2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG COUPE sensor

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).Exterior lighting
Important safety notes
For reasons of safety, Mercedes-Benz
recommends that you drive with the lights
switched on even during the daytime. In some
countries, operation of the headlamps varies
due to legal requirements and self-imposed
obligations. Notes on driving abroad
Converting to symmetrical low beam
when driving abroad: switch the headlamps
to symmetrical low beam in countries in
which traffic drives on the opposite side of the
road to the country where the vehicle is
registered. This prevents glare to oncoming
traffic. Symmetrical lights do not illuminate
as large an area of the edge of the road.
Have the headlamps converted at a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center, as close to the border
as possible before driving in these countries.
Converting to asymmetrical low beam
after returning: have the headlamps
converted back to asymmetrical low beam at
a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center, as soon as
possible after crossing the border again. Setting the exterior lighting
Setting options Exterior lighting can be set using:
R
the light switch
R the combination switch (Y page 94)
R the on-board computer (Y page 154)
Light switch Operation
00470063
Left-hand standing lamps
00480064 Right-hand standing lamps
00490060 Parking lamps, license plate and
instrument cluster lighting
004A0058 Automatic headlamp mode,
controlled by the light sensor
004B0058 Low-beam/high-beam headlamps
If you hear a warning tone when you leave the
vehicle, the lights may still be switched on.
X Turn the light switch to 0058.
The exterior lighting (except the parking/
standing lamps) switches off automatically if
you:
R remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock
R open the driver's door with the SmartKey
in position 0.
Automatic headlamp mode G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to 0058, the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other 92
Exterior lightingLights and windshield wipers

causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
0058.
The automatic headlamp feature is only an
aid. The driver is responsible for the vehicle's
lighting at all times.
0058 is the favored light switch setting. The
light setting is automatically selected
according to the brightness of the ambient
light (exception: poor visibility due to weather
conditions such as fog, snow or spray):
R SmartKey in position 1in the ignition lock:
the parking lamps are switched on or off
automatically depending on the brightness
of the ambient light.
R With the engine running: if you have
activated the daytime running lamps
function via the on-board computer, the
daytime running lamps or the low-beam
headlamps and parking lamps are switched
on or off automatically depending on the
brightness of the ambient light.
Only for Canada:
The daytime running lamps improve the
visibility of your vehicle during the day. The
daytime running lamps function is required by
law in Canada. It cannot therefore be
deactivated.
When the engine is running and the vehicle is
stationary: if you move the selector lever from
a drive position to P, the daytime running
lamps/low-beam headlamps go out after
three minutes.
When the engine is running, the vehicle is
stationary and in high ambient light: if you
turn the light switch to 0060, you turn on the
daytime running lamps and parking lamps.
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0058, the manual settings take
precedence over the daytime running lamps.
USA only: The daytime running lamps improve the
visibility of your vehicle during the day. To do
this, the daytime running lamps function must
be switched on using the on-board computer
(Y
page 154).
If the engine is running and you turn the light
switch to 0060or0058, the manual settings
take precedence over the daytime running
lamps.
i In the USA, the daytime running lamps are
deactivated upon delivery from the factory.
X To switch on automatic headlamp
mode: turn the light switch to 0058.
Low-beam headlamps G
WARNING
When the light switch is set to 0058, the low-
beam headlamps may not be switched on
automatically if there is fog, snow or other
causes of poor visibility due to the weather
conditions such as spray. There is a risk of an
accident.
In such situations, turn the light switch to
0058.
Even if the light sensor does not detect that
it is dark, the parking lamps and low-beam
headlamps switch on when the ignition is
switched on and the light switch is set to the
0058 position. This is a particularly useful
function in the event of rain and fog.
X To switch on the low-beam headlamps:
turn the SmartKey in the ignition lock to
position 2or start the engine.
X Turn the light switch to 0058.
The green 0058indicator lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
Parking lamps
! If the battery has been excessively
discharged, the parking lamps or standing
lamps are automatically switched off to
enable the next engine start. Always park
your vehicle safely and sufficiently lit
according to legal standards. Avoid the Exterior lighting
93Lights and windshield wipers Z

you use an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center
for this purpose. Changing the rear bulbs
License plate lamp The only rear bulbs you can change are the
W 5 W license plate lamp bulbs. X
Switch off the lights.
X Lever lamp housing 0043out of the frame
using a screwdriver.
X Unscrew the bulb holder from the lamp
housing and pull out the bulb.
X Insert a new bulb into the bulb holder and
screw the bulb holder into the lamp
housing.
X Press the lamp housing back into the frame
until it engages. Windshield wipers
Switching the windshield wipers on/
off G
WARNING
The windshield will not longer be wiped
properly if the wiper blades are worn. This
could prevent you from observing the traffic
conditions, thereby causing an accident.
Replace the wiper blades twice a year, ideally
in spring and fall. !
Do not operate the windshield wipers
when the windshield is dry, as this could
damage the wiper blades. Moreover, dust
that has collected on the windshield can
scratch the glass if wiping takes place when
the windshield is dry.
! If the windshield wipers leave smears on
the windshield after the vehicle has been
washed in an automatic car wash, wax or
other residues may be the reason for this.
Clean the windshield using washer fluid
after washing the vehicle in an automatic
car wash. Combination switch
0047
003F Windshield wiper off
0048 0062 Intermittent wipe, low 3
0049 0063 Intermittent wipe, high 4
004A 00AA Continuous wipe, slow
004B 00A9 Continuous wipe, fast
0084 00D3 Single wipe/ 00D4To wipe the
windshield using washer fluid
X Switch on the ignition.
X Turn the combination switch to the
corresponding position.
! Intermittent wiping with rain sensor: due
to optical influences and the windshield
becoming dirty in dry weather conditions,
the windshield wipers may be activated
inadvertently. This could then damage the
windshield wiper blades or scratch the
windshield.
3 Rain sensor set to low sensitivity.
4 Rain sensor set to high sensitivity. Windshield wipers
97Lights and windshield wipers Z

For this reason, you should always switch
off the windshield wipers in dry weather.
In the 0062or0063 position, the appropriate
wiping frequency is set automatically
according to the intensity of the rain. In
the 0063 position, the rain sensor is more
sensitive than in the 0062position, causing
the windshield wipers to wipe more
frequently. Replacing the wiper blades
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The wiper arms could start moving and cause
an injury if you leave the windshield wipers
switched on.
Remove the key from the ignition lock before
replacing the wiper blades.
! To avoid damaging the wiper blades,
make sure that you touch only the wiper
arm of the wiper.
! Never open the hood if a windshield wiper
arm has been folded away from the
windshield.
Never fold a windshield wiper arm without
a wiper blade back onto the windshield.
Hold the windshield wiper arm firmly when
you change the wiper blade. If you release
the windshield wiper arm without a wiper
blade and it falls onto the windshield, the
windshield may be damaged by the force of
the impact.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you have
the wiper blades replaced by a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. at an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center. Replacing the wiper blades Removing the wiper blades
Moving the wiper arm to a vertical
position
X
Switch off the engine.
X Remove your foot from the brake pedal.
X Set the windshield wiper to the 00AA
position.
X Press the Start/Stop button repeatedly
until the windshield wipers start.
X When the wiper arms have reached a
vertical position, press the Start/Stop
button.
X Fold the wiper arm away from the
windshield until it engages.
X Set the wiper blade at right angles to the
wiper arm.
Removing the wiper blades X
Remove the wiper blade from the retainer
on the wiper arm in the direction of the
arrow.
Installing the wiper blades
X Slide the new wiper blade into the retainer
on the wiper arm in the opposite direction
to the arrow.
X Turn the wiper blade parallel to the wiper
arm.
X Fold the wiper arm back onto the
windshield. 98
Windshield wipersLights and windshield wipers

Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps 0087and 0085are off:
X Press button 0043twice.
Indicator lamps 0087and 0085light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
AMG Ride Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
If indicator lamp 0085lights up:
X Press button 0043once.
Second indicator lamp 0087lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
AMG Ride Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode i
GT model: Comfort mode is unavailable.
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. freeways.
X Press button 0043repeatedly until indicator
lamps 0087and 0085go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT AMG Ride Control COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button 0044.
X To store: press AMG button 0044until you
hear a tone. X
To call up: press AMG button 0044.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button 0044.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display. PARKTRONIC
Important safety notes PARKTRONIC is an electronic parking aid with
ultrasonic sensors. It indicates visually and
audibly the distance between your vehicle
and an object.
PARKTRONIC is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering, parking
and exiting a parking space. When
maneuvering, parking or pulling out of a
parking space, make sure that there are no
persons, animals or objects in the area in
which you are maneuvering.
!
When parking, pay particular attention to
objects above or below the sensors, such
as flower pots or trailer drawbars.
PARKTRONIC does not detect such objects
when they are in the immediate vicinity of
the vehicle. You could damage the vehicle
or the objects.
The sensors may not detect snow and other
objects that absorb ultrasonic waves.
Ultrasonic sources such as an automatic
car wash, the compressed-air brakes on a
truck or a pneumatic drill could cause
PARKTRONIC to malfunction.
PARKTRONIC may not function correctly on
uneven terrain.
PARKTRONIC is activated automatically when
you:
R switch on the ignition
R release the electric parking brake Driving systems
137Driving and parking Z

PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using four sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper. 0043
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example)
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into
consideration that are:
R below the detection range, e.g. people,
animals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g.
overhanging loads, truck overhangs or
loading ramps.
The sensors must be free from dirt, ice or
slush. They can otherwise not function
correctly. Clean the sensors regularly, taking
care not to scratch or damage them
(Y page 224). Example: side view (Coupe) Example: top view (Coupe)
Front sensors
Center approx. 40in (approx.
100cm)
Corners approx. 24in (approx.
60cm)
Rear sensors
Center approx. 48in (approx.
120cm)
Corners approx. 32in (approx.
80cm)
Minimum distance
Center approx. 12in (approx.
30cm)
Corners approx. 12in (approx.
30cm)
If there is an obstacle within this range, the
relevant warning displays light up and a
warning tone sounds. If the distance falls
below the minimum, the distance may no
longer be shown.
Warning displays
The warning displays show the distance
between the sensors and the obstacle. The
warning display for the front area is located
on the dashboard above the center air vents.
The warning display for the rear area is in the
rear compartment on the parcel shelf.138
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately
20 seconds, and the
indicator lamp in the
PARKTRONIC button
lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X
If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is
deactivated after
approximately 20
seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X
Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 224).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X
See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Rear view camera
Important safety notes The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not
a replacement for your attention to your
immediate surroundings. You are always
responsible for safe maneuvering and
parking. When maneuvering or parking, make
sure that there are no persons, animals or
objects in the area in which you are
maneuvering.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function
in a limited manner:
R if the trunk lid is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the camera is exposed to very bright light R
if the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in
winter
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In
this event, have the camera position and
setting checked at a qualified specialist
workshop.
General notes Rear view camera
0043is an optical parking aid.
It shows the area behind your vehicle in the
COMAND display. 140
Driving systemsDriving and parking

View through the camera
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
! Objects not at ground level may appear to
be further away than they actually are, e.g.:
R the bumper of a parked vehicle
R the drawbar of a trailer
R the ball coupling of a trailer tow hitch
R the rear section of an HGV
R a slanted post
Use the guidelines only for orientation.
Approach objects no further than the
bottom-most guideline.
The rear view camera may show a distorted
view of obstacles, show them incorrectly or
not at all. The rear view camera does not show
objects in the following positions:
R very close to the rear bumper
R under the rear bumper
R in the area immediately above the tailgate
handle
Activating the rear view camera X
Make sure that key position 2has been
selected with the Start/Stop button.
X Make sure that the "rear view camera"
function is selected in COMAND (see the separate operating instructions for
COMAND).
X Engage reverse gear.
The COMAND display shows the area
behind the vehicle.
You can also switch off the display of the area
behind the vehicle in the COMAND display. Blind Spot Assist
Important safety notes Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor system
to monitor the areas on both sides of your
vehicle. It supports you from speeds of
approximately 20 mph(30 km/h). A warning
display in the exterior mirrors draws your
attention to vehicles detected in the
monitored area. If you then switch on the
corresponding turn signal to change lanes,
you will also receive a visual and audible
collision warning. For this purpose, Blind Spot
Assist uses sensors in the rear bumper.
Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It may fail to
detect some vehicles and is no substitute for
attentive driving.
G
WARNING
Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles approaching and driving by with a
speed difference of more than 6.8 mph
(11 km/h)
As a result, Blind Spot Assist may not give
warnings in such situations. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always observe the traffic conditions
carefully, and maintain a safe lateral distance.
i USA only:
This device has been approved by the FCC
as a "Vehicular Radar System". The radar
sensor is intended for use in an automotive
radar system only. Removing, tampering
with, or altering the device will void any Driving systems
141Driving and parking Z