2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG COUPE Owners Manual

ProblemPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsThe coolant
temperature gauge
shows a value above
248 ‡(120 †).The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.XStop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.XCheck the coolant level ( Y page 220). Observe the warning
notes as you do so and add coolant if necessary.If the coolant level is correct, the engine radiator fan may be faulty.
The coolant is too hot and the engine is no longer being cooled
sufficiently.XAt coolant temperatures under 248 ‡(120 †), drive on to the
nearest qualified specialist workshop, e.g. to an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.XAvoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-and-go traffic.AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports
transmission
Important safety notes
GWARNING
It is dangerous to shift the transmission out
of park position P or neutral position N if the
engine is running at anything more than idling
speed. If you do not depress the brake pedal
with force, the vehicle may accelerate
forwards or backwards. This could cause you
to lose control of your vehicle and cause a
collision. Only shift the transmission into the
drive position when you are firmly depressing
the brake pedal.
E-SELECT selector lever
Overview of transmission positionsjPark position with parking lockkReverse geariNeutralhDrive
! If the engine speed is too high or if the
vehicle is rolling, do not shift the
transmission directly from D to R, from R
to D or directly to P.
Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds in
transmission position D or R, park position
P is otherwise engaged automatically.
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission119Driving and parkingZ

The transmission could be damaged.
i The E-SELECT lever always returns to its
original position.
The current transmission position P, R , N
or D appears in the transmission position
display in the multifunction display.
If you wish to select a transmission position
or to disengage park position P, the engine
must be running.
Engaging park position PXWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.XPress the P button in the center console.
i
If you depress the brake pedal and push
the E-SELECT lever forwards or back to the
first point of resistance, park position P is
disengaged. The transmission shifts to
neutral N.
To shift directly from P to R:
XDepress the brake pedal and push the
E-SELECT lever forwards past the first
point of resistance.
To shift directly from P to D:
XDepress the brake pedal and push the
E-SELECT lever back past the first
point of resistance.
Engaging park position P automatically
Park position is engaged automatically in the
following circumstances:
R if you switch off the engine using the Start/
Stop button and open the driver's or front-
passenger door.
R if you remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock.
R if you open the door while traveling at low
speed in transmission position D or R.
Shifting to neutral NXWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.XPush the E-SELECT lever forwards or back
to the first point of resistance.
i If you use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to N before switching off the
engine, the transmission remains in N for
approximately 30 minutes. If you open the
driver's or front-passenger door during this
period, the transmission automatically
shifts to P.
If the SmartKey is in the ignition lock and
you use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to N before switching off the
engine, the transmission remains in N. This
still applies if you open the driver's or front-
passenger door. Further information is
available in the "Car wash" section
( Y page 223).
Engaging reverse gear R
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.XPush the E-SELECT lever forward past the
first point of resistance.
Shifting to transmission position D
XWhen the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.XPush the E-SELECT lever back past the first
point of resistance.120AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmissionDriving and parking

Transmission position and drive
program display
Display in transmission positions P, R
and N:Transmission position: currently selected
transmission position is displayed in
inverted colors;Drive program (C/S/S+/M)
In addition to drive program ; being shown
in the multifunction display, the currently
selected drive program is indicated in red on
the drive program selector switch.
Display when in transmission position
D
:Transmission position;Gear=Drive program (C/S/S+)
If you have restricted the shift range, the
transmission position and the selected shift
range, e.g. D3, are shown at position :.
Display when in transmission position
D and drive program M:Gear;Drive program
Transmission positions
BPark position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P unless the vehicle is
stationary. The parking lock should
not be used as a brake when
parking. In addition to engaging the
parking lock, you must always
apply the electric parking brake to
secure the vehicle.
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the transmission
may be locked in position P.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center,
immediately.CReverse gear
Only shift the transmission to R
when the vehicle is stationary.AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission121Driving and parkingZ

ANeutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it.
Do not shift the transmission to N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position N if the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads.7Drive
The transmission shifts into drive
programs C/S/S+ automatically.
All forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The transmission shifts into individual gears
automatically. This is determined by:
R drive position D
R the selected drive program ( C/S/ S+ )
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed
R a shift range restriction, if selected
The shift points primarily depend on:
R the position of the accelerator pedal:
little throttle: early upshifts; high throttle:
late upshifts
R the driving dynamics
A dynamic driving style with high
longitudinal and lateral acceleration delays
the shift points to higher engine speeds.
Driving tips
Double-clutch function
When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces the load change reaction on
the drive axle. The sound generated by the
double-clutch function depends on the drive
program selected.
Kickdown
i Kickdown is not available in manual drive
program M.
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
XDepress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
Depending on the selected drive program,
the transmission shifts to the lowest gear
allowing ideal acceleration.
Working on the vehicle
GWARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
electric parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise,
the vehicle could roll away and cause an
accident and/or serious injuries.
Drive program selector
With the drive program selector switch, you
can choose from a range of different
transmission configurations or select the
RACE START drive mode.
122AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmissionDriving and parking

Drive
programCharacteristicC Controlled
EfficiencyComfort-oriented,
optimum-economy engine
and transmission settingsS SportSporty engine and
transmission settingsS+ SportPlusExtremely sporty engine
and transmission settingsM ManualManual gearshiftingDriving modeRS RACE
STARTOptimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstillXTurn drive program selector switch : until
the desired drive program is shown in the
multifunction display.
i RS cannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see ( Y page 123).
Steering wheel paddle shifters
In transmission position D, you can use the
steering wheel paddle shifters to restrict or
derestrict the transmission shift range. One
of the automatic drive programs, C, S or S+,
must be selected in order to do so.
In manual drive program M, you need to
change gear yourself using the steering wheel
paddle shifters. At low engine speeds, the
transmission shifts down automatically.
:Left steering wheel paddle shifter
(DOWN): shift down/restrict shift range;Right steering wheel paddle shifter (UP):
shift up/derestrict shift range
RACE START
RACE START facilitates optimum vehicle
acceleration from a standstill if the road
surface offers suitable grip.
GWARNING
RACE START is only available when SPORT
handling mode is activated. SPORT handling
mode will only be able to stabilize the vehicle
to a limited degree if the vehicle starts to skid
or a wheel starts to spin. The vehicle is
therefore harder to control at the threshold
range. You could lose control of the vehicle
and cause an accident.
RACE START must only be used on closed off
circuits. Always adapt your driving style to suit
the prevailing road and weather conditions.
Conditions for activation
You can activate RACE START if:
R the doors are closed.
R the engine is running and the engine and
transmission are at operating temperature
( Y page 160).
R SPORT handling mode is switched on
( Y page 58).
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission123Driving and parkingZ

Rthe vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is set to D.
Activating RACE STARTXDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.XTurn the drive program selector switch
clockwise ( Y page 122) until the RS
indicator on the switch lights up in red.
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears
in the multifunction display.
i If the conditions for activation are not
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Not Possible message
appears in the multifunction display.
XTo cancel: pull the left-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (DOWN) ( Y page 123).
The multifunction display shows the RACE
START Canceled message.XTo confirm: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (UP) ( Y page 123).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled message.
XFully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
The RACE START Release brake to
start. message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled message.
XTake your foot off the brake pedal while
keeping the accelerator pedal fully
depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.The RACE START Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated once a speed of
approximately 50 km/h is reached. Drive
program S+ is activated. SPORT handling
mode remains switched on.
RACE START is immediately deactivated if
you take your foot off the accelerator pedal
during RACE START or if the conditions for
activation are no longer met. The RACE
START Not Possible or RACE START
Canceled message appears in the
multifunction display.
i After using it several times in short
succession, RACE START will be
unavailable until a certain distance has
been driven.
Automatic drive program
Drive program C is characterized by the
following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the transmission shifting up sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity; this improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the transmission shifting up sooner; this
results in the vehicle being driven at lower
engine speeds and the wheels being less
likely to spin
Drive programs S and S+ are characterized
by the following:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the transmission shifting up later and
shifting down dynamically
124AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmissionDriving and parking

Ras a result of the later transmission
upshifts, the fuel consumption may be
higher
R if a period of dynamic driving is followed by
an extended phase with a constant
accelerator pedal position, the vehicle
shifts up to a higher gear. This optimizes
fuel consumption
If a gentle driving style is adopted in
automatic drive programs C/S/S+, the drive
program settings are adjusted to optimize
fuel consumption. Depending on the
operating conditions, the transmission shifts
to a higher gear.
Shift ranges
Introduction
In certain driving situations, it is
recommended to restrict the shift range. The
set shift range appears in the instrument
cluster's multifunction display ( Y page 121).
The transmission only shifts to the gear
displayed in the instrument cluster.
When the maximum engine speed is reached,
the transmission shifts up a gear in the
automatic programs C/S/S+. Gear
restriction is correspondingly increased by
one gear.
Driving situation=The braking effect of the engine can
be utilized in this position5To use the braking effect of the
engine on downhill gradients and
for driving:
R on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions4To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretchesDerestricting the shift range/shifting
upXPull the right steering wheel paddle (UP).
The shift range is derestricted. If you are
driving in manual drive program M, the
transmission shifts up to the next gear.
Restricting the shift range/shifting
down
GWARNING
Do not change down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. This could
cause the drive wheels to lose their grip and
the vehicle could skid.
XPull the left steering wheel paddle (DOWN).
The transmission shifts down one gear and
restricts the shift range to this gear.
If the engine speed in manual drive
program M is too high, it is not possible to
shift down. The two red segments in the
instrument cluster flash if you pull the left-
hand steering wheel paddle shifter (DOWN)
( Y page 126).
Clearing the shift range restriction
XPull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (UP) until the number for the gear
disappears from the multifunction display.
or
XUse the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to position D.
The transmission shifts from the current
shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range
XPull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter repeatedly until the function is
activated.
Depending on the selected drive program,
the transmission shifts to a gear which
allows ideal acceleration and deceleration.
To do this, the transmission shifts down
one or more gears.AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission125Driving and parkingZ

Manual drive program
In manual drive program M, you need to
change gear yourself using the steering wheel
paddle shifters ( Y page 123). The
transmission only shifts down automatically
at low engine speeds depending on the
respective gear.
! In manual drive program M, the
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer and observe
the upshift indicator. There is otherwise a
risk of engine damage.XTo activate the manual drive program:
turn the drive program selector switch until
M appears in the instrument cluster's
multifunction display.
M lights up in red on the drive program
selector switch.XTo deactivate the manual drive
program: turn the drive program selector
switch and select another drive program.
Upshift indicator
The upshift indicator is a four-stage display
designed to assist you in sporty driving.
The upshift indicator allows you to recognize
the ideal shift point for dynamic acceleration.
White segments : and yellow segment ;
light up in succession from left to right.
When red segments = light up and the "up"
message appears in the multifunction
display, the ideal shift point has been
reached:XShift up using the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (UP) as quickly as possible.
The vehicle shifts up to the next gear.
i If you continue to increase the engine
speed without shifting up in time, the fuel
supply is shut off to protect the engine. This
results in abruptly reduced acceleration.
Display for downshift override
If the engine speed is too high, you cannot
shift down with the left steering wheel paddle
shifter. If you then pull the left steering wheel
paddle shifter, both red segments = light up
briefly.
AMG button (SETUP)
With the AMG button, you can call up and
store a default drive program setting and the
default suspension tuning.
126AMG button (SETUP)Driving and parking