2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL ROADSTER Owners Manual

Genuine leather seat covers
! To retain the natural appearance of the
leather, observe the following cleaning
instructions:
R Clean genuine leather covers carefully
with a damp cloth and then wipe the cov-
ers down with a dry cloth.
R Make sure that the leather does not
become soaked. It may otherwise
become rough and cracked.
R Only use leather care agents that have
been tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. You can obtain these from a quali- fied specialist workshop.
Leather is a natural product.
It has natural surface properties, e.g.:
R unevenness in structure
R marks caused by growth and injury
R subtle colour differences
These are characteristics of leather and not
material faults.
Seat covers from other materials
! Observe the following when cleaning:
R Clean artificial leather covers with a cloth
moistened with a solution containing 1% detergent (e.g. washing-up liquid).
R Clean cloth covers with a microfibre
cloth moistened with a solution contain-
ing 1% detergent (e.g. washing-up liquid). Rub carefully, and always wipe entire
seat sections to avoid leaving visible
lines. Leave the seat to dry afterwards.
Cleaning results depend on the type of
dirt and how long it has been there.
R Clean Alcantara® covers with a damp
cloth. Make sure that you wipe entire
seat sections to avoid leaving visible
lines.
Cleaning the seat belts G
WARNING
Seat belts may be severely weakened if
bleached or coloured. This may lead to the seat belts, for example, tearing or failing in an
accident. There is an increased risk of injury,
possibly even fatal.
Never bleach or colour seat belts.
! Do not clean the seat belts using chemical
cleaning agents. Do not dry the seat belts at
temperatures above 80 † or in direct sun-
light.
X Use clean, lukewarm water and soap solu-
tion.
Cleaning the roof lining and carpets X
Roof lining: if it is very dirty, use a soft
brush or dry shampoo.
X Carpets: use the carpet and textile clean-
ing agents recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. 574
CareMaintenance and care

Useful information
............................576
Where will I find...? ...........................576
Flat tyre ............................................. 578
Battery (vehicle) ................................ 582
Jump-starting .................................... 586
Towing and tow-starting ..................588
Electrical fuses ................................. 592 575Breakdown assistance

Useful information
i This Owner's Manual describes all mod-
els, series and optional equipment for your
vehicle that were available at the time of
going to press. National variations are pos- sible. Note that your vehicle may not be
equipped with all of the functions descri-
bed. This is also the case for systems and
functions relevant to safety.
i Read the information on qualified special-
ist workshops: (Y page 34). Where will I find...?
Warning triangle
Removing the warning triangle Warning triangle
:is located in a bracket on
the inside of the boot lid.
X Open the boot lid.
X Press catch ;in the direction of the
bracket and open the bracket in the direc-
tion of the arrow.
X Pull the clip of warning triangle :in the
centre of the bracket outward.
X Remove warning triangle :from the
bracket. Setting up the warning triangle X
Fold feet =down and out to the side.
X Pull side reflectors ;upwards to form a
triangle and lock them at the top using
upper press-stud :. First-aid kit
First-aid kit
:is located in the boot under the
boot floor.
X Open the boot lid.
X Open the boot separator (Y page 106).
X Lift the boot floor upwards (Y page 548).
X Remove first-aid kit :.
i Check the expiry date on the first-aid kit
at least once a year. Replace the contents if
necessary, and replace any missing items. 576
Where will I find...?Breakdown assistance

Fire extinguisher
G
WARNING
When you brake heavily or change direction
suddenly, the fire extinguisher can be thrown around the vehicle interior if the roller box is
left open. There is a risk of accident and injury
to you or the passenger. Keep the shutter of
the roller box closed whilst the vehicle is in
motion. :
Cover
; Fire extinguisher
= Retainer
? Locking button
Fire extinguisher ;is in the roller box behind
the centre console, between the seats.
X To remove the fire extinguisher: open
cover :.
X Slide locking button ?in the direction of
the arrow.
X Lift and swing out bracket =from the side
on which locking button ?is located.
X Take fire extinguisher ;out of the roller
box.
X To insert the fire extinguisher: insert fire
extinguisher ;into the roller box.
X Insert bracket =into the roller box on the
side opposite locking button ?.
X Then, insert bracket =completely.
X Slide locking button ?in the opposite
direction to the arrow. X
Check whether bracket =is properly
engaged.
X Close cover :.
i Have fire extinguisher
;refilled after
each use and checked every one to two
years. It may otherwise fail in an emer-
gency.
Observe the legal requirements for each
individual country. Vehicle tool kit
General notes The towing eye is located in the boot in a
bracket below the boot lid lock. If the vehicle
is equipped with a TIREFIT kit, it is located in
the stowage compartment under the floor of
the boot.
Vehicles with a TIREFIT kit :
Towing eye
; Tyre sealant filler bottle
= Fuse allocation chart
? Tyre inflation compressor
X Open the boot lid.
X Open the boot separator (Y page 106).
X Lift the boot floor upwards (Y page 548).
X Use the TIREFIT kit (Y page 579). Where will I find...?
577Breakdown assistance Z

Tyre-change tool kit
:
Bag containing the tyre-changing tools
X Open the boot lid.
X Open the boot separator (Y page 106).
X Lift the boot floor upwards (Y page 548).
i Depending on the vehicle equipment, not
all vehicles will have the tools that are
required for changing a wheel, such as a
jack. Tools approved for your vehicle are
available at a qualified specialist workshop.
Bag with tyre-changing tools :contains:
R jack
R wheel wrench
R centring pin
R wheel chock
R gloves Flat tyre
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle may be equipped with: R MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat char-
acteristics) (Y page 578)
Vehicle preparation is not necessary on
vehicles with MOExtended tyres.
R a TIREFIT kit (Y page 579)
R an emergency spare wheel (only for certain
countries) (Y page 614)
Information on changing/fitting a wheel
(Y page 605). X
Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away from traffic as
possible.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away
(Y page 175).
X If possible, bring the front wheels into the
straight-ahead position.
X Switch off the engine.
X Vehicles without KEYLESS-GO: remove
the key from the ignition lock.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: open the
driver's door.
The on-board electronics now have status
0. This is the same as the key having been
removed.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: remove the
Start/Stop button from the ignition lock
(Y page 155).
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed. Any-
one who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to traf-
fic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door.
X Place the warning triangle a suitable dis-
tance away (Y page 576). Observe legal
requirements. MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics)
General notes With MOExtended tyres (tyres with run-flat
characteristics), you can continue to drive
your vehicle even if there is a total loss of
pressure in one or more tyres. The affected
tyre must not show any clearly visible dam-
age. 578
Flat tyreBreakdown assistance

You can recognise MOExtended tyres by the
MOExtended marking which appears on the
tyre wall. You will find this marking next to the
tyre size designation, the load-bearing capa-
city and the speed index.
MOExtended tyres may only be used in con-
junction with an activated tyre pressure loss
warning system or tyre pressure monitor.
If the pressure loss warning message
appears in the multifunction display:
R observe the instructions in the display mes-
sages (Y page 267).
R check the tyre for damage
R if driving on, observe the following notes
The maximum driving distance is approx-
imately 80 km when the vehicle is partially
laden and approximately 30 km when the
vehicle is fully laden.
In addition to the vehicle load, the driving dis- tance possible depends upon:
R speed
R road condition
R outside temperature
The driving distance possible in run-flat mode may be reduced by extreme driving condi-
tions/manoeuvres, or it can be increased
through a moderate style of driving.
The maximum permissible distance which
can be driven in run-flat mode is counted from
the moment the tyre pressure loss warning
appears in the multifunction display.
You must not exceed a maximum speed of
80 km/h.
i When replacing one or all tyres, make
sure that you use only:
R the tyre size specified for the vehicle and
R tyre(s) marked "MOExtended"
If a tyre has gone flat and cannot be
replaced with an MOExtended tyre, a
standard tyre may be used as a temporary
measure. Make sure that you use the
proper size and type (summer or winter
tyre). i
Vehicles with MOExtended tyres are not
equipped with a TIREFIT kit at the factory. It
is therefore recommended that you addi-
tionally equip your vehicle with a TIREFIT kit if you fit tyres that do not feature run-flat
characteristics, e.g. winter tyres. A TIREFIT
kit is available, for example, from a qualified
specialist workshop.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When driving in emergency mode, the driving characteristics deteriorate, e.g. when corner-
ing, accelerating quickly and when braking.
There is a risk of accident.
Do not exceed the stated maximum speed.
Avoid abrupt steering and driving manoeu-
vres, and driving over obstacles (kerbs, pot-
holes, off-road). This applies in particular to a laden vehicle.
Stop driving in emergency mode if:
R you hear banging noises.
R the vehicle starts to shake.
R you see smoke and smell rubber.
R ESP ®
is intervening constantly.
R there are tears in the sidewalls of the tyre.
After driving in emergency mode, have the
wheel rims checked at a qualified specialist
workshop with regard to their further use. The
faulty tyre must be replaced. TIREFIT kit
Important safety notes TIREFIT is a tyre sealant.
You can use TIREFIT to seal punctures of up to
4 mm, particularly those in the tyre tread. You can use TIREFIT at outside temperatures
down to Ò20 †. Flat tyre
579Breakdown assistance Z

G
WARNING
In the following situations, the tyre sealant is
unable to provide sufficient breakdown assis- tance, as it is unable to seal the tyre properly:
R there are cuts or punctures in the tyre
larger than those mentioned above.
R the wheel rim is damaged.
R you have driven at very low tyre pressures
or on a flat tyre.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not drive any further. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop. G
WARNING
The tyre sealant is harmful and causes irrita-
tion. It must not come into contact with your
skin, eyes or clothing or be swallowed. Do not inhale TIREFIT fumes. Keep tyre sealant away
from children. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the tyre sealant,
observe the following:
R Rinse off the tyre sealant from your skin
immediately with water.
R If the tyre sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately rinse them thor-
oughly with clean water.
R If tyre sealant is swallowed, immediately
rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting,
and seek medical attention immediately.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with tyre sealant.
R If an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately.
! Do not operate the tyre inflation com-
pressor for longer than eight minutes at a
time without a break. It may otherwise
overheat.
The tyre inflation compressor can be oper-
ated again once it has cooled down.
Comply with the manufacturer’s safety
instructions on the sticker on the tyre infla-
tion compressor. Using the TIREFIT kit
TIREFIT sticker, 2-part
X Do not remove any foreign objects which
have penetrated the tyre, e.g. screws or
nails.
X Remove the tyre sealant bottle, the accom-
panying TIREFIT sticker and the tyre infla-
tion compressor from the stowage space
under the boot floor (Y page 577).
X Affix part :of the TIREFIT sticker within
the driver's field of vision.
X Affix part ;of the TIREFIT sticker near the
valve on the wheel with the defective tyre. X
Pull plug ?with the cable and hose Aout
of the housing.
X Screw hose Aonto flange Bof tyre seal-
ant bottle :.
X Place tyre sealant bottle :head down-
wards into recess ;of the tyre inflation
compressor. 580
Flat tyreBreakdown assistance

X
Remove the cap from valve Con the faulty
tyre.
X Screw filler hose Donto the valve.
X Insert plug ?into the socket of the ciga-
rette lighter or into a 12 V power socket in your vehicle.
Observe the notes on the cigarette lighter
(Y page 550). Observe the notes on sock-
ets (Y page 550).
X Turn the key to position 1in the ignition
lock (Y page 155).
X Press on/off switch =on the tyre inflation
compressor to I.
The tyre inflation compressor is switched
on. The tyre is inflated.
i First, tyre sealant is pumped into the tyre.
The pressure may briefly rise to approx-
imately 500 kPa (5.0 bar/73 psi).
Do not switch off the tyre inflation com-
pressor during this phase.
X Let the tyre inflation compressor run for
five minutes. The tyre should then have
attained a pressure of at least 180 kPa
(1.8 bar/26 psi).
If a tyre pressure of 180 kP a(1.8 bar/26 psi)
has been attained after five minutes:
(Y page 581).
If a tyre pressure of 180 kPa (1.8 bar/26 psi)
has not been attained after five minutes:
(Y page 581).
i If the tyre sealant leaks out, allow it to dry.
It can then be removed like a layer of film. If you get tyre sealant on your clothing,
have it cleaned as soon as possible with
perchloroethylene.
Tyre pressure not reached If a pressure of 180 kPa (1.8 bar/26 psi) has
not been attained after five minutes:
X Switch off the tyre inflation compressor.
X Unscrew the filler hose from the valve of
the faulty tyre.
X Very slowly drive forwards or reverse,
approximately 10 m.
X Pump up the tyre again.
After a maximum of five minutes, the tyre
pressure must be at least 180 kPa (1.8 bar/
26 psi). G
WARNING
If the required tyre pressure is not reached
after the specified time, the tyre is too badly
damaged. The tyre sealant cannot repair the
tyre in this instance. Damaged tyres and a tyre pressure that is too low can significantly
impair the vehicle's braking and driving char-
acteristics. There is a risk of accident.
Do not continue driving. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop.
Tyre pressure reached G
WARNING
A tyre temporarily sealed with tyre sealant
impairs the driving characteristics and is not
suitable for higher speeds. There is a risk of
accident.
You should therefore adapt your driving style
accordingly and drive carefully. Do not exceed the specified maximum speed with a tyre that
has been repaired using tyre sealant.
! After use, excess tyre sealant may run out
of the filler hose. This could cause stains.
Therefore, place the filler hose in the plastic
bag which contained the TIREFIT kit. Flat tyre
581Breakdown assistance Z