2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 ESP

Crash-responsive exit aid
When you open the driver’s door after an
accident has occurred, the steering column
moves up. The position of the SmartKey in the
starter switch is insignificant. This function
facilitates exiting as well as rescue of vehicle
occupants.
The crash-responsive exit aid can only be
triggered when the easy-entry/exit feature is
activated via the control system.
Mirrors
Notes
Adjust the interior and exterior rear view
mirrors before driving so that you have a good
view of the road and traffic conditions.
Interior rear view mirror
XAdjust the interior rear view mirror
manually.
Exterior rear view mirrors
GWarning!
Exercise care when using the passenger-side
exterior rear view mirror. The mirror surface
is convex (outwardly curved surface for a
wider field of view). Objects in mirror are
closer than they appear. Check your interior
rear view mirror and glance over your
shoulder before changing lanes.
iYou can store the settings for the exterior
rear view mirror position with the memory
function (Y page 88).
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress button : for the driver’s side
exterior rear view mirror or button ; for
the passenger-side exterior rear view
mirror.
XPress adjustment button = up, down, left
or right according to the desired setting.
! If an exterior rear view mirror was forcibly
hit from the front, manually snap it back
into place.
iAt low ambient temperatures, the exterior
rear view mirrors will be heated
automatically.
Auto-dimming rear view mirrors
The exterior rear view mirror on the driver’s
side and the interior rear view mirror will
respond automatically to glare when the
ignition is switched on and incoming light
from headlamps falls on the sensor in the
interior rear view mirror.
The rear view mirrors will not react if the
automatic transmission is set to reverse gear
R or the interior lighting is switched on.
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SmartKey from the starter switch and open
the driver’s door, an acoustic signal
sounds.
In addition the message Lights Are
Still On appears in the multifunction
display.
Switch off the parking lamps or the rear fog
lamp manually.
! Failure to switch off the parking lamps
when leaving the vehicle may result in a
discharged battery.
Low-beam headlamps
The low-beam headlamps can be switched on
and off with the exterior lamp switch.
XSwitch on the ignition.XSwitching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position L.
The following lamps come on:
R Low-beam headlamps
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
R Instrument panel lamps
R Green indicator lamp T in the exterior
lamp switchXSwitching off: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position $.
Automatic headlamp mode
The following lamps come on and go out
automatically depending on the brightness of
the ambient light:
R Low-beam headlamps
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
GWarning!
If the exterior lamp switch is set to Ã, the
headlamps will not automatically come on
under foggy conditions.
To minimize risk to you and to others, activate
headlamps by turning exterior lamp switch to
L when driving or when traffic and/or
ambient lighting conditions require you to do
so.
In low ambient lighting conditions, only switch
from position à to L with the vehicle
at a standstill in a safe location. Switching
from à to L will briefly switch off the
headlamps. Doing so while driving in low
ambient lighting conditions may result in an
accident.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an aid
to the driver. The driver is responsible for the
operation of the vehicle’s lights at all times.
XSwitching on: Turn the exterior lamp
switch to position Ã.
The following lamps come on and go out
depending on the brightness of the ambient
light with the SmartKey in starter switch
position 1 or the KEYLESS-GO start/stop
button pressed once:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps will also come on and turn off
automatically.
Canada only: High-beam headlamps are only
available with the exterior lamp switch in
position L.
Daytime running lamp mode
In Canada, the daytime running lamp mode is
mandatory and therefore in a constant mode.
In the USA, the daytime running lamp mode
is deactivated by default.
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XActivate the daytime running lamp mode
using the control system, see “Switching
daytime running lamp mode on or off (USA
only)” ( Y page 124).XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
$ or à .
When the engine is running, the low-beam
headlamps come on.
In low ambient lighting conditions, the
following lamps will come on additionally:
R Tail lamps
R Parking lamps
R License plate lamps
R Side marker lamps
With the daytime running lamp mode
activated and the engine running, you cannot
switch off the low-beam headlamps manually.
Canada only
With the exterior lamp switch in position
$ or à , you cannot switch on the
high-beam headlamps.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
XFor nighttime driving turn the exterior lamp
switch to position L to permit activation
of the high-beam headlamps.
When the engine is running, and you
R shift from a driving position to neutral
position N or park position P with the
vehicle at a standstill, the low-beam
headlamps will go out with a delay of
3 minutes
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
T , the low-beam headlamps, the tail
and parking lamps, the license plate lamps
and the side marker lamps come on
R turn the exterior lamp switch to position
L , the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp
mode
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
( Y page 89).
USA only
You can only switch on the high-beam
headlamps in low ambient lighting conditions.
The high-beam flasher is available at all times.
When the engine is running, and you turn the
exterior lamp switch to position T or
L , the manual headlamp mode has
priority over the daytime running lamp mode.
The corresponding exterior lamps come on
( Y page 89).
Fog lamps
Fog lamps cannot be switched on with the
exterior lamp switch in position Ã.
GWarning!
In low ambient lighting or foggy conditions,
only switch from position à to L with
the vehicle at a standstill in a safe location.
Switching from à to L will briefly
switch off the headlamps. Doing so while
driving in low ambient lighting conditions may
result in an accident.
Fog lamps will operate with the parking lamps
and/or the low-beam headlamps on. Fog
lamps should only be used in conjunction with
low-beam headlamps. Consult your State or
Province Motor Vehicle Regulations
regarding permissible lamp operation.
XSwitch on the ignition.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
T or L (Y page 89).XSwitching on front fog lamps: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to first stop.
The green indicator lamp N in the
exterior lamp switch comes on.XSwitching on rear fog lamp: Pull out the
exterior lamp switch to second stop.
The rear fog lamp, the front fog lamps, the
green N and the yellow indicator lamp
R in the exterior lamp switch come on.XSwitching off front fog lamps/rear fog
lamp: Push in the exterior lamp switch to
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Locator lighting and night security
illumination
Locator lighting and night security
illumination are described in the “Control
system” section, see “Switching locator
lighting on or off” (Y page 125) and
“Switching night security illumination
(Headlamps delayed shut-off feature) on or
off” (Y page 125).
Combination switch
Turn signals
XPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow ; or ?.
The corresponding turn signal indicator
lamp ! or # in the instrument
cluster flashes.
The combination switch resets automatically
after major steering wheel movements.
To signal minor directional changes:
XPress the combination switch only to the
point of resistance in direction of
arrow ; or ? and release.
The corresponding turn signal lamps will
flash three times.
High beam XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L (Y page 89).
XSwitching on: Push the combination
switch in direction of arrow :.
The high-beam headlamp indicator lamp
K in the instrument cluster comes on.
XSwitching off: Pull the combination switch
in direction of arrow = to its original
position.
iAlso note the information on high-beam
headlamps with activated automatic
headlamp mode (Y page 90) or the daytime
running lamp mode (Y page 90).
High-beam flasher
XSwitching on: Pull the combination switch
briefly in direction of arrow =.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher can be switched
on at all times, even with the SmartKey
removed from the starter switch.
The hazard warning flasher comes on
automatically when an air bag deploys.
The hazard warning flasher switch is located
on the upper part of the center console.
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XSwitching on: Press hazard warning
flasher switch :.
All turn signal lamps are flashing.
iWith the hazard warning flasher activated
and the combination switch set for either
left or right turn, only the respective left or
right turn signals will operate when the
ignition is switched on.
XSwitching off: Press hazard warning
flasher switch : again.
iIf the hazard warning flasher has been
activated automatically, press hazard
warning flasher switch : to switch it off.
Headlamp cleaning system
XSwitch on the ignition.XPress headlamp cleaning button :.
The headlamps are cleaned with a high-
pressure water jet.
The headlamps will be cleaned automatically
when you have
Rswitched on the headlamps
and
Rthe windshield wipers have wiped the
windshield with washer fluid fifteen times
The counter resets when you switch off the
ignition.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” (Y page 185).
Corner-illuminating lamps
The corner-illuminating lamps improve
illumination of the area in the direction into
which you are turning.
The corner-illuminating lamps will only
operate in low ambient lighting conditions.
If you are driving faster than 25 mph
(40 km/h) the corner-illuminating function is
not available.
Switching on
XMake sure the engine is running.XTurn the exterior lamp switch to position
L or à (Y page 89).
or
XActivate the daytime running lamp mode
(Y page 90).
XSwitch on the left or right turn signal,
depending on whether you are turning left
or right.
The respective corner-illuminating lamp
comes on. If you have switched on the turn
signal for one side but turn the steering
wheel in the other direction, the corner-
illuminating lamp comes on on the side of
the turn signal.
or
XTurn steering wheel in desired direction.
Driving forward: The corner-illuminating
lamp on the side of your steering direction
comes on.
Driving in reverse: The corner-illuminating
lamp opposite to your steering direction
comes on.
The corner-illuminating lamps will come on
automatically depending on the steering
angle, even if you did not switch on either turn
signal. If the corner-illuminating lamps came
on automatically, they will also go out
automatically depending on the steering
angle and vehicle speed.
The corner-illuminating lamps temporarily
come on on both sides of the vehicle if you
turn the steering wheel in one direction and
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then again in the other direction shortly
thereafter.
The corner-illuminating lamp remains lit for a
short time only. It then goes out
automatically.
Switching off
XSwitch off the left or right turn signal.
or
XSteer straight ahead.
The corner-illuminating lamp goes out.
iThere may be a brief delay before the
corner-illuminating lamps go out.
Interior lighting
The interior lighting controls are located in
the overhead control panel.
:p Left reading lamp on/off ;p Right reading lamp on/off=c Interior lighting on/off ?Slide switch for automatic control
Automatic control
XActivating: Slide switch ? to the left.
The interior lighting and the entry/exit
lamps come on in darkness, when you
Runlock the vehicle
Rremove the SmartKey from the starter
switch (Interior Lighting Delayed
Switch-off must be switched on
(Y page 126))
Ropen a door
Ropen the trunk
The interior lighting goes out after a short
time.
iIf a door remains open, the interior lamps
go out automatically after approximately
5 minutes.
XDeactivating: Slide switch ? to the right.
Manual control
! An interior lamp switched on manually
does not go out automatically.
Leaving an interior lamp switched on for an
extended period of time with the engine
turned off could result in a discharged
battery.
XSwitching interior lighting on/off: Press
switch c.
XSwitching reading lamps on/off: Press
respective switch p.
Courtesy lighting
For better orientation in the dark, courtesy
lamps will illuminate the interior of your
vehicle as follows:
With parking lamps switched on:
Rthe door handles
Rthe driver and passenger footwells
With SmartKey in starter switch position 1:
Rthe door handles
Rthe center console
iIf you turn the SmartKey in the starter
switch to position 0 and switch off the
headlamps, the door handle lamps will
remain lit for approximately 5 minutes.
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Wiping with washer fluidXPress the combination switch in direction
of arrow A past the resistance point.
The windshield wipers operate with washer
fluid.
i To prevent smears on the windshield or
noisy/chattering wiper blades, wipe with
washer fluid every now and then even when
it is raining.
For information on filling up the washer
reservoir, see “Washer system and headlamp
cleaning system” ( Y page 185).
For information on cleaning the headlamps
with washer fluid, see “Headlamp cleaning
system” ( Y page 93).
Problems with wipers
! If anything blocks the windshield wipers
(leaves, snow, etc.), switch them off
immediately.
For safety reasons, do the following before
attempting to remove any blockage:
R Stop the vehicle in a safe location.
R Remove the SmartKey from the starter
switch.
or
R Turn off the engine by pressing the
KEYLESS-GO start/stop button and
open the driver’s door (with the driver’s
door open, starter switch is in position
0 , same as with SmartKey removed from
starter switch).
R Engage the parking brake.
R Remove blockage.
R Turn the windshield wipers on again.
If the windshield wipers fail to function at
all with the combination switch in position
I ,
R set the combination switch to the next
higher wiper speed
R have the windshield wipers checked at
the nearest authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center
Power windows
Opening and closing
The windows are opened and closed
electrically. The switches for all windows are
located on the driver’s door. The switch for
operating the passenger-side windows is
located on the passenger door.
GObserve Safety notes, see page 51.GWarning!
When closing the windows, make sure there
is no danger of anyone being harmed by the
closing procedure.
The door windows are equipped with the
express operation and automatic reversal
function. If in express operation mode a door
window encounters an obstruction that
blocks its path, the automatic reversal
function will stop the door window and open
it slightly.
The door windows operate differently when
the switch is pulled and held. See the “Closing
when a door window is blocked” section for
details.
The closing of the door windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch or,
if the switch was pulled past the resistance
point and released, by pressing or pulling the
respective switch.
The closing of the rear side windows can be
immediately halted by releasing the switch.
If a window encounters an obstruction that
blocks its path in a circumstance where you
are closing the windows by pressing and
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holding button & on the SmartKey or by
pressing and holding the lock button (vehicles
with KEYLESS-GO) on an outside door handle,
the automatic reversal function will not
operate.
iYou can also open or close the windows
using the SmartKey, see “Summer opening
feature” (Y page 156) and “Convenience
closing feature” (Y page 156).
iAfter switching off the ignition or
removing the SmartKey from the starter
switch, you can operate the windows until
you open a door. If no door was opened you
can operate the windows for up to
5 minutes.
Door windows
iWhen you open the door windows while
the hardtop is open, the rear side windows
will also open automatically.
XSwitch on the ignition.XOpening/closing: Press or pull and hold
switch : or ; to the resistance point.
The corresponding door window moves
downward or upward until you release the
switch.
XExpress operation: Press or pull
switch : or ; past the resistance point
and release.
The corresponding door window opens or
closes completely.
XStopping during express operation:
Press or pull the respective switch again.
Closing when a door window is blocked
GWarning!
Make sure that nobody can become trapped
and be seriously or even fatally injured when
closing a door window with greater force or
without automatic reversal function.
If the upward movement of a door window is
blocked during the closing procedure, the
door window will stop and open slightly.
XImmediately after the door window has
stopped because it was blocked, pull and
hold the respective switch upward until the
door window is fully closed.
The door window closes with greater force.
If the door window is blocked again and opens
slightly:
XImmediately after the door window was
blocked, pull and hold the respective
switch upward until the door window is fully
closed.
The door window closes without automatic
reversal function.
GWarning!
Pulling and holding the switch to close the
door window immediately after it had been
blocked two times will cause the door window
to close without any reversal function for as
long as you hold the switch.
Opening and closing the rear side
windows
XOpening: Open the door window.XPress switch : or ; again.
The corresponding rear side window will
open completely.
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