2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-CLASS ROADSTER snow chains

good time. Always adapt your driving style to
suit the prevailing road and weather
conditions and maintain a safe distance from
the vehicle in front. Drive carefully.
i The driving safety systems described only
work as effectively as possible when there
is adequate contact between the tires and
the road surface. Pay particular attention
to the information regarding tires,
recommended minimum tire tread depths
etc. in the "Wheels and tires" section
(Y page 244).
In wintry driving conditions, always use
winter tires (M+S tires) and if necessary,
snow chains. Only in this way will the
driving safety systems described in this
section work as effectively as possible. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
General information ABS regulates brake pressure in such a way
that the wheels do not lock when you brake.
This allows you to continue steering the
vehicle when braking.
The yellow !ABS warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up when the ignition
is switched on. It goes out when the engine is
running.
Important safety notes i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66). G
WARNING
If ABS is faulty, the wheels could lock when
braking. The steerability and braking
characteristics may be severely impaired.
Additionally, further driving safety systems
are deactivated. There is an increased danger
of skidding and accidents.
Drive on carefully. Have ABS checked
immediately at a qualified specialist
workshop. When ABS is malfunctioning, other systems,
including driving safety systems, will also
become inoperative. Observe the information
on the ABS warning lamp (Y
page 177) and
display messages which may be shown in the
instrument cluster (Y page 164).
ABS works from a speed of about 5 mph
(8 km/h), regardless of road-surface
conditions. ABS works on slippery surfaces,
even if you only brake gently.
Braking X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake pedal vigorously until the braking
situation is over.
X To make a full brake application:
depress the brake pedal with full force.
If ABS intervenes when braking, you will feel
a pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake pedal can be an
indication of hazardous road conditions, and
functions as a reminder to take extra care
while driving. BAS (Brake Assist System)
General information BAS operates in emergency braking
situations. If you depress the brake pedal
quickly, BAS automatically boosts the braking
force, thus shortening the stopping distance.
Important safety notes
i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section (Y page 66). G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning, the braking distance
in an emergency braking situation is
increased. There is a risk of an accident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake pedal with full force. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking. Driving safety systems
67Safety Z

ESP
®
is deactivated if the åwarning lamp
in the instrument cluster lights up
continuously when the engine is running.
If the ÷ warning lamp and the å
warning lamp are lit continuously, ESP ®
is not
available due to a malfunction.
Observe the information on warning lamps
(Y page 179) and display messages which
may be shown in the instrument cluster
(Y page 164).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then will ESP ®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®General information
If the
÷ ESP warning lamp goes out before
beginning the journey, ESP ®
is automatically
active.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the ÷ESP®
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.
ECO start/stop function
The ECO start/stop function switches the
engine off automatically when the vehicle
stops moving. The engine starts
automatically when the driver wants to pull
away again. ESP ®
remains in its previously
selected status. Example:if ESP®
was
deactivated before the engine was switched
off, ESP ®
remains deactivated when the
engine is switched on again. Deactivating/activating ESP
®
(except
AMG vehicles) Important safety notes
i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Ypage 66).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
It may be best to deactivate ESP ®
in the
following situations:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®70
Driving safety systemsSafety

X
To switch off: press button:.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up.
X To switch on: press button:.
The å ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out.
Characteristics when ESP ®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the ÷ESP®
warning lamp in
the instrument cluster flashes. In such
situations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin.
The spinning of the wheels results in a
cutting action for better traction on loose
surfaces.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you
brake.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®
(AMG
vehicles) Important safety notes
i
Observe the "Important safety notes"
section ( Ypage 66).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is a greater risk of skidding and
accidents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the
situations described in the following. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
, ESP ®
no longer
stabilizes the vehicle. There is an increased
risk of skidding and an accident.
Only deactivate ESP ®
in the situations
described in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to
activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R on designated roads when the vehicle's
own oversteering and understeering
characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply. ESP ®
will
otherwise not be able to stabilize the
vehicle if the vehicle starts to skid or a
wheel starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended period with ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® X
To activate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button :.
The M SPORT handling mode warning
lamp in the instrument cluster lights up. Driving safety systems
71Safety Z

Active Body Control (except AMG
vehicles)
Vehicle level General notes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is
lowered as its speed increases. With the
SPORT suspension tuning, it is lowered by up
to 0.5 in (13 mm), with COMFORT by up to
0.2 in (5 mm). As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
The vehicle is slightly lowered if you:
R have selected the SPORT suspension
tuning at normal level and
R switch off the engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the
underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you switch
off the engine. Setting raised level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X Make sure that a speed of 75 mph
(120 km/h) is not exceeded.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is not lit: press
button :.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now
restarted.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level
X Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X If indicator lamp ; ;is lit: press
button :.
Indicator lamp ;goes 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.142
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can find information about this in the
Digital Operator's Manual. Active Body Control (AMG vehicles)
Vehicle level General notes
In order to reduce fuel consumption and
improve the driving dynamics, the vehicle is
lowered as its speed increases. With the
SPORT suspension tuning, it is lowered by up
to 0.5 in (13 mm), with COMFORT by up to
0.2 in (5 mm). As the speed is reduced, the
vehicle is raised up to the set vehicle height.
Select the "Normal" setting for normal road
surfaces and "Raised" for driving with snow
chains or on particularly poor road surfaces.
Important safety notes
The vehicle is slightly lowered when the
engine is switched off. G
WARNING
When the vehicle is being lowered, people
could become trapped if their limbs are
between the vehicle body and the wheels or
underneath the vehicle. There is a risk of
injury.
Make sure no one is underneath the vehicle
or in the immediate vicinity of the wheel
arches when the vehicle is being lowered. Setting raised level X
Make sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
X Make sure that a speed of 75 mph
(120 km/h) is not exceeded.
X If icon ; ;is not 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 Raise
Level Press 'OK' to Raise .
X Press the abutton.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now
restarted.
Icon ;appears. The vehicle height is
adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level Driving syste
ms
143Driving an d parking Z

Use Active Parking Assist for parking spaces:
R that are parallel to the direction of travel
R that are on straight roads, not bends
R that are on the same level as the road, e.g.
not on the pavement
Important safety notes Active Parking Assist is merely 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. 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. G
WARNING
The vehicle swings out when parking and in
doing so could cross into the opposite lane.
This could result in a collision with another
road user. There is a risk of an accident.
Pay attention to other road users when
parking. Stop the vehicle if necessary or
cancel the Active Parking Assist parking
procedure.
! 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 145) 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.
Information in the Digital Operator's
Manual In the Digital Operator's Manual you will find
information on the following topics:
R
Parking
R Exiting a parking space
R Canceling Active Parking Assist 146
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Tires
SL 550 Summer tires
R18
Tires Alloy wheels
FA: 255/4
0 R18 95 Y 2
RA : 285/35 R18 97 Y 2, 3 FA: 8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.87 in (47.5 mm)
R19
Tires Alloy wheels
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL
2
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL 2, 3 FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.87 in (47.5 mm)
FA: 255/35 R19 96 Y XL
2
RA: 285/30 R19 98 Y XL 2, 3 FA: 8.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
RA: 9.5 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
Winter tires
R18
Tires Alloy wheels
BA: 255/40 R18 99 V XL M+S
i2 BA: 8.5 J x 18 H2
Wheel offset: 1.40 in (35.5 mm)
AMG vehicles
Summer tires
i AMG vehicles with 20 inch wheels on the rear axle: if replaced with 19 inch wheels,
ETS may intervene noticeably earlier for the first few kilometers. After approximately
10 km, ETS functions as usual again. Information on ETS can be found under "ETS (Electronic
Traction System)" (Y page 69).
2 Also available as MOExtended tires.
3 The use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section. 270
Wheel and tire combinationsWheels and tires

R19/R20
Tires Alloy wheels
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
RA: 285/30 ZR19 (98 Y) XL FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
FA: 255/35 ZR19 (96 Y) XL
RA: 285/30 ZR 20 (99 Y) XL
3 FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 20 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
Winter tires
R19
Tires Alloy wheels
FA: 255/35 R19 96 V XL M+S
i
RA: 285/30 R19 98 V XL M+S i FA: 9.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.06 in (27 mm)
RA: 10.0 J x 19 H2
Wheel offset: 1.89 in (48 mm)
3
The use of snow chains is not permitted. Observe the notes in the "Snow chains" section. Wheel and tire combinations
271Wheels and tires Z