2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class width

R
Position the lap belt as low as possible on
your hips and not across the abdomen. If
the lap belt is positioned across your
abdomen, it could cause serious injuries in
a crash.
R Never wear seat belts over rigid or
breakable objects in or on your clothing,
such as eyeglasses, pens, keys etc., as
these might cause injuries.
R Make sure the seat belt is always fitted
snugly. Take special care of this when
wearing loose clothing.
R Never use a seat belt for more than one
person at a time. Do not fasten a seat belt
around a person and another person or
other objects at the same time.
R Seat belts should not be worn twisted. In a
crash, you would not have the full width of
the seat belt to distribute impact forces.
The twisted seat belt against your body
could cause injuries.
R Pregnant women should also always use a
lap-shoulder belt. The lap belt portion
should be positioned as low as possible on
the hips to avoid any possible pressure on
the abdomen.
R Place the seat backrest in a position that is
as upright as possible.
R Check your seat belt during travel to make
sure it is properly positioned.
R Never place your feet on the instrument
panel, dashboard, or on the seat. Always
keep both feet on the floor in front of the
seat.
R When using a seat belt to secure infant
restraints, toddler restraints, or children in
booster seats, always follow the child seat
manufacturer's instructions. G
WARNING
Do not pass seat belts over sharp edges. They
could tear.
Do not allow the seat belt to get caught in the
door or in the seat adjustment mechanism.
This could damage the seat belt. Never attempt to make modifications to seat
belts. This could impair the effectiveness of
the seat belts.
Fastening seat belts G
WARNING
Children 12 years old and under must be
seated and properly secured in an
appropriately sized infant restraint, child
restraint system, or booster seat
recommended for the size and weight of the
child. For additional information, see the
"Children in the vehicle" section.
Ac hild's risk of serious or fatal injuries is
significantly increased if the child restraints
are not properly secured in the vehicle and/
or the child is not properly secured in the child
restraint. X
Adjust the seat and move the backrest to
an almost vertical position (Y page 114).
X Pull the seat belt smoothly through seat
belt guide 0002.
X Without twisting it, guide the shoulder
section of the seat belt across the middle
of your shoulder and the lap section across
your pelvis. Occupant safety
67Safety Z

because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in fron
twill be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for
example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally. HOLD function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOL Dfunctio nif:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator peda lorthe brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine
compartment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off
the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes
automatically in certain situations. To
prevent damage to the vehicle, deactivate
DISTRONIC PLUS and the HOLD function in
the following or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Deactivate the HOLD function (Y page 196).
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away. Driving systems
195Driving and parking Z

Activating/deactivating the rea
rview
camera X
To activate: make sure that the SmartKey
is in position 2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure that the function "show rear
view camera display" is selected in
COMAND (Y page 314).
X Engage reverse gear.
The area behind the vehicle is shown in the
COMAN Ddisplay with guide lines.
To deactivate: the rear view camera is
deactivated if you:
R shift the transmission to position P
R drive forwards 33 ft (10 m)
R shift the transmission from Rto another
position (after 15 seconds)
R drive forwards at a speed of over 5mph
(10km/h)
Displays in the COMAND display The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. The rear view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the
bottom-most guideline. 0002
White guide line without turning the
steering wheel, vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors (static)
0003 Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 13 ft (4.0m) from the rear
of the vehicle
0027 Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0026 Yellow lane marking tires at current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 0024
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
0025 Vehicle center axle (marker assistance)
0016 Bumper
0017 Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 10 in (0.25 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
The guide lines are shown when the
transmission is in position R.
The distance specifications only apply to
objects that are at ground level. Driving systems
211Driving and parking Z

Additional messages for vehicles with
PARKTRONIC
0002
Front warning display
0003 Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator
0027 Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: if
PARKTRONIC is operational (Y page 204), an
additional operational readiness indicator will
appear in COMAND display 0003. If the
PARKTRONIC warning displays are active or
light up, warning displays 0002and 0027are also
active or light up correspondingly in the
COMAND display.
Reverse parking function Backing up straight into a parking space
withou
tturning the steering wheel 0002
White guide line without turning the
steering wheel, vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors (static)
0003 Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 0027
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) from the rear
of the vehicle
0026 Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 10 in (0.25 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 211).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X With the help of white guide line 0002, check
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking
space.
X Using white guide line 0002as a guide,
carefully back up until you reach the end
position.
Red guide line 0026is then at the end of the
parking space. The vehicle is almost
parallel in the parking space.
Reverse perpendicular parking with the
steering wheel at an angle Turning the steering wheel
0002
Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0003 Parking space marking
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 211).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X Drive pas tthe parking space and bring the
vehicle to a standstill.
X While the vehicle is at a standstill, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the 212
Driving systemsDriving and parking

parking space until red guide line
0002
reaches parking space marking 0003.
X Keep the steering wheel in that position
and back up carefully. Backing up with the steering wheel turned
0002 Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
X Stop the vehicle when it is almost exactly
in front of the parkin gspace.
The white lane should be as close to parallel
with the parking space marking as
possible. Driving to the final position
0002
White guide line at curren tsteering wheel
angle
0003 Parking space marking
X Turn the steering wheel to the center
positio nwhile the vehicle is stationary. 0002
End of parking space
0003 White guide line without turning the
steering wheel
0027 Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 10 in (0.25 m) from the
rear of the vehicle
X Back up carefully until you have reached
the end position.
Red guide line 0027is then at end of parking
space 0002.The vehicle is almost parallel in
the parking space. ATTENTION ASSIST
Important safety notes ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the
driver. It might not always recognize fatigue
or increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to
recognize them at all. The system is not a
substitute for a well-rested and attentive
driver.
ATTENTION ASSIST helps you during long,
monotonous journeys, such as on highways.
It is active in the range between 50 mph
(80 km/h) and 112 mph (180 km/h).
If ATTENTION ASSIST detects typical
indicators of fatigue or increasing lapses in
concentration on the part of the driver, it
suggests you take a break. Driving systems
213Driving and parking Z

Regular checking of wheels and tires
G
WARNING
Damaged tires can cause tire inflation
pressure loss. As a result, you could lose
control of your vehicle. There is a ris kof
accident.
Chec kthe tires regularly for signs of damage
and replace any damaged tires immediately.
Regularly check the wheels and tires of your
vehicle for damage at least once a month, as
well as after driving off-road or on rough
roads. Damaged wheels can cause a loss of
tire pressure. Pay particular attention to
damage such as:
R cuts in the tires
R punctures
R tears in the tires
R bulges on tires
R deformation or severe corrosion on wheels
Regularly check the tire tread depth and the
condition of the tread across the whole width
of the tire (Y page 545). If necessary, turn
the front wheels to full lock in order to inspect
the inner side of the tire surface.
All wheels must have a valve cap to protect
the valve against dirt and moisture. Do not
mount anything onto the valve other than the
standard valve cap or other valve caps
approved by Mercedes-Ben zfor your vehicle.
Do not use any other valve caps or systems,
e.g. tire pressure monitoring systems.
Regularly check the pressure of all the tires
particularly prior to long trips. Adjust the tire
pressure as necessary (Y page 547).
The service life of tires depends on the
following factors amongst other things:
R Driving style
R Tire pressure
R Distance covered Tire tread
G
WARNING
Insufficient tire tread will reduce tire traction.
The tire is no longer able to dissipate water.
This means that on wet road surfaces, the risk
of hydroplaning increases, in particular where
speed is not adapted to suit the driving
conditions. There is a risk of accident.
If the tire pressure is too high or too low, tires
may exhibit different levels of wear at
different locations on the tire tread. Thus, you
should regularly check the tread depth and
the condition of the tread across the entire
width of all tires.
Minimum tire tread depth for:
R Summer tires: 000Bin (3 mm)
R M+S tires: 000Cin (4 mm)
For safety reasons, replace the tires before
the legally prescribed limit for the minimum
tire tread depth is reached. Bar indicator
0002for tread wear is integrated
into the tire tread.
Tread wear indicators (TWI) are required by
law. Six indicators are positioned on the tire
tread. They are visible once the tread depth
is approximately 000Ain (1.6 mm). If this is the
case, the tire is so worn that it must be
replaced. Operation
545Wheels and tires Z

Step 2
Example 1 Example 2
Number of
people in the
vehicle (driver
and
occupants)
1 2
Weight of the
occupants
Occupant
1: 175 lbs
(80 kg) Occupant
1: 175 lbs
(80 kg)
Occupant
2: 195 lbs
(88 kg)
Gross weight
of all
occupants
175 lbs
(80 kg) 370 lbs
(168 kg)
Step 3
Example 1 Example 2
Permissible
load
(maximum
gross vehicle
weight rating
from the Tire
and Loading
Information
placard minus
the gross
weight of all
occupants)
1500 lbs
(680 kg)
001C175 lbs
(80 kg) =
1325 lbs
(600 kg) 1500 lbs
(680 kg)
001C370 lbs
(168 kg) =
1130 lbs
(512 kg)
Vehicle identification plate
Even if you have calculated the total load
carefully, you should still make sure that the
gross vehicle weight rating and the gross axle
weight rating are not exceeded. Details can
be found on the vehicle identification plate on
the B-pillar on the driver's side of the vehicle
(Y page 555).
Permissible gross vehicle weight: the
gross weight of the vehicle, all passengers and the load must not exceed the permissible
gross vehicle weight.
Gross axle weight rating:
the maximum
permissible weight that can be carried by one
axle (front or rear axle).
To ensure that your vehicle does not exceed
the maximum permissible values (gross
vehicle weight and maximum gross axle
weight rating), have your loaded vehicle
(including driver, occupants and the load)
weighed on a suitable vehicle weighbridge. All about wheels and tires
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
Overview of Tire Quality Grading
Standards Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards are
U.S. government specifications. Their
purpose is to provide drivers with uniform
reliable information on tire performance data.
Tire manufacturers have to grade tires using
three performance factors: treadwear
grade
0002, traction grade 0003and temperature
grade 0027.These regulations do not apply to
Canada.N evertheless, all tires sold in North
America are provided with the corresponding
quality grading markings on the sidewall of
the tire.
Where applicable, the tire grading
information can be found on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and maximum
tire width. All about wheels and tires
557Wheels and tires Z

Tire labeling
Overview 0002
Unifor mTire Quality Grading Standard
(Y page 563)
0003 DOT, Tire Identification Number
(Ypage 562)
0027 Maximum tire load (Y page 562)
0026 Maximum tire pressure (Y page 550)
0024 Manufacturer
0025 Tire material (Y page 562)
0016 Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed index (Y page 559)
0017 Load index (Y page 561)
0018 Tire name
The markings described above are on the tire
in additio nto the tire name (sales
designation) and the manufacturer's name.
i Tire data is vehicle-specific and may
deviate from the data in the example.
Tire size designation, load-bearing
capacity and speed rating G
WARNING
Exceeding the stated tire load-bearing
capacity and the approved maximum speed
could lead to tire damage or the tire bursting.
There is a risk of accident. Therefore, only use tire types and sizes
approved for your vehicle model. Observe the
tire load rating and speed rating required for
your vehicle.
0002
Tire width
0003 Nominal aspect ratio in %
0027 Tire code
0026 Rim diameter
0024 Load bearing index
0025 Speed rating
General: depending on the manufacturer's
standards, the size imprinted in the tire wall
may not contain any letters or may contain
one letter that precedes the size description.
If there is no letter preceding the size
description (as shown above): these are
passenger vehicle tires according to
European manufacturing standards.
If "P" precedes the size description :these are
passenger vehicle tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "LT" precedes the size description: these
are light truck tires according to U.S.
manufacturing standards.
If "T" precedes the size description: these are
compact emergency spare wheels at high tire
pressure, to be used only temporarily in an
emergency.
Tire width: tire width0002shows the nominal
tire width in millimeters.
Height-width ratio: aspect ratio0003is the
size ratio between the tire height and tire
width and is shown in percent.T he aspect All about wheels and tires
559Wheels and tires Z