2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SL55AMG brakes

Contents
Power windows .................................. 201
Opening and closing the
windows ....................................... 201
Synchronizing power windows ..... 203
Retractable hardtop ........................... 204
Opening and closing the
retractable hardtop ...................... 204
Driving systems ................................. 214
Cruise control............................... 214
Distronic*..................................... 218
Distance warning function*.......... 229
Active Body Control (ABC) ............ 230
Parktronic system*
(Parking assist)............................. 233
Useful features .................................. 238
Storage compartments................. 238
Cup holders .................................. 243
Ashtray ......................................... 244
Cigarette lighter ........................... 244
Load assist in the trunk ................ 245
Power outlet ................................. 246
Floormat* ..................................... 247
Telephone*................................... 247
Tele Aid ........................................ 250
Garage door opener ..................... 257
Operation......................................... 265
The first 1 000 miles (1 500 km)......... 266
Driving instructions............................ 267
Drive sensibly – save fuel ............. 267
Drinking and driving ..................... 267
Pedals .......................................... 267
Power assistance ......................... 268
Brakes .......................................... 268
Driving off .................................... 270
Parking ......................................... 271
Tires ............................................. 271
Hydroplaning ................................ 272
Tire traction.................................. 273
Tire speed rating .......................... 273
Winter driving instructions ........... 274
Standing water ............................. 275
Passenger compartment .............. 276
Driving abroad.............................. 276
Control and operation of
radio transmitters ........................ 276
Catalytic converter ....................... 277
Emission control .......................... 277
Coolant temperature .................... 278At the gas station .............................. 279
Refueling ...................................... 279
Check regularly and before
a long trip..................................... 280
Engine compartment ......................... 282
Hood ............................................ 282
Engine oil ..................................... 283
Transmission fluid level................ 287
Oil level in the ABC system .......... 287
Coolant ........................................ 288
Windshield washer system and
headlamp cleaning system........... 289
Battery ......................................... 290
Tires and wheels................................ 291
Important guidelines .................... 291
Tire care and maintenance........... 292
Direction of rotation..................... 294
Loading the vehicle ...................... 294
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ....................................... 300
Checking tire inflation pressure ... 302
MOExtended system* .................. 312
Tire labeling ................................. 313
Load identification ....................... 317
DOT, Tire Identification Number
(TIN) ............................................. 317

56 Getting started
Driving
Driving off
Depress the brake pedal.
Place the gear selector lever in
positionD orR.
Release the brake pedal.
Carefully depress the accelerator
pedal.After a cold start, the transmission en-
gages at a higher revolution. This allows
the catalytic converter to reach its operat-
ing temperature earlier.
Warning!G
It is dangerous to shift the gear selector le-
ver out ofP orN if the engine speed is high-
er than idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could accel-
erate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
Warning!G
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift
in order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced
vehicle control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not
prevent this type of loss of control.
!In order to avoid damage to the
transmission:

Wait for the gear selection process to com-
plete before setting the vehicle in motion.

Place the gear selector lever in positionP
orR only when the vehicle is stopped.
!If you hear a warning signal and the
message
Release Parking Brake appears in
the multifunction display when driving off, you
have forgotten to release the parking brake.
Release the parking brake (
page 55).
iOnce the vehicle is in motion, the automatic
central locking system engages and the locking
knobs drop down.
You can deactivate the automatic locking using
the control system (
page 166).
You can open a locked door from the inside.
Open door only when conditions are safe to do
so.
!Do not run cold engine at high engine speed.
Running a cold engine at high engine speed may
shorten the service life of the engine.
!Simultaneously depressing the accelerator
pedal and applying the brakes reduces engine
performance and causes premature brake and
drivetrain wear.

90 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The - indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster comes on when you switch on the
ignition. It goes out when the engine is run-
ning.
Braking
If the ABS activates during braking, the
ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster dial flashes. Because
of the electro-hydraulic brake system, you
will not feel any pulsation in the brake
pedal.
Keep firm and steady pressure on the
brake pedal.
Continuous, steady brake pedal pressure
yields the advantages provided by the ABS,
namely braking power and the ability to
steer the vehicle.The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v flashes
whenever the ABS is activated which can
be an indication of hazardous road condi-
tions and functions as a reminder to take
extra care while driving.
Emergency brake maneuver
Keep continuous, full pressure on the
brake pedal.
For more information, see the
“Practical hints” section (
page 342).
Warning!G
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the BAS
and the ESP® are also switched off.
When the ABS is malfunctioning, the wheels
may lock during hard braking, reducing
steering capability and extending the brak-
ing distance.
Warning!G
The ABS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking or steering efficiency be-
yond that afforded by the condition of the
vehicle brakes and tires or the traction
afforded. The ABS cannot prevent acci-
dents, including those resulting from exces-
sive speed in turns, following another
vehicle too closely, or hydroplaning. Only a
safe, attentive, and skillful driver can pre-
vent accidents. The capabilities of an ABS
equipped vehicle must never be exploited in
a reckless or dangerous manner which
could jeopardize the user’s safety or the
safety of others.

91 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
BAS
The Brake Assist System (BAS) operates in
emergency situations. If you apply the
brakes very quickly, the BAS automatically
provides full brake boost, thereby poten-
tially reducing the braking distance.
Apply continuous full braking pressure
until the emergency braking situation is
over.
The ABS will prevent the wheels from
locking.
When you release the brake pedal, the
brakes function again as normal. The BAS
is then deactivated.
ESP®
The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®) is
operational as soon as the engine is run-
ning and monitors the vehicle’s traction
(force of adhesive friction between the
tires and the road surface) and handling.
The ESP
® recognizes when a wheel is
spinning or if the vehicle starts to skid. By
applying brakes to the appropriate wheel
and by limiting engine output, the ESP
®
works to stabilize the vehicle. The ESP® is
especially useful while driving off and on
wet or slippery road surfaces. The ESP
®
also stabilizes the vehicle during braking
and steering maneuvers.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster (
page 26) flashes
when the ESP® is engaged.
The ABS/ESP
® warning lamp v in the
instrument cluster comes on when you
switch on the ignition. It goes out when the
engine is running.
Warning!G
If the BAS is malfunctioning, the brake
system is still functioning normally, but with-
out the additional brake boost available that
BAS would normally provide in an emer-
gency braking maneuver. Therefore, the
braking distance may increase.
Warning!G
BAS cannot prevent the natural laws of
physics from acting on the vehicle, nor can
it increase braking efficiency beyond that af-
forded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded. The BAS
cannot prevent accidents, including those
resulting from excessive speed in turns, fol-
lowing another vehicle too closely, or hydro-
planing. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents. The capabili-
ties of a BAS equipped vehicle must never
be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s
safety or the safety of others.

93 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Electronic traction system
The electronic traction system is a compo-
nent of ESP
®.
The electronic traction system improves
the vehicle’s ability to utilize available trac-
tion, especially under slippery road condi-
tions by applying the brakes to a spinning
wheel.
When you switch off the ESP
®, the elec-
tronic traction system is still enabled.Switching off the ESP
®
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch
off the ESP® in driving situations where it
would be advantageous to have the drive
wheels spin and thus cut into surfaces for
better grip such as:

when driving with snow chains

in deep snow

in sand or gravelWhen you switch off the ESP
®

the ESP® does not stabilize the vehicle

the engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and
thus cut into surfaces for better grip

the electronic traction system will still
apply the brakes to a spinning wheel

the ESP® continues to operate when
you are braking

you cannot activate the cruise control
or the Distronic* system

the cruise control or the Distronic*
system switch off if currently activated
Warning!G
If you are driving too fast, the electronic
traction system cannot reduce the risk of an
accident.
The electronic traction system cannot pre-
vent the natural laws of physics from acting
on the vehicle.
Warning!G
ESP® should not be switched off during nor-
mal driving other than in the circumstances
described below. Disabling of the system
will reduce vehicle stability in standard driv-
ing maneuvers.
Do not switch off the ESP
® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
Warning!G
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the afore-
mentioned circumstances do not apply any-
more. Otherwise the ESP
® will not stabilize
the vehicle when it is starting to skid or a
wheel is spinning.

95 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
The electro-hydraulic brake system is auto-
matically activated when you

unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or with KEYLESS-GO*

open the driver’s or passenger door

turn the SmartKey in the starter switch
to position1

in vehicles with KEYLESS-GO*, press
the start/stop button on the gear se-
lector lever once

depress the brake pedal

release the parking brake
Warning!G
The electro-hydraulic brake system requires
electrical power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply
or electrical system may impair brake sys-
tem operation and switch it into its emer-
gency operation mode. In such a case, the
red brake warning lamp (
page 345)
comes on and warning messages
(
page 377) appear in the multifunction
display while driving. To brake, the driver
must then apply significantly greater brake
pedal pressure and depress the pedal much
further to obtain the expected braking ef-
fect. If necessary, apply full pressure to the
brake pedal. Brakes are only applied to the
front wheels. Stopping distance is in-
creased!
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 434).

97 Safety and Security
Driving safety systems
Notes on driving with the
electro-hydraulic brake system

Following extended periods of only
minor loads to your brake system, you
should occasionally apply the brakes
when traveling at high speeds. This
improves the grip of the brake pads.
After driving on wet or snow-covered
roads, you should apply your brakes
firmly before parking your vehicle.
This produces heat which serves to
dry the brake disks and help prevent
corrosion.

On long and steep grades, shift to a
lower gear (gear range1, 2, or 3) to
prevent the brakes from overheating
and to reduce brake wear.

After hard braking, it is advisable to
drive on for some time so that the air
stream will cool down the brakes
faster.

Only Mercedes-Benz approved compo-
nents (e.g. brake pads) should be in-
stalled on your vehicle. Brake pads
not approved by Mercedes-Benz may
impair the safety of your vehicle.
Warning!G
Be very careful not to endanger other road
users when you apply the brakes.

174 Controls in detail
Automatic transmission
Gear selector lever positions
The current gear selector lever position
appears in the right multifunction display.
1Current gear selector lever positionEffect
ìPark position
Gear selector lever position
when the vehicle is parked. Place
gear selector lever in park
positionP only when vehicle is
stopped. The park position is not
intended to serve as a brake
when the vehicle is parked.
Rather, the driver should always
set the parking brake in addition
to placing the gear selector lever
in park positionP to secure the
vehicle.
The SmartKey can only be
removed from the starter switch
with the gear selector lever in
park positionP. With the
SmartKey removed, the gear
selector lever is locked in park
positionP.
Effect
íReverse gear
Place gear selector lever in
positionR only when vehicle is
stopped.
ëNeutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive axle. When
the brakes are released, the
vehicle can be moved freely
(pushed or towed).
To avoid damage to the trans-
mission, never engage neutral
positionN while driving.
If the ESP
® is deactivated or
malfunctioning:
Move gear selector lever to neu-
tral positionN only if the vehicle
is in danger of skidding, e.g. on
icy roads.