2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG COUPE tow

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).Notes on breaking-in a new vehicle
Important safety notes
New brake pads/linings only reach their
optimum braking effect after several hundred
kilometers of driving. Until that time, you may
need to use increased brake pedal pressure
while braking. This also applies after the
brake discs or the brake pads/linings have
been replaced. 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
1,000 miles (1,500 km).
R For the first 1,000 miles (1,500 km), do not
drive faster than 85 mph (140 km/h).
R Only allow the engine to reach a maximum
engine speed of 4,500 rpm briefly.
R Avoid heavy loads, e.g. driving at full
throttle, during this period. Do not exceed
00C3 of the maximum permitted engine speed
for each gear.
R Select the manual drive program Min good
time.
R Do not carry out a RACE START. 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 the shift range limits 3,2or 1
when driving slowly, e.g. in mountainous
terrain.
After 1,000 miles (1,500km), you can
increase the engine speed gradually and bring
the vehicle up to full speed.
i You should also observe these breaking-
in notes if your vehicle's engine or
transmission has been replaced.
i Always observe the respective speed
limits. Driving
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Objects in the driver's footwell can restrict the
pedal travel or obstruct a depressed pedal.
The operating and road safety of the vehicle
is jeopardized. There is a risk of an accident.
Make sure that all objects in the vehicle are
stowed correctly, and that they cannot enter
the driver's footwell. Install the floormats
securely and as specified in order to ensure
sufficient clearance for the pedals. Do not use
loose floormats. G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably
more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
! Warm up the engine quickly. Do not use
the engine's full performance until it has 112
DrivingDriving and parking

reached operating temperature. The
operating temperature has been reached
when the engine oil temperature display in
the on-board computer's AMG menu no
longer flashes.
Only shift into reverse gear 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.
! During a cold start with low engine oil
temperatures (below 32 ‡) (0 †), 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. Key positions
KEYLESS-GO start function You can switch the engine on and off with the
Start/Stop button. For this, the SmartKey
must be inside the vehicle. The Start/Stop
button is located in the center console and is
illuminated when the vehicle is unlocked.
Pressing the Start/Stop button several times
in succession corresponds to the different
key 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.
If there is a SmartKey in the ignition lock, this
takes precedence over the KEYLESS-GO start
function. X
Position 0: if Start/Stop button 0043has not
yet been pressed, this corresponds to the
SmartKey being removed from the ignition.
X Position 1: press Start/Stop button 0043.
You can now activate the windshield
wipers, for example.
If you press Start/Stop button 0043twice when
in this position and the driver's door is open,
the power supply is deactivated again.
X Position 2(ignition): press Start/Stop
button 0043twice.
The power supply is switched off again if:
R you press Start/Stop button 0043once when
in this position
R the driver's door is open
SmartKey You can also start the vehicle with the
SmartKey in the ignition lock.
The ignition lock is located in the rear
stowage space of the center console. Driving
113Driving and parking Z

To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
R the electric parking brake must be applied.
R the transmission must be in position P.
R the SmartKey must be in position 0in the
ignition lock and then removed from the
ignition lock, or the Start/Stop button must
be pressed.
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, turn
the front wheels towards the curb.
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
front axle of an empty vehicle must be
secured, for example with a wheel chock.
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
rear axle of a laden vehicle must be
additionally secured, for example with a
wheel chock. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When the engine is switched off, the
transmission shifts into neutral position N.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of
an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
! Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds in
transmission position Dor R, park position
P is otherwise engaged automatically. This
can damage the transmission.
i Observe the display messages in the
instrument cluster.
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports
transmission X
Shift the transmission to Pwith the button
in the center console. Using the Start/Stop button
X
Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 113).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
i If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position Ror D, the
transmission automatically shifts to N.
If you move the E-SELECT lever to Nbefore
switching off the engine, the transmission
remains for approximately 30 minutes
in N.
If you open the driver's or front-passenger
door during this period, the transmission
automatically shifts to P.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for about three
seconds.
Using the SmartKey
! Do not remove the SmartKey while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds, park
position Pwill otherwise be engaged
automatically.
Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds,
transmission position Pis engaged
automatically.
This can damage the transmission.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The parking lock is activated.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
i If you move the E-SELECT lever to N
before switching off the engine, the
transmission remains for approximately
30 minutes in N. If you open the driver's or
front-passenger door during this period,
the transmission automatically shifts to P.128
ParkingDriving and parking

Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed
reaction from the brakes when braking for the
first time. This may also occur after the
vehicle has been washed or driven through
deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R Brake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a
warning tone while the engine is running,
the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center. !
As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (the SmartKey must
be in position 0or 1in the ignition lock or
the Start/Stop button must be in position
0 or 1) if:
R the electric parking brake is tested using
a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is towed with one axle raised.
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Have this work
carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the brake pads replaced and the brake
fluid renewed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the
functionality of your brakes at regular
intervals. To do so, press firmly on the brake
pedal when driving at a high speed. This
improves the grip of the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on ( Ypage 55).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
have brake pads/linings installed on your
vehicle which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond
to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
of an equivalent quality could affect your
vehicle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use brake fluid that has been specially
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,
or which corresponds to an equivalent quality
standard. Brake fluid which has not been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or
which is not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety. 132
Driving tipsDriving and parking

to lose traction and the vehicle could then
skid
R when there is poor visibility, e.g. due to fog,
heavy rain or snow
If there is a change of drivers, advise the new
driver of the speed stored.
Cruise control lever 0043
To store the current speed or a higher
speed
0044 To store the current speed or a lower
speed
0087 To deactivate cruise control
0085 To store the current speed or call up the
last stored speed
When you activate cruise control, the stored
speed is shown in the lower section of the
multifunction display.
Storing and maintaining the current
speed You can store the current speed if you are
driving faster than 20 mph (30 km/h ).
X Accelerate the vehicle to the desired
speed.
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
up 0043 or down 0044to the pressure point.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
Cruise control is activated. The vehicle
automatically maintains the stored speed.
i Cruise control may be unable to maintain
the stored speed on uphill gradients. The stored speed is resumed when the gradient
evens out. Cruise control maintains the
stored speed on downhill gradients by
automatically applying the brakes.
Storing the current speed or calling up
the last stored speed G
WARNING
If you call up the stored speed and it differs
from the current speed, the vehicle
accelerates or decelerates. If you do not know
the stored speed, the vehicle could accelerate
or brake unexpectedly. There is a risk of an
accident.
Pay attention to the road and traffic
conditions before calling up the stored speed.
If you do not know the stored speed, store the
desired speed again.
X Briefly pull the cruise control lever towards
you 0085.
X Remove your foot from the accelerator
pedal.
The first time cruise control is activated, it
stores the current speed or regulates the
speed of the vehicle to the previously
stored speed.
Setting a speed Keep in mind that it may take a brief moment
until the vehicle has accelerated or braked to
the speed set.
X
Press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up 0043for a higher speed or
down 0044for a lower speed.
X Keep the cruise control lever pressed until
the desired speed is reached.
X Release the cruise control lever.
The new speed is stored.
i Cruise control is not deactivated if you
depress the accelerator pedal. For
example, if you accelerate briefly to
overtake, cruise control adjusts the Driving systems
135Driving and parking Z

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

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 005D
Parking Lock Parking Lock
Malfunct. Apply Malfunct. Apply
Parking Brake Parking Brake Transmission position
Pcannot be selected.
X Make sure that the electric parking brake is applied.
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away before you leave it
(Y page 232).
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Have the vehicle
transported on a recovery vehicle or towed with the rear axle
raised ( Ypage 242). 0080
Stop Engage P Stop Engage P The transmission is faulty. The vehicle loses drive and rolls to a
standstill.
X
Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions.
X Make sure that the electric parking brake is applied.
X Prevent the vehicle from rolling away before you leave it
(Y page 232).
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. 0080
Transmission Oil Transmission Oil
Cooling Cooling
Malfunction Malfunction The transmission coolant pump is faulty. The transmission may
overheat.
X
In the on-board computer, select the AMG AMGmenu and check the
transmission oil temperature.
X Avoid excessive loading, e.g. due to dynamic driving.
X If the transmission oil temperature is less than 248 ‡(120 †),
you can continue driving to the nearest qualified specialist
workshop. 0080
Trans. Oil Trans. Oil
Overheated Drive Overheated Drive
on with Care on with Care The transmission oil has overheated.
Manual drive program
Mand shift range restriction are no longer
available. Only drive program Cis still available. The engine output
is reduced according to the degree of overheating.
X Allow the transmission oil to cool by adopting a defensive driving
style. 184
Displays and operationOn-board compu
ter and displays

Seat belts
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 0076
After starting
the engine, the
red seat belt
warning lamp
lights up for six
seconds. The seat belt warning lamp reminds the driver and front passenger
to fasten their seat belts.
X
Fasten your seat belt (Y page 49).0076
After the engine
starts, a warning
tone sounds for
up to six
seconds. The driver's seat belt is not fastened.
G WARNING
If you do not wear the seat belt correctly, it no longer offers the
intended level of protection in the event of an accident. Under
certain circumstances, this could cause severe or even fatal
injuries in the event of an accident.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 49).
The warning tone ceases. 0076
The red seat belt
warning lamp
lights up after
the engine
starts, as soon
as the driver's
door or the
front-passenger
door is closed. The driver or front passenger has not fastened their seat belt.
G WARNING
If you do not wear the seat belt correctly, it no longer offers the
intended level of protection in the event of an accident. Under
certain circumstances, this could cause severe or even fatal
injuries in the event of an accident.
X Fasten your seat belt (Y page 49).
The warning lamp goes out. There are objects on the front-passenger seat.
G WARNING
If you place objects on the front-passenger seat, the system could
identify the seat as being occupied. In the event of an accident,
the restraint systems on the front-passenger side are triggered.
X Remove the objects from the front-passenger seat and stow
them in a secure place.
The warning lamp goes out. Displays and operation
187On-board computer and displays Z