2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER engine

will be activated. The blower runs at
medium speed.
X To switch off: press the Ì button.
The indicator
lamp in the Ì button goes
out.
Residual heat is deactivated automatically:
R after approximately 30 minutes
R when the ignition is switched on
R if the battery voltage drops
R if the coolant temperature is too low Setting the air vents
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Very hot or very cold air can flow from the air
vents. This could cause burns or frostbite to
bare skin in the immediate vicinity of the
vents. Keep bare skin away from these air
vents. If

necessary, direct the airflow away to
a different area of the vehicle interior.
In order to ensure the direct flow of fresh air
through the air vents into the vehicle interior,
please observe the following notes:
R keep the air inlet grille on the hood and in
the engine compartment on the front-
passenger side free of blockages, such as
ice, snow or leaves.
R never cover the air vents or air intake grilles
in the vehicle interior.
i You can move the adjusters for the air
vents vertically or horizontally to set the
direction of the airflow.
i For optimal climate control in the vehicle,
open the air vents completely and set the
adjusters to the central position. Setting the center air vents
X
To open a center air vent: turn the
adjuster in one of center air vents :
counterclockwise.
X To close a center air vent: turn the
adjuster in one of center air vents :
clockwise until it engages. Setting the side air vents
:
Side window defroster vent
; Side air vent
X To open a side air vent: turn the adjuster
in side air vent ; counterclockwise.
X To close a side air vent: turn
the adjuster
in side air vent ; clockwise until it
engages. Setting the glove box air vent
! Close the air vent when heating the
vehicle. Setting the air vents
131
Climate control Z

Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please
note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Read the information on qualified
specialist workshops: ( Y page 31).Breaking-in notes
The first 1,000miles (1,500 km)
The more

you look after the engine when it is
new, the more satisfied you will be with its
performance in the future.
R You should therefore drive at varying
vehicle and engine speeds for the first
1,000miles (1,500km).
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full
throttle, during this period.
R Change gear in good time, before the
tachometer needle is Ô of the way to the
red area of the tachometer.
R Do not manually shift to a lower gear to
brake the vehicle.
R If possible, do not depress the accelerator
pedal past the point of resistance
(kickdown).
R Only select shift ranges 3, 2 or 1 when
driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous terrain.
R Ideally, drive for the first 1,000 miles
(1,500km) in drive program C.
After 1,000 miles (1,500km), you can
increase the engine speed gradually and bring
the vehicle up to full speed. Additional breaking-in notes for AMG
vehicles:
R
do not drive faster than 85 mph
(140 km/h ) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,500 km).
R only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
R change gear in good time.
i You should also observe these notes on
running

in if the engine or parts of the drive
train on your vehicle have been replaced. AMG vehicles with rear axle locking
differential
Your vehicle is equipped with a self-locking
differential on the rear axle. To improve the
protection of

the differential on the rear axle,
change the oil after a break-in distance of
2,000 miles (3,000 km). This oil change
extends the service life of the differential.
Have the oil change carried out at a qualified
specialist workshop. Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you use an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center for this purpose. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Make sure absolutely no objects are
obstructing the pedals' range of movement.
Keep the driver's footwell clear of all
obstacles. If there are any floormats or
carpets in

the footwell, make sure the pedals
still have sufficient clearance.
During sudden driving or braking maneuvers
the objects could get caught between the
pedals. You could then no longer brake or
accelerate. This could lead to accidents and
injury. 134
Driving
Driving and parking

G
WARNING
On slippery road surfaces, never downshift in
order to obtain braking action. This could
result in

drive wheel slip and reduced vehicle
control. Your vehicle's ABS will not prevent
this type of loss of control. 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.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has
reached operating temperature.
Only shift the automatic transmission to
the desired drive position when the vehicle
is stationary.
Where possible, avoid spinning the drive
wheels when pulling away on slippery
roads. You could otherwise damage the
drive train.
! AMG vehicles: at low engine oil
temperatures below 68 ‡ (+20 †), the
maximum engine speed is restricted in
order to protect the engine. To protect the
engine and maintain smooth engine
operation, avoid driving at full throttle when
the engine is cold. SmartKey positions
SmartKey g
To remove the SmartKey
1 Power supply for some consumers, such
as the windshield wipers
2 Ignition (power supply for all consumers)
and drive position
3 To start the engine
i The SmartKey can be turned in the
ignition lock even if it is not the correct
SmartKey for

the vehicle. The ignition is not
switched on. The engine cannot be started.
KEYLESS-GO General notes
Vehicles
with

KEYLESS-GO are equipped with
a SmartKey featuring an integrated KEYLESS-
GO start function and a detachable Start/
Stop button.
You can switch the engine on and off with the
Start/Stop button. The Start/Stop button
must be inserted into the ignition lock and the
SmartKey must be in the vehicle.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
SmartKey positions in the ignition lock. This
is only the case if you are not depressing the
brake pedal.
If you depress the brake pedal and press the
Start/Stop button, the engine starts
immediately. Driving
135
Driving and parking Z

The Start/Stop button can be removed from
the ignition lock. Then, you can insert the
SmartKey into the ignition lock.
i
You do
not have to remove the Start/Stop
button from the ignition lock when you
leave the vehicle. You should, however,
always take the SmartKey with you when
leaving the vehicle. As long as the
SmartKey is in the vehicle:
R the vehicle can be started using the
Start/Stop button and
R electrically powered equipment can be
operated.
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.
Key positions with KEYLESS-GO :
Start/Stop button
; Ignition lock
X Insert Start/Stop button : into ignition
lock ;.
i When you insert Start/Stop button :
into ignition lock ;, the system needs
approximately two seconds recognition
time. You can then use Start/Stop
button :. Start/Stop button
=
USA only
? Canada only
Activating power supply
X If Start/Stop button : has not yet been
pressed, this

corresponds to the SmartKey
being removed from the ignition.
X Press Start/Stop button : once.
The power supply is switched on. You can
now activate the windshield wipers, for
example.
i The power supply is switched off:
R when the driver's door is open and
R you press Start/Stop button : twice
when in this position
Switching on the ignition
X Press Start/Stop button : twice.
The ignition is switched on.
i The ignition is switched off:
R when the driver's door is open and
R you press Start/Stop button : once
when in this position
As soon

as the ignition is switched on, all the
indicator lamps in the instrument cluster light
up. If an indicator lamp does not go out after
starting the engine or lights up while driving,
there may be a technical problem
(Y page 257). 136
Driving
Driving and parking

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

!
Always switch
the ignition off and take the
key with you when leaving the vehicle.
General notes ECO start/stop display
AMG vehicles:
the ECO start/stop function
is only available in drive program C.
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving.
The engine starts automatically when the
driver wants to pull away again. The ECO
start/stop function thereby helps you to
reduce the fuel consumption and emissions
of your vehicle.
Every time

you switch on the engine using the
SmartKey or the Start/Stop button, the ECO
start/stop function is activated. The system
is operational when ECO symbol : is shown
in green in the multifunction display.
AMG vehicles: the AMG menu in the
multifunction display additionally shows the
Stop/Start Active message.
Deactivating/activating the ECO start/
stop function ECO button Deactivating (except for AMG vehicles)
X
Press button :.
Indicator lamp ; and the ¤ symbol in
the multifunction display go out.
Activating (except for AMG vehicles)
X Press button :.
Indicator lamp ; lights up and the ¤
symbol is shown in green 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.
If indicator lamp ; is
off, the ECO start/stop
function has been deactivated manually or as
the result of a malfunction. The engine will
then not be switched off automatically when
the vehicle stops. ECO button in AMG vehicles
Deactivating (AMG vehicles)
X
Press button : in drive program C.
or
X Switch to one of the drive programs S, S+
or M(Y page 147).
Indicator lamp ; on button : and the
¤ symbol

in the multifunction display go
out.
The Stop/Start Active or Stop/Start
Inactive message in the AMG menu in the
multifunction display goes out. Driving
139
Driving and parking Z

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