2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SLS AMG GT COUPE light

Activating RACE START
X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector switch
clockwise (Y page 124) until the RS
indicator on the switch lights up in red.
The multifunction display shows the
message RACE START
RACE START Confirm: Paddle Confirm: Paddle
UP
UP Cancel: Paddle DOWN
Cancel: Paddle DOWN.
i If the conditions for activation are not
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The
RACE START Not Possible
RACE START Not Possible message
appears in the multifunction display.
X To cancel: pull the left-hand steering wheel
paddle shifter (DOWN) (Y page 125).
The multifunction display shows the RACE
RACE
START Canceled START Canceled message.
X To confirm: pull the right-hand steering
wheel paddle shifter (UP) ( Ypage 125).
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 within a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled message.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed is increased.
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 a few seconds, RACE START is
canceled. The multifunction display shows
the RACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled message.
X Take your foot off the brake pedal while
keeping the accelerator pedal fully
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 (50 km/h). Drive program
S+is activated.
SPORT handling mode remains switched on.
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 RACE
RACE
START Not Possible START Not Possible orRACE START
RACE START
Canceled
Canceled message appears in the
multifunction display.
i If RACE START is used repeatedly within
a short period of time, it is only available
again after the vehicle has been driven a
certain distance. Automatic drive program
Drive program Cis characterized by the
following:
R comfort-oriented engine and transmission
settings
R optimal fuel consumption resulting from
the transmission shifting up sooner
R the vehicle pulling away more gently in
forward and reverse gears, unless the
accelerator pedal is depressed fully
R increased sensitivity. This improves driving
stability on slippery road surfaces, for
example
R the transmission shifting up sooner; This
results in the vehicle being driven at lower
engine speeds and the wheels being less
likely to spin
Drive programs Sand S+are characterized
by the following:
R sporty engine and transmission settings
R the transmission shifting up later and
shifting down dynamically
R as a result of the later transmission
upshifts, the fuel consumption may be
higher
R if a period of dynamic driving is followed by
an extended phase with a constant
accelerator pedal position, the vehicle 126
AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports trans
missionDriving and parking

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

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

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

Drinking and driving
G
WARNING
Drinking and driving and/or taking drugs and
driving are very dangerous combinations.
Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can
affect your reflexes, perceptions and
judgment.
The possibility of a serious or even fatal
accident is greatly increased when you drink
or take drugs and drive.
Do not drink or take drugs and drive or allow
anyone to drive who has been drinking or
taking drugs.
Emission control G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Inhaling
these exhaust gases leads to poisoning. There
is a risk of fatal injury. Therefore never leave
the engine running in enclosed spaces
without sufficient ventilation.
Certain engine systems are designed to keep
the level of poisonous components in exhaust
fumes within legal limits.
These systems only work at peak efficiency if
they are serviced exactly in accordance with
the manufacturer's specifications. For this
reason, all work on the engine must be carried
out by qualified and authorized Mercedes-
Benz technicians.
The engine settings must not be changed
under any circumstances. Furthermore, all
specific service work must be carried out at
regular intervals and in accordance with the
Mercedes-Benz service requirements. Details
can be found in the Maintenance Booklet. Braking
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If you shift down on a slippery road surface in
an attempt to increase the engine's braking
effect, the drive wheels could lose their grip.
There is an increased danger of skidding and
accidents.
Do not shift down for additional engine
braking on a slippery road surface.
Downhill gradients !
On long and steep gradients, you must
reduce the load on the brakes by shifting
early to a lower gear. This allows you to take
advantage of the engine braking effect and
helps avoid overheating and excessive
wear of the brakes.
When you take advantage of the engine
braking effect, a drive wheel may not turn
for some time, e.g. on a slippery road
surface. This could cause damage to the
drive train. This type of damage is not
covered by the Mercedes-Benz warranty.
Heavy and light loads G
WARNING
If you rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving, the braking system can overheat. This
increases the stopping distance and can even
cause the braking system to fail. There is a
risk of an accident.
Never use the brake pedal as a footrest. Never
depress the brake pedal and the accelerator
pedal at the same time.
! Depressing the brake pedal constantly
results in excessive and premature wear to
the brake pads.
If the brakes have been subjected to a heavy
load, do not stop the vehicle immediately.
Drive on for a short while. This allows the
airflow to cool the brakes more quickly. Driving tips
135Driving and pa rking Z

Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed
reaction from the brakes when braking for the
first time. This may also occur after the
vehicle has been washed or driven through
deep water.
You have to depress the brake pedal more
firmly. Maintain a greater distance from the
vehicle in front.
After driving on a wet road or having the
vehicle washed, brake firmly while paying
attention to the traffic conditions. This will
warm up the brake discs, thereby drying them
more quickly and protecting them against
corrosion.
Limited braking performance on salt-
treated roads If you drive on salted roads, a layer of salt
residue may form on the brake discs and
brake pads. This can result in a significantly
longer braking distance.
R Brake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
R Carefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
R Maintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes !
If the red brake warning lamp lights up in
the instrument cluster and you hear a
warning tone while the engine is running,
the brake fluid level may be too low.
Observe additional warning messages in
the multifunction display.
The brake fluid level may be too low due to
brake pad wear or leaking brake lines.
Have the brake system checked
immediately. This work should be carried
out at a qualified specialist workshop. !
As the ESP ®
system operates
automatically, the engine and the ignition
must be switched off (the SmartKey must
be in position 0or 1in the ignition lock or
the Start/Stop button must be in position
0 or 1) if:
R the electric parking brake is tested using
a brake dynamometer.
R the vehicle is towed with one axle raised.
Braking triggered automatically by ESP ®
may seriously damage the brake system.
All checks and maintenance work on the
brake system must be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop. Have this work
carried out at an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
Have the brake pads replaced and the brake
fluid renewed at a qualified specialist
workshop, e.g. an authorized Mercedes-Benz
Center.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the
functionality of your brakes at regular
intervals. To do so, press firmly on the brake
pedal when driving at a high speed. This
improves the grip of the brake pads.
You can find a description of Brake Assist
(BAS) on ( Ypage 55).
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
have brake pads/linings installed on your
vehicle which have been approved for
Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which correspond
to an equivalent quality standard. Brake
pads/linings which have not been approved
for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or which are not
of an equivalent quality could affect your
vehicle's operating safety.
Mercedes-Benz recommends that you only
use brake fluid that has been specially
approved for your vehicle by Mercedes-Benz,
or which corresponds to an equivalent quality
standard. Brake fluid which has not been
approved for Mercedes-Benz vehicles or
which is not of an equivalent quality could
affect your vehicle's operating safety. 136
Driving tipsDriving and parking

Making adjustments in 1 mph
increments
X
Briefly press the cruise control lever to the
pressure point, up 0043for a higher speed or
down 0044for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Making adjustments in 10 mph
increments X
Briefly press the cruise control lever
beyond the pressure point, up 0043for a
higher speed or down 0044for a lower speed.
The last speed stored is increased or
reduced.
Deactivating cruise control There are several ways to deactivate cruise
control:
X Briefly press the cruise control lever
forwards 0087.
or
X Brake.
Cruise control is automatically deactivated if:
R you press the electric parking brake
handle.
R you are driving below 20 mph (30 km/h).
R ESP ®
intervenes or you deactivate ESP ®
R you shift the transmission to Nwhile the
vehicle is in motion.
If cruise control is deactivated, you will hear
a warning tone. The "Cruise Control Off Cruise Control Off"
message is displayed in the multifunction
display for approximately five seconds.
i The last speed stored is cleared when you
switch off the engine. AMG adaptive sport suspension
system
General notes The electronically controlled damping system
works continuously. This improves driving
safety and ride comfort.
The damping is tuned individually to each
wheel and depends on:
R your driving style, e.g. sporty
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R your individual selection of Sport, Sport +
or Comfort
If you select Comfort or Sport + mode and
restart the engine, the mode reverts to Sport.
i GT model: you can only choose between
Sport and Sport + modes. If you select
Sport + mode and restart the engine, the
mode reverts to Sport. Sport mode
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode when employing a sporty
driving style, e.g. on winding country roads.
X
Press button 0043once.
Indicator lamp 0085lights up. You have
selected Sport mode.
The AMG Ride Control SPORT AMG Ride Control SPORT message
appears in the multifunction display.
i GT model: Sport mode is the standard
setting. Indicator lamp 0085cannot be
switched off. 140
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Sport + mode
The very firm setting of the suspension tuning
in Sport + mode ensures the best possible
contact with the road. Select this mode only
when driving on race circuits.
If indicator lamps 0087and 0085are off:
X Press button 0043twice.
Indicator lamps 0087and 0085light up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
AMG Ride Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
If indicator lamp 0085lights up:
X Press button 0043once.
Second indicator lamp 0087lights up. You
have selected Sport + mode.
The AMG
AMG Ride Ride Control
Control SPORT +
SPORT +message
appears in the multifunction display.
Comfort mode i
GT model: Comfort mode is unavailable.
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style, but also when driving fast on
straight roads, e.g. freeways.
X Press button 0043repeatedly until indicator
lamps 0087and 0085go out.
You have selected Comfort mode.
The AMG Ride Control COMFORT AMG Ride Control COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction
display.
Storing and calling up settings Once the suspension tuning and drive
program have been selected, you can store
and call up your settings using AMG
button 0044.
X To store: press AMG button 0044until you
hear a tone. X
To call up: press AMG button 0044.
The stored suspension tuning and drive
program are selected.
X To display: briefly press AMG button 0044.
Your selection appears in the multifunction
display. 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 Release the electric parking brake. Driving systems
141Driving and parking Z