2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER stop start

i
After using it several times in short suc-
cession, RACE START will be unavailable
until a certain distance has been driven. Adaptive Damping System
General notes The adjustable suspension system adapts to
the particular driving conditions. Adjustment
depends on your individual selection, i.e.
sporty or comfortable. Your selection
remains stored even if you remove the key
from the ignition lock.
Selecting sports tuning X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ;
; is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The message SPORT
SPORT appears in the multi-
function display.
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode if you want to experience direct contact with the road sur-
face when employing a sporty driving style,
e.g. on winding country roads. Selecting comfort tuning
X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The message COMFORT COMFORTappears in the mul-
tifunction display.
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style. Active Body Control (except AMG
vehicles)
Vehicle level General notes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is
lowered as its speed increases. With the
SPORT suspension setting, it is lowered by up
to 13 mm, with COMFORT by up to 5 mm. As the speed is reduced, the vehicle is raised to
the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. Driving systems
199Driving and parking Z

Important safety notes
G
WARNING
The vehicle is slightly lowered if you:
R have selected the SPORT suspension tun-
ing at normal level and
R switch off the engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of thewheel arch or the underbody when you switch
off the engine.
! When the engine is switched off, the vehi-
cle is lowered if SPORT suspension tuning
has been selected at the normal level. The
vehicle is automatically lowered by approx- imately 10 mm. Make sure when parking
that you position your vehicle so that it
does not make contact with the kerb as the
vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle could oth-
erwise be damaged.
Setting the raised level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X Make sure that a speed of 120 km/h is not
exceeded.
X If indicator lamp ;
; is not lit: press but-
ton :.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now restar-
ted. Indicator lamp
;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is cancelled if you:
R are driving faster than approximately
120 km/h.
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 80 km/h.
Suspension setting General notes
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system features improved driving dynamics
and ride comfort.
The ABC suspension system is tuned individ-
ually to each wheel and depends on:
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R the vehicle load
R your individual selection of the sporty or
comfortable button
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the key from the ignition lock. 200
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

Selecting sporty tuning
X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ;
; is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension setting for a sporty driv- ing style.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The firmer suspension setting in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you prefer a firmer sus-
pension setting.
Selecting comfort setting X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension setting for a comforta-
ble driving style.
The ABC ABC Active
Active Body
BodyControl
Control COMFORT
COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can display some driving systems and
additional information in the COMAND dis-
play.
X Make sure that the key is in position 2in the
ignition lock.
X Make sure COMAND Online is switched on
(Y page 298).
X Press button :.
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display. Driving systems
201Driving and parking Z

Example: displays in the COMAND display
: Selection of raised level (Y page 199)
; Activity of ABC suspension struts for roll
and pitching support
= Selected suspension setting, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (Y page 200)
? G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral accel-
eration)
A Current vehicle level Active Body Control (AMG vehicles)
Vehicle level General notes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is
lowered as its speed increases. In the SPORT
suspension setting, it is lowered by up to
13 mm, with COMFORT by up to 5 mm. As the
speed is reduced, the vehicle is raised to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Important safety notes
The vehicle is slightly lowered when the
engine is switched off. G
WARNING
People's limbs may become trapped if they
are located underneath the vehicle or
between the vehicle body and the tyres when the vehicle is lowering. There is a danger of
injury. When lowering the vehicle, make sure no one
is underneath the vehicle or in the immediate
vicinity of the wheel arches.
! If you have selected the normal level and
switched the engine off, the vehicle is low-
ered. The vehicle is automatically lowered
by approximately 10 mm. Make sure when
parking that you position your vehicle so
that it does not make contact with the kerb
as the vehicle is lowered. Your vehicle
could otherwise be damaged.
Setting the raised level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X Make sure that a speed of 120 km/h is not
exceeded.
X If symbol ; ;is not shown: press=
or ; on the steering wheel to select the
Assist.
Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Vehicle level
Vehicle level.
X Press the abutton.
The following message appears: Vehicle
Vehicle
level Raise with OK
level Raise with OK.
X Press the abutton.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now restar-
ted.
Symbol ;appears. The vehicle height is
adjusted to the raised level. 202
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

Setting the normal level
X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If symbol ;
; is shown: press=
or ; on the steering wheel to select the
Assist.
Assist. menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Vehicle level
Vehicle level.
X Press the abutton.
The following message appears: Vehicle
Vehicle
level Lower with OK
level Lower with OK.
X Press the abutton.
Symbol ;is faded out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is cancelled if you:
R are driving faster than approximately
120 km/h.
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 80 km/h.
Suspension setting General notes
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system features improved driving dynamics
and ride comfort.
The ABC suspension system is tuned individ-
ually to each wheel and depends on:
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R the vehicle load
R your individual selection of the sporty or
comfortable button Selecting sporty tuning
X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is not lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension setting for a sporty driv- ing style.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
The firmer suspension setting in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you prefer a firmer sus-
pension setting.
Selecting comfort tuning Driving systems
203Driving and parking Z

X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ;
; is lit: press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. You have selec-
ted the suspension setting for a comforta-
ble driving style.
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT
AMG Ride Control COMFORT mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you prefer a more comfortable
driving style.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can display some driving systems and
additional information in the COMAND dis-
play.
X Call up the driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display (Y page 318).
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display. Example: displays in the COMAND display
:
Selection of raised level (Y page 202)
; Activity of ABC suspension struts for roll
and pitching support
= Selected suspension setting, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (Y page 203)
? G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral accel-
eration)
A Current vehicle level PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a substi- tute for your attention to the immediate sur-
roundings. The responsibility for safe
manoeuvring and parking remains with you.
Make sure that there are no persons, animals
or objects in range while manoeuvring and
parking.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars. PARK-
TRONIC does not detect such objects when they are in the immediate vicinity of the
vehicle. You could damage the vehicle or
the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and
objects which absorb ultrasonic sources.
Ultrasonic sources, such as an automatic
car wash, a lorry's compressed-air brakes
or a pneumatic drill, could cause PARK-
TRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically if
you:
R switch on the ignition
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the electric parking brake
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
18 km/h. It is reactivated at lower speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper and four sensors in the rear bumper. 204
Driving systemsDriving and parking

sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tyres.
Active Parking Assist may also display spaces not suitable for parking, e.g.:
R parking or stopping prohibitions
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
R on narrow roads, drive as closely as possi-
ble past the parking space.
R parking spaces that are littered or over-
grown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
R parking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
R snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 205) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R at any time, you can intervene in the steer-
ing procedure to correct it. Active Parking
Assist will then be cancelled.
R when transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
R never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are fitted.
R make sure that the tyre pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the vehi-
cle.
Parking Important safety notes
Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking
procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods vehicles. In some circumstances, Active Park- ing Assist may therefore guide you into the
parking space too early. G
WARNING
If objects are located above the detection
range, Active Parking Assist may start to steer into the parking space too soon. As a result,
you could cause a collision. There is a risk of
an accident.
If objects are located above the detection
range, stop the vehicle and switch Active
Parking Assist off. G
WARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by inter- vening actively in the steering. There is a risk
of accident if you do not apply the brakes
yourself.
Always apply the brakes yourself when park-
ing and manoeuvring.
Detecting parking spaces Example: detected parking space
Active Parking Assist is activated automati-
cally when driving forwards. The system is
operational at speeds of up to approximately 35 km/h. While in operation, the system inde- pendently locates and measures parking
spaces on both sides of the vehicle. When
driving at speeds below 30 km/h, you will see
parking symbol ;as a status indicator in the
instrument cluster. When a parking space has
been detected, an arrow towards the right =
or the left :also appears.
Active Parking Assist only displays parking
spaces on the front-passenger side as stand- ard. Parking spaces on the driver's side are
displayed as soon as the turn signal on the
driver's side is activated. If you wish to park in
a space on the driver's side, the turn signal on 208
Driving systemsDriving and parking

the driver's side must remain on. The turn
signal must remain switched on until you
acknowledge the use of Active Parking Assist by pressing the abutton on the multi-
function steering wheel.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are at least 1.5 m wide
R that are at least 1.0 m longer than your
vehicle
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are approx-
imately 15 m away from it.
Reversing into the parking space X Stop the vehicle when the parking symbol
shows the desired parking space in the
instrument cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No: Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
% message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the%
button on the multifunction steering wheel
or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the abutton on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist active Accelerate
Park Assist active Accelerate
and and brake
brake Observe
Observe surroundings
surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Release the multifunction steering wheel.
X Reverse the vehicle, being ready to brake at
all times. Do not exceed a maximum speed of approximately 10 km/h when reversing.
Otherwise, Active Parking Assist will be
cancelled.
i When parking in tight spaces, you will
achieve the best results by backing up as far as possible. When doing so, also
observe the PARKTRONIC messages.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Additional manoeuvring may be required in
tight parking spaces.
The Park Assist active Select D Park Assist active Select D
Observe
Observe surroundings
surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position Dwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist active Accelerate Park Assist active Accelerate
and
and brake
brake Observe
Observe surroundings
surroundings mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
i You will achieve the best results by wait-
ing for the steering procedure to complete before pulling away.
X Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
The Park Assist active Select R
Park Assist active Select R
Observe
Observe surroundings
surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Drive forwards and reverse according to
the information shown in the multifunction display.
As soon as the parking procedure is com-
plete, the Park ParkAssist
Assist switched
switched off
off mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
PARKTRONIC continues to be available.
X Manoeuvre if necessary.
X Always observe the warning messages dis-
played by PARKTRONIC (Y page 205).
Parking tips: R On narrow roads, drive as closely as possi-
ble past the parking space.
R Parking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all. Driving systems
209Driving and parking Z