2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG COUPE GT Owner's Manual

The driving safety systems described in this
section cannot reduce these risks or prevent
the natural laws of physics from acting on the
vehicle. They cannot increase braking or
steering efficiency beyond that afforded by
the condition of the vehicle brakes and tires
or the traction afforded.
Only a safe, attentive, and skillful driver can
prevent accidents.
The capabilities of a vehicle equipped with the
driving safety systems described in this
section must never be exploited in a reckless
or dangerous manner which could jeopardize
the user's safety or the safety of others.
Always adjust your driving style to the
prevailing road and weather conditions and
keep a safe distance to other road users and
objects on the street.
If a driving system malfunctions, other driving
safety systems may also switch off. Observe
indicator and warning lamps that may come
on as well as messages in the multifunction
display that may appear.
i In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
Important safety notes G
WARNING
Do not pump the brake pedal. Use firm, steady
brake pedal pressure instead. Pumping the
brake pedal reduces the braking effect.
ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
ABS works from a speed of about
5 mph(8 km/h) upwards, regardless of road- surface conditions. ABS works on slippery
surfaces, even if you only brake gently.
The
0025 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up when the ignition is switched
on. It goes out when the engine is running.
Braking If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force. G
WARNING
If the ABS malfunctions, other driving systems
such as the BAS or the ESP ®
are also switched
off. Observe indicator and warning lamps that
may come on as well as messages in the
multifunction display that may appear.
If the ABS malfunctions, the wheels may lock
during hard braking, reducing the steering
capability and extending the braking distance.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions, and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. BAS (Brake Assist System)
Observe the "Important safety notes" section
(Y page 56).
BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
X Keep the brake pedal firmly depressed until
the emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
The brakes will function as usual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. Driving safety systems
55Safety Z

G
WARNING
If the BAS malfunctions, the brake system still
functions, but without the additional brake
boost available that the BAS would normally
provide in an emergency braking maneuver.
Therefore, the braking distance may increase. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 56).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e. power transmission between the tires and
the road surface.
If ESP ®
detects that the vehicle is deviating
from the direction desired by the driver, one
or more wheels are braked to stabilize the
vehicle. The engine output is also modified to
keep the vehicle on the desired course within
physical limits. ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on wet or slippery roads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicle during braking.
ETS (Electronic Traction System) i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 56).
Traction control is part of ESP ®
.
Traction control brakes the drive wheels
individually if they spin. This enables you to
pull away and accelerate on slippery surfaces,
for example if the road surface is slippery on
one side.
Traction control remains active, even if you
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning, ESP ®
is unable to
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further
driving safety systems are deactivated. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident. Drive on carefully. Have ESP
®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Switch the ignition off when:
R the electric parking brake is being tested
using a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is being towed with the rear
axle raised.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
may
otherwise destroy the brake system.
When SPORT handling mode is activated, the
0074 warning lamp lights up in the instrument
panel.
When ESP ®
is deactivated, the 00BBand
0089 warning lamps light up in the instrument
panel.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 190) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 166).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ® ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 0089ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any
circumstances.
X Only depress the accelerator pedal as far
as necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt your driving style to suit the
prevailing road and weather conditions.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 54). 56
Driving safety systemsSafety

You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R when driving on designated roads when the
vehicle's own oversteering and
understeering characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain. Deactivating/activating ESP
® X
To activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button 0043.
The 0074 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster lights up. The SPORT handling SPORT handling
mode
mode message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button 0043.
The 0074 warning lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out. ESP ®
is activated.
X To deactivate ESP ®
:press and hold down
button 0043until the 0089and00BB warning
lamps in the instrument panel light up.
The OFF OFF message appears in the
multifunction display.
X To activate ESP ®
:when SPORT handling
mode is activated or ESP ®
is deactivated,
press button 0043briefly.
The 0089 and00BB warning lamps in the
instrument cluster go out. The ON
ONmessage
appears in the multifunction display.
Characteristics of activated SPORT
handling mode
SPORT handling mode raises the intervention
threshold for stabilizing the vehicle. This
allows for a sportier driving style on
designated race circuits and may in certain
situations improve the traction in comparison
with ESP ®
.
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one
or more wheels start to spin, the 0089
warning lamp in the instrument cluster Driving safety systems
57Safety Z

flashes. ESP
®
only stabilizes the vehicle to a
limited degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R engine torque is only restricted to a limited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning wheels produce a
cutting effect for better traction.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 0089warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning
wheels produce a cutting effect for better
traction. EBD (electronic brake force
distribution)
Observe the "Important safety notes" section
(Y page 56).
EBD monitors and controls the brake
pressure on the rear wheels to improve
driving stability while braking. G
WARNING
If the EBD malfunctions, the brake system will
still function with full brake boost. However,
the rear wheels could lock up during
emergency braking situations, for example.
You could lose control of the vehicle and
cause an accident. Adapt your driving style to the changed
driving characteristics. ADAPTIVE BRAKE
Observe the "Important safety notes" section
(Y page 54).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort. In
addition to the braking function, ADAPTIVE
BRAKE also features the hill start assist
function ( Ypage 115). For further
information, see Driving tips (Y page 131). Theft deterrent locking system
Immobilizer
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.
X To activate with KEYLESS-GO: switch the
engine off and open the driver's door.
X To activate with the SmartKey: remove
the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
X To deactivate: switch on the ignition.
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 the
USA) or 1-800-387-0100 (in Canada). ATA (anti-theft alarm system)
A visual and audible alarm is triggered if the
alarm system is armed and you open:
R a door
R the trunk lid 58
Theft deterrent locking systemSafety

R
the hood
R Roadster: the glove box
R Roadster: a compartment in the center
console
R the vehicle with the mechanical key
The alarm is not switched off, even if you
close the open door that triggered it, for
example.
i If the alarm stays on for more than
30 seconds, the mbrace emergency call
system 1
automatically initiates a call to the
Customer Assistance center. The mbrace
emergency call system initiates the call if:
R you have subscribed to the mbrace
service
R the mbrace service has been activated
properly
R the required mobile phone, power supply
and GPS are available. X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash three times and
an acoustic warning sounds three times to
indicate that the vehicle is locked. Flashing
indicator lamp 0043indicates that the alarm
system is armed.
i If the turn signal lamps do not flash three
times and the warning tone does not sound
three times, a door or the trunk lid may not
be properly closed. It may be necessary to close the affected
door or trunk lid.
X To disarm: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The turn signal lamps flash once and a
warning tone sounds once, indicating that
the alarm system is disarmed.
i Unless you open a door or the trunk within
approximately 40 second safter unlocking:
R the vehicle will be locked again
R the alarm system will be rearmed
X To stop the alarm: press the Start/Stop
button in the center console. The SmartKey
must be inside the vehicle.
or
X Press the 0036or0037 button on the
SmartKey.
or
X Insert the SmartKey into the ignition lock.
The alarm is switched off. Tow-away alarm
An audible and visual alarm is triggered if your
vehicle's angle of inclination is altered while
the tow-away alarm is armed. This occurs if
the vehicle is jacked up on one side, for
example.
i If the alarm stays on for more than 30
seconds, the mbrace 2
system initiates a
call to the Customer Assistance Center
automatically. The emergency call system
initiates the call provided that:
R you have subscribed to the mbrace
service
R the mbrace service has been activated
properly
R the required mobile phone, power supply
and GPS are available.
1 The system is called Tele Aid in Canada.
2 TELEAID in Canada. Theft deterrent locking system
59Safety Z

X
To arm: lock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is armed after
approximately 30 seconds.
X To deactivate: unlock the vehicle with the
SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is deactivated
automatically.
To prevent a false alarm, deactivate the tow-
away alarm manually if your vehicle:
R is being transported
R is being loaded onto a ferry or car
transporter, for example
R is parked on a movable surface, e.g. in a
split-level garage
X To deactivate: use the Start/Stop button
to set SmartKey position 0.
or
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock. X
Press button 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up briefly.
X Lock the vehicle with the SmartKey.
The tow-away alarm is deactivated.
The tow-away alarm remains deactivated
until the vehicle is unlocked and locked
again. 60
Theft deterrent locking systemSafety

Useful information
..............................62
SmartKey ............................................. 62
Doors .................................................... 67
Trunk .................................................... 71
Side windows ...................................... 73
Soft top (Roadster) .............................76 61Opening and closing

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 Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 22).SmartKey
Key function
General notes i
USA only:
This device complies with Part 15 of the
FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
The Product label with FCC ID and IC
certification number can be found in the
battery case of the SmartKey.
i Canada only:
This device complies with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions:
1. This device may not cause harmful
interference, and
2. this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation of the device. Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
The Product label with FCC ID and IC
certification number can be found in the
battery case of the SmartKey.
Locking/unlocking centrally The SmartKey centrally locks/unlocks:
R
the doors
R the trunk lid
R the fuel filler flap
R Roadster only: the glove box
R Roadster only: the stowage compartment
under the armrest G
WARNING
If children are left unsupervised in the vehicle,
they could:
R open a door locked from inside the vehicle
R start the vehicle using a key which has been
left in the vehicle
R release the parking brake
They could thereby endanger themselves and
others. Never leave children unsupervised in
the vehicle. Always take the key with you
when leaving the vehicle, even if you are only
leaving it for a short time. 0043
0037 To lock the vehicle
0044 0054 To unlock the trunk lid
0087 0036 To unlock the vehicle
The turn signals flash once when unlocking
and three times when locking. 62
SmartKeyOpening and closing