2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER transmission

Removing the Start/Stop button
You can remove the Start/Stop button from
the ignition lock and start the vehicle as
normal using the SmartKey.
X
Remove Start/Stop button : from ignition
lock ;.
i You do

not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. Starting the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Inhalation of exhaust gas is hazardous to your
health. All exhaust gas contains carbon
monoxide (CO), and inhaling it can cause
unconsciousness and possible death.
Do not

run the engine in confined areas (such
as a garage) which are not properly ventilated.
If you think that exhaust gas fumes are
entering the vehicle while driving, have the
cause determined and corrected
immediately. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with at least one
window fully open at all times.
! Do not depress the accelerator pedal
when starting the engine.
i The catalytic converter is preheated for
up to 30seconds after a cold start. During
this time, the engine sound may be
different. Starting procedure with the SmartKey X
Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 3 in the
ignition lock

(Y page 135) and release it as
soon as the engine is running.
Using KEYLESS-GO to start the engine G
WARNING
As long as the SmartKey is in your vehicle, the
vehicle can

be started. Therefore, never leave
children unattended in the vehicle, as they
could otherwise accidentally start the engine.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Do
not leave children unattended in the vehicle,
or with access to an unlocked vehicle. A
child's unsupervised access to a vehicle could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
i The Start/Stop button can be used to
start the vehicle without inserting the
SmartKey into the ignition lock. The Start/
Stop button must be inserted into the
ignition lock and the SmartKey must be in
the vehicle.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
The transmission position display in the
multifunction display shows P.
i You can also start the engine when the
transmission is in position N.
X Press the Start/Stop button once
(Y page 135).
The engine starts. Driving
137
Driving and parking Z

Pulling away
Automatic transmission G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than

idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal.
i It is only possible to shift the transmission
from position P to the desired position if
you depress the brake pedal. Only then is
the shift lock released.
X Depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
X Shift the transmission to position D or R.
X Release the electric parking brake
(Y page 155).
X Release the brake pedal.
X Carefully depress the accelerator pedal.
! If a warning tone sounds and the
Release Park. Brake message appears
in the multifunction display, the parking
brake is still applied. Release the parking
brake.
i The vehicle

locks centrally once you have
pulled away.The locking knobs in the doors
drop down.
You can open the doors from the inside at
any time.
You can also deactivate the automatic
locking feature (Y page 218).
i Upshifts take place at higher engine
speeds after a cold start. This helps the
catalytic converter to reach its operating
temperature more quickly. Hill start assist G
WARNING
Never leave the vehicle when it is being held
by hill start assist. After approximately one
second, hill start assist will no longer brake
your vehicle and it could roll away.
Hill start assist helps you when pulling away
forwards or in reverse on an uphill gradient.
It holds the vehicle for a short time after you
have removed

your foot from the brake pedal.
This gives you enough time to move your foot
from the brake pedal to the accelerator pedal
and to depress it before the vehicle begins to
roll.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
The vehicle

is then held for about a second.
X Pull away.
Hill start assist will not function if:
R you are pulling away on a level road or on
a downhill gradient.
R the transmission is in position N.
R the parking brake is applied.
R ESP ®
is malfunctioning. ECO start/stop function
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If the engine is switched off and the ECO
symbol is

shown in green in the multifunction
display, the engine has been switched off
automatically. All of the vehicle's systems
remain active. If you open the door, unfasten
your seat belt or remove your foot from the
brake pedal, the engine will automatically
start. The vehicle may begin moving. You
could suffer serious or even fatal injury or
cause an accident resulting in injury or death.
Never leave the vehicle while the ECO symbol
in the multifunction display is shown in green
or yellow. Always secure the vehicle against
rolling away before leaving it. 138
Driving
Driving and parking

Activating (AMG vehicles)
X
Press button :.
If one of the drive programs S, S+ or M is
active, the automatic transmission
switches to drive program C.
Indicator lamp ; lights up and the ¤
symbol is shown in green in the
multifunction display. The Stop/Start
Active message is shown in the AMG
menu in the multifunction display.
If not all conditions are fulfilled, the ¤
symbol is shown in yellow in the
multifunction display.
If this is the case, the
ECO start/stop function is not available.
The Stop/Start Inactive message is
shown in the AMG menu in the
multifunction display.
Automatic engine switch-off If the vehicle is braked to a standstill in
D or
N, the ECO start/stop function switches off
the engine automatically.
The engine is only switched off if:
R the vehicle is stationary.
R the outside

temperature is within the range
which is suitable for the system.
R the engine is at normal operating
temperature.
R the battery is sufficiently charged.
R the system detects that the windshield is
not fogged up when automatic climate
control is switched on.
R the hood is closed.
R the driver's door is closed and the driver's
side belt buckle is engaged.
i If not all conditions are fulfilled, the
¤ symbol is shown in yellow in the
multifunction display.
i The HOLD function can be activated if the
engine has been switched off
automatically. It is then not necessary to
continue applying the brakes during the
automatic stop phase. When you depress the accelerator pedal, the engine starts
automatically
and

the braking effect of the
HOLD function is deactivated. Depress the
accelerator pedal carefully, as the engine
must be started first.
If you shift the transmission from R to D, the
ECO start/stop function is available again
once the ¤ symbol reappears in green in
the multifunction display.
The engine can be switched off automatically
a maximum of four times (first stop and three
subsequent stops, except AMG vehicles) in
succession. The ¤ symbol is shown in
yellow in the multifunction display after the
engine has been started automatically for the
fourth time. The engine can only be switched
off automatically again when the ¤
symbol is shown in green in the multifunction
display.
AMG vehicles: times which the engine can
be automatically switched off is unlimited.
Automatic engine start The engine starts automatically if:
R
you switch

off the ECO start/stop function
by pressing the ECO button.
R you switch to one of the drive programs S,
S+ or M (AMG vehicles).
R the vehicle starts to roll.
R the brake system requires this.
R the system detects that the windshield is
fogged up when automatic climate control
is switched on.
R the condition of charge of the battery is too
low.
R the driver's seat belt is removed or the
driver's door is opened.
R you shift out of P.
R in transmission position D or N the brake
pedal is released and the HOLD function is
not active.
R you engage reverse gear R.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.140
DrivingDriving and parking

Shifting the transmission to position
P does
not start the engine. Driving
141Driving and parking Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe coolant
temperature display is
showing more than
248 ‡
(120 †). The
coolant warning lamp
may also be lit and a
warning tone may
sound. The coolant level is too low. The coolant is too hot and the engine
is no longer being cooled sufficiently.
X
Stop as soon as possible and allow the engine and the coolant
to cool down.
X Check the coolant level (Y page 498). 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.
X
At coolant temperatures under 248 ‡(120 †), drive to the next
qualified specialist workshop.
X Avoid heavy loads on the engine as you do so, e.g. driving in
mountainous terrain and stop-and-go traffic. Automatic transmission
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
It is dangerous to shift the automatic
transmission out of parking position P or
neutral position N if the engine speed is
higher than

idle speed. If your foot is not firmly
on the brake pedal, the vehicle could
accelerate quickly forward or in reverse. You
could lose control of the vehicle and hit
someone or something. Only shift into gear
when the engine is idling normally and when
your right foot is firmly on the brake pedal. G
WARNING
Keep in mind that turning off the engine alone
only will

shift the automatic transmission into
neutral position N automatically.
Always shift the automatic transmission into
park position P before turning off the engine.
Otherwise the vehicle could roll away which
could result in an accident and/or serious
personal injury. Selector lever
Overview of transmission positions !
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.
The transmission could be damaged. Selector lever
j
Park position
k Reverse gear Automatic transmission
143
Driving and parking Z

i
Neutral
h Drive
When you select a transmission position, the
selector lever subsequently returns to its
original position.
The current transmission position P, R, N or
D appears in the transmission position
display in the multifunction display.
Engaging park position P X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Press the P button in the center console.
i If you depress the brake pedal and push
the selector lever forwards or back to the
first point of resistance, park position P is
disengaged. The transmission shifts to
neutral N.
Park position P
is engaged automatically and
the electric parking brake applied:
R if you remove the SmartKey from the
ignition lock
R if you switch off the engine using the Start/
Stop button and open the driver's or front-
passenger door
R if you open the driver's door while traveling
at low speed in transmission position D or
R
R when HOLD ( Y page 175) or DISTRONIC
PLUS (Y page 164) brakes your vehicle
until it is stationary and at least one of the
following conditions is fulfilled:
- the engine is switched off.
- the driver's door is open and the seat belt
is not fastened.
- there is a system malfunction.
- the power supply is insufficient.
Engaging reverse gear R !
Only shift the automatic transmission to
R when the vehicle is stationary. X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the selector lever forwards past the
first point of resistance.
i When reverse gear is engaged and the
ECO start/stop

function is switched on, the
engine starts up automatically
(Y page 138).
Shifting to neutral N X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the selector lever forwards or back to
the first point of resistance.
i If the

vehicle is braked to a standstill when
in neutral N and the brake pedal continues
to be depressed, the ECO start/stop
function switches the engine off
automatically ( Y page 138).
Remaining in neutral N G
WARNING
When leaving the SmartKey in the starter
switch, do not leave children unattended in
the vehicle.

It is possible for children to switch
on the ignition which could result in
unsupervised use of vehicle equipment.
Unsupervised use of vehicle equipment could
result in an accident and/or serious personal
injury.
Using the SmartKey:
R make sure that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R if the electric parking brake is applied,
release it.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.144
Automatic transmissionDriving and parking

Using KEYLESS-GO:
R
make sure
that the ignition is switched on.
R when the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal and keep it depressed.
R engage park position P.
R release the brake pedal.
R remove the Start/Stop button from the
ignition lock.
R insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
R switch on the ignition.
R depress the brake pedal and keep it
depressed.
R shift to neutral N.
R release the brake pedal.
R if the electric parking brake is applied,
release it.
R switch off the ignition and leave the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
Shifting to transmission position D X
When the vehicle is stationary, depress the
brake pedal.
X Push the selector lever back past the first
point of resistance.
i If the
vehicle is braked to a standstill when
in transmission position D(Y page 138) and
the brake pedal continues to be depressed,
the ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically. Transmission position and drive
program display
Display in transmission positions P, R
and N :
Transmission position: currently selected
transmission position will be highlighted
; Drive program (E/S/M)
In addition to drive program ; being shown
in the multifunction display, the currently
selected drive program is indicated in red on
the program selector button.
Display when in transmission position
D :
Transmission position
; Gear
= Drive program (E/S)
If you have restricted the shift range, the
selected shift range and gear, e.g. D4, are
shown at position :. Automatic transmission
145
Driving and parking Z

Display when in transmission position
D and drive program M
:
Gear
; Drive program (M) Transmission positions
B
Park position
Do not shift the transmission into
position P(Y page 143) unless the
vehicle is stationary. The parking
lock
should
not be used as a brake
when parking. Always apply the
parking brake in addition to the
parking lock in order to secure the
vehicle.
If the SmartKey is removed from
the ignition lock, the transmission
is locked.
The automatic transmission shifts
into P automatically:
R when the SmartKey is removed
from the ignition lock
R when the engine is switched off
with the transmission in position
R or D and one of the doors is
opened
If the vehicle electronics are
malfunctioning, the transmission
may be locked in position P.
Have the vehicle electronics
checked immediately at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center. C
Reverse gear
Only shift the transmission to
R
when the vehicle is stationary. A
Neutral
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. Otherwise, the
automatic transmission could be
damaged.
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 or tow it.
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.
! Rolling in neutral N can damage
the drive train. 7
Drive
The automatic transmission
changes gear automatically. All
forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The automatic transmission shifts to the
individual gears automatically when it is in
transmission position D. This automatic
gearshifting behavior is determined by:
R a shift range restriction, if selected
R the selected drive program E, S or
M (Y page 147)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed Driving tips
Accelerator pedal position Your style of driving influences how the
automatic transmission shifts gear:
R
little throttle: early upshifts
R more throttle: late upshifts146
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking