2011 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG parking brake

Without the brake pedal depressed, the
gear selector lever can be moved up or
down, but the parking pawl remains
engaged, not allowing shifting to occur.
i The gear selector lever always returns to
its original position.
The current transmission position P, R , N ,
or D appears in the multifunction display
( Y page 265).
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 into park position PXWith the vehicle at a standstill, press
button 0046 on the gearshift pattern
( Y page 263).
KEYLESS-GO: When you turn off the engine
using the KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and
open a door, the transmission will shift into
park position P automatically.
SmartKey: When you turn off the engine using
the SmartKey, and remove the SmartKey
from the starter switch or open a door, the
transmission will shift into park position P
automatically.
i You cancel park position P when you
depress the brake pedal and move the gear
selector lever forward or back past the first
point of resistance. The transmission shifts
into neutral position N.
Shifting into neutral position N
XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal.XMove the gear selector lever forward or
back to the first point of resistance.
i The transmission will remain in neutral
position N for approximately 30 minutes
when you have shifted the transmission to
neutral position N before turning off the
engine. The transmission will shift into park
position P automatically when you open a
door or remove the SmartKey from the
starter switch during this period. The
transmission remains in neutral position
N when the SmartKey is in the starter
switch or when you open a door.
Shifting into reverse gear RXWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal.XMove the gear selector lever forward past
the first point of resistance.
Shifting into drive position D
XWith the vehicle at a standstill, depress the
brake pedal.XMove the gear selector lever back past the
first point of resistance.
Shifting procedure
The transmission selects individual gears
automatically, depending on
R the selected gear range ( Y page 266)
R the selected program mode:
C /S/ S+ /M and RS (Y page 267)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the vehicle speed
With drive position D selected, you can
influence transmission shifting by
R limiting the gear range
R extending the gear range
R changing the gears manually
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.
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Transmission positions
The current transmission position appears in
the multifunction display.0046Transmission position indicator
If the current transmission position does not
appear in the multifunction display due to a
malfunction, for example, make sure that the
transmission is in the desired position.
XShift the transmission into drive position
D .XSelect automatic program mode C
( Y page 267).XDo not limit the gear range.XDrive off carefully.Effect0045Park position
Shift the transmission into park
position P only when the vehicle is
stopped. The park position is not
intended to serve as a brake when
the vehicle is parked. Rather, the
driver should always engage the
electronic parking brake in addition
to shifting the transmission into
park position P to secure the
vehicle.
If the vehicle’s electrical system is
malfunctioning, the transmission
could remain locked in park
position P.XHave the vehicle’s electrical
system checked at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.0046Reverse gear
Shift the transmission into reverse
gear R only when the vehicle is
stopped.AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-SPEED Transmission265Controls in detailBA 197 USA, CA Edition A 2011; 1; 27, en-UShereepeVersion: 3.0.3.52010-03-24T15:31:10+01:00 - Seite 265Z

Effect0044Neutral position
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
transmission, never shift the
transmission into neutral position
N while driving.
Exception: If the ESC is switched off
or malfunctioning, shift the
transmission into neutral position
N if the vehicle is in danger of
skidding.
! Coasting the vehicle, or driving
for any other reason with the
transmission in neutral position
N can result in transmission
damage that is not covered by
the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.003ADrive position
The transmission shifts
automatically. All forward gears are
available.
Driving tips
Kickdown
Use the kickdown when you want maximum
acceleration.
XDepress the accelerator pedal past the
point of resistance.
Depending on the engine speed the
transmission shifts into a lower gear.
Working on the vehicle
GWarning!
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electronic parking brake and shift the
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 transmission in drive position D and
driving in automatic program mode C, S , or
S+ , you can limit or extend the gear range,
see “One-touch gearshifting” ( Y page 267).
The current gear range appears in the
multifunction display.
0046Gear range indicatorEffect0040With this selection you can use the
braking effect of the engine.0038Allows the use of the engine’s
braking effect when driving
R on steep downgrades
R in mountainous regions
R under extreme operating
conditions0037For maximum use of the engine’s
braking effect on very steep or
lengthy downgrades.266AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-SPEED TransmissionControls in detail
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008AAverage speed during lap0088Lap length0086Maximum speed during lapXPress button 003D or 003C to see other lap
analyses.
Driving systems
Introduction
This section describes the following driving
systems of your vehicle:
R Cruise control
R RACE START
R Hill-start assist system
R Parktronic system
R Rear view camera
The driving safety systems ABS, Adaptive
Brake, BAS, EBP, ESC and Trunk Wing are
described in the “Safety and security” section
( Y page 61).
Cruise control
The cruise control maintains the speed you
set for your vehicle automatically.
The use of the cruise control is recommended
for driving at a constant speed for extended
periods of time.
The currently set speed or last set speed
(“Resume” function) appears in the
multifunction display for approximately
5 seconds.
GWarning!
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 advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in wheel
spin and loss of control.
R Deactivate the cruise control when driving
in fog.
The “Resume” function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.GWarning!
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
0046Setting current or higher speed0047Setting current or lower speed008ACanceling the cruise control0088Activating the cruise control or resuming
to last set speed
Activating cruise control
You can activate the cruise control at a
vehicle speed above 20 mph (30 km/h).
You cannot activate the cruise control
R when you brake
R when you have engaged the electronic
parking brake
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Rwhen the transmission is in park position
P , reverse gear R, or neutral position N
R the ESC is switched off or has switched off
due to a malfunction
The vehicle speed displayed in the
speedometer can briefly vary from the speed
setting for the cruise control system.
Setting current speed XAccelerate or decelerate to the desired
speed.XBriefly lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 0046 or press in direction
of arrow 0047.XRemove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
i On 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 transmission
will downshift automatically.
Canceling cruise control
XDepress the brake pedal.
or
XBriefly push the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 008A.
The last set speed is stored for later use.
The last stored speed is deleted from memory
when the engine is turned off.
The cruise control switches off automatically
when you depress the brake pedal or you
engage the electronic parking brake.
The cruise control also switches off
automatically when
R the vehicle speed falls below 20 mph
(30 km/h)
R the ESC is in operation
R the ESC is switched off with the ESC switch
Rthe ESC has switched off due to a
malfunction
R you shift the transmission into neutral
position N while driving
An acoustic warning will sound. Observe
additional messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
Depressing the accelerator pedal does not
deactivate the cruise control. After a brief
acceleration (e.g. for passing), the cruise
control will resume the last set speed.
Changing the set speed GWarning!
Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has made the necessary
adjustments.
Increase or decrease the set vehicle speed to
a value that the prevailing road conditions and
legal speed limits permit. Otherwise, sudden
and unexpected acceleration or deceleration
of the vehicle could cause an accident and/
or serious injury to you and others.
You can increase or decrease the set speed
in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h) increments or in
5 mph (Canada: 10 km/h) increments.
When you use the cruise control lever to
decelerate, the brake system will brake the
vehicle automatically if the engine’s braking
power does not brake the vehicle sufficiently.
XIncreasing: Lift the cruise control lever in
direction of arrow 0046 and hold it up until
the desired speed is reached.XDecreasing: Press the cruise control lever
in direction of arrow 0047 and hold it down
until the desired speed is reached.XRelease the cruise control lever.
The new speed is set and the vehicle will
accelerate or decelerate.
Adjustment in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
increments
i The set speed value is increased or
decreased in 1 mph (Canada: 1 km/h)
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Activating RACE STARTXDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.XTurn the program mode selector dial
clockwise ( Y page 267) until the RS lamp
on the dial comes on.
The message RACE START Confirm:
Paddle UP Cancel: Paddle DOWN
appears in the multifunction display.
i When the activation conditions are not
fulfilled anymore, RACE START is canceled.
The message RACE START Canceled
appears in the multifunction display.
XTo cancel: Pull left steering wheel gearshift
control ( Y page 267).
or
XTo confirm: Pull right steering wheel
gearshift control ( Y page 267).
The message RACE START Available
Depress gas pedal. appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The message RACE START Not
Possible See Operator’s Manual
appears in the multifunction display.
XDepress the accelerator pedal fully.
The engine speed increases.
The message RACE START Release
brake to start appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The message RACE START
Canceled appears in the multifunction
display.
XTake your foot off the brake pedal while
keeping the accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The message RACE START Active appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START deactivates at a vehicle speed
of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). The transmission
switches to program mode S+. ESC SPORT
remains switched on.
RACE START is canceled immediately if you
release the accelerator pedal while RACE
START is active or when the activation
conditions are not fulfilled anymore. The
message RACE START Not Possible See
Operator’s Manual appears in the
multifunction display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly in a
short period of time, it is only available
again after having driven the vehicle a
certain distance.
Hill-start assist system
On uphill grades, the hill-start assist system
maintains the pressure in the brake system
for approximately 1 second after you have
released the brake pedal. Therefore, you can
start off smoothly without the vehicle moving
immediately after releasing the brake pedal.
GWarning!
The hill-start assist system is not designed to
function as a parking brake. It does not
prevent the vehicle from moving when parked
on an incline.
Always engage the electronic parking brake
in addition to shifting the transmission into
park position P.
XDepress the brake pedal.XShift the transmission into drive position
D or reverse gear R.XRelease the brake pedal.XCarefully depress the accelerator pedal.
The hill-start assist system is inactive
R when starting off on a level road or downhill
grades
R with the transmission in neutral position N
R with the electronic parking brake engaged
R if the ESC has switched off due to a
malfunction
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Parktronic system
The Parktronic system is an electronic
parking aid with ultrasonic sensors designed
to assist the driver during parking maneuvers.
The Parktronic system indicates the relative
distance between the vehicle and an obstacle
visually and audibly.
The Parktronic system is activated
automatically when
Ryou switch on the ignition
and
Ryou release the electronic parking brake
or
Ryou start the engine
and
Rshift the transmission into drive position
D, reverse gear R, or neutral position N
The Parktronic system deactivates at speeds
above approximately 11 mph (18 km/h). At
lower speeds, the Parktronic system
activates again.
The Parktronic system also deactivates when
you shift the transmission into park position
P or engage the electronic parking brake and
turn off the engine.
The Parktronic system monitors the
surroundings of your vehicle with four
sensors in the front bumper and four sensors
in the rear bumper.
Example illustration, sensors in the front bumper
To function properly, sensors \000F must be free
of dirt, ice, snow and slush. Clean
sensors \000F regularly. Be careful not to
scratch or damage sensors \000F, see “Cleaning
the Parktronic system sensors”
(Y page 357).
GWarning!
The Parktronic is a supplemental system. It is
not intended to, nor does it replace, the need
for extreme care. The responsibility during
parking and other critical maneuvers always
remains with the driver.
GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
! Special attention must be paid to objects
with smooth surfaces or low silhouettes
(e.g. trailer couplings, painted posts,
elevated crossbars or road curbs). Such
objects may not be detected by the system
and can damage the vehicle.
During parking maneuvers, pay special
attention to objects located above or below
the height of the sensors (e.g. street curbs,
painted posts, or trailer hitches etc.). The
Parktronic system will not detect such
objects at close range and damage to your
vehicle or the object may result.
! Ultrasonic signals from outside sources
(e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers) may impair the operation of
the Parktronic system.
Range of the sensors
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As your vehicle approaches an object, one or
more distance segments will illuminate,
depending on the distance. When the seventh
distance segment illuminates, you have
reached the minimum distance.
RFront area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red distance
segment illuminates and a constant
acoustic warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound for the second red
distance segment. The signal is canceled
when the transmission is shifted into park
position P.
RRear area: An intermittent acoustic
warning will sound as the first red distance
segment illuminates and a constant
acoustic warning lasting a maximum of
2 seconds will sound for the second red
distance segment. The signal is canceled
when the transmission is shifted into drive
position D or park position P.
Switching the Parktronic system on/off
The Parktronic system switches on
automatically when the ignition is switched
on.
XSwitching off: Press Parktronic
switch \000G.
Indicator lamp \000F comes on.
XSwitching on: Press Parktronic switch \000G
again.
Parktronic system malfunction
There is a malfunction in the Parktronic
system, if only the red distance segments
illuminate and an acoustic warning sounds.
The Parktronic system will switch off
automatically after 20 seconds and indicator
lamp \000F in Parktronic switch \000G comes on.
XHave the Parktronic system checked at an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as soon
as possible.
If only the red distance segments illuminate
and no acoustic warning sounds, the
Parktronic system sensors are dirty (e.g. dirt,
ice, snow and slush). Another cause could be
interference from other radio or ultrasonic
signals (e.g. truck air brakes, car wash, or
jackhammers). The Parktronic system will
switch off automatically after 20 seconds and
indicator lamp \000F in Parktronic switch \000G
comes on.
XSwitch off the ignition.XClean the Parktronic system sensors
(Y page 357).
XSwitch on the ignition.
or
XCheck the Parktronic system operation at
another location to rule out interference
from outside radio or ultrasonic signals.
Rear view camera
The rear view camera is an optical parking aid.
The area behind the vehicle appears in the
COMAND system display as a mirror image,
like in the rear view mirror.
GWarning!
Make sure no persons or animals are in or
near the area in which you are parking/
maneuvering. Otherwise, they could be
injured.
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