2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER transmission

Double-clutch function
When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch
function reduces load change reactions and
is conducive to a sporty driving style. The
sound generated by the double-clutch
function depends on the drive program
selected.
Kickdown
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration.
X
Vehicles for USA except AMG vehicles:
fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
X Vehicles for Canada except AMG
vehicles: depress the accelerator pedal
beyond the pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
Working on the vehicle G
WARNING
When working on the vehicle, engage the
parking brake and shift the automatic
transmission into park position P. Otherwise
the vehicle
could roll away which could result
in an accident and/or serious personal injury. Program selector button
Selecting drive program Program selector button
Program selector button
: allows you to
choose between different driving
characteristics.
X Press program selector button :
repeatedly until the letter for the desired
gearshift program appears in the
multifunction display in the speedometer.
R
E Economy: comfortable, economical
driving
R S Sport: sporty driving style
R M Manual: manual gearshifting
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program E each time the
engine is started.
i For further

information on the "Automatic
drive program", see ( Y page 149).
Drive program for AMG vehicles Automatic transmission
147
Driving and parking Z

With the drive program selector switch, you
can choose from a range of different
transmission configurations or select the
RACE START drive mode.
X
Turn drive program selector : until the
desired drive program appears in the
multifunction display.
R
C Controlled Efficiency: comfortable
engine and transmission design that
provides for optimum fuel consumption
R S Sport: sporty engine and transmission
settings
R S+ SportPlus: extremely sporty engine
and transmission settings
R M Manual: manual gearshifting
R RS driving
mode RACE START: optimum
acceleration dynamics from a standstill
(SL 63 AMG only)
X Turn drive program selector switch : until
the desired drive program is shown in the
multifunction display.
The drive program indicator on the drive
program selector lights up red.
i The automatic transmission shifts to
automatic drive program C

each time the
engine is started.
i RS cannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see ( Y page 177).
AMG button (SETUP) You can save and call up the following
presettings with the AMG button:
R
Drive program (Y page 147)
R Suspension tuning X
To store: press and hold AMG button :
until you hear a tone.
X To call up: press AMG button :.
The stored drive program is selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button :.
The multifunction

display shows the SETUP
in the AMG menu (Y page 220). Steering wheel paddle shifters
In the automatic drive program, you can
restrict or derestrict the shift range by using
the steering wheel paddle shifters
(Y page 149).
In
the

manual drive program, you can change
gear yourself by using the steering wheel
paddle shifters ( Y page 150).
i The full range of functions for the steering
wheel paddle shifters is available only once
operating temperature has been reached.
i You can only change gear with the
steering wheel paddle shifters when the
transmission is in position D. 148
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Automatic drive program
Drive program E is characterized by the
following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the automatic 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 automatic transmission shifting up
sooner. This results in the vehicle being
driven at lower engine speeds and the
wheels being less likely to spin
Drive program S is characterized by the
following:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the vehicle pulling away in first gear
R the automatic transmission shifting up
later
R the fuel consumption possibly being higher
as a result of the later automatic
transmission shift points Shift ranges
Introduction When the automatic transmission is in
position

D, it is possible to restrict or
derestrict the shift range.
The set shift range appears in the
multifunction display. The automatic
transmission shifts

only as far as the selected
gear. Driving situations =
You can use the engine's braking
effect.
5
The
braking effect of the engine can
be utilized on downhill gradients or
when driving:
R on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 4
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilized on extremely steep
downhill gradients and long
downhill stretches. Restricting the shift range
X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter :.
The automatic transmission shifts down
one gear

and restricts the shift range to the
relevant gear.
i If the engine exceeds the maximum
engine speed when shifting down, the
automatic transmission protects against
engine damage by not shifting down.
i If the

maximum engine speed for the shift
range is reached and you continue to
accelerate, the automatic transmission
shifts up, even if the shift range is
restricted. This is to prevent the engine
from overrevving. Automatic transmission
149
Driving and parking Z

Derestricting the shift range
X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter ;.
The shift range is derestricted.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull and hold right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter ; until D is shown again in
the multifunction display.
or
X Use the selector lever to shift the
transmission to transmission position D.
The automatic
transmission shifts from the
current shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull and hold left-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter : until the function is
activated.
Depending on the selected drive program,
the automatic

transmission shifts to a gear
which allows ideal acceleration and
deceleration. To do this, the automatic
transmission shifts down one or more
gears. Manual drive program
Switching on
the manual drive programManual drive program
M is different from
drive program S with regard to spontaneity,
responsiveness and smoothness of gear
changes.
You can select manual drive program M with
the program selector button or the drive
program selector

(AMG vehicles ). In manual
drive program M, you can change gear using
the steering wheel paddle shifters if the
transmission is in position D. The selected
gear appears in the multifunction display.
X Press the program selector button until M
(Y page 147) appears in the multifunction
display. X
AMG vehicles: turn the drive program
selector until M

(Y page 147) appears in the
multifunction display.
Upshifting X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 148).
The automatic

transmission shifts up to the
next gear.
Before the engine speed reaches the red
area, an upshift indicator will be shown in
the multifunction display. :
Upshift indicator
; Gear indicator
X Shift up a gear if upshift symbol : appears
in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles !
In manual

drive program M, the automatic
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. There is
otherwise a risk of engine damage.
X If the display color of the multifunction
display changes to red and upshift
symbol : appears, shift up a gear.150
Automatic transmission
Driving and parking

Downshifting
X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (Y page 148).
The automatic
transmission shifts down to
the next gear.
Maximum acceleration
X Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter until the transmission selects the
optimum gear according to the speed.
i If you brake the vehicle or stop without
shifting down, the automatic transmission
will shift down to a gear that will allow the
vehicle to accelerate or pull away again.
Kickdown You can also use kickdown for maximum
acceleration in manual drive program
M.
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
The transmission shifts to a lower gear
depending on the engine speed.
i AMG vehicles: it is not possible to use
kickdown in manual drive program M.
Switching off

the manual drive programX
Press the program selector button
(Y page 147) repeatedly until E or S
appears in the multifunction display.
X AMG vehicles: turn the drive program
selector until C, S or S+(Y page 147)
appears in the multifunction display. Automatic transmission
151Driving and parking Z

Problems with the transmission
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
The transmission has
problems shifting gear. The transmission is losing oil.
X
Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop immediately. The acceleration ability
is deteriorating.
The transmission no
longer changes gear. The transmission is in emergency mode.
It is only possible to shift into
second
gear and reverse gear.
X Stop the vehicle.
X Shift the transmission to position P.
X Switch off the engine.
X Wait at least ten seconds before restarting the engine.
X Shift the transmission to position D or R.
If D
is

selected, the transmission shifts into second gear; if R is
selected, the transmission shifts into reverse gear.
X Have the transmission checked at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center,
immediately. Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Gasoline is highly flammable and poisonous.
It burns violently and can cause serious
personal injury.
Never allow sparks, flames or smoking
materials near gasoline.
Turn off the engine before refueling.
Whenever you are around gasoline, avoid
inhaling fumes and any skin or clothing
contact.
Direct skin contact with fuels and the
inhalation of

fuel vapors are damaging to your
health. G
WARNING
Overfilling of the fuel tank may create
pressure in the system which could cause a
gas discharge. This could cause the gasoline
to spray back out when removing the fuel pump nozzle, which could cause personal
injury.
! Do not

use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel result in damage to the fuel
system and engine.
! Do not switch on the ignition if you
accidentally refuel with the wrong fuel.
Otherwise, the fuel will enter the fuel lines.
Notify a qualified specialist workshop and
have the fuel tank and fuel lines drained
completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can. 152
Refueling
Driving and parking

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M Solutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle. G
Risk of explosion or fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
X Turn the SmartKey to position
0
in
the ignition lock immediately
and remove it (Y page 135).
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
X
Unlock the vehicle (
Y page 68).
or
X Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key ( Y page 70).The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Do not park this vehicle in areas where
combustible materials

can come into contact
with the hot exhaust system. Do not park the
vehicle on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields. Combustible materials, such as grass,
hay or leaves could be ignited by the hot
exhaust system and cause a vehicle fire.
Unintended vehicle movement can cause
serious personal injury or damage to the
vehicle or the vehicle drivetrain. To reduce
such risks, always do the following before
turning off the engine and leaving the vehicle:
R keep your right foot on the brake pedal.
R engage the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission to park
position P.
R slowly release the brake pedal. R
when parked

on an incline, always turn the
front wheels towards the road curb.
R turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 0 and remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock, or press the KEYLESS-GO
Start/Stop button.
R take the SmartKey with you and lock the
vehicle when leaving. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not turn off the engine before the vehicle
has come

to a complete stop. With the engine
not running, there is no power assistance for
the brake and steering systems. In this case,
it is important to keep in mind that a
considerably higher degree of effort is
necessary to brake and steer the vehicle. 154
Parking
Driving and parking

Vehicles with automatic transmission
X
Vehicles with a SmartKey: move the
transmission to position P.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0 in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
X Vehicles with KEYLESS-GO: press the
Start/Stop button (
Y page 135).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this
corresponds to key position 1. When the
driver's door is open, this corresponds to
key position 0(Y page 135).
If you try to switch off the engine when the
transmission is not in position P, a message
appears in

the multifunction display. A signal
sounds.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for three seconds.
This function operates independently from
the ECO start/stop automatic engine
switch-off function. Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from

the starter switch, take it with
you, and lock the vehicle. Do not leave
children unattended in the vehicle, or with
access to an unlocked vehicle. Children could
release the parking brake and/or shift the
automatic transmission out of park position
P, either of which could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury.
i The electric parking brake performs a
function test at regular intervals while the
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal. Engaging and releasing manually
X
To engage: push handle :.
The red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is removed.
X To release: switch on the ignition.
X Pull handle :.
The red F (USA only) or ! (Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only be
released:
R if the SmartKey is in position 1 in the
ignition lock or
R if the ignition was switched on using the
Start/Stop button.
Applying automatically The electric parking brake is applied
automatically:
R
if DISTRONIC PLUS brings the vehicle to a
standstill or
R if the
HOLD function is keeping the vehicle
stationary
In addition, at least one of the following
conditions must be fulfilled: Parking
155
Driving and parking Z