2012 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG ROADSTER traction control

Door control panelOverview .......................................... 33
Doors
Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 159
Automatic locking (switch) ............... 71
Central locking/unlocking
(SmartKey) ....................................... 64
Display message .................... 183, 185
Emergency locking ........................... 72
Emergency unlocking .......................71
Important safety notes ....................69
Opening (from inside) ......................70
Draft stop ............................................. 80
Drinking and driving ......................... 132
Drinks holder see Cup holder
Drive program .................................... 122
Automatic ...................................... 124
Manual ........................................... 126
SETUP (on-board computer) ..........160
Drive program display ...................... 121
Driver's door see Doors
Driver's seat
see Seats
Driving abroad
Mercedes-Benz Service .................223
Symmetrical low beam ....................94
Driving lamps
see Daytime running lamps
Driving on flooded roads .................. 135
Driving safety systems ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) .......55
ADAPTIVE BRAKE ............................. 59
BAS (Brake Assist System) ..............55
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) ..................................... 59
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) .......................................... 56
ETS (Electronic Traction System) .....56
Important safety information ...........54
Overview .......................................... 54
Driving systems
AMG adaptive sport suspension
system ........................................... 138
Blind Spot Assist ............................ 143Cruise control ................................ 136
Display message ............................ 180
PARKTRONIC ................................. 139
Rear view camera .......................... 142
Driving tips
AMG ceramic high-performance
compound brake system ...............134
Brakes ........................................... 133
Break-in period .............................. 114
Downhill gradient ........................... 133
Drinking and driving .......................132
Driving abroad ................................. 94
Driving in winter ............................. 135
Driving on wet roads ......................135
Exhaust check ............................... 133
Fuel ................................................ 132
General .......................................... 132
Hydroplaning ................................. 135
Icy road surfaces ........................... 136
Limited braking efficiency on
salted roads ................................... 134
Pedals ............................................ 132
Snow chains .................................. 252
Symmetrical low beam ....................94
Wet road surface ........................... 133
DVD audio (on-board computer) ...... 154
DVD video (on-board computer) ...... 155
E
EASY-ENTRY feature Activating/deactivating .................159
Function/notes ................................ 88
EASY-EXIT feature
Crash-responsive ............................. 89
Function/notes ................................ 88
Switching on/off ........................... 159
EBD (electronic brake force
distribution) Display message ............................ 165
Function/notes ................................ 59
Electrical fuses
see Fuses
Electronic Stability Program
see ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Electronic Traction System
see ETS
Index7

Emergency releaseDriver's door .................................... 71
Trunk ............................................... 75
Vehicle ............................................. 71
Emergency Tensioning Devices
Function ........................................... 50
Safety guidelines ............................. 37
Emissions control
Service and warranty information ....18
Engine
Display message ............................ 176
Engine number ............................... 278
Irregular running ............................ 118
Starting .......................................... 116
Starting problems ..........................118
Starting the engine with the key ....116
Starting with the KEYLESS-GO
start function ................................. 116
Switching off .................................. 130
Engine diagnostics warning lamp .... 194
Engine electronics Problem (malfunction) ...................118
Engine oil
Adding ........................................... 220
Additives ........................................ 282
Checking the oil level ..................... 219
Display
message ................................ 178, 179
Filling capacity ............................... 280
Notes about oil grades ................... 282
Notes on oil level/consumption ....219
Temperature (on-board computer) . 160
Temperature gauge ........................ 148
Viscosity ........................................ 282
E-SELECT lever ................................... 119
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability
Program) Deactivating/activating ...................57
Display message ............................ 170
Function/notes ................................ 56
Important safety information ...........56
Warning lamp ................................. 192
ETS (Electronic Traction System) ....... 56
Exhaust check ................................... 133
Exhaust tail pipe (cleaning
instructions) ...................................... 228Exterior lighting
see Lights
Exterior mirrors
Adjusting ......................................... 89
Dipping (automatic) .........................90
Folding in/out (automatically) .........90
Folding in/out (electrically) .............90
Folding in when locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 160
Out of position (troubleshooting) .....90
Setting ............................................. 90
Storing settings (memory
function) .......................................... 91
Storing the parking position ............. 91
F
Filler cap see Fuel filler flap
First-aid kit ......................................... 232
Flat tire Changing a wheel/mounting the
spare wheel ................................... 236
Preparing the vehicle .....................233
Raising the vehicle .........................237
TIREFIT kit ...................................... 233
Floormat ............................................. 216
Front windshield see Windshield
Fuel
Additives ........................................ 281
Consumption statistics ..................152
Displaying the range ......................152
Driving tips .................................... 132
Fuel gauge ....................................... 27
Important safety notes ..................280
Premium-grade unleaded gasoline . 281
Problem (malfunction) ...................129
Refueling ........................................ 127
Specifications ................................ 281
Tank content/reserve fuel .............280
Fuel filler flap, opening/closing ....... 127
Fuel filter (display message) ............ 180
Fuel level Calling up the range (on-board
computer) ...................................... 152
8Index

GWARNING
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking distance may increase.
ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program)
Important safety notes
GWARNING
Under no circumstances should you
deactivate ESP ®
when the ÷ ESP®
warning lamp in the instrument cluster
flashes. Proceed as follows:
R when driving off, apply as little throttle as
possible.
R while driving, ease up on the accelerator
pedal.
R adapt your speed to suit the prevailing road
and weather conditions.
Failure to observe these guidelines could
cause the vehicle to skid. ESP ®
cannot
prevent accidents resulting from excessive
speed.
! Switch the ignition off when:
R the electric parking brake is being tested
using a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is being towed with the rear
axle raised.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
You can select between the three following
states of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated.
ESP ®
is activated as soon as you start the
engine. When SPORT handling mode is
activated, the M warning lamp lights up in
the instrument panel. When ESP ®
is
deactivated, the å and h warning
lamps light up in the instrument panel.
ETS (Electronic Traction System)
Observe the "Important safety notes" section
( Y page 56).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side.
Traction control remains active if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Characteristics of ESP ®
GWARNING
ESP should not be deactivated during normal
driving.
Deactivating ESP SPORT will have the
following effects:
R there is no limit to the engine torque.
R the system-based traction control is
limited.
"ESP OFF" is designed for driving on closed
tracks when the vehicle's natural oversteer
and understeer characteristics are desired
and requires a highly skilled and experienced
driver able to handle these critical driving
situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch off ESP.
GWARNING
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the vehicle
56Driving safety systemsSafety

if the vehicle starts to skid or a wheel starts
to spin.
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. If necessary, the engine output is also
modified to keep the vehicle on the desired
course within physical limits. ESP ®
assists
the driver when pulling away on wet or
slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the
vehicle during braking.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the h warning lamp
flashes in the instrument cluster.GWARNING
If the h warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes, proceed as follows:
R do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances
R only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary when pulling away.
R adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Otherwise, the vehicle could go into a skid.
ESP ®
cannot reduce the risk of an accident if
you drive too fast. ESP ®
cannot override the
laws of physics.
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
ESP ®
is activated automatically when the
engine is running. In the following situations,
it may be better to activate SPORT handling
mode or deactivate ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
GWARNING
Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. Otherwise,
ESP ®
will only be able to stabilize the vehicle
to a limited degree if the vehicle starts to skid
or if a wheel starts to spin.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is
deactivated
When you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
i If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more
wheels start to spin, the h warning lamp
in the instrument cluster does not flash. In
such situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the
vehicle.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
ESP
®
is activated as soon as you start the
engine.
XTo deactivate ESP ®
: press and hold down
button : until the h and å warning
lamps in the instrument panel light up.
The OFF message appears in the
multifunction display.Driving safety systems57SafetyZ

GWARNING
ESP®
is deactivated if the h and å
warning lamps in the instrument cluster are
lit continuously when the engine is running.
There is an increased risk of your vehicle
skidding in certain situations.
You should always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions.
XTo activate ESP ®
: when SPORT handling
mode is activated or ESP ®
is deactivated,
press button : briefly.
The h and å warning lamps in the
instrument cluster go out. The ON message
appears in the multifunction display.
SPORT handling mode
GWARNING
SPORT handling mode should not be switched
on during normal driving.
Switching on SPORT handling mode will result
in the following:
R there is no limit to the engine torque.
R the system-based traction control is
limited.
SPORT handling mode is designed for driving
on closed tracks when the vehicle's own
natural oversteer and understeer
characteristics are desired and requires a
highly skilled and experienced driver able to
handle these critical driving situations.
You could lose control of your vehicle and
cause an accident.
Please be aware of these limits when you
switch on SPORT handling mode.
Do not switch on SPORT handling mode when
a spare wheel is mounted.
GWARNING
Switch off SPORT handling mode and
immediately switch on ESP ®
if one of the
previously stated conditions no longer
applies. SPORT handling mode will otherwise
only stabilize the vehicle to a limited degree if
it begins to lurch or if a wheel spins.
SPORT handling mode raises the intervention
threshold for stabilizing the vehicle. This
allows for a sportier driving style on
designated race circuits and may in certain
situations improve the traction in comparison
with ESP ®
.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R engine torque is only restricted to a limited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning wheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
i If SPORT handling mode is activated and
one or more wheels start to spin, the
h warning lamp in the instrument
cluster flashes. ESP ®
only stabilizes the
vehicle to a limited degree.XTo activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. The SPORT handling 58Driving safety systemsSafety

Summer tires
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section ( Y page 252).
Slippery road surfaces
GWARNING
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road
surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges.
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.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
XShift the transmission to position N.
i
For more information on driving with
snow chains, see ( Y page 252).
GWARNING
Make sure that you do not endanger other
road users when you apply the brakes.
Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes
Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1 , 2 or 3 in good time. By doing so, you will
make use of the braking effect of the engine,
which relieves the load on the brake system
and prevents the brakes from overheating
and wearing too quickly.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
set any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).GWARNING
The cruise control is a convenience system
designed to assist the driver during vehicle
operation. The driver is and must always
remain responsible for the vehicle's speed
and for safe brake operation.
Only use the cruise control if the road, traffic,
and weather conditions make it advisable to
travel at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on winding roads or in heavy
traffic because conditions do not allow safe
driving at a constant speed.
R The use of the cruise control can be
dangerous on slippery roads. Rapid
changes in tire traction can result in wheel
spin and loss of control.
R Deactivate the cruise control when driving
in fog.
The "Resume" function should only be
operated if the driver is fully aware of the
previously set speed and wishes to resume
this particular preset speed.
GWARNING
The cruise control brakes automatically so
that the set speed is not exceeded.
136Driving systemsDriving and parking

Rear spoilerDisplay messagesPossible causes/consequences and M SolutionsÑ
Rear Spoiler
Control System
InoperativeThe rear spoiler cannot be fully retracted and may extend again.
If the retraction of the rear spoiler is blocked, e.g. by ice:XMake sure that the cause of the block is eliminated.XSwitch off the engine and lock the vehicle.XStart the vehicle after waiting a few minutes.
The rear spoiler returns to the original position.
If this problem persists or the cause cannot be identified:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Ñ
Rear Spoiler
Inoperative Limit
200 km/h The rear spoiler cannot be fully extended and extends as far as
possible.
The vehicle's speed is limited to 125 mph(200 km/h).
If the extension/retraction of the rear spoiler is blocked, e.g. by
ice:XMake sure that the cause of the block is eliminated.XSwitch off the engine and lock the vehicle.XStart the vehicle after waiting a few minutes.
The rear spoiler returns to the original position.
If this problem persists or the cause cannot be identified:
XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.Displays and operation189On-board computer and displaysZ

Safety systemsProblemPossible causes/consequences and M Solutions!The yellow ABS
warning lamp is
lit while the
engine is
running.GRisk of accident
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) is deactivated due to a malfunction.
Therefore ESP ®
(Electronic Stability Program), BAS (Brake Assist)
and hill start assist are also deactivated, for example.
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
XObserve the additional messages in the multifunction display
( Y page 170).XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.h
å
!The yellow ESP ®
and ESP ®
OFF
warning lamps
and the yellow
ABS warning
lamp are lit while
the engine is
running.GRisk of accident
ABS and ESP ®
are faulty. Other systems, e.g. BAS and hill start
assist, are unavailable due to a malfunction. The brake system
continues to function normally, but without the functions listed
above. The wheels could therefore lock if you brake hard, for
example.
XObserve the additional messages in the multifunction display
( Y page 170).XDrive on carefully.XVisit a qualified specialist workshop.hThe yellow ESP ®
warning lamp
flashes while the
vehicle is in
motion.GRisk of accident
ESP ®
or traction control has intervened because there is a risk of
skidding or at least one wheel has started to spin.
XWhen pulling away, only depress the accelerator pedal as far as
necessary.XRelease the accelerator pedal while the vehicle is in motion.XAdapt your driving style to suit the road and weather conditions.XDo not deactivate ESP ®
.
For exceptions: ( Y page 56).192Displays and operationOn-board computer and displays