2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG tires

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

X
While driving, push handle 0043of the electric
parking brake (Y page 129).
i The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
the handle of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds.
R the Release Parking Brake
Release Parking Brake message
appears
R the red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster appears.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged. Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer
damage as a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop. Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes 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. G
WARNING
Please do not forget that your primary
responsibility is to drive the vehicle. A driver's
attention to the road must always be his/her
primary focus when driving. For your safety
and the safety of others, we recommend that
you pull over to a safe location and stop
before placing or taking a telephone call.
If you choose to use the telephone 5
while
driving, please use the hands-free device and
only use the telephone when road, weather
and traffic conditions permit. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile telephone while driving a vehicle.
Only operate the COMAND 5
(Cockpit
Management and Data System) if road,
weather and traffic conditions permit.
Otherwise, you may not be able to observe
traffic conditions and could endanger yourself
and others.
Bear in mind that at a speed of just 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), your vehicle is
covering a distance of 44 feet (approximately
14 m) every second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel:
X
The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work carried out
according to the service intervals listed in
the Maintenance Booklet or the service
interval display.
5 Observe all legal requirements. 130
Driving tipsDriving and parking

AMG high-performance composite
brake system The AMG high-performance compound brake
system and the AMG ceramic high-
performance compound brake system are
designed for high loads. This may lead to
noise when braking. This will depend on:
R Speed
R Braking force
R Environmental conditions, such as
temperature and humidity
The wear of individual components of the
brake system, such as the brake pads/linings
or brake discs, depends on the individual
driving style and operating conditions.
For this reason, it is impossible to state a
mileage that will be valid under all
circumstances. An aggressive driving style
will lead to high wear. You can obtain further
information about this from your authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
New and replaced brake pads and discs only
reach their optimum braking effect after
several hundred kilometers of driving.
Compensate for this by applying greater force
to the brake pedal. Keep this in mind, and
adapt your driving and braking accordingly
during this break-in period.
Excessive heavy braking results in
correspondingly high brake wear. Observe
the brake wear warning lamp in the
instrument cluster and note any brake status
messages in the multifunction display.
Especially for high performance driving, it is
important to maintain and have the brake
system checked regularly. Driving on wet roads
Hydroplaning If water has accumulated to a certain depth
on the road surface, there is a danger of
hydroplaning occurring, even if:
R
you drive at low speeds.
R the tires have adequate tread depth.
For this reason, in the event of heavy rain or
in conditions in which hydroplaning may
occur, you must drive in the following
manner:
R lower your speed.
R avoid ruts.
R brake carefully.
Driving on flooded roads !
Do not drive through flooded areas.
Check the depth of any water before driving
through it. Drive slowly through standing
water. Otherwise, water may enter the
vehicle interior or the engine compartment.
This can damage the electronic
components in the engine or the automatic
transmission. Water can also be drawn in
by the engine's air suction nozzles and this
can cause engine damage. Winter driving
Points to remember G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface. G
DANGER
If the exhaust pipe is blocked or adequate
ventilation is not possible, poisonous gases Driving tips
133Driving and pa rking
Z

such as carbon monoxide (CO) may enter the
vehicle. This is the case, e.g. if the vehicle
becomes trapped in snow. There is a risk of
fatal injury.
If you leave the engine or the auxiliary heating
running, make sure the exhaust pipe and area
around the vehicle are clear of snow. To
ensure an adequate supply of fresh air, open
a window on the side of the vehicle that is not
facing into the wind.
At the onset of winter, have your vehicle
winterized at a qualified specialist workshop,
e.g. at an authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y page 250).
Summer tires Observe the notes in the "Winter operation"
section (Y
page 250).
Slippery road surfaces G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface.
Drive particularly carefully on slippery road
surfaces. Avoid sudden acceleration, steering
and braking maneuvers. Do not use cruise
control.
If the vehicle threatens to skid or cannot be
stopped when moving at low speed:
X Shift the transmission to position N.
The outside temperature indicator is not
designed to serve as an ice-warning device
and is therefore unsuitable for that purpose.
Changes in the outside temperature are
displayed after a short delay.
Indicated temperatures just above the
freezing point do not guarantee that the road surface is free of ice. The road may still be icy,
especially in wooded areas or on bridges. You
should pay special attention to road
conditions when temperatures are around
freezing point.
i
For more information on driving with
snow chains, see (Y page 250). Driving systems
Cruise control
Important safety notes Cruise control maintains a constant road
speed for you. It brakes automatically in order
to avoid exceeding the set speed. On long and
steep downhill gradients, especially if the
vehicle is laden, you must select shift range
1, 2or 3in good time (Y page 122). By doing
so, you will make use of the braking effect of
the engine, This relieves the load on the brake
system and prevents the brakes from
overheating and wearing too quickly.
If you fail to adapt your driving style, cruise
control can neither reduce the risk of an
accident nor override the laws of physics.
Cruise control cannot take into account the
road, traffic and weather conditions. Cruise
control is only an aid. You are responsible for
the distance to the vehicle in front, for vehicle
speed, for braking in good time and for
staying in lane.
Use cruise control only if road and traffic
conditions make it appropriate to maintain a
steady speed for a prolonged period. You can
set any road speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h).
Do not use cruise control:
R in road and traffic conditions which do not
allow you to maintain a constant speed, e.g.
in heavy traffic or on winding roads
R on slippery road surfaces. Braking or
accelerating could cause the drive wheels 134
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist
Inoperative Inoperative Blind Spot Assist is defective.
The yellow
0063indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Blind Spot Assist Blind Spot Assist
Currently Currently
Unavailable See Unavailable See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual Blind Spot Assist is temporarily inoperative if:
R
the sensors are dirty.
R its function is impaired due to heavy rain or snow.
R the radar sensor system is outside the operating temperature
range.
R the radar sensor system is temporarily inoperative, e.g. due to
electromagnetic radiation emitted by nearby TV or radio
stations or other sources of electromagnetic radiation.
The yellow 0063indicator lamps also light up in the exterior
mirrors.
Blind Spot Assist is operational again and the display message
disappears if:
R the dirt (e.g. slush) drops away while the vehicle is in motion.
R the system detects that the sensors are fully available again.
R the radar sensor system is back within the operating
temperature range.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Clean the sensors (Y page 224).
X Restart the engine. Tires
G
WARNING
Tires with tire pressures that are too low or too high are associated with the following hazards:
R they can burst, in particular if the vehicle is heavily laden or when driven at high speeds.
R the tires can wear excessively and/or unevenly, which can severely impair tire traction.
R the driving, steering and braking characteristics may be severely impaired.
There is a risk of accident.
Follow recommended tire inflation pressures and check the pressure of all the tires including the
spare wheel:
R monthly, at least
R if the load changes
R before beginning a long journey
R under different operating conditions, e.g. off-road driving
If necessary, correct the tire pressure. Displays and operation
177On-board computer and displays Z

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Tire
Tire
Press.
Press. Monitor
Monitor
Inoperative
Inoperative The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
X
Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Tire Pressure Tire Pressure
Monitor Monitor
Inoperative No Inoperative No
Wheel Sensors Wheel Sensors The wheels mounted do not have a suitable tire pressure sensor.
The tire pressure monitor is deactivated.
X
Mount wheels with suitable tire pressure sensors.
The tire pressure monitor is activated automatically after driving
for a few minutes. Check Check
Tires
Tires The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly.
The wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Insufficient tire pressure can cause the tires to burst. the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Correct the tire pressure (Y page 255).
X If necessary, change the wheel (Y page 269).Tire Tire
Press.
Press. Warning
Warning
Caution Tire
Caution Tire
Malfunction Malfunction The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. The
wheel position is shown in the multifunction display.
A warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Insufficient tire pressure can cause the tires to burst. the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X If necessary, change the wheel (Y page 269).Correct Correct
Tire Pressure Tire Pressure The tire pressure is too low in at least one of the tires, or the tire
pressure difference between the wheels is too great.
X
Check the tire pressures at the next opportunity. If necessary,
correct the tire pressure (Y page 255).TirePress. TirePress.
Sensor(s)Missing Sensor(s)Missing There is no signal from the tire pressure sensor of one or several
wheels. The pressure of the affected tire is not displayed in the
multifunction display.
X
Have the faulty tire pressure sensor replaced at a qualified
specialist workshop. 178
Displays and operationOn-board compu
ter and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Tire
Tire
Press.
Press. Monitor
Monitor
Currently
Currently
Unavailable Unavailable Due to a source of radio interference, no signals can be received
from the wheel sensors. The tire pressure monitor is temporarily
malfunctioning.
X
Drive on.
The tire pressure monitor restarts automatically as soon as the
problem has been solved. 0077
Tire Press. Tire Press.
Warning Caution Warning Caution
Tire Malfunction Tire Malfunction The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped suddenly. A
warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Insufficient tire pressure can cause the tires to burst. the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Repair the faulty tire or change the wheel ( Ypage 269). 0077
Check Check
Tire
TirePressure
Pressure The tire pressure in one or more tires has dropped significantly. A
warning tone also sounds.
G WARNING
Insufficient tire pressure can cause the tires to burst. the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Correct the tire pressure (Y page 255).
X If necessary, repair the faulty tire or change the wheel
(Y page 269). Displays and operation
179On-board computer and displays Z

Tires
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 0077
USA only:
The yellow tire pressure
monitor warning lamp
(pressure loss/
malfunction) is lit.
Canada only:
The yellow tire pressure
monitor warning lamp
(pressure loss) is lit. The tire pressure monitor has detected a loss of pressure in at
least one of the tires.
G WARNING
Insufficient tire pressure can cause the tires to burst. the driving
characteristics, as well as steering and braking, may be greatly
impaired. There is a risk of an accident.
X Stop the vehicle without making any sudden steering or braking
maneuvers. Pay attention to the traffic conditions as you do so.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Check the tire pressure. If necessary, correct the tire pressure
(Y page 255).
X If necessary, change the wheel (Y page 269).0077
USA only:
The yellow tire pressure
monitor warning lamp
(pressure loss/
malfunction) flashes for
60 seconds and then
remains lit.
The tire pressure monitor is faulty.
X
Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. G
WARNING
Each tire, including the spare (if provided), should be checked at least every two weeks when
cold and inflated to the pressure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer on the Tire and
Loading Information placard on the driver's door B-pillar or, if available, the tire pressure label
on the inside of the fuel filler flap. If your vehicle has tires of a different size than the size indicated
on the Tire and Loading Information placard or the tire pressure label, you should determine the
proper tire pressure for those tires.
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure telltale when one or more of your tires are
significantly underinflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pressure. Driving
on a significantly underinflated tire causes the tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure.
Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life, and may affect the vehicle's handling
and stopping ability. Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if underinflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
USA only: Displays and operation
193On-boardcompu ter and displays
Z