2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER ABS

When driving at a speed above 20 mph
(30 km/h): if you depress the brake pedal
sharply, BAS PLUS automatically raises the
brake pressure to a value adapted to the
traffic situation.
BAS PLUS provides braking assistance in
hazardous situations with vehicles in front
within a speed range between 4 mph
(7 km/h) and 155 mph (250 km/h).
At speeds of up to approximately 40 mph
(70 km/h), BAS PLUS can also react to
stationary objects. Examples of stationary
objects are stopped or parked vehicles.
i If BAS PLUS demands particularly high
braking force, preventative passenger
protection measures (PRE-SAFE ®
) are
activated simultaneously.
X Keep the brake pedal depressed until the
emergency braking situation is over.
ABS prevents the wheels from locking.
BAS PLUS is deactivated and the brakes
function as usual again, if:
R you release the brake pedal.
R there is no longer a risk of collision.
R no obstacle is detected in front of your
vehicle.
R you depress the accelerator pedal.
R you activate kickdown. ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program)
General notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66).
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 66).
ETS traction control is part of ESP ®
.
ETS 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. In
addition, more drive torque is transferred to
the wheel or wheels with traction.
ETS remains active when you deactivate
ESP ®
.
i AMG vehicles: your vehicle may be
equipped with 20-inch tires on the rear
axle. If replaced with a 19-inch tire, ETS
may intervene noticeably sooner for the
first few kilometers. After approximately
10 km ETS will function as usual again.
Information on the dimensions and types of
wheels and tires for your vehicle can be
found in the "Wheel/tire combinations"
section (Y page 268).
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.
! When testing the electric parking brake
on a braking dynamometer, switch off the
ignition. Application of the brakes by
ESP ®
may otherwise destroy the brake
system.
When towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised, observe the notes on
ESP ®
(Y page 239). Driving safety systems
69Safety Z

The battery is discharged if battery check
lamp
:does not light up briefly.
X Change the battery (Y page 81).
i If the SmartKey battery is checked within
the signal reception range of the vehicle,
pressing the &or% button:
R locks or
R unlocks the vehicle
i You can get a battery at any qualified
specialist workshop.
Replacing the battery You require a CR 2025 3 V cell battery.
X
Take the mechanical key out of the
SmartKey (Y page 80). X
Press mechanical key ;into the SmartKey
opening in the direction of the arrow until
battery compartment cover :opens. Do
not hold battery compartment cover :
closed while doing so.
X Remove battery compartment cover :. X
Repeatedly tap the SmartKey against your
palm until battery =falls out.
X Insert the new battery with the positive
terminal facing upwards. Use a lint-free
cloth to do so.
X Make sure that the surface of the battery is
free of lint, grease and other contaminants.
X Insert the front tabs of battery
compartment cover :into the housing
first and then press to close it.
X Insert mechanical key ;into the
SmartKey.
X Check the function of all SmartKey buttons
on the vehicle. SmartKey
81Opening and closing Z

X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If icon ;
;is shown: press=or;
on the steering wheel to select the
DriveAssist
DriveAssist menu.
X Press the 9or: button to select
Vehicle Level Vehicle Level.
X Press the abutton.
The following message appears: Vehicle
Vehicle
Level Press 'OK' to Lower
Level Press 'OK' to Lower.
X Press the abutton.
Icon ;is faded out. The vehicle is adjusted
to normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
R are driving faster than approximately
75 mph (120 km/h).
R drive for approximately three minutes at a
speed over 50 mph (80 km/h).
Suspension tuning You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual. 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 shift the transmission to position D,Ror
N.
R release the electric parking brake.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper
and four sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into
consideration that are:
R
below the detection range, e.g. people,
animals or objects
R above the detection range, e.g.
overhanging loads, truck overhangs or
loading ramps. 144
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Safety systems
Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !÷
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 ÷,åand! 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. !÷
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 $ (USA only)/J (Canada only),÷,åand!
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. 164
Display messagesOn-board computer and displays

Display messages Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions ÷
Inoperative See Inoperative See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual 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.
In addition, the ÷andå warning lamps light up in the
instrument cluster.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above.
The braking distance in an emergency braking situation can thus
increase.
If ESP ®
is not operational, ESP ®
is unable to stabilize the vehicle.
There is an increased risk of skidding and an accident.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. T!
÷
Inoperative See Inoperative See
Operator's Manual Operator's Manual EBD (electronic brake force distribution), 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.
In addition, the ÷,åand! warning lamps light up in
the instrument cluster and a warning tone sounds.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear 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 Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop immediately. 166
Display
messagesOn-board computer and displays

Safety systems
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
The red brake system
warning lamp comes on
while the engine is
running. A warning tone
also sounds. There is not enough brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir.
G WARNING
The braking effect may be impaired.
There is a risk of an accident.
X Pull over and stop the vehicle safely as soon as possible, paying
attention to road and traffic conditions. Do not continue driving
under any circumstances.
X Secure the vehicle against rolling away (Y page 130).
X Do not add brake fluid. Adding more will not remedy the
malfunction.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop.
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display. !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is deactivated due to a
malfunction. BAS (Brake Assist), BAS PLUS, ESP
®
(Electronic
Stability Program), PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist are therefore also deactivated, for
example.
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.
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 Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop.
If the ABS control unit is faulty, there is also a possibility that other
systems, such as the navigation system or the automatic
transmission, will not be available. Warning and indicator lamps
177On-board computer and displays Z

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running.
ABS is temporarily unavailable. BAS, BAS PLUS, ESP
®
, EBD
(electronic brake force distribution), PRE-SAFE ®
,
PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD function, hill start assist are therefore
also deactivated, for example.
Possible causes are:
R self-diagnosis is not yet complete.
R the on-board voltage may be insufficient.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear 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 a risk of an accident.
X Carefully drive a suitable distance, making slight steering
movements at a speed above 12 mph (20 km/h).
The functions mentioned above are available again when the
warning lamp goes out.
If the warning lamp is still on:
X Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. 178
Warning and indicator lampsOn-board computer and displays

Problem Possible causes/consequences and
M
MSolutions !
The yellow ABS warning
lamp is lit while the
engine is running. A
warning tone also
sounds.
EBD is not available due to a malfunction. Therefore, ABS, BAS,
BAS PLUS, ESP
®
, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist are also unavailable, for example.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear 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 Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. $
(USA only)
J (Canada only)
֌!
The red brake warning
lamp, the yellow ESP ®
and ESP ®
OFF warning
lamps and the yellow
ABS warning lamp are
lit while the engine is
running. ABS and ESP
®
are not available due to a malfunction. Therefore,
BAS, BAS PLUS, EBD, PRE-SAFE ®
, PRE-SAFE ®
Brake, the HOLD
function and hill start assist, for example, are not available either.
ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated.
G WARNING
The brake system continues to function normally, but without the
functions listed above. The front and rear 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 Observe the additional display messages in the multifunction
display.
X Drive on carefully.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop. Warning and indicator lamps
179On-board computer and displays Z