from
the ignition lock or open the door while the
ignition is switched off (ignition key in posi-
tion 0). !
Switch off the side lamps or parking lamp
when you leave the vehicle. This prevents
the battery fro mdischarging.
Dipped-beam headlamps X
Make sure that the key is in position 2of
the ignition lock or that the engin eisrun-
ning.
X To switch on: turnthe light switc hto
B .
The dipped-beam headlamps, parking
lamps and licence plate lamps are switched
on. The parking lamp indicator lamp nex tto
the light switc hlight sup.
Constant headlam pmode In countries in which constant headlamp
mode is not
alegal requirement, you can
make thi ssettin gusing the on-board com-
puter.
You can activat eordeactivat e"constant
headlamp mode" using the on-board com-
puter (Y page 116). Controls
230_AKB; 5; 4, en-GB
bjanott
,V ersion: 2.9.6
2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00
-Seite 87 ZDateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Lights
88
X
To switch on: turnthe light switch to
M orU.
The dipped-beam headlamps, side lamps
and licenc eplatelamp are switched on
when th eengineisr unning.
i When you tur nthe light switch to any
position other than MorU,t hecor-
respondin glight goes on.
Automatic headlamp mode The side lamps
,dipped-beam headlamps and
licenc eplatelamp are switched on or off
automatically, dependin gonthebrightness of
th ea mbient light. G
Ris
kofa ccident
If th elight switch is set to the Uposi-
tion, th elight will no tcom eona utomati-
cally in foggy conditions. This coul dendan-
ger you and others. Therefore, tur nthe light
switch to Bin thedark or in fog.
The automatic headlam pfeature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for th evehi-
cle's lighting at all times. G
Ris
kofa ccident
When it is dark or foggy, tur nthe light
switch from UtoB in good time.
Otherwise, th eheadlamps could switch off
temporarily and you could caus eanacci-
dent.
X To switch on: turnthe light switch to
U.
The side lamps are switched on and off
automaticall ywhen th ekeyis in position
1 in th eignition lock.
The dipped-beam headlamps, side lamps
and licenc eplatelamp are switched on
automaticall ywhen th eengineisr unning.
When th eparking lamp or dipped-beam
headlamps are switched on ,the indicator
lamp next to th elight switch light sup.
Fron tfoglamps/Rear foglamp G
Ris
kofa ccident
If you suspect that driving conditions will be
foggy, tur nthe light switch to Bbefore
you start your journey. Otherwise, your
vehicle may no tbevisible and you could
endanger yourself and others. G
Ris
kofa ccident
When it is dark or foggy, tur nthe light
switch from UtoB in good time.
Otherwise, th eheadlamps coul dswitch off
temporarily and you coul dcaus eana cci-
dent.
When th elight switch is set to Uyou can-
no tswitch on th efront or rear foglamp.
X Mak esure that th ekeyis in position 2in
th ei gnition lock.
X To switch on th efront foglamps: turnthe
light switch to the BorC position.
X Pull th elight switch out to th efirst stop.
The ¥ green indicator lamp next to the
light switch light sup.
X To switch on th erearfoglamp: turnthe
light switch to BorC.
X Pull th elight switch out to th esecond
detent.
The † yellow indicator lamp next to the
light switch light sup.
X To switch off th efront foglamps/rear
foglamp: push in thelight switch to the
stop.
The corresponding indicator lamp goes out. Controls
230_AKB
;5;4,en-GB
bjanott ,V ersion: 2.9.6
2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00
-Seite 88 Dateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Lights
89Combination switch (turn signals,
main-beam headlamp
sand headlamp
flasher)
Turn signals Combination switch
1
Right-hand tur nsignal
2 Left-han dturns ignal
X To switch on: pressthe combination
switch in th edirection of arrow 1or2.
The corresponding tur nsignal indicator
lamp K orL in theinstrumen tclus-
te rf lashes.
i If you only wish to indicat eaminor change
of direction ,pres sthe combinatio nswitch briefly in th
eappropriat edirection .The cor-
respondin gturns ignal flashes three times.
Main-beam headlamps/headlamp flas-
her Combination switch
1
Main-beam headlamps
2 Headlamp flasher Main-beam headlamps
X
Mak esure that th ekeyis in position 2of
th ei gnition loc korthatthe engin eisrun-
ning.
X Turn th elight switch to BorU 12
.
X To switch on: pressthe combination
switch in th edirection of arrow 1.
The main-beam indicator lamp Ain the
instrumen tcluste rlight sup.
X To switch off: movethe combination
switch back to its normal position.
The main-beam indicator lamp Ain the
instrumen tcluste rgoes out.
Headlamp flasher
X To switch on: briefly pull thecombination
switch in th edirection of arrow 2.
12 In the Uposition, th emain-beam headlamps are only switched on when it is dark. Controls
230_AKB
;5;4,en-GB
bjanott ,V ersion: 2.9.6
2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00
-Seite 89 ZDateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Lights
90 Hazard warning lamps
Centre console
1
Hazard warnin glamp button
The hazar dwarnin glamps still operat eifthe
ignition is switched off .They switc honauto-
matically if an airbag is deployed or if you
brak esharply and brin gthe vehicle to ahalt
fro mas peed of more than 70 km/h.
X To switch on: press button1.
All tur nsignals flash. If you switc honthe
tur ns ignals using the combination switch
(Y page 89), the tur nsignals flash on the
correspondin gside of the vehicle.
X To deactivate: press button1. Headlam
pcleaning system 1
Button for headlamp cleaning system
X Make sure that the key is in position 2of
the ignition lock or that the engin eisrun-
ning.
X To switch on: briefly press button 1.
The headlamps are cleaned with ahigh-
pressure water jet.
The headlamps are cleaned automatically if
the "Wipe with windscreen washer fluid" func-
tion is operated 15 times while the light sare
on and the engin eisrunning. When you
switc hoff the ignition, the automatic head-
lamp cleaning system is reset and countin gis
resume dfrom0. Intelligent Light System*
The Intelligent Light System adapts the light-
ing of the front headlamps to the prevailing
driving conditions so that the road is better
illuminated.
The Intelligent Light System is only active
when it is dark.
The Intelligent Light System comprises:
R active light function
R cornering light
R motorway mode
R extended rang efoglamps
Active light function For the active light function
,the dipped-beam
headlamps swivel horizontally. The swivel
angle changes accordin gtothe respective
driving situation .The active light function is
not active when the vehicle is stationary.
Cornering light Specially designed headlamps light up the
area int
owhich you are driving when turning
corners.
If you are driving at speeds below 40 km/h,
the cornering light function is activated either Controls
*optional
230_AKB; 5; 4, en-GB
bjanott
,V ersion: 2.9.6
2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00
-Seite 90 Dateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Lights
91
by th
eturns ignal or when th esteering wheel
is turned. At speeds between 40 km/h and
70 km/h, only asteering wheel movement
activates th ecornerin glight function .Ifyou
are driving at speeds abov e70km/ hthe cor-
nerin glight function is deactivated.
Activating
X Mak esure that th eengineisr unning.
X Switch on th edipped-beam headlamps.
X Switch off th efoglamp.
X Switch on th eturns ignal.
The cornerin glight on th esame side as the
indicator lamp comes on ,even if you turn
th es teering wheel in th eopposit edirection
after indicating.
or
X Turn th esteering wheel in th edesired
direction.
When in aforwards gear :the cornering
lamp on th einside of th ebendc omes on.
When in revers egear :the cornerin glight on
th eo utside of th ebendc omes on. Deactivating
X
Turn th esteering wheel back to th estraight
ahead position.
The indicator lamp goes out .The cornering
lamp may remain lit for ashort time.
or
X Switch off th eindicator lamp.
The cornerin glamp may remain lit for a
short time.
The cornerin glight will go out after amaxi-
mum of three minutes.
Motorwa ymode Motorway mod
eoptimises th eilluminatio nof
th er oad by:
R controlling th ebrightness
R adapting th eheadlam prange
Motorway mod eisactivated if you are driving
faster than 11 0km/ hand do no tmakea ny
large steering movements for 1,000 m.
Extended range foglamps The extende
drange foglamps reduc ethe
glare experienced by th edriver and improve
th ei lluminatio noftheedge of th ecarriage-
way. X
To switch on: switch on therear foglamp.
The fron tfoglamps and rear foglamp are
switched on .The extende drange foglamps
are activated if you are driving slowe rthan
70 km/h.
X To switch off: switch off therear foglamp.
i The extende drange foglamps switch off
automaticall ywhen you driv efaster than
10 0k m/ h. Interior lighting
Overhead control panel
1
X To switch th eleft-hand reading lamp
on/off
2 X To switch th eright-han dreading
lamp on/off Controls
230_AKB
;5;4,en-GB
bjanott ,V ersion: 2.9.6
2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00
-Seite 91 ZDateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Windscreen wipers
92
3
ð To switch the interio rlighting on/off
4 ¤ To switch the automatic interior
lighting control on/off
Automatic interior lighting control
X To switch on or off: slide the¤switch
to the left or right.
The interio rlighting switches on whe nyou:
R unlock the vehicle
R open adoor
R remove the key from the ignition lock
The interio rlighting switches off after adelay.
You can set the delayed switch-off using the
on-board computer (Y page119).
i If the door is left open, the interio rlighting
goes out after approximately five minutes.
Manual control
Interior lighting
X To switch on/off: press theðbutton.
i The setting applie ssimultaneousl ytothe
boot lighting. If you leave the boot lid open,
the boot lighting goes out automatically
after approximately ten minutes. Reading lamps
X To switch on/off: press theXbutton. Windscreen wipers
Combinatio
nswitch
1 To switch on the windscreen wipers
2 Singl ewipe/to wipe the windscreen using
washe rfluid
Settings: 0 Windscreen wiper
soff I Intermittent wipe
II Continuous wipe, slow
III Continuous wipe, fast
!
If the windscreen becomes dirty in dry
weathe rconditions, the windscreen wipers Controls
230_AKB; 5; 4, en-GB
bjanott,
Version: 2.9.6 2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00-Seite 92 Dateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight

Side windows
93
may be activated inadvertently. This could
then damage the windscreen wiper blades
or scratcht
he windscreen.
For this reason, you should always switch
off the windscreen wipers in dry weather.
X Make sure that the key is in position 1or
2 in the ignition lock.
The various wiper settings can be selected
as follows: Single wipe
X Briefly press the combination switch to the
pressure point in the direction of arrow
2. Wiping with washer fluid
X Press the combination switch beyond the
pressure point in the direction of arrow
2. Intermittent wipe/rain sensor
X Turn the combination switch in the direc-
tion of arrow 1to position I.
The rain sensor is activated. The appropri-
ate wiping frequency is automatically
adjusted according to the intensity of the
rain. Continuous wipe
X Depending on the intensity of the rain, turn
the combination switch in the direction of
arrow 1to position IIor III. Switching off the windscreen wipers
X Turn the combination switch to position 0. Side windows
Opening/closing the side windows
G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trap-
ped between the side window and the door
frame as aside window is opened. Do not
touch or lean against the side window dur-
ing the opening procedure. You could
become trapped between the side window
and the door frame as the window moves
down. If there is arisk of becoming trapped,
release the switch immediately or pull the
switch up to close the side window again. G
Risk of injury
Make sure that nobody can become trap-
ped as you close aside window. If there is
ar isk of becoming trapped, release the
switch immediately or push the switch
again to reopen the side window. G
Risk of injury
Children may injure themselves if they open
or close the side windows.
Never leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle. Always take the KEYLESS GO
key* with you when leaving the vehicle, Controls
*o ptional
230_AKB; 5; 4, en-GB
bjanott
,V ersion: 2.9.6
2008-04-08T15:09:54+02:00
-Seite 93 ZDateiname: 6515_3089_02_buchblock.pdf; preflight