2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG sport mode

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

0044
Neutral
No power is transmitted from the
engine to the drive wheels.
Releasing the brakes will allow you
to move the vehicle freely, e.g. to
push it.
Do not shift the transmission to
N
while driving. The transmission
could otherwise be damaged.
If ESP ®
is deactivated or faulty:
only shift the transmission to
position Nif the vehicle is in danger
of skidding, e.g. on icy roads. 003A
Drive
The transmission shifts into drive
programs (C/S/S+) automatically.
All forward gears are available.
Changing gear
The transmission shifts into individual gears
automatically. This is determined by:
R drive position D
R the selected drive program (C/S /S+)
R the position of the accelerator pedal
R the road speed
R a shift range restriction, if selected
The shift points primarily depend on:
R the position of the accelerator pedal:
little throttle: early upshifts; high throttle:
late upshifts
R the driving dynamics
A dynamic driving style with high
longitudinal and lateral acceleration delays
the shift points to higher engine speeds. Driving tips
Double-clutch function When shifting down, the double-clutch
function is active regardless of the currently
selected drive program. The double-clutch function reduces the load change reaction on
the drive axle. The sound generated by the
double-clutch function and its characteristics
depend on the drive program selected.
Kickdown
i
Kickdown is not available in manual drive
program M.
Use kickdown for maximum acceleration:
X Depress the accelerator pedal beyond the
pressure point.
Depending on the selected drive program,
the transmission shifts to the lowest gear
allowing ideal acceleration. Drive program selector
With the drive program selector switch, you
can choose from a range of different
transmission configurations or select the
RACE START drive mode. Drive
program Characteristic
C
Controlled
Efficiency Comfort-oriented,
optimum-economy engine
and transmission settings S
Sport Sporty engine and
transmission settings
S+
SportPlus Extremely sporty engine
and transmission settings M
Manual Manual gear shifting120
AMG SPEE
DSHIFT DCT 7-speed spor ts transmissionDriving and parking

Drive
program Characteristic
Driving mode
RS
RACE
START Optimal vehicle
acceleration from a
standstill
X
Turn drive program selector switch 0043until
the desired drive program is shown in the
multifunction display.
i RScannot be selected during normal
driving. For further information on RACE
START, see (Y page 121). Steering wheel paddle shifters
In transmission position D, you can use the
steering wheel paddle shifters to restrict or
derestrict the transmission shift range. One
of the automatic drive programs, C,Sor S+,
must be selected in order to do so.
In manual drive program M, you need to
change gear yourself using the steering wheel
paddle shifters. At low engine speeds, the
transmission shifts down automatically.
i GT model: in manual drive program M,
the transmission shift and response times
are significantly shorter with sportier and
more aggressive gear changes. 0043
Left steering wheel paddle shifter
(DOWN): shift down/restrict shift range
0044 Right steering wheel paddle shifter (UP):
shift up/derestrict shift range RACE START
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start under suitable high-grip
road surface conditions.
RACE START is intended solely for activation
on dedicated race circuits.
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R
the doors are closed
R the engine is running and the engine and
transmission are at operating temperature
(Y page 157)
R SPORT handling mode is switched on
(Y page 56)
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 set to D
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector switch
clockwise (Y page 120) until the RS
indicator on the switch lights up in red.
The multifunction display shows the
message RACE STARTConfirm: Paddle RACE STARTConfirm: Paddle
UPCancel: Paddle DOWN
UPCancel: Paddle DOWN.
i If the conditions for activation are not
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Not Possible RACE START Not Possible message
appears in the multifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (DOWN) (Y page 121).
The multifunction display shows the RACE
RACE
START Canceled
START Canceled message.
X To confirm: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (UP) ( Ypage 121).
The RACE START Available Depress
RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display. AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission
121Driving and parking Z

i
If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled message.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
The RACE START Release brake to
RACE START Release brake to
start start message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled message.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal while
keeping the accelerator pedal fully
depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum
acceleration.
The RACE
RACE START START Active
Active message appears
in the multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 50 km/h.
Drive program S+is activated. SPORT
handling mode remains switched on.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation
conditions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE RACE
START Not Possible
START Not Possible orRACE START
RACE START
Canceled
Canceled message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance. Automatic drive program
Drive program Cis characterized by the
following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the transmission shifting up sooner R
the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the transmission shifting up sooner; This
results in the vehicle being driven at lower
engine speeds and the wheels being less
likely to spin
Drive programs Sand S+are characterized
by the following:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the transmission shifting up later and
shifting down dynamically
R as a result of the later transmission
upshifts, the fuel consumption may be
higher
R if a period of dynamic driving is followed by
an extended phase with a constant
accelerator pedal position, the vehicle
shifts up to a higher gear. This optimizes
fuel consumption
If a gentle driving style is adopted in
automatic drive programs C/S/S+, the drive
program settings are adjusted to optimize
fuel consumption. Depending on the
operating conditions, the transmission shifts
to a higher gear. Shift ranges
Introduction In certain driving situations, it is
recommended that you restrict the shift
range. The set shift range appears in the
instrument cluster's multifunction display
(Y
page 119). The transmission only shifts to
the gear displayed in the instrument cluster.
When the maximum engine speed is reached,
the transmission shifts up a gear in the
automatic programs C/S/S+. Gear
restriction is correspondingly increased by
one gear. 122
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmissionDriving and parking

Driving situation
0040
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilized in this position
0038
You can use the braking effect of
the engine on downhill gradients
and for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 0037
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches Derestricting the shift range/shifting
up
X
Pull the right steering wheel paddle (UP).
The shift range is derestricted. If you are
driving in manual drive program M, the
transmission shifts up to the next gear.
Restricting the shift range/shifting
down X
Pull the left steering wheel paddle (DOWN).
The transmission shifts down one gear and
restricts the shift range to this gear.
If the engine speed in manual drive
program Mis too high, it is not possible to
shift down. If you pull the left-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (DOWN)
(Y page 124), the two red segments in the
instrument cluster flash.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (UP) until the number for the gear
disappears from the multifunction display.
or
X Use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to position D.
The transmission shifts from the current
shift range directly to D. Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter repeatedly until the function is
activated.
Depending on the selected drive program,
the transmission shifts to a gear which
allows ideal acceleration and deceleration.
To do this, the transmission shifts down
one or more gears. Manual drive program
i GT model: in manual drive program M,
the transmission shift and response times
are significantly shorter with sportier and
more aggressive gear changes.
In manual drive program M, you need to
change gear yourself using the steering wheel
paddle shifters (Y page 121). The
transmission only shifts down automatically
at low engine speeds depending on the
respective gear.
! In manual drive program M, the
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer and observe
the upshift indicator. There is otherwise a
risk of engine damage.
X To activate the manual drive program:
turn the drive program selector switch until
M appears in the instrument cluster's
multifunction display.
M lights up in red on the drive program
selector switch.
X To deactivate the manual drive
program: turn the drive program selector
switch and select another drive program. AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission
123Driving and parking Z

vehicle's speed to the last speed stored
after you have finished overtaking.
Making adjustments in 1 mph
increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up 0043for a higher speed or
down 0044for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Making adjustments in 10 mph
increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up 0043for a
higher speed or down 0044for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0087.
or
X Brake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you press the electric parking brake
handle.
R you are driving below 20 mph (30 km/h).
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
.
R you shift the transmission to Nwhile the
vehicle is in motion.
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. The "Cruise control off Cruise control off"
message is displayed in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
General notes The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Comfort or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the mode reverts to Sport.
i GT model: you can only choose between
Sport and Sport + modes. If you select
Sport + mode and restart the engine, the
mode reverts to Sport. Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X
Press button 0043once.
Indicator lamp 0085lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
i GT model: Sport mode is the standard
setting. Indicator lamp 0085cannot be
switched off. 136
Driving systemsDriving and parking

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

X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
Settings
menu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Factory Settings
Factory Settings submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
The Reset All Settings?
Reset All Settings? message
appears.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select
Yes
Yes orNo
No.
X Press the 0076button to confirm the
selection.
If you have selected Yes
Yes, the multifunction
display shows a confirmation message.
AMG menu AMG displays
X
Press 0059or0065 on the steering wheel
to select the AMG AMGmenu. 0043
Digital speedometer
0044 Engine oil temperature
0087 Coolant temperature
0085 Transmission fluid temperature
If the engine oil temperature is below 80 †
or if the transmission fluid temperature is
below 60 †, the corresponding temperature
gauge flashes. Avoid driving at full engine
output during this time.
SETUP
SETUP displays the drive program, the AMG
adaptive sport suspension system setting
and the selected traction assist. X
Press 0059or0065 on the steering wheel
to select the AMG
AMG menu.
X Press the 0063button repeatedly until
SETUP is displayed.
or
X Press the AMG button on the center
console. 0043
Drive program (C/S/S+/M)
0044 ESP ®
mode (ON ON/SportSport Handling Handling Mode
Mode/
OFF
OFF)
0087 AMG adaptive sport suspension system
setting (COMFORT COMFORT /SPORTSPORT /SPORT +SPORT +)
RACETIMER
Displaying and starting RACETIMER G
WARNING
The RACETIMER feature is only for use on
roads and in conditions where high speed
driving is permitted. Racing on public roads is
prohibited under all circumstances. The driver
is and must always remain responsible for
following posted speed limits.
You can use the RACETIMER to store lap
times.
X Press 0059or0065 on the steering wheel
to select the AMG
AMG menu.
X Press the 0063button repeatedly until the
RACETIMER is shown.
i If the RACETIMER is selected, the 0059
and 0065 buttons are inoperative. Displays and operation
157On-board computer and displays Z