2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class sport mode

The possibility of a serious or even fatal acci-
dent 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 tak-
ing 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 with-
out 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. All work
on the engine must be carried out only 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. ECO display
Example: ECO display
The ECO display provides feedback on how
economical your driving characteristics are.
The ECO display assists you in achieving the most economical driving style for the selec-
ted settings and prevailing conditions. Your
driving style can significantly influence the
vehicle's consumption.
The ECO display consists of three bars:
R
Acceleration Acceleration
R Constant
Constant
R Coasting
Coasting
The percent value is the average value of the three bars. The three bars and the mean value
begin at the value of 50 %. A higher percent-
age indicates a more economical driving
style.
The ECO display does not indicate the actual fuel consumption. A fixed percentage count
in the ECO display does not indicate a fixed
consumption.
Apart from driving style, consumption is
dependent on many factors such as, e.g.:
R load
R tire pressure
R cold start
R choice of route
R electrical consumers switched on
These factors are not included in the ECO dis-
play.
The evaluation of your driving style is carried
out using the following three categories:
R Acceleration
Acceleration (evaluation of all accelera-
tion processes):
- The bar fills up: moderate acceleration,
especially at higher speeds
- The bar empties: sporty acceleration
R Constant Constant (assessment of driving behavior
at all times):
- The bar fills up: constant speed and
avoidance of unnecessary acceleration
and deceleration
- The bar empties: fluctuations in speed
R Coasting Coasting (assessment of all deceleration
processes):
- The bar fills up: anticipatory driving,
keeping your distance and early release Driving tips
175Driving and parking Z

Activation conditions
You can activate the HOLD function if:
R
the vehicle is stationary
R the engine is running or if it has been auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function
R the driver's door is closed or your seat belt
is fastened
R the electric parking brake is released
R the transmission is in position D,Ror N
R DISTRONIC PLUS is deactivated
Activating the HOLD function X
Make sure that the activation conditions
are met.
X Depress the brake pedal.
X Quickly depress the brake pedal further
until 0043HOLD
HOLD appears in the multifunction
display.
The HOLD function is activated. You can
release the brake pedal.
i If depressing the brake pedal the first
time does not activate the HOLD function,
wait briefly and then try again.
Deactivating the HOLD function The HOLD function is deactivated automati-
cally if:
R you accelerate and the transmission is in
position Dor R.
R you shift the transmission to position P.
R you apply the brakes again with a certain
amount of pressure until HOLD HOLDdisappears
from the multifunction display. R
you secure the vehicle using the electric
parking brake.
R you activate DISTRONIC PLUS.
i After a time, the electric parking brake
secures the vehicle and relieves the service
brake.
The electric parking brake automatically
secures the vehicle if the HOLD function is
activated and:
R the driver's door is open and the driver's
seat belt is unfastened.
R the engine is switched off, unless it is auto-
matically switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
R a system malfunction occurs.
R the power supply is not sufficient.
If a malfunction occurs, then the transmission may also be shifted into position Pautomat-
ically. RACE START
Important safety notes i
Observe the safety notes for the SPORT
handling mode (Y page 76).
RACE START is intended solely for activation
on dedicated race circuits.
RACE START enables optimal acceleration
from a standing start. The precondition for
this is a suitable high-grip road surface.
i RACE START is only available for the
SL 63 AMG model.
Conditions for activation You can activate RACE START if:
R the doors are closed.
R the engine is running and it has reached an
operating temperature of approximately
176 ‡ (80 †). This is the case when the
engine oil temperature in the multifunction
display stops flashing. 192
Driving systemsDriving and pa
rking

R
SPORT handling mode is activated.
(Y page 76)
R the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
R the vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
R the transmission is in position D.
Activating RACE START X
Depress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
X Turn the drive program selector clockwise
(Y page 163) until the RSlamp lights up.
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWN Cancel: Paddle DOWN message appears
in the multifunction display.
i If the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The mul-
tifunction display shows the RACE START
RACE START
Canceled
Canceled message.
X To cancel: pull the left steering wheel pad-
dle shifter (Y page 164).
or X To confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter (Y page 164).
The RACE START Available Depress
RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal
gas pedal message appears in the multi-
function display.
i If you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The RACE START Not RACE START Not
Possible
Possible See
SeeOperator's
Operator's Manual
Manualmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
X Fully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed increases to at least
3,500 rpm.
The RACE START Release brake to
RACE START Release brake to
start start message appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
i If you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is can- celed. The multifunction display shows the
RACE START Canceled
RACE START Canceled message.
X Take your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The RACE START Active
RACE START Active appears in the
multifunction display.
RACE START is deactivated when the vehicle
reaches a speed of approximately 30 mph
(Canada: 50 km/h). Drive program S+is acti-
vated. SPORT handling mode remains activa-
ted.
RACE START is deactivated immediately if
you release the accelerator pedal during
RACE START or if any of the activation condi-
tions are no longer fulfilled. The RACE RACESTART
START
Not Possible See Operator's Manual
Not Possible See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
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. Adaptive Damping System
General notes The adjustable damping system adapts to the
current driving conditions. The adjustment
depends on whether you have selected Sport or Comfort mode. Your selection remains
stored even if you remove the SmartKey from
the ignition lock. Driving systems
193Driving and parking Z

Selecting sports tuning
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 0044
0044 is not lit: press but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The message SPORT
SPORT appears in the multi-
function display.
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode if you want
more direct contact with the road when
employing a sporty driving style, e.g. on wind-
ing country roads.
Selecting comfort tuning 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 0044 0044is not lit: press but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The message COMFORT COMFORTappears in the mul-
tifunction display.
In Comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style. 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 setting, 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 tun-
ing 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. 194
Driving systemsDriving and parking

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 0044
0044 is not lit: press but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you favor a firmer suspen- sion tuning.
Selecting comfort tuning 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 0044
0044 is not lit: press but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The ABC ABC Active
Active Body
BodyControl
Control COMFORT
COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style. Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display
You can display some driving systems and
additional information in the COMAND dis-
play.
X Make sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
X Make sure COMAND is switched on
(Y page 295).
X Press button 0043.
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display. Example: displays in the COMAND display
0043
Selection of raised level (Y page 194)
0044 Activity of ABC spring struts for roll and
pitching support
0087 Selected suspension tuning, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (Y page 195)
0085 G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral accel-
eration)
0083 Current vehicle level 196
Driving systemsDriving and parking

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 General notes
The electronically controlled ABC suspension
system features improved driving dynamics
and ride comfort.
The ABC suspension system is tuned individ-
ually to each wheel and depends on:
R the road surface condition, e.g. bumps
R the vehicle load
R your individual selection of the sporty or
comfort button
Selecting sports tuning 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 0044 0044is not lit: press but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The AMG AMG Suspension Suspension System
SystemSPORT
SPORTmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
The firmer suspension tuning in Sport mode
ensures even better contact with the road.
Select this mode if you favor a firmer suspen- sion tuning. Selecting comfort tuning
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 0044 0044is lit: press but-
ton 0043.
Indicator lamp 0044goes out. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The AMG Suspension System COMFORT AMG Suspension System COMFORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
In comfort mode, the driving characteristics
of your vehicle are more comfortable. Select
this mode if you favor a more comfortable
driving style.
Driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display You can display some driving systems and
additional information in the COMAND dis-
play.
X Call up the driving conditions menu in the
COMAND display (Y page 313).
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display. 198
Driving systemsDriving and parking

displayed in orange in the multifunction
display.
X Press the 0076button to save the setting. 0043
To fold the exterior mirrors in or out
If you have switched the Auto. Mirror
Auto. Mirror
Folding
Folding on and you fold the exterior mirrors
in using button 0043, they will not fold out
automatically (Y page 117).
You can then only fold out the exterior mirrors
using button 0043.
If you have switched the function on and you fold the exterior mirrors in using the button on
the door (Y page 117), they will not fold out
automatically. The exterior mirrors can then
only be folded out using the button on the
door.
Restoring the factory settings X
Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the Sett. Sett.menu.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select the
Factory Setting
Factory Setting submenu.
X Press 0076to confirm.
The Reset All Settings?
Reset All Settings? message
appears.
X Press the 0064or0063 button to select No
No
or Yes
Yes.
X Press the 0076button to confirm the selec-
tion.
If you have selected Yes
Yes, the multifunction
display shows a confirmation message.
For safety reasons, the Daytime Running Daytime Running
Lights
Lights function in the Light
Lightsubmenu is only
reset if the vehicle is stationary. AMG menu in AMG vehicles
AMG displays 0043
Digital speedometer
0044 Gear indicator
0087 Upshift indicator
0085 Engine oil temperature
0083 Coolant temperature
0084 Transmission fluid temperature
X Press 0059or0065 on the steering wheel
to select the AMG
AMG menu.
Upshift indicator UP
UP0087 indicates that the
engine has reached the overrevving range
when in the manual gearshift program.
Upshift indicator UP
UP 0087 fades out other
messages until you have shifted up.
If the engine oil temperature is below
160 ‡(71 †), oil temperature 0085is shown
in blue. Avoid driving at full engine output
during this time.
If the transmission fluid temperature is
below 122 ‡ (50 †), oil temperature 0084is
shown in blue. Avoid driving at full engine
output during this time.
SETUP 0043
Drive program (C C/SS+SS+/M M)
0044 ESP ®
mode (ON ON/OFFOFF) or SPORT handling
mode (SPORT SPORT)
0087 Suspension tuning (SPORT SPORT/COMFORT COMFORT) 236
Menus and submenusOn-board computer and displays

SETUP shows the drive program, the ESP
®
(Electronic Stability Program) mode and the
SPORT handling mode.
X Press the 0059or0065 button on the steer-
ing wheel to select the AMG
AMGmenu.
X Press the 0063button repeatedly until
SETUP is displayed.
or X Briefly press the AMG button on the center
console (Y page 163).
RACETIMER Displaying and starting RACETIMER
The RACETIMER is only intended for use on a
closed race circuit. Do not use the function on
public roads. 0043
Lap
0044 RACETIMER
You can start the RACETIMER when the
engine is running or if the SmartKey is in posi-
tion 2in the ignition lock.
X Press 0059or0065 on the steering wheel
to select the AMG
AMG menu.
X Press the 0063button repeatedly until the
RACETIMER is shown.
X To start: press the 0076button to start the
RACETIMER.
Displaying the intermediate time X
Press the 0059or0065 button to select
Interm. Time Interm. Time.
X Press 0076to confirm.
The intermediate time is displayed for five
seconds.
Starting a new lap 0043
RACETIMER
0044 Fastest lap time (best lap)
0087 Lap
X Press 0076to confirm New Lap New Lap.
i It is possible to store a maximum of six-
teen laps. The 16th lap can only be com-
pleted with Finish Lap Finish Lap .
Stopping the RACETIMER X
Press the 0038button on the steering
wheel.
X Press 0076to confirm Yes
Yes.
The RACETIMER interrupts timing when you
stop the vehicle and turn the SmartKey to
position 1in the ignition lock. If you turn the
SmartKey to position 2or 3and then press
0076 to confirm Start
Start, timing is continued.
Resetting the current lap
X Stop the RACETIMER.
X Press the 0059or0065 button to select
Reset Lap
Reset Lap .
X Press 0076to reset the lap time to "0". Menus and submenus
237On-board computer and displays Z