2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS sport mode

Clock ..................................................... 28
Cockpit ................................................. 28
Cold tire inflation pressure .............. 205
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) .......... 303
COMAND system see separate COMAND system
operating instructions
Combination switch ............................ 92
Control system .................................. 113
Multifunction display .....................114
Multifunction steering wheel .........113
Resetting to factory settings ..........121
Control system menus ...................... 115
AMG ............................................... 116
Audio/DVD .................................... 119
Distronic ........................................ 120
Navigation ..................................... 120
Settings ......................................... 121
Standard display ............................ 116
Telephone ...................................... 129
Trip computer ................................ 128
Vehicle status message memory ...120
Control system submenus
Convenience .................................. 127
Instrument cluster .........................122
Lighting .......................................... 124
Vehicle ........................................... 126
Convenience submenu
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 127
Fold-in function for exterior rear
view mirrors ................................... 127
Coolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ...............308
Capacities ...................................... 304
Checking level ............................... 184
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 244
Temperature gauge ........................ 112
Warning lamp ................................. 263
Corner-illuminating lamps .................. 93
Replacing bulbs ............................. 272
Cruise control .................................... 130
Activating ....................................... 131
Canceling ....................................... 132
Changing the set speed .................132
Last stored speed ..........................132
Lever .............................................. 131Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 232
Resume function ............................ 132
Setting current speed ....................131
Cup holders ........................................ 164
Curb weight ....................................... 205
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 22
Customer Relations Department ....... 22
D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Data recording ..................................... 22
Daytime running lamp mode .............. 90
Switching on or off ......................... 124
Deep water
see Standing water
Defogging (windshield) ..................... 153
Defroster
Front (Climate control system) ......153
Rear window .................................. 155
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps ................................ 125
Interior lighting .............................. 126
Department of Transportation
see DOT
Difficulties
While driving .................................. 101
With starting .................................... 99
Digital clock
see Clock
Digital speedometer ......................... 116
Dimensions (vehicle) see Vehicle specification
Direction of rotation (tires) .............. 197
Displays
Digital speedometer ......................116
Distronic ........................................ 135
Maintenance service indicator .......214
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 226
Multifunction display .....................114
Outside temperature ...................... 116
Symbol messages ..........................237
Text messages ............................... 227
Trip computer ................................ 128
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Intermittent wiping ............................. 95
Rain sensor ...................................... 95
J
Jack ..................................................... 225
Jump starting ..................................... 285
K
Key, Mechanical
Loss of ............................................. 72
Replacing ......................................... 72
Unlocking/locking manually ..........267
Valet locking .................................... 77
Key, SmartKey
Battery check lamp ..........................71
Checking batteries ...........................71
Factory setting ........................... 69, 71
Global locking (KEYLESS-
GO) .................................................. 71
Global locking (SmartKey) ................ 69
Global unlocking (KEYLESS-
GO) .................................................. 71
Global unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 69
Important notes on KEYLESS-GO .....70
Locking/unlocking ........................... 68
Loss of ............................................. 72
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 242
Opening, trunk ................................. 73
Remote control ................................ 68
Replacing ......................................... 72
Replacing batteries ........................269
Restoring to factory setting .......69, 71
Selective setting ........................69, 71
Starter switch positions ...................78
KEYLESS-GO
Starter switch positions ...................79
Kickdown ........................................... 105
Kickdown (manual shift program) ... 111
Kilopascal (air pressure unit) ........... 206
Knee bag .............................................. 42
L
Labels
Certification ................................... 294
Emission control information .........295
Tire and Loading Information
placard ........................................... 193
Tire inflation pressure ....................188
Lamps, exterior
Exterior lamp switch ........................89
Front .............................................. 272
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 249
Rear ............................................... 272
Switching on/off .............................. 89
Lamps, indicator and warning
ABS ................................... 31, 32, 255
Brakes ..................................... 30, 255
Coolant .......................................... 263
Distance warning
lamp .............................. 135, 140, 262
Engine
malfunction
.......................................... 31, 32, 263
ESP ®
................................ 30, 259, 260
ESP ®
OFF ........................... 31, 32, 259, 261
Fog lamps ........................................ 91
Fuel tank
reserve .............................. 31, 32, 262
High-beam
headlamps
............................................ 31, 32, 92
Instrument cluster ...................30, 254
Low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale ........................265
Passenger front air bag
off ...................................... 33, 43, 266
Roll bar .......................................... 258
Seat belt
telltale
.................................... 31, 32, 48, 256
SPORT handling mode .....................31
SRS ............................. 31, 32, 38, 257
Turn signals ..................................... 30
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You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on the SPORT handling mode.
Do not switch on the SPORT handling mode
when a spare wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch on
the SPORT handling mode. This allows the
drive wheels to spin and thus cut into
surfaces for better grip, for example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch off the SPORT handling mode and
switch on the ESP® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the SPORT handling
mode will only stabilize the vehicle to a limited
extent when it is starting to skid or a wheel is
spinning.
When you switch on the SPORT handling
mode
Rthe ESP® stabilizes the vehicle only to a
limited extent
Rthe engine output is limited, but only to the
extent that allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking hard
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
switch off if activated
iWhen the SPORT handling mode is
switched on and one or more drive wheels
are spinning, the ABS/ESP® warning lamp
\000

Version 2
XSwitching on: With the engine running,
press ESP® switch \000F briefly.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp \000g in the
instrument cluster comes on. The message
ESP-SPORT appears in the multifunction
display.
XSwitching off: With the engine running,
press ESP® SPORT switch \000F briefly.
The ABS/ESP® warning lamp \000g in the
instrument cluster goes out. The message
ESP-ON appears in the multifunction
display.
The SPORT handling mode switches off
automatically when you turn off the engine.
When starting the engine, the ESP® is
activated automatically.
Switching the ESP® off or on
GWarning!
The ESP® should not be switched off during
normal driving.
Disabling of the system will result in the
following:
Rno restriction to engine torque
Rloss of system-supported traction control
“ESP® OFF” is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle’s natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off the ESP®.
Do not switch off the ESP® when a spare
wheel is mounted.
To improve the vehicle’s traction, switch off
the ESP®. This allows the drive wheels to spin
and thus cut into surfaces for better grip, for
example
Rwhen driving with snow chains
Rin deep snow
Rin sand or gravel
GWarning!
Switch on the ESP® immediately if the
aforementioned circumstances do not apply
anymore. Otherwise the ESP® will not
stabilize the vehicle when it is starting to skid
or a wheel is spinning.
When you switch off the ESP®,
Rthe ESP® will not stabilize the vehicle
Rthe engine output is not limited, which
allows the drive wheels to spin and thus cut
into surfaces for better grip
Rthe ETS will still apply the brakes to a
spinning wheel
Rthe ESP® continues to operate when you
are braking hard
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
cannot be activated
Rthe cruise control or the Distronic system
switch off if activated
iWhen the ESP® is switched off and one or
more drive wheels are spinning, the ABS/
ESP® warning lamp \000

Electro-hydraulic brake system
The electro-hydraulic brake system combines
a hydraulic brake circuit with electronically
controlled brake servo assistance. You have
increased braking safety and improved
braking comfort.GWarning!
Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated in
the speedometer display, for example by the
0027 (USA only) or 004D (Canada only)
indicator lamp. Refer to the “Practical hints”
section. Also read and observe the messages
in the instrument cluster multifunction
display.
For information on warning and indicator
lamps, see the “Practical hints” section
( Y page 255). For information on the
messages that may appear in the
multifunction display, see the “Practical
hints” section ( Y page 227) and
( Y page 237).
GWarning!
The electro-hydraulic brake system requires
electrical power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply or
electrical system may impair brake system
operation and switch it into its emergency
operation mode. In such a case, the red brake
warning lamp comes on and warning
messages 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 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 recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate 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 information, see
the “Towing the vehicle” section in this
Operator’s Manual.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
activated automatically when you
R unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
with KEYLESS-GO
R open the driver’s or passenger door
R turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 1
R press the start/stop button on the gear
selector lever once (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO)
R depress the brake pedal
R release the parking brake
If the electro-hydraulic brake system is
activated as the brake pedal is first
depressed, you may feel a reduced pedal
resistance and longer pedal travel than
normal. When releasing the pedal, you may
also feel the brake pedal pulsate and you may
hear a sound which is caused by the
activation of the electro-hydraulic brake
system pump. This is normal and not an
indication of a malfunction. Pedal travel
returns to normal when you release the brake
pedal and the sound soon ceases.
If you experience the above while driving and
the red brake warning lamp illuminates
and/or warning messages appear in the
multifunction display, the brake system is
malfunctioning. Follow the instructions of the
warning message(s) and have the brake
system checked immediately.GWarning!
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system carried
62Driving safety systemsSafety and security
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vehicle is stopped. Otherwise the
automatic transmission could be damaged.
iShifting the automatic transmission out of
park position P is only possible with the
brake pedal depressed.
Only depressing the brake pedal releases
the gear selector lever lock.
iThe current gear selector lever position
corresponds with the current transmission
position.
The current transmission position P, R, N,
or D appears in the right multifunction
display (Y page 104).
There are additional indicators on the cover
of the shifting gate showing the current gear
selector lever position.
The indicators come on when you insert the
SmartKey into the starter switch, and go out
when you remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch.
Shifting procedure
The automatic transmission selects individual
gears automatically, depending onRthe selected gear range (Y page 106)
Rthe selected program mode:
C/S (Y page 106)
or
M (vehicles with AMG Sport Package,
SL 63 AMG and SL 65 AMG only)
(Y page 109)
Rthe position of the accelerator pedal
Rthe vehicle speed
With drive position D selected, you can
influence transmission shifting by
Rlimiting the gear range
Rextending the gear range
Rchanging the gears manually (vehicles with
AMG Sport Package, SL 63 AMG and
SL 65 AMG only)
SL 63 AMG: Double-clutching is active when
downshifting in all program modes. Double-
clutching reduces load-alteration effects and
supports sporty driving. The degree to which
you perceive double-clutching acoustically
varies depending on the selected program
mode.
Transmission positions
The current transmission position appears in
the right multifunction display.
\000FTransmission position indicator 104Automatic transmissionControls in detail
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Working on the vehicleGWarning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise
the vehicle could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury.
Gear ranges
With the automatic transmission in drive
position D and driving in automatic program
mode C or S, you can limit or extend the gear
range, see “One-touch gearshifting”
(Y page 108).
The current gear range appears in the right
multifunction display.
\000FGear range indicator Effect\000@With this selection you can use the
braking effect of the engine.
\0008Allows the use of the engine’s
braking effect when driving
Ron steep downgrades
Rin mountainous regions
Runder extreme operating
conditions
\0007For maximum use of the engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.
Automatic shift program
Program mode selector switch
C ComfortFor comfort drivingS SportFor sporty driving
Program mode selector switch on vehicles withAMG Sport Package.
C ComfortFor comfort drivingS SportFor sporty drivingM ManualFor manual gearshifting
(Y page 109)
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Program mode selector dial on SL 63 AMG
C ComfortFor standard drivingS SportFor sporty drivingS+ Sport PlusFor sporty driving with
shorter shift times
M ManualFor manual gearshifting
(Y page 109)
RS RACE STARTFor optimum
acceleration from a
standing start
iProgram mode RS cannot be selected
while driving. For more information, see
“RACE START (SL 63 AMG)” (Y page 141).
Program mode selector switch on SL 65 AMG
C ComfortFor comfort drivingS SportFor standard drivingM MANUALFor manual gearshifting
(Y page 109)
The current program mode appears in the
right multifunction display.
\000FProgram mode indicator
iSL 63 AMG: In addition, the currently
selected program mode is indicated in red
on the program mode selector dial.
You should only change the program mode
when the automatic transmission is in park
position P.
Automatic program mode S will not be stored.
When the engine is turned off with the
automatic program mode S selected, the
automatic transmission will go to the
automatic program mode C when the engine
is restarted.
SL 63 AMG: Automatic program mode S+ will
not be stored. When the engine is turned off
with automatic program mode S+ selected,
the automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C when the engine
is restarted.
X All models except SL 63 AMG: Press the
program mode selector switch repeatedly
until the letter of the desired program mode
appears in the right multifunction display.
XSL 63 AMG: Turn the program mode
selector dial until the letter of the desired
program mode appears in the right
multifunction display.
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