2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER power steering

Care
Carpets .......................................... 506
Car wash ........................................
500
Display ........................................... 504
Exterior lights ................................ 503
Gear or selector lever ....................505
Interior ........................................... 504
Matte finish ................................... 502
Notes ............................................. 500
Paint .............................................. 501
Plastic trim .................................... 505
Power washer ................................ 501
Rear view camera .......................... 504
Roof lining ...................................... 506
Seat belt ........................................ 506
Seat cover ..................................... 505
Sensors ......................................... 504
Steering wheel ............................... 505
Tail pipes ....................................... 504
Trim pieces .................................... 505
Washing by hand ........................... 501
Wheels ........................................... 502
Windows ........................................ 503
Wiper blades .................................. 503
Wooden trim .................................. 505
Car pool lanes .................................... 297
Car wash (care) ................................. 500
Category list (music search) ............433
CD Copy protection ............................. 432
Fast forward/fast rewind ............... 428
General information ....................... 432
Inserting ........................................ 421
Mode, switching to ........................ 424
Multisession .................................. 431
Notes on discs ............................... 432
Pause function ............................... 426
Player/changer operation
(COMAND) ..................................... 421
Safety notes .................................. 421
Selecting a media type .................. 426
Selecting a track ............................ 427
Sound settings (balance, bass,
treble) ............................................ 278
CD/DVD
Ejecting (DVD drive) ....................... 423
Inserting (DVD changer) ................421Inserting (single DVD drive)
...........421
Removing (single DVD drive) .......... 421
CD mode
Playback options ........................... 430
CD player/CD changer (on-board
computer)
.......................................... 212
Central locking Automatic locking (on-board
computer) ...................................... 218
Locking/unlocking (SmartKey) ........ 68
Changing bulbs
Important safety notes .................. 116
Overview of bulb types ..................117
Changing direction
Announcement phase .................... 322
Change of direction phase ............. 322
Preparation phase ......................... 322
Changing the character set .............. 284
Channel presets ................................ 413
Characters Changing the character set ............ 282
Changing the language ..................282
Deleting ......................................... 283
Entering ......................................... 283
Entering (address book, phone
book) ............................................. 281
Entering (navigation) ......................283
Moving the cursor .......................... 283
Switching to letters ........................ 282
Children
In the vehicle ................................... 54
Restraint systems ............................ 54
Special seat belt retractor ............... 56
Child seat
LATCH-type (ISOFIX) child seat
anchors ............................................ 56
Cigarette lighter ................................ 480
Cleaning Mirror turn signal ........................... 503
Clear button ....................................... 274
Climate control Automatic climate control (dual-
zone) .............................................. 123
Controlling automatically ...............126
Cooling with air dehumidification ..125
Defrosting the windows ................. 129
Defrosting the windshield .............. 128
Important safety notes .................. 122 Index
7

permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
the device in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
STEER CONTROL
STEER CONTROL
helps you by transmitting a
noticeable steering force to the steering
wheel in the direction required for vehicle
stabilization.
This steering assistance is provided in
particular if:
R both right wheels or both left wheels are on
a wet or slippery road surface when you
brake
R the vehicle starts to skid
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, you will not receive
steering support from STEER CONTROL.
Power steering will, however, continue to
function. Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
X To activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO:
switch
the
ignition off and open the driver's door.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
The immobilizer prevents your vehicle from
being started without the correct SmartKey.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. The
engine can be started by anyone with a valid
SmartKey that is left inside the vehicle.
i The immobilizer is always deactivated
when you start the engine.
In the event that the engine cannot be
started when the starter battery is fully
charged, the immobilizer may be faulty.
Contact an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center or call 1-800-FOR-MERCedes (in
USA) or 1-800-387-0100
(in Canada). ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the SmartKey
or KEYLESS-GO.
Indicator lamp

: flashes. The alarm
system is armed after approximately
15 seconds.
X To disarm: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey or KEYLESS-GO.
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
R a door
R the vehicle with the mechanical key
R the trunk
R the hood
R the glove box
R the stowage space under the armrest
R a stowage compartment in the rear
X To turn the alarm off with the
SmartKey: press

the % or & button
on the SmartKey.
The alarm is switched off.
or
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off. Theft deterrent locking system
65
Safety Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsThe engine cannot be
started using the
SmartKey. the on-board voltage is too low.
X
Switch off non-essential consumers, e.g. seat heating or interior
lighting, and try to start the engine again.
If this does not work:
X Check the starter battery and charge it if necessary
(Y page 515).
or
X Jump-start the vehicle (Y page 516).
or
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The engine cannot be
started
using
KEYLESS-
GO. The SmartKey is in
the vehicle. A door is open. Therefore, the SmartKey cannot be detected as
easily.
X
Close the door and try to start the vehicle again. There is interference from a powerful source of radio waves.
X
Start your vehicle with the SmartKey in the ignition lock. Doors
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, always remove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in a child
restraint system,

and do not give them access
to an unlocked vehicle. A child's unsupervised
access to a vehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. They could:
R injure themselves on vehicle parts
R be seriously or fatally injured by extreme
heat or cold
R injure themselves or have an accident with
vehicle equipment that may still be in
operation even after the SmartKey has
been removed from the ignition, such as the
seat adjustment, steering wheel
adjustment or memory function. If children open a door, they could cause
severe
or

even fatal injury to other persons; if
they get out of the vehicle, they could injure
themselves when doing so or be seriously or
even fatally injured by any passing traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very
hot, and a child could be burned on these
parts. G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objects in the
passenger compartment unless they are
firmly secured in place.
Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo
increases a child's risk of injury in the event
of:
R strong braking maneuvers
R sudden changes of direction
R an accident74
Doors
Opening/closing

R
do not transport heavy loads on the
seats. Do
not place sharp objects on the
seat cushions, e.g. knives, nails or tools.
The seats should only be occupied by
passengers, if possible.
R when the seat heating is in operation, do
not cover the seats with insulating
materials, e.g. blankets, coats, bags,
seat covers, child seats or booster seats.
! Make sure that there are no objects in the
footwell or behind the seats when resetting
the seats. There is a risk that the seats
and/or the objects could be damaged.
i The head restraints cannot be removed.
For more information, contact a qualified
specialist workshop. Adjusting the seats electrically
:
Head restraint height
; Seat height
= Seat cushion angle
? Seat cushion length
A Seat fore-and-aft adjustment
B Backrest angle
i Further related subjects:
R You can

store the seat settings using the
memory function ( Y page 105).
R If PRE-SAFE ®
is triggered, the front-
passenger seat will be moved to a better
position if it was previously in an
unfavorable position ( Y page 48). Adjusting the front-passenger seat
from the driver's seat
G
WARNING
When adjusting the front passenger seat,
make sure

the seat, if occupied, is as far from
the front passenger front air bag as possible.
Otherwise, the passenger could be seriously
or even fatally injured in the event of an
accident or braking maneuver.
Make sure no one is caught or injured while
the seat is being adjusted.
Even with the SmartKey or SmartKey with
KEYLESS-GO removed from the starter switch
or the SmartKey with KEYLESS-GO removed
from the vehicle, the power seats can be
operated. Therefore, 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.
! Do not move the front-passenger seat
fully forwards if there are objects in the
parcel net in the front-passenger footwell.
The objects could otherwise be damaged. You can use the seat switches on the driver's
side to adjust the front-passenger seat.
X
To activate/deactivate: press
button :.
If the indicator lamp in button : is lit, you
can access the following functions for the
front-passenger seat:
R seat adjustment
R memory function98
Seats
Seats, steering wheel and mirrors

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

some jurisdictions, it is forbidden for drivers
to use mobile phones while driving.
Only
operate
COMAND (Cockpit Management
and Data System) in compliance with all legal
requirements and when the road, weather and
traffic conditions permit. You may otherwise
not be able to observe the traffic conditions,
endangering yourself and others.
Remember that your vehicle covers a distance
of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) a second when
it is traveling at only 30 mph (approximately
50 km/h).
Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel:
R
The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
R Remove unnecessary loads.
R Warm up

the engine at low engine speeds.
R Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
R Observe the service intervals in the
Maintenance Booklet or in the service
interval display. Have all the maintenance
work carried in accordance with Daimler
AG regulations.
Fuel consumption also increases when
driving in cold weather, in stop-and-go traffic
and in mountainous terrain.
Drinking and driving G
WARNING
Drinking
and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident are

greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs. Pedals 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 that 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.
Rolling with the engine switched off G
WARNING
There
is no power assistance for the steering
and the

brake when the engine is not running.
Steering and braking requires significantly
more effort and you could lose control of the
vehicle and cause an accident as a result.
Do not turn off the engine while the vehicle is
in motion. G
WARNING
Electric power is required to operate the
brake system.
A malfunction in the power supply or in the
vehicle's electrical system can impair the
operation of the brake system and result in
the brake system switching to emergency
mode. In this situation, the red brake system
warning lamp and warning messages may
appear in the instrument cluster while the
vehicle is moving. When braking, the driver
must depress the brake pedal considerably
more firmly and much further in order to
obtain the expected braking effect. If
necessary, apply full pressure to the brake
pedal. Brakes are only applied to the front
wheels. Stopping distance is increased. Driving tips
157
Driving and parking Z

R
a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
If a
malfunction occurs, then the transmission
may also be shifted into position P
automatically. RACE START
Important safety notes G
WARNING
RACE START is only available when SPORT
handling mode is activated. SPORT handling
mode only stabilizes the vehicle to a limited
extent in the event of swerving or wheelspin.
RACE START

should only be used on specially
designated roads. Always adapt your speed
and driving style to the prevailing road and
weather conditions.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
i RACE START is only available for the
SL 63 AMG model.
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R
the doors are closed.
R the engine

is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176 ‡ (80 †. This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
R SPORT handling mode is activated
(Y page 61).
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is in position D. Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector clockwise
(Y page 147) until the RS lamp lights up.
The multifunction

display shows the RACE
START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel:
Paddle DOWN message.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
multifunction display shows the RACE
START Canceled message.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel
paddle shifter (
Y

page 148).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter ( Y

page 148).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The multifunction
display shows the RACE START Not
Possible See Operator's Manual
message.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed increases to at least
3500 rpm.
The RACE START Release brake to
start. message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The RACE START

Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph Driving systems
177
Driving and parking Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M SolutionsJ
Trunk Partition
Open The trunk partition is open.
X
Close the trunk partition (Y page 89). D
Power Steering
Malfunction See
Operator's Manual The power steering is malfunctioning.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
You will need to use more force to steer.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Check whether you are able to apply the extra force required.
X If you are able to steer safely:
carefully drive on to a qualified
specialist workshop.
X If you are unable to steer safely: do
not drive on. Contact the
nearest qualified specialist workshop. *
Close Center
Compartment The stowage space under the armrest is open. The interior motion
sensor is not armed.
X
Close the stowage space under the armrest ( Y page 475).Phone No Service Your vehicle is outside the network provider's transmitter/
receiver range.
X
Wait until the mobile phone operational readiness symbol
appears in the multifunction display. K
Decrease Speed You wanted to open the roof while the vehicle was in motion.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Open the roof (Y page 87). K
Vario-Roof
Lowering The roof is not fully opened or closed. The hydraulics are
depressurized.
X
Fully open or close the roof (Y page 87). K
Open/Close Vario-
Roof Completely The roof is not locked.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Push or pull the roof switch until the roof is fully open or closed
(Y page 87). K The on-board voltage is too low.
X
Start the engine.252
Display messages
On-board computer and displays