2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER instrument cluster

Function Page
:
Overhead control panel 47
;
PARKTRONIC warning dis-
play 204
=
Combination switch 129
?
Adjusts the steering wheel
electrically
118
A
Horn
B
Instrument cluster 40
C
Steering wheel gearshift
paddles
169
D
Diagnostics connection 33 Function Page
E
Opens the bonnet 563
F
Activates Night View Assist
Plus 218
G
Light switch 126
H
Electric parking brake 176
I
Ignition lock 155
Start/Stop button 155
J
Cruise control lever 182
K
Climate control systems 140Cockpit
39At a glance

Instrument cluster
Displays and controls
i
Instrument cluster: kilometres Function Page
:
Speedometer with seg-
ments
229
;
Fuel gauge
=
Rev counter 229 Function Page
?
Coolant temperature 228
A
Multifunction display 230
B
Instrument cluster lighting 22840
Instrument clusterAt a glance

i
Instrument cluster: miles Function Page
:
Speedometer with seg-
ments 229
;
Fuel gauge
=
Rev counter 229 Function Page
?
Coolant temperature 228
A
Multifunction display 230
B
Instrument cluster lighting 228Instrument cluster
41At a glance

Warning and indicator lamps
Function Page
:
L
Dipped-beam head-
lamps 127
;
T
Side lamps 128
=
÷
ESP® 277
?
K
Main-beam head-
lamps 130
A
!
Electric parking brake
(red) 280
B
!
Electric parking brake
(yellow) 280
C
·
Distance warning 283
D
#!
Turn signals 129
E
h
Tyre pressure monitor 284 Function Page
F
6
SRS 280
G
ü
Seat belt 274
H
M
SPORT handling
mode (AMG vehicles) 278
I
?
Coolant 281
J
R
Rear foglamp 128
K
;
Engine diagnostics 280
L
8
Reserve fuel M
å
ESP®
OFF 277
N
!
ABS 275
O
J
Brakes 27542
Instrument clusterAt a glance

their seat belts correctly at all times, even if
the vehicle is equipped with airbags. The air-
bags are not deployed in all types of acci-
dents. For example, if the protective capacity of correctly fastened seat belts is not
increased by deploying the airbags, the air-
bags will not deploy.
Airbag deployment only provides increased
protection if the seat belt is worn correctly.
The seat belt helps, firstly, to keep the vehicle occupant in the best position in relation to the
airbag. Secondly, in a head-on collision, for
example, the seat belt restricts movement of
the vehicle occupant towards the point of
impact. SRS (Supplemental Restraint System)
Introduction SRS consists of:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp
R airbags
R the airbag control unit with crash sensors
R belt tensioners
R belt force limiters
SRS reduces the risk of vehicle occupants
coming into contact with parts of the vehi-
cle's interior in the event of an accident. It can
also reduce the forces to which vehicle occu- pants are subjected during an accident.
SRS warning lamp G
WARNING
If SRS is malfunctioning, restraint system
components may be triggered unintentionally
or might not be triggered at all in the event of
an accident with a high rate of vehicle decel-
eration. There is an increased risk of injury,
possibly even fatal.
Have SRS checked and repaired immediately
at a qualified specialist workshop.
SRS functions are checked regularly when
you switch on the ignition and when the engine is running. Therefore, malfunctions
can be detected in good time.
The
6 SRS warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched on. It goes out no later than a few seconds
after the engine is started.
The SRS components are in operational read-
iness when the 6SRS warning lamp goes
out while the engine is running.
A malfunction has occurred if:
R the 6 SRS warning lamp does not light
up when the ignition is switched on
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp does not go out after a few
seconds
R the engine is running and the 6SRS
warning lamp lights up again
Triggering of belt tensioners and air-
bags During the first stage of a collision, the airbag
control unit evaluates important physical
data relating to vehicle deceleration or accel-
eration, such as:
R duration
R direction
R magnitude
Based on the evaluation of this data, the air-
bag control unit triggers the belt tensioners in the first stage.
If there is an even higher rate of vehicle decel-
eration or acceleration in a longitudinal direc- tion, the front airbags are also deployed.
Your vehicle has adaptive, two-stage front air- bags. The airbag control unit evaluates vehi-
cle deceleration or acceleration in the event
of a collision. In the first deployment stage,
the front airbag is filled with enough propel-
lant gas to reduce the risk of injuries. The
front airbag is fully deployed if a second
deployment threshold is reached within a few
milliseconds.
The belt tensioner and airbag triggering
thresholds are variable and are adapted to the Occupant safety
51Safety Z

X
Press release button ?on belt buckle =.
X Guide belt tongue ;back to seat belt
guide :.
Belt warning for the driver and front
passenger The
ü seat belt warning lamp in the instru-
ment cluster is a reminder for all occupants to
fasten their seat belts. It may light up contin- uously or flash. In addition, a warning tone
may sound.
The ü seat belt warning lamp goes out and
the warning tone ceases when the driver and
the front passenger have fastened their seat
belt.
Only for certain countries: the üseat belt
warning lamp lights up for six seconds after
every engine start. This happens regardless of whether the driver's and front-passenger seatbelts have already been fastened. It then goes
out if the driver and the front passenger have fastened their seat belts.
i For more information on the
üseat
belt warning lamp, see "Warning and indi-
cator lamps in the instrument cluster, seat
belt" (Y page 274).
Belt tensioners, belt force limiters G
WARNING
Pyrotechnic seat belt tensioners that have
been deployed are no longer operational and
are unable to perform their intended protec-
tive function. This poses an increased risk of
injury or even fatal injury.
Therefore, have pyrotechnic belt tensioners
which have been triggered immediately
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
! If the co-driver's seat is not occupied, do
not engage the seat belt tongue in the
buckle on the co-driver's seat. Otherwise,
the belt tensioner could be triggered in the
event of an accident and would have to be
replaced. i
Vehicles with PRE-SAFE ®
: an electric
motor is used by PRE-SAFE ®
to trigger the
tightening of the seat belt in hazardous sit-
uations. This procedure is reversible.
The seat belts are fitted with belt tensioners.
The belt tensioners tighten the seat belts in an
accident, pulling them close against the body.
Belt tensioners do not correct incorrect seat
positions or incorrectly fastened seat belts.
Belt tensioners do not pull vehicle occupants
back towards the backrest.
The belt tensioners can only be activated
when:
R the ignition is switched on
R the restraint systems are operational; see "
SRS warning lamp" (Y page 51)
R the belt tongue is engaged in the buckle on
each of the three-point seat belts
The belt tensioners are triggered depending
on the accident type and severity:
R in the event of a head-on or rear-end colli-
sion if the vehicle decelerates or acceler-
ates rapidly in a longitudinal direction dur-
ing the initial stages of the impact
R in the event of a side impact if the vehicle
decelerates or accelerates rapidly in a lat-
eral direction on the side opposite to the
impact
R in certain situations where the vehicle over-
turns and the system determines that it canprovide additional protection
If the airbags are deployed, you will hear a
bang, and a small amount of powder may also be released. Only in rare cases will the bang
affect your hearing. The powder that is
released generally does not constitute a
health hazard and does not indicate that thereis a fire in the vehicle. The powder may causeshort-term breathing difficulties to persons
suffering from asthma or other pulmonary
conditions. In order to prevent potential
breathing difficulties, you should leave the
vehicle as soon as it is safe to do so. You can
also open the window to allow fresh air to 60
Occupant safetySafety

tance from the vehicle in front. Drive care-
fully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tyres and the road surface. Please pay special atten-
tion to the notes on tyres, recommended
minimum tyre tread depths etc.
(Y page 596).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tyres (M+S tyres) and, if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the driv-
ing safety systems described in this section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General notes ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the vehi-
cle when braking.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 70). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking charac-
teristics may be severely impaired. Addition-
ally, further driving safety systems are deac-
tivated. There is an increased danger of skid- ding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked imme-
diately at a qualified specialist workshop.
If ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information on the ABS warning lamp (Y page 275) anddisplay messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 248).
ABS works from a speed of about
8 km/hupwards, regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even when you only brake gently.
Brakes X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal with force until the braking sit- uation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel a
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an indica-
tion of hazardous road conditions, and func-
tions as a reminder to take extra care while
driving. BAS (Brake Assist System)
General notes BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If you depress the brake pedal quickly,
BAS automatically boosts the braking force,
thus shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 70). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking. Driving safety systems
71Safety Z

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilise the vehicle. In addition, other driving
safety systems are switched off. This increa-
ses the risk of skidding and an accident.
Drive on carefully. Have ESP ®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake system.
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 590).
ESP ®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up continu-
ously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the åwarn-
ing lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 277) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 248).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tyre sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®General notes
If the
÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster. If ESP
®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X When pulling away, only depress the accel-
erator pedal as far as is necessary.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically if the vehicle stops
moving. When pulling away again, the engine
starts automatically. ESP ®
remains in its pre-
viously selected status. Example:if ESP®
was deactivated before the engine was
switched off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when
the engine is switched on again.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(except
AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 70).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated
R ESP ®
is deactivated G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer sta-
bilises the vehicle. There is an increased risk
of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the fol-
lowing situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilise the vehi- 74
Driving safety systemsSafety