2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class warning

!
If unavoidable, you should drive over
obstacles such as curbs slowly and not at
a sharp angle. Otherwise, you may damage
the wheels or tires.
Active Parking Assist may possibly indicate
parking spaces which are not suitable for
parking, for example:
R where parking or stopping is prohibited
R in front of driveways or entrances and exits
R on unsuitable surfaces
Parking tips:
R On narrow roads, drive as close to the
parking space as possible.
R Parking spaces that are littered or
overgrown might be identified or measured
incorrectly.
R Parking spaces that are partially occupied
by trailer drawbars might not be identified
as such or be measured incorrectly.
R Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R Pay attention to the PARKTRONIC
(Y page 205) warning messages during the
parking procedure.
R You can intervene in the steering procedure
to correct it at any time. Active Parking
Assist will then be canceled.
R When transporting a load which protrudes
from your vehicle, you should not use
Active Parking Assist.
R Never use Active Parking Assist when snow
chains are installed.
R Make sure that the tire pressures are
always correct. This has a direct influence
on the parking characteristics of the
vehicle.
Parking Important safety notes
Objects located above the height range of
Active Parking Assist will not be detected
when the parking space is measured. These
are not taken into account when the parking procedure is calculated, e.g. overhanging
loads, tail sections or loading ramps of goods
vehicles. In some circumstances, Active
Parking Assist may therefore guide you into
the parking space too early. G
WARNING
If there are objects above the detection range,
Active Parking Assist may turn prematurely.
You may cause a collision as a result. There is
a risk of an accident.
If there are objects above the detection range,
stop and deactivate Active Parking Assist. G
WARNING
Active Parking Assist merely aids you by
intervening actively in the steering. If you do
not brake there is a risk of an accident.
Always apply the brakes yourself when
maneuvering and parking.
Detecting parking spaces Example: detected parking space
Active Parking Assist is switched on
automatically when driving forwards. The
system is operational at speeds of up to
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h). While in
operation, the system independently locates
and measures parking spaces on both sides
of the vehicle. When driving at speeds below
19 mph (30 km/h) you will see parking
symbol
0044as a status indicator in the
instrument cluster. When a parking space has
been detected, an arrow towards the right
0087 or the left 0043also appears.
By default, Active Parking Assist only displays
parking spaces on the front-passenger side.
Parking spaces on the driver's side are
displayed as soon as the turn signal on the
driver's side is activated. If you wish to park Driving systems
207Driving and parking Z

in a space on the driver's side, the indicator
on the driver's side must remain on. The turn
signal must remain switched on until you
acknowledge the use of Active Parking Assist
by pressing the 0076button on the
multifunction steering wheel.
Active Parking Assist will only detect parking
spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are at least 59 in (1.5 m) wide
R that are at least 40 in (1.0 m) longer than
your vehicle
A parking space is displayed while you are
driving past it, and until you are
approximately 50 ft (15 m) away from it.
Backing up into the parking space
X Stop the vehicle when the parking space
symbol shows the desired parking space in
the instrument cluster.
X Shift the transmission to position R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
0038 message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the
0038 button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or
X To park using Active Parking Assist:
press the 0076button on the multifunction
steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Let go of the multifunction steering wheel.
X Back up the vehicle, being ready to brake
at all times. Do not exceed a maximum
speed of approximately 6 mph (10 km/h)
when backing up. Otherwise Active Parking
Assist will be canceled.
i When parking in tight spaces, you will
achieve the best results by backing up as far as possible. When doing so, also
observe the PARKTRONIC messages.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
Additional maneuvering may be required in
tight parking spaces.
The Park Assist Active Select D
Park Assist Active Select D
Observe Observe Surroundings
Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Shift the transmission to position Dwhile
the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings
and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
i You will achieve the best results by
waiting for the steering procedure to
complete before pulling away.
X Drive forwards and be ready to brake at all
times.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
The Park Assist Active Select R Park Assist Active Select R
Observe
Observe Surroundings
Surroundings message appears in
the multifunction display.
X Drive forwards and back up according to
the information shown in the multifunction
display.
As soon as the parking procedure is
complete, the Park Assist Finished Park Assist Finished
message appears in the multifunction
display. PARKTRONIC continues to be
available.
X Maneuver if necessary.
X Always observe the warning messages
displayed by PARKTRONIC ( Ypage 205). 208
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Parking tips:
R
On narrow roads, drive as close to the
parking space as possible.
R Parking spaces that are littered, overgrown
or partially occupied by trailer drawbars
might be identified incorrectly or not at all.
R Snowfall or heavy rain may lead to a parking
space being measured inaccurately.
R The way your vehicle is positioned in the
parking space after parking is dependent
on various factors. These include the
position and shape of the vehicles parked
in front and behind it and the conditions of
the location. In some cases, Active Parking
Assist may guide you too far into a parking
space, or not far enough into it. In some
cases, it may also lead you across or onto
the curb. If necessary, you should cancel
the parking procedure with Active Parking
Assist.
R You can also engage forward gear
prematurely. The vehicle redirects and
does not drive as far into the parking space.
Should a gear be changed too early, the
parking procedure will be canceled. A
sensible parking position can no longer be
achieved from this position.
Exiting a parking space Active Parking Assist can only assist you with
exiting a parking space if you have parked the
vehicle using Active Parking Assist.
X Start the engine.
X Switch on the turn signal on the side facing
the street.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor R.
The Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
Start Park Assist? Yes: OK No:
0038message appears in the multifunction
display.
X To cancel the procedure: press the
0038 button on the multifunction steering
wheel or pull away.
or X
To exit a parking space using Active
Parking Assist: press the0076button on
the multifunction steering wheel.
The Park Assist Active Accelerate
Park Assist Active Accelerate
and Brake Observe Surroundings and Brake Observe Surroundings
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X Let go of the multifunction steering wheel.
X Reverse the vehicle or drive forwards, being
ready to brake at all times. Do not exceed
a maximum speed of approximately
6 mph (10 km/h) when exiting a parking
space. Otherwise Active Parking Assist will
be canceled.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
X Shift the transmission to position Dor Ras
required while the vehicle is stationary.
Active Parking Assist immediately steers in
the other direction.
i You will achieve the best results by
waiting for the steering procedure to
complete before pulling away.
If you back up after activation, the steering
wheel is moved to the straight-ahead
position.
X Drive forwards or back up the vehicle, being
ready to brake at all times.
X Stop as soon as PARKTRONIC sounds the
continuous warning tone, if not before.
X Drive forwards and back up as instructed
by the PARKTRONIC warning displays.
Once you have exited the parking space
completely, the steering wheel is moved to
the straight-ahead position. You hear a tone
and the Park Assist Finished
Park Assist Finished message
appears in the multifunction display. You will
then have to steer and merge into traffic on
your own. PARKTRONIC is still available.
Canceling Active Parking Assist You can cancel Active Parking Assist at any
time. Driving systems
209Driving and parking Z

X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled
Park Assist Canceled
message appears in the multifunction
display.
or
X Press the PARKTRONIC button on the
center console (Y page 205).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled
Park Assist Canceled message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled
automatically if:
R parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
R you are driving faster than 6 mph
(10 km/h)
R a wheel spins, ESP ®
intervenes or fails. The
00E5 ESP warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster.
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol
goes out and the Park Assist Canceled Park Assist Canceled
message appears in the multifunction
display.
If Active Parking Assist is canceled, you must
steer again yourself. Rear view camera
General notes Rear view camera
0043is in the trunk lid handle. Rear view camera
0043is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It shows the area behind
your vehicle with guide lines in the COMAND
display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
i The text of messages shown in the
COMAND display depends on the language
setting. The following are examples of rear
view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
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 the tailgate 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
The field of vision and other functions of the
rear view camera may be restricted due to
additional accessories on the rear of the
vehicle (e.g. license plate holder, bicycle
rack). 210
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Additional messages for vehicles with
PARKTRONIC
0043
Front warning display
0044 Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator
0087 Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: if
PARKTRONIC is operational (Y page 205), an
additional operational readiness indicator will
appear in COMAND display 0044. If the
PARKTRONIC warning displays are active or
light up, warning displays 0043and 0087are also
active or light up correspondingly in the
COMAND display.
"Reverse parking" function Backing up straight into a parking space
without turning the steering wheel 0043
White guide line without turning the
steering wheel, vehicle width including
the exterior mirrors (static)
0044 Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic) 0087
Yellow guide line at a distance of
approximately 3 ft (1.0 m) fromthe rear
of the vehicle
0085 Red guide line at a distance of
approximately 10 in (0.25 m) fromthe
rear of the vehicle
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 211).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X With the help of white guide line 0043, check
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking
space.
X Using white guide line 0043as a guide,
carefully back up until you reach the end
position.
Red guide line 0085is then at the end of the
parking space. The vehicle is almost
parallel in the parking space.
Reverse perpendicular parking with the
steering wheel at an angle Turning the steering wheel
0043
Red guide line for the vehicle width
including the exterior mirrors, for current
steering wheel angle (dynamic)
0044 Parking space marking
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 211).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X Drive past the parking space and bring the
vehicle to a standstill.
X While the vehicle is at a standstill, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the 212
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted and warnings may be delayed or
not occur at all:
R if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the
surface is uneven or if there are potholes
R if there is a strong side wind
R if you have adopted a sporty driving style
with high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration
R if you are predominantly driving slower
than 50 mph (80 km/h) or faster than
112 mph (180 km/h)
R if you are currently using COMAND or
making a telephone call with it
R if the time has been set incorrectly
R in active driving situations, such as when
you change lanes or change your speed
ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the
driver. It might not always recognize fatigue
or increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to
recognize them at all. The system is not a
substitute for a well-rested and attentive
driver.
Warning and display messages in the
multifunction display X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer (Y page 235).
If ATTENTION ASSIST is active, you will be
warned no sooner than 20 minutes after
your journey has begun. You then hear an
intermittent warning tone twice and the
Attention Assist: Take a Break!
Attention Assist: Take a Break!
message appears in the multifunction
display.
X If necessary, take a break.
X Press the 0076or0038 button to confirm
the message.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good
time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break and ATTENTION ASSIST
still detects increasing lapses in
concentration, you will be warned again after
15 minutes at the earliest. ATTENTION ASSIST is reset when you
continue your journey and starts assessing
your tiredness again if:
R you switch off the engine.
R you take off your seat belt and open the
driver's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or
to take a break.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated, the
00D7 symbol appears in the multifunction
display in the assistance graphics display. Night View Assist Plus
General notes In addition to the illumination provided by the
normal headlamps, Night View Assist Plus
uses infrared light to illuminate the road.
Camera 0044of Night View Assist Plus picks up
the infrared light and displays a black and
white image in COMAND. The image shown
in COMAND corresponds to a road lit up by
high-beam headlamps. This enables you to
see the road's course and any obstacles in
good time. When pedestrian recognition is
active, pedestrians recognized by the system
are visually highlighted in color in the Night
View Assist Plus display with small frame
corners.
i Infrared light is not visible to the human
eye and therefore does not glare. Night
View Assist Plus can therefore remain
switched on even if there is oncoming
traffic. 214
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Problems with Night View Assist Plus
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions The picture quality of
Night View Assist Plus
has deteriorated. The windshield is fogged up on the inside.
X Fold down camera cover (Y page 552).
X Defrost the windshield (Y page 148). The windshield is iced up.
X
De-ice the windshield (Y page 147). The windshield wipers are smearing the windshield.
X
Replace the wiper blades (Y page 135). The windshield is smeared after the vehicle has been cleaned in a
car wash.
X
Clean the windshield (Y page 550). There is windshield chip damage in the camera's field of vision.
X Replace the windshield. The pedestrian and
animal recognition is
not available. The infrared camera in the radiator grill is dirty.
X
Use a soft cloth and water to clean the infrared camera. Active Driving Assistance package
General notes The Active Driving Assistance package
consists of DISTRONIC PLUS (Y
page 186),
Active Blind Spot Assist (Y page 218) and
Active Lane Keeping Assist (Y page 221).
Active Blind Spot Assist General notes
Active Blind Spot Assist uses a radar sensor
system to monitor the side areas of your
vehicle which are behind the driver. 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 an optical and audible
collision warning. If a risk of lateral collision
is detected, corrective braking may help you avoid a collision. To support the course-
correcting brake application, Active Blind
Spot Assist also uses the forward-facing radar
sensor system.
Active Blind Spot Assist supports you from a
speed of approximately 20 mph (30 km/h).
For Active Blind Spot Assist to assist you
when driving, the radar sensor system must
be operational.
Important safety notes
Active Blind Spot Assist is only an aid. It may
fail to detect some vehicles and is no
substitute for attentive driving. G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not react to:
R vehicles overtaken too closely on the side,
placing them in the blind spot area
R vehicles which approach with a large speed
differential and overtake your vehicle 218
Driving systemsDriving and parking

As a result, Active Blind Spot Assist may
neither give warnings nor intervene 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. Removal,
tampering, or altering of the device will void
any warranties, and is not permitted by the
FCC. Do not tamper with, alter, or use in
any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
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.
Removal, tampering, or altering of the
device will void any warranties, and is not
permitted. Do not tamper with, alter, or use
in any non-approved way.
Any unauthorized modification to this
device could void the user's authority to
operate the equipment.
Radar sensors
The Active Blind Spot Assist radar sensors are
integrated into the front and rear bumpers
and behind a cover in the radiator grill. Make
sure that the bumpers and the cover in the
radiator grill are free of dirt, ice or slush. The
rear sensors must not be covered, for
example by cycle racks or overhanging cargo.
Following a severe impact or in the event of
damage to the bumpers, have the function of
the radar sensors checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Active Blind Spot Assist
may otherwise no longer work properly. Monitoring area G
WARNING
Active Blind Spot Assist does not detect all
traffic situations and road users. There is a
risk of an accident.
Always make sure that there is sufficient
distance on the side for other traffic or
obstacles. Active Blind Spot Assist monitors the area up
to 10 ft (3.0 m) behind your vehicle and
directly next to your vehicle, as shown in the
diagram.
The detection of obstacles can be impaired in
the case of:
R
dirt on the sensors or anything else
covering the sensors
R poor visibility, e.g. due to rain, snow or
spray
Vehicles in the monitoring range are then not
indicated or indicated with a delay.
Active Blind Spot Assist may not detect
narrow vehicles, such as motorcycles or
bicycles, or may only detect them too late.
If the lanes are narrow, vehicles driving in the
lane beyond the lane next to your vehicle may
be indicated, especially if the vehicles are not
driving in the middle of their lane. This may
be the case if there are vehicles driving at the
inner edge of their lanes. Driving systems
219Driving and parking Z