2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SL600 ECO mode

Program mode selector switch
(automatic shift
program) ................................ 106, 107
Program mode selector switch
(manual shift program) ..................109
Shifting procedure .........................104
Steering wheel gearshift control ....108
Transmission position indicator .....104
Transmission positions ..................104
AUX socket ........................................ 161
Axle oils .............................................. 304
B
Backrest see Seats
Backup lamps
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 249
Replacing bulbs ............................. 272
Bar (air pressure unit) ....................... 205
BAS (Brake Assist System) ................. 56
Batteries, SmartKey
Checking condition ..........................71
Replacing ....................................... 269
Battery, Vehicle ................................. 283
Charging ........................................ 285
Jump starting ................................. 285
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 247
Bead (tire) .......................................... 205
Beverage holders see Cup holders
Brake Assist System
see BAS
Brake fluid
Checking level ............................... 185
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 239
Brake lamps
Cleaning lenses ............................. 218
Brake pads
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 238
Brakes ................................................ 210
High-performance brake system ....211
Parking brake ................................ 102
Warning lamp ................................. 255
Break-in period .................................. 178
Bulbs see Replacing bulbs
C
CAC (Customer Assistance Center) ... 22
California retail buyers and
lessees, important notice for ............. 20
Calls (phone) ...................................... 129
Can holders see Cup holders
Capacities and recommended
fuel/lubricants .................................. 303
Carpets, cleaning .............................. 220
Central locking
Automatic ................................ 73, 126
KEYLESS-GO .................................... 69
Locking/unlocking from inside ........73
SmartKey ......................................... 68
Central locking/unlocking switch ..... 73
Certification label .............................. 294
Children in the vehicle
Air bags ........................................... 39
Indicator lamp, passenger front
air bag off ........................................ 43
Infant and child restraint systems .... 52
OCS (Occupant Classification
System) ........................................... 43
Safety notes ..................................... 51
Child safety
see Children in the vehicle
Chrome-plated exhaust tip,
cleaning .............................................. 221
Cigarette lighter ................................ 166
Climate control system
Air conditioning ............................. 150
Air conditioning refrigerant ............306
Air distribution ............................... 153
Air recirculation mode ...................154
Air vents ........................................ 151
Air volume ..................................... 153
Automatic mode ............................ 150
Deactivating system ......................149
Front defroster .............................. 153
Maximum cooling MAX COOL ........153
Residual heat and ventilation .........154
Temperature .................................. 151
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Clock ..................................................... 28
Cockpit ................................................. 28
Cold tire inflation pressure .............. 205
Collapsible tire (spare wheel) .......... 303
COMAND system see separate COMAND system
operating instructions
Combination switch ............................ 92
Control system .................................. 113
Multifunction display .....................114
Multifunction steering wheel .........113
Resetting to factory settings ..........121
Control system menus ...................... 115
AMG ............................................... 116
Audio/DVD .................................... 119
Distronic ........................................ 120
Navigation ..................................... 120
Settings ......................................... 121
Standard display ............................ 116
Telephone ...................................... 129
Trip computer ................................ 128
Vehicle status message memory ...120
Control system submenus
Convenience .................................. 127
Instrument cluster .........................122
Lighting .......................................... 124
Vehicle ........................................... 126
Convenience submenu
Easy-entry/exit feature .................. 127
Fold-in function for exterior rear
view mirrors ................................... 127
Coolant
Anticorrosion/antifreeze ...............308
Capacities ...................................... 304
Checking level ............................... 184
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 244
Temperature gauge ........................ 112
Warning lamp ................................. 263
Corner-illuminating lamps .................. 93
Replacing bulbs ............................. 272
Cruise control .................................... 130
Activating ....................................... 131
Canceling ....................................... 132
Changing the set speed .................132
Last stored speed ..........................132
Lever .............................................. 131Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 232
Resume function ............................ 132
Setting current speed ....................131
Cup holders ........................................ 164
Curb weight ....................................... 205
Customer Assistance Center (CAC) ... 22
Customer Relations Department ....... 22
D
Dashboard see Instrument cluster
Data recording ..................................... 22
Daytime running lamp mode .............. 90
Switching on or off ......................... 124
Deep water
see Standing water
Defogging (windshield) ..................... 153
Defroster
Front (Climate control system) ......153
Rear window .................................. 155
Delayed shut-off
Exterior lamps ................................ 125
Interior lighting .............................. 126
Department of Transportation
see DOT
Difficulties
While driving .................................. 101
With starting .................................... 99
Digital clock
see Clock
Digital speedometer ......................... 116
Dimensions (vehicle) see Vehicle specification
Direction of rotation (tires) .............. 197
Displays
Digital speedometer ......................116
Distronic ........................................ 135
Maintenance service indicator .......214
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 226
Multifunction display .....................114
Outside temperature ...................... 116
Symbol messages ..........................237
Text messages ............................... 227
Trip computer ................................ 128
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Parking position
Exterior rear view mirrors ................87
Transmission position ....................104
Parktronic system
Cleaning system sensors ...............218
Malfunction .................................... 147
Minimum distance .........................146
Sensor range ................................. 145
Switching on/off ........................... 147
System sensors ............................. 145
Warning indicators ...................28, 146
Parts service ...................................... 294
PASS AIR BAG OFF indicator lamp see Passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp
Passenger front air bag ...................... 41
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 229
Passenger front air bag off
indicator lamp ....................... 33, 43, 266
Passenger safety see Occupant safety
Pedals ................................................. 209
Phone see Telephone
Plastic parts, cleaning ...................... 220
Power assistance .............................. 210
Power closing assist for trunk lid ...... 78
Power outlet ...................................... 166
Power seats see Seats
Power washer .................................... 216
Power windows ................................... 96
Cleaning ......................................... 219
Door windows .................................. 97
Operation ......................................... 96
Rear side windows ...........................97
Synchronizing .................................. 98
Practical hints ................................... 224
Problems
While driving .................................. 101
With vehicle ..................................... 22
With wipers ...................................... 96
Product information ............................ 19
Production options weight ............... 206Program mode selector dial
(SL 63 AMG)
Automatic shift program ................107
Manual shift program ..................... 109
Program mode selector switch
Automatic shift
program ................................. 106, 107
Manual shift program ..................... 109
Proximity key
see Key, SmartKey
PSI (air pressure unit) ....................... 206
R
RACE START (SL 63 AMG) ................. 141
RACETIMER ........................................ 117
Radio
Selecting stations ..........................119
Radio transmitters ............................ 213
Rain sensor see Intermittent wiping
Rear axle oil ....................................... 304
Rear fog lamp see Fog lamps
Rear lamps
see Tail lamps
Rear window defroster ..................... 155
Recommended tire inflation
pressure ..................................... 187, 206
Refrigerant, air conditioning ............ 306
Refueling ............................................ 178
Regular checks .................................. 180
Reminder, Seat belt see Seat belts, Telltale
Remote control
see Key, SmartKey
Remote door unlock (Tele Aid) ......... 171
Replacing
Key .................................................. 72
Replacing bulbs ................................. 271
Reporting safety defects .................... 22
Research Octane Number see RON
Reserve fuel
Messages in the multifunction
display ........................................... 249
Warning
lamp .................................. 31, 32, 262
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Product Information
Please observe the following in your own best
interest:
We recommend using Genuine Mercedes-
Benz Parts as well as conversion parts and
accessories explicitly approved by us for your
vehicle model.
We have tested these parts to determine their
reliability, safety and special suitability for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
We are unable to make an assessment for
other products and therefore cannot be held
responsible for them, even if in individual
cases an official approval or authorization by
governmental or other agencies should exist.
Use of such parts and accessories could
adversely affect the safety, performance or
reliability of your vehicle. Please do not use
them.
Genuine Mercedes-Benz Parts and pre-
approved conversion parts and accessories
are available at any authorized Mercedes-
Benz Center. In addition, you will receive
comprehensive information on permissible
technical modifications and expert
installations.
Operator’s Manual
Notes
This Operator’s Manual contains a great deal
of useful information. We urge you to read it
carefully and familiarize yourself with the
vehicle before driving.
For your own safety and longer service life of
the vehicle, we urge you to follow the
instructions and warnings contained in this
Operator’s Manual. Ignoring them could
result in damage to the vehicle or personal
injury to you or others. Vehicle damage
caused by failure to follow instructions is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz Limited
Warranty.
We continuously strive to improve our
product and ask for your understanding that
we reserve the right to make changes in
design and equipment. Therefore,
information, illustrations, and descriptions in
this Operator’s Manual might differ from your
vehicle.
Vehicle equipment
Your vehicle may have some or all of the
equipment described in this manual.
Therefore, you may find explanations for
optional equipment not installed in your
vehicle. If you have any questions about
operating particular equipment, any
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center will be glad
to demonstrate the proper procedures.
Optional equipment is also described in this
manual, including operating instructions
wherever necessary. Since they are special-
order items, the descriptions and illustrations
herein may vary slightly from the actual
equipment of your vehicle.
If there are any equipment details that are not
shown or described in this Operator’s
Manual, any authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center will be glad to inform you of correct
care and operating procedures. The
Operator’s Manual and Maintenance Booklet
are important documents and should be kept
with the vehicle.
Service and warranty information
The Service and Warranty Information
booklet contains detailed information about
the warranties covering your Mercedes-Benz,
including:
R New Vehicle Limited Warranty
R Emission System Warranty
R Emission Performance Warranty
R California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania,
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Electro-hydraulic brake system
The electro-hydraulic brake system combines
a hydraulic brake circuit with electronically
controlled brake servo assistance. You have
increased braking safety and improved
braking comfort.GWarning!
Never ignore a brake malfunction indicated in
the speedometer display, for example by the
$ (USA only) or J (Canada only)
indicator lamp. Refer to the “Practical hints”
section. Also read and observe the messages
in the instrument cluster multifunction
display.
For information on warning and indicator
lamps, see the “Practical hints” section
( Y page 255). For information on the
messages that may appear in the
multifunction display, see the “Practical
hints” section ( Y page 227) and
( Y page 237).
GWarning!
The electro-hydraulic brake system requires
electrical power to operate.
A malfunction in the vehicle’s power supply or
electrical system may impair brake system
operation and switch it into its emergency
operation mode. In such a case, the red brake
warning lamp comes on and warning
messages appear in the multifunction display
while driving. To brake, the driver must then
apply significantly greater brake pedal
pressure and depress the pedal much further
to obtain the expected braking effect. If
necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased!
If there is a malfunction in the electro-
hydraulic brake system, we recommend that
the vehicle be transported with all wheels off
the ground using flatbed or appropriate wheel
lift/dolly equipment.
A tow bar must be used if circumstances do
not permit the use of the recommended
towing methods and the vehicle requires
towing with all four wheels on the ground.
Towing the vehicle with all four wheels on the
ground is only permissible for distances up to
30 miles (50 km) and at a speed not to exceed
30 mph (50 km/h). For more information, see
the “Towing the vehicle” section in this
Operator’s Manual.
The electro-hydraulic brake system is
activated automatically when you
R unlock the vehicle with the SmartKey or
with KEYLESS-GO
R open the driver’s or passenger door
R turn the SmartKey in the starter switch to
position 1
R press the start/stop button on the gear
selector lever once (vehicles with
KEYLESS-GO)
R depress the brake pedal
R release the parking brake
If the electro-hydraulic brake system is
activated as the brake pedal is first
depressed, you may feel a reduced pedal
resistance and longer pedal travel than
normal. When releasing the pedal, you may
also feel the brake pedal pulsate and you may
hear a sound which is caused by the
activation of the electro-hydraulic brake
system pump. This is normal and not an
indication of a malfunction. Pedal travel
returns to normal when you release the brake
pedal and the sound soon ceases.
If you experience the above while driving and
the red brake warning lamp illuminates
and/or warning messages appear in the
multifunction display, the brake system is
malfunctioning. Follow the instructions of the
warning message(s) and have the brake
system checked immediately.GWarning!
Have brake pad replacement and other work
on the electro-hydraulic brake system carried
62Driving safety systemsSafety and security
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Storing positions into memory
XAdjust the seats.XOn the driver’s side, also adjust the
steering wheel and exterior rear view
mirrors to the desired positions.
XPress memory button M once and within
3 seconds press memory position button
1, 2 or 3.
When the settings are stored to the
selected position, an acknowledgement
signal sounds.
Recalling positions from memory
XPress and hold desired memory position
button 1, 2 or 3 until the seat has moved
to the stored position completely. On the
driver’s side, also wait for the steering
wheel and exterior rear view mirrors to
move to the stored position.
iReleasing the memory position button
stops movement to the stored positions
immediately.
Lighting
Notes
iIf you drive in countries with left-hand
driving, you must have the headlamps
modified for symmetrical low beams.
Relevant information can be obtained at
any authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
iThe active Bi-Xenon headlamps increase
usable illumination over conventional
headlamps because they follow the
curvature of the road ahead. The beams of
the active Bi-Xenon headlamps shift to
either side according to the vehicle’s
steering angle and speed.
Exterior lamp switch
1 WStanding lamps, left2 XStanding lamps, right3 $Off
Daytime running lamp mode
4 ÃAutomatic headlamp mode
Daytime running lamp mode
5 TParking lamps (also tail lamps,
license plate lamps, side marker
lamps and instrument panel lamps)
6 LLow-beam headlamps or high-beam
headlamps
7 NFront fog lamps8 RRear fog lamp
iThe exterior lamps (except standing
lamps or parking lamps) go out
automatically when you remove the
SmartKey from the starter switch or open
the driver’s door with the ignition switched
off.
When the parking lamps or the rear fog
lamp are switched on and you remove the
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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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the maximum engine speed for each gear
without overrevving the engine.XShift the automatic transmission from
current gear : into the next higher gear.
The fuel supply will otherwise be
interrupted to prevent the engine from
overrevving.
Downshifting
GWarning!
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle’s ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control.
XBriefly press the gear selector lever to the
left in the D- direction.
or
XBriefly pull left gearshift control :
( Y page 108).
The automatic transmission shifts into the
next lower gear.
i For maximum acceleration, press and
hold the gear selector lever to the left in the
D- direction or pull and hold the left
gearshift control. Depending on the engine
speed the automatic transmission selects
the optimal gear for maximum
acceleration.
i When you brake or stop, the automatic
transmission shifts down into a gear from
which you can easily accelerate or take off.
Kickdown
Using the kickdown while driving in manual
program mode M is not possible.
Deactivating manual shift program
XAll models except SL 63 AMG: Press the
program mode selector switch repeatedly
until C or S appears in the right
multifunction display.XSL 63 AMG: Turn the program mode
selector dial until C or S appears in the right
multifunction display.
or
XRestart the engine.
The automatic transmission will go to
automatic program mode C.
Manual program mode M is not stored.
Emergency operation (limp-home
mode)
If vehicle acceleration becomes less
responsive or sluggish or the automatic
transmission no longer shifts, the automatic
transmission is most likely operating in limp-
home (emergency operation) mode. In this
mode only second gear and reverse gear R
can be selected.
XStop the vehicle in a safe location.XShift the automatic transmission into park
position P.XTurn off the engine.XWait at least 10 seconds before restarting.XRestart the engine.XShift the automatic transmission into drive
position D (for second gear) or reverse gear
R .XHave the automatic transmission checked
at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center as
soon as possible.
Instrument cluster
Introduction
For a full view illustration of the instrument
cluster, see “Instrument cluster”
( Y page 30).
GWarning!
No messages will be displayed if either the
instrument cluster or the multifunction
display is inoperative.
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