2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG warning

209 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop

The hardtop drive system was shut
down for safety reasons after multiple,
consecutive attempts to raise or lower
the hardtop. After about 10 minutes
you can open or close the retractable
hardtop.
Switch on the ignition (page 40).
Repeat the opening or closing
procedure.
If the retractable hardtop still does
not open, close, or lock properly,
have the retractable hardtop sys-
tem checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.

There is a malfunction in the retract-
able hardtop system.
Contact an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.Wind screen
The wind screen deflects drafts away from
the driver and passenger when the retract-
able hardtop is lowered. It is stored in the
trunk.
Installing
Leave the wind screen folded and place
it on the roll bar.1Guide tabs
Slide the wind screen into the roll bar
until guide taps 1 on each side latch
underneath the roll bar.
Make sure the fastening straps do not
get caught.
Adjust the roll bar to a height
(
page 83) that allows you to reach
easily underneath it.
Warning!G
The wind screen can restrict the driver’s vi-
sion to the rear of the vehicle. To prevent a
possible accident when visibility is limited
(e.g. in darkness), the upper part of the wind
screen should be folded back.

212 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Open tensioning clasps 5 by pulling
them downward.
Unhook retainer springs 6 from hold-
ers and flip retainer springs all the way
up.7Luggage cover
8Cloth end
9Cloth holder
Carefully tilt luggage cover 7 in direc-
tion of arrow towards rear of trunk.
Roll up front end of cloth 8 in the
trunk towards the front and fasten it in
place in front of cloth holder 9.
Completely remove luggage cover 7
from the trunk.Installing luggage cover
Carefully place luggage cover in trunk.
1Luggage cover
2Hook
3Guide rail
Insert luggage cover 1 into guide
rails3 on both sides using hooks 2.
Tilt luggage cover forward in direction
of arrow.
Warning!G
Only open the tensioning clasps when the
luggage cover opened, see “Opening lug-
gage cover” (
page 211).
You could otherwise be injured.
!Before installing the luggage cover, make
sure that the cloth end is in front of the cloth
holder. Otherwise, it could be damaged.


213 Controls in detail
Retractable hardtop
Fold retainer springs of tensioning
clasps downward and clip them into
holders on both sides (
page 211).
Close tensioning clasps on both sides
by pressing them upward.
Pull handle of luggage cover towards
the rear.
Clip eyelets onto side trim panels.
Close the zipper completely
(
page 211).
Fold back the zipper’s cloth cover
across the entire length of the luggage
cover.Sunshade for panorama roof*
The sunshade protects you from excessive
sunlight coming in through the panorama
roof.
1Stop buttons
2HandleOpening
Squeeze stop buttons1 and guide the
sunshade towards the rear.
Closing
Using handle2, slide the sunshade
towards the front of the vehicle.Warning!G
Do not operate the sunshade while driving.
Adjusting the sunshade while driving could
cause the driver to lose control of the vehi-
cle.

214 Controls in detail
Driving systems
The driving systems of your vehicle are
described on the following pages:

Cruise control and Distronic*, with
which the vehicle can maintain a preset
speed

Distance warning function* (only avail-
able with Distronic*), which warns of
stationary objects or slower moving ve-
hicles that you are closing in on too
quickly

ABC with vehicle level control systems,
with which you can change vehicle sus-
pension characteristics

Parktronic*, which assists the driver
during parking maneuvers
For information on the BAS, ABS, ESP
®,
and the electro-hydraulic brake system,
see “Driving safety systems” (
page 89).
Cruise control
The cruise control automatically maintains
the speed you set for your vehicle.
The use of the cruise control is recom-
mended for driving at a constant speed for
extended periods of time.
You can set or resume the cruise control at
any speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
The cruise control function is operated by
means of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever on the left-hand side of the steering
column (
page 24).
Warning!G
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle’s speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road,
traffic, and weather conditions make it ad-
visable to travel at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on winding roads or in heavy traf-
fic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.

The use of the cruise control can be dan-
gerous on slippery roads. Rapid changes
in tire traction can result in wheel spin
and loss of control.

Deactivate the cruise control when driv-
ing in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be oper-
ated if the driver is fully aware of the previ-
ously set speed and wishes to resume this
particular preset speed.

215 Controls in detail
Driving systems
1Setting current or higher speed
2Setting current or lower speed
3Canceling the cruise control
4Activating the cruise control or resum-
ing to last set speedActivating cruise control
You can activate the cruise control when
the vehicle speed is above
20 mph (30 km/h).
In the following cases you cannot activate
the cruise control:

when you brake

when you have set the parking brake

when the gear selector lever is set to
position P, R, or N

when the ESP® is switched off
Setting current speed
Accelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.
Briefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 or depress in
direction of arrow2.
The current speed is set.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The cruise control is activated.
The currently set speed appears in the
status indicator of the multifunction
display:

USA only:
CRUISE XXX MPH

Canada only:
Ñ
XXX Km/h
Warning!G
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
Keep in mind that the cruise control is a con-
venience system designed to assist the driv-
er during vehicle operation. The driver is and
must always remain responsible for the ve-
hicle’s speed and for safe brake operation.
iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedom-
eter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the cruise control system.
iOn uphill grades, the cruise control may not
be able to maintain the set speed. Once the
grade eases, the set speed will be resumed.
On downhill grades, the cruise control maintains
the set speed by braking with the vehicle’s brake
system. In addition, on longer downhill grades
the automatic transmission will downshift auto-
matically.

216 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Canceling the cruise control
There are several ways to cancel the cruise
control:
Step on the brake pedal.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
or
Briefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow3.
The cruise control is canceled. The last
set speed is stored for later use.
iThe last stored speed is canceled when you
turn off the engine.
iThe cruise control switches off auto-
matically when

you step on the brake pedal

you depress the parking brake pedal
The cruise control also switches off auto-
matically when

the vehicle speed is below
20 mph (30 km/h) (
page 214)

the ESP® is in operation or switched off with
the ESP® switch (page 93)

you move the gear selector lever to
positionN while driving
An acoustic warning sounds and the message
CC Off appears in the multifunction display for
approximately 5 seconds.
!Moving the gear selector lever to positionN
while driving cancels the cruise control.
However, the gear selector lever should not be
moved to positionN while driving except to
coast when the vehicle is in danger of skidding
(e.g. on icy roads).
iDepressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After brief acceler-
ation (e.g. for passing), the cruise control will re-
sume the last speed set.

217 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Setting a higher speed
Lift the cruise control lever in direction
of arrow1 (
page 215) and hold it
there until the desired speed is
reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.
Setting a lower speed
Depress the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 215) and
hold it there until the desired speed is
reached.
Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set.Fine adjustment in 1 mph
(Canada: 1 km/h) increments
Faster
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow1 (
page 215).
Slower
Briefly tip the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow2 (
page 215).Setting to last stored speed
(“Resume” function)
Briefly pull the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow4 (
page 215).
The cruise control resumes to the last
set speed or, if no speed is stored, it
will set and store the current speed.
Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The selected speed appears in the mul-
tifunction display.iWhen you use the cruise control lever to de-
celerate, the brake system will automatically
brake the vehicle if the engine’s braking power
does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
Warning!G
The set speed stored in memory should only
be set again if prevailing road conditions
permit. Possible acceleration or decelera-
tion differences arising from returning to the
preset speed could cause an accident
and/or serious injury to you and others.

218 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Distronic*
When activated, the Distronic adaptive
cruise control system increases the driving
convenience afforded by the cruise control
while traveling on expressways and other
major roadways.

If the Distronic distance sensor detects
a slower moving vehicle directly ahead,
your vehicle’s speed will be reduced so
that you follow that vehicle at the pre-
set following distance.

If there is no vehicle directly ahead of
you, Distronic will function in the same
way as standard cruise control
(
page 214).
Warning!G
Distronic adaptive cruise control is not a
substitute for active driving involvement. It
does not react to pedestrians or stationary
objects, recognize or predict the lane curva-
ture nor the movement of preceding
vehicles.
Distronic can only apply a maximum of 20%
of the vehicle’s braking power.
It is the driver’s responsibility at all times to
be attentive to the road, weather and traffic
conditions. In addition, the driver must pro-
vide the steering, braking and other driving
inputs necessary to remain in control of the
vehicle.
Warning!G
Distronic is a convenience system. Its speed
adjustment reduction capability is intended
to make cruise control more effective and
usable when traffic speeds vary. It is not
however, intended to, nor does it, replace
the need for extreme care.
The responsibility for the vehicle’s speed,
distance to the preceding vehicle and, most
importantly, brake operation to assure a
safe stopping distance, always remains with
the driver.
Warning!G
Distronic requires familiarity with its opera-
tional characteristics. We strongly recom-
mend that you review the following
information carefully before operating the
system.
Warning!G
Distronic cannot take street and traffic con-
ditions into account. Only use Distronic if
the road, weather and traffic conditions
make it advisable to travel at a constant
speed.