2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG GT COUPE Owner's Manual

shifts up to a higher gear. This optimizes
fuel consumption
If a gentle driving style is adopted in
automatic drive programs C/S/S+, the drive
program settings are adjusted to optimize
fuel consumption. Depending on the
operating conditions, the transmission shifts
to a higher gear. Shift ranges
Introduction In certain driving situations, it is
recommended that you restrict the shift
range. The set shift range appears in the
instrument cluster's multifunction display
(Y page 123). The transmission only shifts to
the gear displayed in the instrument cluster.
When the maximum engine speed is reached,
the transmission shifts up a gear in the
automatic programs C/S/S+. Gear
restriction is correspondingly increased by
one gear. Driving situation
0040
The braking effect of the engine can
be utilized in this position
0038
You can use the braking effect of
the engine on downhill gradients
and for driving:
R
on steep mountain roads
R in mountainous terrain
R in arduous conditions 0037
To use the braking effect of the
engine on extremely steep downhill
gradients and on long downhill
stretches Derestricting the shift range/shifting
up
X
Pull the right steering wheel paddle (UP).
The shift range is derestricted. If you are
driving in manual drive program M, the
transmission shifts up to the next gear.
Restricting the shift range/shifting
down X
Pull the left steering wheel paddle (DOWN).
The transmission shifts down one gear and
restricts the shift range to this gear.
If the engine speed in manual drive
program Mis too high, it is not possible to
shift down. If you pull the left-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (DOWN)
(Y page 128), the two red segments in the
instrument cluster flash.
Clearing the shift range restriction X
Pull the right-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter (UP) until the number for the gear
disappears from the multifunction display.
or
X Use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to position D.
The transmission shifts from the current
shift range directly to D.
Selecting the ideal shift range X
Pull the left-hand steering wheel paddle
shifter repeatedly until the function is
activated.
Depending on the selected drive program,
the transmission shifts to a gear which
allows ideal acceleration and deceleration.
To do this, the transmission shifts down
one or more gears. Manual drive program
i In manual drive program M, the
transmission shift and response times are AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission
127Driving and parking Z

significantly shorter with sportier and more
aggressive gear changes.
In manual drive program M, you need to
change gear yourself using the steering wheel
paddle shifters (Y page 125). The
transmission only shifts down automatically
at low engine speeds depending on the
respective gear.
! In manual drive program M, the
transmission does not shift up
automatically even when the engine
limiting speed for the current gear is
reached. When the engine limiting speed is
reached, the fuel supply is cut to prevent
the engine from overrevving. Always make
sure that the engine speed does not reach
the red area of the tachometer and observe
the upshift indicator. There is otherwise a
risk of engine damage.
X To activate the manual drive program:
turn the drive program selector switch until
M appears in the instrument cluster's
multifunction display.
M lights up in red on the drive program
selector switch.
X To deactivate the manual drive
program: turn the drive program selector
switch and select another drive program.
Upshift indicator The upshift indicator is a four-stage display
designed to assist you in sporty driving. The upshift indicator allows you to recognize
the ideal shift point for dynamic acceleration. White segments
0043and yellow segment 0044
light up in succession from left to right.
When red segments 0087light up and the "up"
message appears in the multifunction
display, the ideal shift point has been
reached:
X Shift up using the right-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (UP) as quickly as possible.
The vehicle shifts up to the next gear.
i If you continue to increase the engine
speed without shifting up in time, the fuel
supply is shut off to protect the engine. This
results in abruptly reduced acceleration.
Display for downshift override You cannot shift down with the left steering
wheel paddle shifter if the engine speed is too
high due to a downshift. If you then pull the
left steering wheel paddle shifter, both red
segments
0087light up briefly. AMG button (SETUP)
With the AMG button, you can call up and
store a default drive program setting and the
default suspension tuning. 128
AMG button (SETUP)Driving and parking

X
To store: press and hold AMG button 0043
until you hear a tone.
X To call up: press AMG button 0043.
The stored drive program is selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button 0043.
The multifunction display shows the SETUP
in the AMG menu (Y page 161). Refueling
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Fuel is highly flammable. If you handle fuel
incorrectly, there is a risk of fire and
explosion.
You must avoid fire, open flames, creating
sparks and smoking. Switch off the engine
and, if applicable, the auxiliary heating before
refueling. G
WARNING
Fuel is poisonous and hazardous to health.
There is a risk of injury.
You must make sure that fuel does not come
into contact with your skin, eyes or clothing
and that it is not swallowed. Do not inhale fuel
vapors. Keep fuel away from children.
If you or others come into contact with fuel,
observe the following:
R Wash away fuel from skin immediately
using soap and water.
R If fuel comes into contact with your eyes,
immediately rinse them thoroughly with
clean water. Seek medical assistance
without delay.
R If fuel is swallowed, seek medical
assistance without delay. Do not induce
vomiting.
R Immediately change out of clothing which
has come into contact with fuel. G
WARNING
Electrostatic buildup can create sparks and
ignite fuel vapors. There is a risk of fire and
explosion.
Always touch the vehicle body before opening
the fuel filler flap or touching the fuel pump
nozzle. Any existing electrostatic buildup is
thereby discharged.
! Do not use diesel to refuel vehicles with a
gasoline engine. Do not switch on the
ignition if you accidentally refuel with the
wrong fuel. Otherwise, the fuel will enter
the fuel system. Even small amounts of the
wrong fuel could result in damage to the
fuel system and the engine. Notify a
qualified specialist workshop and have the
fuel tank and fuel lines drained completely.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system.
! Take care not to spill any fuel on painted
surfaces. You could otherwise damage the
paintwork.
! Use a filter when refueling from a fuel can.
Otherwise, the fuel lines and/or injection
system could be blocked by particles from
the fuel can.
If you overfill the fuel tank, fuel could spray
out when the fuel pump nozzle is removed.
Further information on fuel and on fuel grades
can be found in the "Fuel" section
(Y page 280). Refueling
Fuel filler flap When you open or close the vehicle with the
SmartKey, the fuel filler flap is automatically
unlocked or locked.
The fuel filler flap is located to the rear on the
right. The position of the fuel filler cap is
displayed in the instrument cluster
00B6. The
arrow next to the filling pump indicates the
side of the vehicle. Refueling
129Driving and parking Z

0043
To open the fuel filler flap
0044 Tire pressure table
0087 Fuel type
0085 To insert the fuel filler cap
Opening X
Switch off the engine.
i When the engine is running and the fuel
filler flap is open, the engine diagnostics
warning lamp 00B9may light up.
Further information can be found in the
"Warning and indicator lamps in the
instrument cluster" chapter (Y page 195).
X Open the driver's door. This switches the
ignition to position 0, which corresponds to
having removed the SmartKey. The driver’s
door can be closed again.
X Press the fuel filler flap in the direction of
arrow 0043.
The fuel filler flap opens slightly.
X Open the fuel filler flap.
X Turn the fuel filler cap counter-clockwise
and remove it.
X Insert the fuel filler cap into the holder
bracket on the inside of filler flap 0085.
X Completely insert the fuel pump nozzle into
the filler neck and refuel.
X Only fill the tank until the pump nozzle
switches off.
! Overfilling the fuel tank could damage the
fuel system. Closing X
Replace the fuel filler cap and turn it
clockwise. The fuel filler cap audibly
engages.
X Close the fuel filler flap. 130
RefuelingDriving and parking

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
Problem Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.
G
Risk of explosion or fire
The fuel line or the fuel tank is defective.
X Set the Start/Stop button to key position 0immediately.
X Do not restart the engine under any circumstances.
X Consult a qualified specialist workshop. The fuel filler flap
cannot be opened. The fuel filler flap is not unlocked.
or
The SmartKey battery is discharged.
X
Unlock the vehicle (Y page 68).
or
X Unlock the vehicle using the mechanical key (Y page 71).The fuel filler flap is unlocked, but the opening mechanism is
jammed.
X
Consult a qualified specialist workshop. Parking
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Flammable material such as leaves, grass or
twigs may ignite if they come into contact with
hot parts of the exhaust system or exhaust
gas flow. There is a risk of fire.
Park the vehicle so that no flammable
materials come into contact with parts of the
vehicle which are hot. Take particular care not
to park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields. G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
R start the engine. In addition, they may operate vehicle
equipment and become trapped. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
! If the engine speed is too high or if the
vehicle is rolling, do not shift the
transmission directly from Dto R, from R
to Dor directly to P.
Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds in
transmission position Dor R, park position
P is otherwise engaged automatically.
The transmission could be damaged.
! Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetrain could be damaged. Parking
131Driving and parking Z

To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
R the electric parking brake must be applied.
R the transmission must be in position P.
R the SmartKey must be in position 0in the
ignition lock and then removed from the
ignition lock, or the Start/Stop button must
be pressed.
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, turn
the front wheels towards the curb.
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
front axle of an empty vehicle must be
secured, for example with a wheel chock.
R on steep uphill or downhill gradients, the
rear axle of a laden vehicle must be
additionally secured, for example with a
wheel chock. Switching off the engine
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When the engine is switched off, the
transmission shifts into neutral position N.
The vehicle may roll away. There is a risk of
an accident.
After switching off the engine, always switch
to parking position P. Prevent the parked
vehicle from rolling away by applying the
parking brake.
! Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds in
transmission position Dor R, park position
P is otherwise engaged automatically. This
can damage the transmission.
i Observe the display messages in the
instrument cluster (Y page 163).
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports
transmission X
Shift the transmission to Pwith the button
in the center console. Using the Start/Stop button
X
Press the Start/Stop button (Y page 119).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
i The engine can be turned off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding
the Start/Stop button for about three
seconds.
i If you switch the engine off with the
transmission in position Ror D, the
transmission automatically shifts to N.
If you move the E-SELECT lever to Nbefore
switching off the engine, the transmission
remains in Nfor approximately
30 minutes.
If you open the driver's or front-passenger
door during this period, the transmission
automatically shifts to P.
Using the SmartKey
! Do not remove the SmartKey while the
vehicle is in motion. Otherwise, at low
speeds, parking lock Pwill be activated
automatically.
Do not open the driver's door while the
vehicle is in motion. At low speeds,
transmission position Pis engaged
automatically.
This could cause damage to the
transmission and the parking lock.
X Turn the SmartKey to position 0in the
ignition lock and remove it.
The parking lock is activated.
X Apply the electric parking brake.
i If you move the E-SELECT lever to N
before switching off the engine, the
transmission remains in Nfor
approximately 30 minutes. If you open the
driver's or front-passenger door during this
period, the transmission automatically
shifts to P. 132
ParkingDriving and parking

The transmission remains in
Nif:
R the SmartKey is in the ignition lock and
R you use the E-SELECT lever to shift the
transmission to Nbefore switching the
engine off
This still applies if you open the driver's or
front-passenger door.
Further information on transmission
position Nwhen operating with a SmartKey
is available in the "Car wash" section
(Y page 223). Electric parking brake
General notes G
WARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, they could set it in motion by, for
example:
R release the parking brake.
R shift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
R start the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle
equipment and become trapped. There is a
risk of an accident and injury.
When leaving the vehicle, always take the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle. Applying/releasing manually
X
To engage: push handle 0043.
When the electric parking brake is
engaged, the red 0049(USA only)
or 0024 (Canada only) indicator lamp lights
up in the instrument cluster.
i The electric parking brake can also be
applied when the SmartKey is in position
0.
X Pull handle 0043.
The red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster goes out.
i The electric parking brake can only then
be released when the ignition is switched
on using the Start/Stop button.
Releasing the electric parking brake
automatically The electric parking brake is released
automatically when the following conditions
are simultaneously fulfilled:
R
the engine is running.
R the transmission is in position Dor R.
R the hood is closed.
R your seat belt is fastened.
R you accelerate.
If the transmission is in position R, the trunk
lid must be closed.
If your seat belt is not fastened, the following
conditions must be fulfilled to automatically
release the electric parking brake:
R the driver's door is closed.
R you have shifted out of Por you have
previously driven faster than 2 mph
(3 km/h).
Emergency braking The vehicle can also be braked during an
emergency by using the electric parking
brake. Parking
133Driving and parking Z

X
While driving, push handle 0043of the electric
parking brake (Y page 133).
i The vehicle is braked as long as you keep
the handle of the electric parking brake
pressed. The longer the electric parking
brake handle is depressed, the greater the
braking force.
During braking:
R a warning tone sounds
R the Release Parking Brake
Release Parking Brake message
appears
R the red 0049(USA only) or 0024(Canada
only) indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster appears.
When the vehicle has been braked to a
standstill, the electric parking brake is
engaged. Parking the vehicle for a long period
If you leave the vehicle parked for longer than
four weeks, the battery may be damaged by
exhaustive discharging.
If you leave the vehicle parked up for longer
than six weeks, the vehicle may suffer
damage as a result of lack of use.
X Visit a qualified specialist workshop and
seek advice.
i You can obtain information about trickle
chargers from a qualified specialist
workshop. Driving tips
General driving tips
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you switch off the ignition while driving,
safety-relevant functions are only available
with limitations, or not at all. This could affect,
for example, the power steering and the brake
boosting effect. You will require considerably more effort to steer and brake. There is a risk
of an accident.
Do not switch off the ignition while driving.
G
WARNING
If you operate mobile communication
equipment while driving, you will be
distracted from traffic conditions. You could
also lose control of the vehicle. There is a risk
of an accident.
Only operate this equipment when the vehicle
is stationary.
Observe the legal requirements for the
country in which you are driving. Some
jurisdictions prohibit the driver from using a
mobile phone while driving a vehicle.
If you make a call while driving, always use
hands-free mode. Only operate the telephone
when the traffic situation permits. If you are
unsure, pull over to a safe location and stop
before operating the telephone.
Bear in mind that at a speed of only 30 mph
(approximately 50 km/h), the vehicle covers
a distance of 44 ft (approximately 14 m) per
second.
Drive sensibly – save fuel Observe the following tips to save fuel:
X
The tires should always be inflated to the
recommended tire pressure.
X Remove unnecessary loads.
X Warm up the engine at low engine speeds.
X Avoid frequent acceleration or braking.
X Have all maintenance work carried out
according to the service intervals listed in
the Maintenance Booklet or the service
interval display.
Fuel consumption also increases when
driving in cold weather, in stop-start traffic
and in hilly terrain. 134
Driving tipsDriving and parking