2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class ESP

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

The firmer suspension tunin
ginSport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you favor a firmer
suspension tuning.
Selecting comfor ttuning X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is not lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. You have
selected the suspension for acomfortable
driving style.
The ABC Active Body Control COMFORT message appears in the
multifunction display.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor amore comfortable
driving style.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can display some driving systems and
additional information in the COMAND
display.
X
Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2in the ignition lock.
X Make sure COMAND is switched on
(Y page 294).
X Press button 0002.
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display. Example: displays in the COMAND display
0002
Selection of raised level (Y page 198)
0003 Activity of ABC spring struts for roll and
pitching support
0027 Selected suspension tuning, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (Y page 199)
0026 G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral
acceleration)
0024 Current vehicle level Active Body Control (AMG vehicles)
Vehicle level Important safety notes
The vehicle is slightly lowered when the
engine is switched off.
G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury. 200
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Selecting sports tuning
X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is not lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003lights up. You have
selected the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The AMG Suspension System SPORT message appears in the multifunction
display.
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you favor a firmer
suspension tuning.
Selecting comfort tuning X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp 0003 is lit:
press
button 0002.
Indicator lamp 0003goes out. You have
selected the suspension for acomfortable
driving style.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT message appears in the multifunction
display.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor amore comfortable
driving style.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can display some driving systems and
additional information in the COMAND
display.
X
Call up the driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display (Y page 310).
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display. Example: displays in the COMAND display
0002
Selection of raised level (Y page 200)
0003 Activity of ABC spring struts for roll and
pitching support
0027 Selected suspension tuning, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (Y page 201)
0026 G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral
acceleration)
0024 Current vehicle level 202
Driving systemsDriving and parking

PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objectsint he area in
which you are maneuvering.
! When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition.
R shift the transmission to position D,Ror
N.
R release the electric parking brake.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper. Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into
consideration that are:
R
below the detection range, e.g. people,
animals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g.
overhanging loads, truck overhangs or
loading ramps. 0002
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example) Side view
Top view Driving systems
203Driving and parking Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0003 Solutions
Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately five
seconds, and the
indicator lamp in the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately five
seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Cleant he PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 521).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X
See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Active Parking Assist
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is merely an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objectsint
he area in
which you are maneuvering. G
WARNING
The vehicle swings out when parking and in
doing so could cross into the opposite lane.
This could result in a collision with another
road user. There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users when
parking. Stop the vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Parking Assist parking
procedure.
! If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
R where parking or stopping is prohibited
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R on unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
R On narrow roads, drive as close to the
parking space as possible.
R Parking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all. 206
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or stee ryourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist canceled message appears in the multifunction
display.
or
X Press the PARKTRONIC button on the
center console (Y page 205).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist canceled message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled
automatically if:
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible.
R you are driving faster than 6mph
(10 km/h).
R a wheel spins, ESP ®
intervenes or fails. The
000B ESP warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
Aw arning tone sounds. The parking space
symbol disappears and the multifunction
display shows the Park Assist canceledmessage.
When Active Parking Assist is canceled, you
must steer again yourself.
Rear view camera
Important safety notes The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering and
parking
.When maneuvering or parking, make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the area in which you are
maneuvering. Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function
in a limited manner:
R the tailgate is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the camera is exposed to very bright light
R if the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in
winter
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In
this event, have the camera position and
setting checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
General notes Rear view camera
0002is in the trunk lid handle.
Rear view camera 0002is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It shows the area behind
your vehicle with guide lines in the COMAND
display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
i The text of messages shown in the
COMAND display depends on the language
setting. The following are examples of rear
view camera messages in the COMAND
display. 210
Driving systemsDriving and parking

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

Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
i USA only: This device has been approved
by the FCC as a "Vehicular Rada rSystem".
The rada rsensor is intended for use in an
automotive radar system only. Removal,
tampering, or altering of the device will void
any warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
i Canada only: This device complies with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is
subject to the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
General notes
Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system to monitor the side areas of your
vehicle which are behind the driver. Awarning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attentio nto vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lanes,
you will also receive an optical and audible
collision warning. If a risk of lateral collision
is detected, corrective braking may help you
avoid a collision. To support the course-
correcting brake application, Active Blind
Spot Assist also uses the forward-facing radar
sensor system. Active Blind Spot Assist supports you from a
speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
For Active Blind Spot Assist to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must
be:
R
activated(Y page 235)
R operational
Monitoring area
In particular, the detection of obstacles can
be impaired if:
R there is dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors.
R there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog, heavy
rain or snow.
R a narrow vehicle traveling in front, e.g. a
motorbike or bicycle.
R the road has very wide lanes.
R the road has narrow lanes.
R you are not driving in the middle of the lane.
R there are barriers or similar lane borders.
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated. Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up
to 10 ft
(3.0m) behind your vehicle and
directly next to your vehicle, as shown in the
diagram .For this purpose, Active Blind Spot
Assist uses radar sensors in the rear bumper. Driving systems
215Driving and parking Z