2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG Steering

182 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Canceling gear range limit
Pull and hold right shift paddle2
until
D reappears in the right multifunc-
tion display (
page 174).
The transmission will shift from the
current gear range directly to gear
rangeD.
Shifting into optimal gear range
Pull and hold left shift paddle1.
The transmission will automatically
select the gear range suited for optimal
acceleration and deceleration. This will
involve shifting down one or more
gears.Manual shift program
(SL55AMGandSL65AMG only)
In addition to the automatic shift
programC orS, your vehicle is equipped
with the MANUAL shift program.
In the MANUAL program mode,
system-controlled automatic gearshifting
is switched off and you need to change the
gears by manually upshifting or downshift-
ing using the steering wheel gearshift
paddles (
page 181) or the gear selector
lever.The program mode selector switch is
located on the lower part of the center
console.
Program mode selector switch
MANUAL For manual gear shifting
C Comfort For comfort driving
S Sport For standard driving
The selected program mode appears in the
right multifunction display (
page 178).
!Allow engine to warm up under low load use.
Do not place full load on the engine until the
operating temperature has been reached.
Shift into reverse gearR or park positionP only
when the vehicle is stopped.
Avoid spinning of a drive wheel for an extended
period when driving off on slippery road
surfaces. This may cause serious damage to the
drivetrain which is not covered by the
Mercedes-Benz Limited Warranty.
iFor information on automatic program
modesC orS, see “Automatic shift program”
(
page 177), “Gear selector lever one-touch
gearshifting” (
page 179), and “Steering wheel
gearshift control one-touch gearshifting*”
(
page 180).

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.

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.

223 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Cruise control lever
The Distronic system is operated by means
of the cruise control lever.
The cruise control lever is the uppermost
lever found on the left-hand side of the
steering column.
1Setting current or higher speed
2Setting current or lower speed
3Deactivate Distronic
4Activating Distronic or resuming at last
set speedActivating Distronic
You can activate Distronic when the vehi-
cle speed is between 20 mph (30 km/h)
and 110 mph (180 km/h).
When Distronic is activated, the left multi-
function display will show a message such
as
DTR 55 MPH.
If Distronic is not activated after the cruise
control lever is pulled, the left multifunc-
tion display will show the message
DTR --- MPH.
In the following cases you cannot activate
Distronic:

up to 2 minutes after starting the
engine

when you brake

when you have set the parking brake

when the gear selector lever is set to
positionP, R, or N.

when the ESP® is switched off1White Distronic indicator lamp E
2Set speed
iThe vehicle speed displayed in the speedom-
eter can briefly vary from the speed setting for
the Distronic.

227 Controls in detail
Driving systems
Driving with Distronic
This section describes a number of driving
situations where special precaution is
required on the part of the driver.
Be prepared to brake in such situations.
This will deactivate the Distronic system.The most likely cause for a malfunctioning
system is a dirty sensor (located behind
the hood grille), especially at times of snow
and ice or heavy rain. In such a case,
Distronic will switch off, and the message
DISTRONIC Currently Unavailable See
Oper. Manual
appears in the multifunction
display.
For cleaning and care of the Distronic sen-
sor, see “Cleaning the Distronic* system
sensor cover” (
page 336).
Warning!G
Distronic works to maintain the speed se-
lected by the driver unless a moving obsta-
cle proceeding directly ahead of it in the
same travel direction is detected (e.g. fol-
lowing another vehicle ahead of you at your
set distance. This means that:

Your vehicle can pass another vehicle
after you have changed lanes.

While in a sharp turn or if the preceding
vehicle is in a sharp turn, Distronic could
lose sight of the preceding vehicle. Your
vehicle could then accelerate to the pre-
viously set speed.
Distronic regulates only the distance be-
tween your vehicle and those directly ahead
of it, but does not register stationary objects
in the road, e.g.:

a stopped vehicle in a traffic jam

a disabled vehicle

an oncoming vehicle
The driver must always be alert, observe all
traffic and intercede as required by means
of steering or braking the vehicle.
Warning!G
Distronic should not be used in snowy or icy
road conditions.
iIf the message DISTRONIC Currently
Unavailable See Oper. Manual
disappears
from the multifunction display during driving, the
dirt (e.g. slush) has dissolved. Distronic is avail-
able again if you reactivate it (
page 223).

248 Controls in detail
Useful features
When the mobile phone is inserted in the
cradle, you can operate the telephone
using the following devices:

mobile phone keypad

Voice Control System* (see separate
operating instructions)

COMAND (see separate operating
instructions)

buttonss andt on the multi-
function steering wheel (
page 144)Please note that these functions are only
available with Mercedes-Benz approved
mobile phones. Please contact an autho-
rized Mercedes-Benz Center for informa-
tion on features available for your mobile
phone of choice.
The cradle is located in the front center
armrest.
Open the telephone compartment
(
page 239).
Inserting mobile phone in mobile phone
cradle
Once the mobile phone has been inserted
in the mobile phone cradle, you have to
use the hands-free device to respond
during phone calls.
Warning!G
Please do not forget that your primary re-
sponsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver’s
attention to the road must always be
his/her primary focus when driving. For
your safety and the safety of others, we rec-
ommend that you pull over to a safe location
and stop before placing or taking a tele-
phone call.
If you choose to use the telephone
1 while
driving, please use the hands-free device
and only use the telephone when road,
weather and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND (Cockpit
Management and Data System)
1 if road,
weather, and traffic conditions permit.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet
(approximately 14 m) every second.
1Observe all legal requirements.
iVarious mobile phone cradles can be
installed in the center armrest, see separate
installation instructions for the mobile phone
cradle. These mobile phone cradles can be
obtained from an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
The functions and services available to you while
using the mobile phone depend on your service
provider and the type of mobile phone you are
using. See also separate operating manual for
instructions on how to use your mobile phone.
!Do not try to remove the mobile phone along
with the cradle. You could otherwise damage the
mobile phone cradle.

249 Controls in detail
Useful features
If applicable, remove the cover for the
external antenna connection from the
back of the mobile phone and store it in
a s a f e p l a c e . B e s u r e t o c o m p l y w i t h t h e
mobile phone’s operating instructions
as well.
Example illustration
1Insert the mobile phone
2Connector contact
3Mobile phone cradle
Slide the lower end of the mobile phone
into connector contact 2 on
cradle3.
Push the top of the mobile phone in di-
rection of arrow 1, until the lug on the
mobile phone release button engages.
The mobile phone is connected to the
network via the external antenna.
The mobile phone is linked to the
hands-free device and the multifunc-
tion steering wheel.
The battery is charged depending on its
charge status and the position of the
SmartKey in the starter switch. The
charge procedure will be indicated in
the mobile phone’s display.
You can place or receive phone calls. You
can control other functions of the mobile
phone via the control system
(
page 169), the Voice Control System*
(see separate operating instructions), or
COMAND (see separate operating
instructions). Removing mobile phone from mobile
phone cradle
Example illustration
1Release catch for mobile phone
2Mobile phone cradle
iWhen you take the SmartKey out of the
starter switch, the mobile phone remains
switched on for approximately 10 minutes. If you
place or receive a call during this time, the
mobile phone switches off 10 minutes after the
call has been completed.
iWhen using a flip-style mobile phone, open
flip top before removing from the cradle while a
call is connected. Otherwise, the call will be dis-
connected.


251 Controls in detail
Useful features
The Tele Aid system
(Tele
matic Alarm Identification on De-
mand)
The Tele Aid system consists of three
types of response:

Automatic and manual emergency

Roadside Assistance

Information
The Tele Aid system is operational provid-
ing that the vehicle’s battery is charged,
properly connected, not damaged and cel-
lular and GPS coverage is available.
The speaker volume of a Tele Aid call can
be adjusted when using the volume control
on the multifunction steering wheel. To
raise, press buttonæ and to lower,
press buttonç or use the volume knob
on your COMAND headunit.
To activate, press the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• or
the Information button¡, depend-
ing on the type of response required.Shortly after the completion of your Tele
Aid acquaintance call, you will receive a
user ID and password. By visiting
www.mbusa.com and selecting “Tele Aid”
(USA only), you will have access to account
information, remote door unlock, and
more.
System self-check
Initially, after switching on the ignition,
malfunctions are detected and indicated
(the indicator lamps in the SOS button, the
Roadside Assistance button• and the Information button¡ stay on longer
than 10 seconds or do not come on). The
message
Tele Aid Inoperative appears
for approximately 10 seconds in the multi-
function display.
iThe SOS button is located above the interior
rear view mirror (
page 253).
The Roadside Assistance button• and the
Information button¡ are located below the
center armrest cover (
page 239).
!The Tele Aid system utilizes the cellular
network for communication and the GPS (Global
Positioning System) satellites for vehicle loca-
tion. If either of these signals are unavailable, the
Tele Aid system may not function and if this
occurs, assistance must be summoned by other
means.
Warning!G
If the indicator lamps in the SOS button, in
the Roadside Assistance button, and/or in
the Information button do not come on dur-
ing the system self-check, or if any of these
indicators remain illuminated continuously
in red and/or the message
Tele Aid
Inoperative
is displayed in the multifunc-
tion display after the system self-check,
a malfunction in the system has been
detected.
If a malfunction is indicated as outlined
above, the system may not operate as ex-
pected. Have the system checked at the
nearest Mercedes-Benz Center as soon as
possible.