2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER brake

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

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

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

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 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