Start the engine using the SmartKey.. Move
the transmission to Nwith the E-SELECT
lever. Use the SmartKey to switch the
engine off again and then turn the
SmartKey to position 2. Make sure that you
then leave the SmartKey in position 2. You
may otherwise damage the vehicle, the
transmission or the car wash.
Check the transmission position in the
instrument cluster.
! Use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to Nbefore switching the
engine off. If you open the driver's or front-
passenger door, the transmission remains
in this position for up to 30 minutes if the
SmartKey is in the ignition, even if the
engine is switched off. If you do not shift
the transmission to Nusing the E-SELECT
lever beforehand, it shifts automatically to
parking position Pand locks the wheels if
the driver's or front-passenger door is
opened and the engine is switched off. This
may damage the vehicle, the transmission
or the car wash.
Observe the information on maneuvering
(Y page 131).
! Before driving into an automatic car wash,
make sure that it is suitable for the
dimensions of the vehicle. In particular,
make sure that:
R there is enough ground clearance
between the vehicle underbody and the
guide rails of the automatic car wash.
R the clearance width of the automatic car
wash is sufficient, particularly the width
of the guide rails.
R you enter the automatic car wash
straight and in the center of the guide
rails in order to avoid damaging the tires
or wheel rims.
Fold in the exterior mirrors before the
vehicle is washed. The exterior mirrors
could otherwise be damaged. !
Make sure that:
R the side windows and the roof are
completely closed
R the climate control blower is switched off
R the windshield wiper switch is at position
0
The vehicle could otherwise be damaged.
! In portal car washes, the windshield
wipers may be moved up the windshield by
the cleaning brushes when the ignition is
switched off.
Set the Start/Stop button to key position
2 to reset the windshield wipers to their
original position.
! Preferably use automatic car washes with
adjustable high-pressure pre-cleaning. This
corresponds with the specification for the
Cabriolet program. In car washes that use
high water pressures, there is a risk that a
small amount of water may leak into the
vehicle.
! Cabriolet: do not treat the vehicle with
hot wax under any circumstances.
After using an automatic car wash, wipe off
wax and drying agents from the windshield
and the wiper blades. This will prevent smears
and reduce wiping noises caused by residue
on the windshield.
Washing by hand In some countries, washing by hand is only
allowed at specially equipped washing bays.
Observe the legal requirements in each
country.
X
Do not use hot water and do not wash the
vehicle in direct sunlight.
X Use a soft sponge to clean.
X Use a mild cleaning agent, such as a car
shampoo approved by Mercedes-Benz.
X Thoroughly hose down the vehicle with a
gentle jet of water.
X Do not point the water jet directly towards
the air inlet. 224
CareMaintenance and care
X
Use plenty of water and rinse out the
sponge frequently.
X Rinse the vehicle with clean water and dry
thoroughly with a chamois.
X Do not let the cleaning agent dry on the
paintwork.
Carefully remove all deposits of road salt as
soon as possible when driving in winter.
Power washers G
WARNING
The water jet from a circular jet nozzle (dirt
blasters) can cause invisible exterior damage
to the tires or chassis components.
Components damaged in this way may fail
unexpectedly. There is a risk of an accident.
Do not use power washers with circular jet
nozzles to clean the vehicle. Have damaged
tires or chassis components replaced
immediately.
! Always maintain a distance of at least
11.8 in (30 cm) between the vehicle and the
power washer nozzle. Information about
the correct distance is available from the
equipment manufacturer.
Move the power washer nozzle around
when cleaning your vehicle.
Do not aim directly at any of the following:
R tires
R door gaps, roof gaps, joints, etc.
R electrical components
R battery
R connectors
R lights
R seals
R trim
R ventilation slots
Damaged seals or electrical components
can lead to leaks or failures. Cleaning the wheels !
Do not use acidic wheel cleaning products
to remove brake dust. This could damage
wheel bolts and brake components.
! Do not park the vehicle for an extended
period straight after cleaning it, particularly
after having cleaned the wheels with wheel
cleaner. Wheel cleaners could cause
increased corrosion of the brake discs and
brake pads/linings. For this reason, you
should drive for a few minutes after
cleaning. Braking heats the brake discs and
the brake pads/linings, thus drying them.
The vehicle can then be parked.
Cleaning the paintwork Scratches, corrosive deposits, areas affected
by corrosion and damage caused by
inadequate care cannot always be completely
repaired. In such cases, visit a qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
X
Remove impurities immediately, where
possible, whilst avoiding rubbing too hard.
X Soak insect remains with insect remover
and rinse off the treated areas afterwards.
X Soak bird droppings with water and rinse
off the treated areas afterwards.
X Remove coolant, brake fluid, tree resin,
oils, fuels and greases by rubbing gently
with a cloth soaked in petroleum ether or
lighter fluid.
X Use tar remover to remove tar stains.
X Use silicone remover to remove wax.
! Do not affix:
R stickers
R films
R magnetic plates or similar items
to painted surfaces. You could otherwise
damage the paintwork.
If water no longer forms "beads" on the paint
surface, use the paint care products
recommended and approved by Mercedes- Care
225Maintenance and care Z
Benz. This is the case approximately every
three to five months, depending on the
climate conditions and the care product used.
If dirt has penetrated the paint surface or the
paint has become dull, the paint cleaner
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz should be used.
Do not use these care products in the sun or
on the hood while the hood is hot.
X Use a suitable touch-up stick, e.g. MB
Touch-Up Stick, to correct smaller areas of
paint damage quickly and provisionally.
Matte finish care If your vehicle has a clear matte finish,
observe the following instructions in order to
avoid damage to the paintwork due to
incorrect care.
These notes also apply to light alloy wheels
with a clear matte finish.
! Never polish the vehicle or the light alloy
wheels. Polishing causes the finish to
shine.
! The following may cause the paint to
become shiny and thus reduce the matte
effect:
R Vigorous rubbing with unsuitable
materials.
R Frequent use of car washes.
R Washing the vehicle in direct sunlight.
! Never use paint cleaner, buffing or
polishing products such as gloss preserver
(wax). These products are only suitable for
high-gloss surfaces. Their use on vehicles
with matte finish leads to considerable
surface damage (shiny, spotted areas).
If wax comes into contact with the painted
surface by accident, remove it immediately
with commercially available petroleum
ether. Do so carefully and do not apply too
much pressure to the painted surface.
Ensure that no resinous, greasy or oily
substances come into contact with the paint, as these can leave a residue. If such
substances do come into contact with the
painted surface accidentally, remove these
immediately with commercially available
petroleum ether. Do so carefully and do not
apply too much pressure to the painted
surface.
Tar stains or marks on the painted surface
can be removed with a commercially
available tar remover. Do so carefully and
do not apply too much pressure to the
painted surface.
Always have paintwork repairs carried out
at a qualified specialist workshop, e.g. an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
! Do not use wash programs with a hot wax
treatment under any circumstances.
i The vehicle should preferably be washed
by hand using a soft sponge, car shampoo
and plenty of water.
i Use only insect remover and car shampoo
from the range of recommended and
approved Mercedes-Benz care products.
Cleaning the Roadster soft top X
Light soiling: you can clean the soft top
while it is dry or rinse it with clear water.
X Normal to heavy soiling: clean the soft
top with a brush and clear water. Clean
stains and other dirt with a brush and soft
top cleaning agents that have been
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. Always brush from front to back,
following the grain of the fabric.
! Never use any of the following to clean the
soft top:
R gasoline
R thinner
R tar or stain remover
R other organic solvents
! Remove bird droppings immediately, as
they are corrosive and can therefore cause
the soft-top fabric to leak. Do not wash the 226
CareMaintenance and care
!
Hold the wiper arm securely when folding
back. The windshield could be damaged if
the wiper arm smacks against it suddenly.
Cleaning the exterior lighting X
Clean the plastic lenses of the exterior
lighting using a wet sponge and a mild
cleaning agent, e.g. Mercedes-Benz car
shampoo or cleaning cloths.
! Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths which are suitable for plastic light
lenses. Unsuitable cleaning agents or
cleaning cloths could scratch or damage
the plastic light lenses.
Cleaning the mirror turn signals !
Only use cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths that are suitable for plastic lenses.
Unsuitable cleaning agents or cleaning
cloths could scratch or damage the plastic
lenses of the mirror turn signals.
X Clean the plastic lenses of the mirror turn
signals in the exterior mirror housing using
a wet sponge and a mild cleaning agent,
e.g. Mercedes-Benz car shampoo or
cleaning cloths.
Cleaning the sensors !
If you clean the sensors with a power
washer, make sure that you keep a
distance of at least 11.8 in (30 cm) between
the vehicle and the power washer nozzle.
Information about the correct distance is
available from the equipment
manufacturer. X
Clean sensors 0043of the driving systems
with water, car shampoo and a soft cloth.
Cleaning the rear view camera X
Use clear water and a soft cloth to clean
camera lens 0043.
! Do not clean the camera lens and the area
around the rear view camera with a power
washer.
Cleaning the exhaust pipes !
Do not clean the exhaust pipe with acid-
based cleaning agents such as sanitary
cleansers or wheel cleaners.
X Clean the exhaust pipe with a chrome care
product tested and approved by Mercedes-
Benz. 228
CareMaintenance and care
Impurities combined with the effects of road
grit and corrosive environmental factors may
cause flash rust to form on the surface. You
can restore the original shine of the exhaust
pipe by cleaning it regularly, especially in
winter and after washing. Interior care
Cleaning the display !
For cleaning, do not use any of the
following:
R alcohol-based thinner or gasoline
R abrasive cleaning agents
R commercially-available household
cleaning agents
These may damage the display surface. Do
not put pressure on the display surface
when cleaning. This could lead to
irreparable damage to the display.
X Before cleaning the display, make sure that
it is switched off and has cooled down.
X Clean the display surface using a
commercially available microfiber cloth
and TFT/LCD display cleaner.
X Dry the display surface using a dry
microfiber cloth.
Cleaning the plastic trim G
WARNING
Care products and cleaning agents containing
solvents cause surfaces in the cockpit to
become porous. As a result, plastic parts may
come loose in the event of air bag
deployment. There is a risk of injury.
Do not use any care products and cleaning
agents to clean the cockpit.
! Do not affix the following to plastic
surfaces:
R stickers
R films
R scented oil bottles or similar items You can otherwise damage the plastic.
! Do not allow cosmetics, insect repellent
or sunscreen to come into contact with the
plastic trim. This maintains the high-quality
look of the surfaces.
X Wipe the plastic trim with a damp, lint-free
cloth, e.g. a microfiber cloth.
X Heavy soiling: use car care and cleaning
products recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz.
The surface may change color temporarily.
Wait until the surface is dry again.
Cleaning the steering wheel and
selector lever X
Thoroughly wipe with a damp cloth or use
leather care agents that have been
recommended and approved by Mercedes-
Benz.
Cleaning genuine wood and trim
elements !
Do not use solvent-based cleaning agents
such as tar remover, wheel cleaners,
polishes or waxes. There is otherwise a risk
of damaging the surface.
! Do not use chrome polish on trim pieces.
The trim pieces have a chrome look but are
mostly made of anodized aluminum and
can lose their shine if chrome polish is
used. Use a damp, lint-free cloth instead
when cleaning the trim pieces.
If the chrome-plated trim pieces are very
dirty, you can use a chrome polish. If you
are unsure as to whether the trim pieces
are chrome-plated or not, consult an
authorized Mercedes-Benz Center.
X Wipe the wooden trim and trim pieces with
a damp, lint-free cloth, e.g. a microfiber
cloth.
X Heavy soiling: use care and cleaning
products recommended and approved by
Mercedes-Benz. Care
229Maintenance and care Z
Useful information
i This Operator's Manual describes all
models and all standard and optional
equipment of your vehicle available at the
time of publication of the Operator's
Manual. Country-specific differences are
possible. Please note that your vehicle may
not be equipped with all features
described. This also applies to safety-
related systems and functions.
i Please read the information on qualified
specialist workshops (Y page 22).Where will I find...?
First-aid kit
The first-aid kit is located in the left-hand
stowage compartment in the trunk.
X Open the trunk lid. X
Turn fastener 0044in the direction of the
arrow.
X Open stowage compartment 0043.
X Open the Velcro fastener and remove the
first aid kit.
i Check the expiration date on the first-aid
kit at least once a year. Replace the
contents if necessary, and replace missing
contents. Vehicle tool kit
Wheel-change tool kit and jack 5 The wheel-change tool kit and the jack are
located in the left-hand stowage space in the
trunk.
Left-hand stowage space in trunk floor
0043
Lug wrench
0044 Towing eye
X Pull the loop on the floor covering and fold
the floor covering forward.
X Take out the jack and lug wrench 0043
underneath it.
TIREFIT kit, wheel chock, alignment bolt
and gloves The TIREFIT kit, wheel chock, alignment bolt
and gloves are located in the left-hand
stowage compartment in the trunk.
Left-hand stowage compartment in the trunk
5 Not included in the scope of delivery in all countries. 232
Where will I find...?Breakdown assistance
X
Remove the jack from the left-hand
stowage space in the trunk to allow the
stowage compartment to be opened.
X Turn fastener 0044in the direction of the
arrow.
X Open stowage compartment 0043.
X Remove the TIREFIT kit, wheel chock,
alignment bolt and gloves. Flat tire
Preparing the vehicle
Your vehicle is equipped with a TIREFIT kit.
X Stop the vehicle on solid, non-slippery and
level ground, as far away as possible from
traffic.
X Switch on the hazard warning lamps.
X Apply the electric parking brake manually
(Y page 133).
X Bring the front wheels into the straight-
ahead position.
X Shift the transmission to Pwith the button
in the center console.
X Switch off the engine.
X Remove the SmartKey from the ignition
lock.
X All occupants must get out of the vehicle.
Make sure that they are not endangered as
they do so.
X Make sure that no one is near the danger
area while a wheel is being changed.
Anyone who is not directly assisting in the
wheel change should, for example, stand
behind the barrier.
X Get out of the vehicle. Pay attention to
traffic conditions when doing so.
X Close the driver's door. TIREFIT kit
Using the TIREFIT kit TIREFIT is a tire sealant.
You can use TIREFIT to seal punctures of up
to 0.16 in (4 mm), particularly those in the tire
tread. You can use TIREFIT at outside
temperatures down to
00F84 ‡ (00F820 †). G
WARNING
In the following situations, the tire sealant is
unable to provide sufficient breakdown
assistance, as it is unable to seal the tire
properly:
R there are cuts or punctures in the tire larger
than those mentioned above.
R the wheel rim is damaged.
R you have driven at very low tire pressures
or on a flat tire.
There is a risk of an accident.
Do not drive the vehicle. Contact a qualified
specialist workshop. G
WARNING
The tire sealant is harmful and causes
irritation. It must not come into contact with
your skin, eyes or clothing or be swallowed.
Do not inhale TIREFIT fumes. Keep tire sealant
away from children. There is a risk of injury.
If you come into contact with the tire sealant,
observe the following:
R Rinse off the tire sealant from your skin
immediately with water.
R If the tire sealant comes into contact with
your eyes, immediately rinse them
thoroughly with clean water.
R If tire sealant is swallowed, immediately
rinse your mouth out thoroughly and drink
plenty of water. Do not induce vomiting,
and seek medical attention immediately.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with tire sealant.
R If an allergic reaction occurs, seek medical
attention immediately. Flat ti
re
233Breakdo wn assis tance Z
!
Tow-starting the vehicle is not permitted.
The transmission may otherwise be
damaged.
If the vehicle can no longer be driven because
of an accident or breakdown, you have the
following options:
R transporting the vehicle
As a rule, you should have the vehicle
transported.
R towing the vehicle with the rear axle raised
Only tow the vehicle with the rear axle
raised in exceptional cases.
R towing the vehicle with a tow rope or tow
bar
Only tow the vehicle in exceptional cases.
The engine must be running if you tow the
vehicle with a tow rope or tow bar. Observe
the following notes.
Also observe the following notes:
R If the engine does not start, try jump-
starting it (Y page 240). Tow-starting the
vehicle is not permitted.
R If it is not possible to jump-start the vehicle,
have it transported to the nearest qualified
specialist workshop, e.g. an authorized
Mercedes-Benz Center.
R If the vehicle has transmission damage,
have it transported to a qualified specialist
workshop. Observe the display messages
in the instrument cluster. Installing/removing the towing eye
Installing the towing eye X
Take the towing eye and the wheel
wrench 6
out of the wheel-change tool kit
(Y page 232).
The bracket for the removable towing eye is
in the bumper at the front. It is located under
the cover. X
Pull out cover 0043forwards.
X Take cover 0043off the opening.
Removing the towing eye X
Take the lug wrench 6
from the wheel-
change tool kit (Y page 232).
X Insert the lug wrench handle into the
towing eye and turn it counter-clockwise.
X Unscrew the towing eye.
X Attach cover 0043to the bumper and press
until it engages.
X Return the towing eye and the lug wrench
to the wheel-change tool kit.
X Return the towing eye and the lug wrench
to the trunk. Towing the vehicle with the rear axle
raised
When towing your vehicle with the rear axle
raised, it is important that you observe the
safety instructions (Y page 242).
Only tow the vehicle with the rear axle raised
in exceptional cases.
! The engine must be switched off
(SmartKey in ignition lock in position 0or
position 1) if the vehicle is being towed with
the rear axle raised or if the parking brake
is being tested on a dynamometer.
Intervention by ESP ®
could otherwise
damage the brake system.
6 Not included in the scope of delivery. Towing and tow-starting
243Breakdown assistance Z