
DISTRONIC PLUS has not detected the
vehicle cutting in yet. The distance to this
vehicle will be too short.
Narrow vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in front on the edge of the road,
because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for
obstacles or stationary vehicles. If, for
example, the detected vehicle turns a corner
and reveals an obstacle or stationary vehicle,
DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these. Crossing vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane.
Activating DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights
with crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally.
HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R
when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away
despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant. Driving systems
195Driving and parking
Z

RACE START
Important safety notes i
Observe the safety notes for the SPORT
handling mode (Y page 75).
RACE START is intended solely for activation
on dedicated race circuits.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
i RACE START is only available for the
SL 63 AMG model.
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R
the doors are closed.
R the engine is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176 ‡ (80 †). This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
(Y page 75)
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 in position D.
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector clockwise
(Y page 167) until the RSlamp lights up.
The multifunction display shows the RACE
RACE
START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel: START Confirm: Paddle UP Cancel:
Paddle DOWN Paddle DOWN message.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
multifunction display shows the RACE RACE
START Canceled
START Canceled message. X
To cancel: pull the left steering wheel
paddle shifter (Y page 168).
or
X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter (Y page 168).
The RACE START Available Depress RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal
gas pedal message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The multifunction
display shows the RACE START Not RACE START Not
Possible See Operator's Manual
Possible See Operator's Manual
message.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed increases to at least
3,500 rpm.
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 five seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled RACE START Canceled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal 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 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). Drive program S+is
activated. SPORT handling mode remains
activated.
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
multifunction display shows the RACE
RACE START START
Not Possible See Operator's Manual
Not Possible See Operator's Manual
message.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available Driving systems
197Driving and parking Z

Due to the nature of the system:
R
warnings may be issued in error when
driving close to crash barriers or similar
solid lane borders.
R warnings may be interrupted when driving
alongside particularly long vehicles, e.g.
trucks, for a prolonged time.
Indicator and warning display 0043
Yellow indicator lamp/red warning lamp
Active Blind Spot Assist is not active at
speeds below approximately 20 mph
(30 km/h). Vehicles in the monitoring range
are then not indicated.
When Active Blind Spot Assist is activated,
indicator lamp 0043in the exterior mirrors lights
up yellow at speeds of up to
20 mph(30 km/h). At speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), the indicator lamp goes out and
Active Blind Spot Assist is operational.
If a vehicle is detected within the blind spot
monitoring range at speeds above 20 mph
(30 km/h), warning lamp 0043on the
corresponding side lights up red. This warning
is always given when a vehicle enters the
blind spot monitoring range from behind or
from the side. When you overtake a vehicle,
the warning only occurs if the difference in
speed is less than 7 mph (12 km/h).
The yellow indicator lamp goes out if reverse
gear is engaged. In this event, Active Blind
Spot Assist is no longer active.
The brightness of the indicator/warning
lamps is adjusted automatically according to
the ambient light. Visual and acoustic collision warning
When you switch on the turn signals to
change lanes and a vehicle is detected in the
side monitoring range, you receive a visual
and acoustic collision warning. You then hear
a double warning tone and red warning
lamp
0043flashes. If the turn signal remains on,
detected vehicles are indicated by the
flashing of red warning lamp 0043. There are no
further warning tones.
Course-correcting brake application G
WARNING
A course-correcting brake application cannot
always prevent a collision. There is a risk of
an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Blind Spot Assist warns
you or makes a course-correcting brake
application. Always maintain a safe distance
at the sides. 220
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

If a course-correcting brake application
occurs, red warning lamp 0043flashes in the
exterior mirror and a dual warning tone
sounds. In addition, display 0044appears in the
multifunction display.
If Active Blind Spot Assist detects a risk of a
lateral collision in the monitoring range, a
course-correcting brake application is carried
out. This is meant to assist you in avoiding a
collision.
The course-correcting brake application is
available in the speed range between
20 mph (30 km/h) and 120 mph (200 km/h).
Either a very slight course-correcting brake
application, or none at all, may occur if:
R there are vehicles or obstacles, e.g. crash
barriers, located on both sides of your
vehicle.
R a vehicle approaches you too closely at the
side.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds.
R you clearly brake or accelerate. R
a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
or PRE-SAFE ®
Brake.
R ESP ®
is switched off.
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire is
detected.
Switching on Active Blind Spot Assist X
Make sure that the radar sensor system
(Y page 239) and Active Blind Spot Assist
(Y page 235) are activated in the on-board
computer.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 2in the
ignition lock.
Warning lamps 0043in the exterior mirrors
light up red for approximately
1.5 seconds and then turn yellow.
Active Lane Keeping Assist General notes
Active Lane Keeping Assist monitors the area
in front of your vehicle by means of
camera
0043at the top of the windshield. Active
Lane Keeping Assist detects lane markings on Driving systems
221Driving and parking Z

Lane-correcting brake application
G
WARNING
A lane-correcting brake application cannot
always bring the vehicle back into the original
lane. There is a risk of an accident.
Always steer, brake or accelerate yourself,
especially if Active Lane Keeping Assist warns
you or makes a lane-correcting brake
application. G
WARNING
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not detect
traffic conditions or road users. In very rare
cases, the system may make an inappropriate
brake application, e.g. after intentionally
driving over a solid lane marking. There is a
risk of an accident.
An inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you steer slightly in
the opposite direction. Always make sure that
there is sufficient distance on the side for
other traffic or obstacles.
In rare cases, Active Lane Keeping Assist can
recognize unclear markings or particular
structures on the roadway as solid lane
markings. An inappropriate brake application
may be interrupted at any time if you steer
slightly in the opposite direction. If a lane-correcting brake application occurs,
display
0043appears in the multifunction
display.
If you leave your lane, under certain
circumstances the vehicle will brake briefly on one side. This is meant to assist you in
bringing the vehicle back to the original lane.
This function is available in the range between
40 mph and 120 mph (60 km/h and
200 km/h).
A lane-correcting brake application can only
be made after driving over a solid,
recognizable lane marking. Before this, a
warning must be given by means of
intermittent vibration in the steering wheel.
In addition, a lane with lane markings on both
sides must be recognized. The brake
application also slightly reduces vehicle
speed.
i
A further lane-correcting brake
application can only occur after your
vehicle has returned to the original lane.
No lane-correcting brake application occurs
if:
R you clearly and actively steer, brake or
accelerate.
R you cut the corner on a sharp bend.
R you have switched on the turn signals.
R a driving safety system intervenes, e.g.
ESP ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake or Active Blind
Spot Assist.
R you have adopted a sporty driving style with
high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration.
R ESP ®
is switched off.
R the transmission is not in position D.
R a loss of tire pressure or a defective tire has
been detected and displayed.
Active Lane Keeping Assist does not detect
traffic situations or road users. An
inappropriate brake application may be
interrupted at any time if you:
R steer slightly in the opposite direction
R switch on the turn signal
R clearly brake or accelerate Driving systems
223Driving and parking Z

R
the 00D4 symbol when PRE-SAFE ®
Brake
(Y page 77) is deactivated.
R the pedestrian symbol of the spotlight
function when the spotlight function of
Night View Assist Plus (Y page 237) is
activated.
Activating/deactivating PRE-SAFE ®
Brake PRE-SAFE
®
Brake is only available in vehicles
with DISTRONIC PLUS.
X Press 0059or0065 on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
PRE-SAFE Brake
PRE-SAFE Brake .
X Press the 0076button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the0076
button again.
When PRE-SAFE ®
Brake is deactivated, the
00D4 symbol appears in the assistance
graphic in the multifunction display.
For more information on PRE-SAFE ®
Brake,
see (Y page 77).
Activating/deactivating ATTENTION
ASSIST X
Press 0059or0065 on the steering wheel
to select the DriveAssist DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
ATTENTION ASSIST
ATTENTION ASSIST .
X Press the 0076button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the0076
button again.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated,
the 00D7 symbol appears in the
multifunction display in the assistance
graphics display.
For further information about ATTENTION
ASSIST, see ( Ypage 213). Activating/deactivating Active Blind
Spot Assist X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist DriveAssist
menu.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
Blind Spot Assist
Blind Spot Assist .
X Press the 0076button.
The current selection is displayed.
X To activate/deactivate: press the0076
button again.
For further information about Active Blind
Spot Assist, see (Y page 218).
Activating/deactivating Active Lane
Keeping Assist X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the DriveAssist DriveAssist
menu.
X Press 0063or0064 to select Lane
Lane
Keeping Assist
Keeping Assist .
X Press the 0076button.
The current selection is displayed.
X Press 0076to confirm.
X Press 0064or0063 to set Off
Off,Standard
Standard
or Adaptive
Adaptive .
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
When Active Lane Keeping Assist is
activated, the multifunction display shows
the lane markings as bright lines in the
assistance graphic.
For further information about Active Lane
Keeping Assist, see (Y page 221). Maintenance menu Menus and submenus
235On-board computer and displays Z

X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett
Settmenu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Lights
Lights submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Interior Lighting Delay
Interior Lighting Delay function.
If the Interior
Interior Lighting
LightingDelay
Delayfunction
has been switched on, the vehicle interior
is displayed in orange in the multifunction
display.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
Vehicle Activating/deactivating the automatic
door locking mechanism
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett
Sett menu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Vehicle Vehicle submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
X Press 0064or0063 to select the
Automatic Door Lock
Automatic Door Lock function.
When the Automatic
Automatic Door
DoorLock
Lockfunction
is activated, the left-hand vehicle door is
displayed in orange in the multifunction
display.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
If you activate the Automatic Door Lock
Automatic Door Lock
function, the vehicle is centrally locked above
a speed of around 9 mph (15 km/h).
For further information on the automatic
locking feature, see (Y page 90).
Activating/deactivating the acoustic
locking verification signal
If you switch on the Acoustic AcousticLock
Lockfunction,
an acoustic signal sounds when you lock the
vehicle.
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the Sett
Sett menu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Vehicle Vehicle submenu. X
Press 0076to confirm.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Acoustic Lock Acoustic Lock function.
If the Acoustic Acoustic Lock
Lockfunction is activated,
the 0037 symbol in the multifunction
display lights up orange.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
Activating/deactivating the radar sensor
system
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the
steering wheel to select the Settings
Settings
menu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Vehicle Vehicle submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
X Press the 0063or0064 button to select
Radar Sensor (See Oper. Manual):
Radar Sensor (See Oper. Manual): .
You will see the selected setting: Enabled
Enabled
or Disabled
Disabled .
X Press the 0076button to save the setting.
The following systems are switched off when
the radar sensor system is deactivated:
R DISTRONIC PLUS (Y page 186)
R BAS PLUS (Y page 72)
R PRE-SAFE ®
Brake (Y page 77)
R Active Blind Spot Assist (Y page 218)
Convenience Activating/deactivating the EASY-
ENTRY/EXIT feature
G
WARNING
When the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature adjusts
the steering wheel, you and other vehicle
occupants – particularly children – could
become trapped. There is a risk of injury.
While the EASY-ENTRY/EXIT feature is
making adjustments, make sure that no one
has any body parts in the sweep of the
steering wheel. Menus and submenus
239On-board computer and displays
Z

Safety systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions 002500E5
Currently Currently
Unavailable See Unavailable See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP
®
(Electronic Stability
Program), BAS (Brake Assist), PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and
hill start assist are temporarily unavailable.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
In addition, the 00E5,00BBand0025 warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
Possible causes are:
R self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example.
The steerability and braking characteristics may be severely
affected. The braking distance in an emergency braking situation
can increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Carefully drive on a suitable stretch of road, making slight
steering movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
If the display message disappears, the functions mentioned
above are available again.
If the display message continues to be displayed:
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 002500E5
Inoperative See Inoperative See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual ABS, ESP
®
, BAS, PRE-SAFE ®
, the HOLD function and hill start
assist are unavailable due to a malfunction.
BAS PLUS and PRE-SAFE ®
Brake may also have failed.
The 0027 (USA only)/004D (Canada only),00E5,00BBand0025
warning lamps in the instrument cluster also light up.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The wheels could therefore lock if you
brake hard, for example. Display messages
245On-board computer and displays Z