2015 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class ESP

DISTRONIC PLUS has not yet detected the
vehicle in front on the edge of the road,
because of its narrow width. The distance to
the vehicle in front will be too short.
Obstructions and stationary vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS does not brake for obsta-
cles or stationary vehicles. If, for example, the
detected vehicle turns a corner and reveals
an obstacle or stationary vehicle, DISTRONIC PLUS will not brake for these.
Crossing vehicles DISTRONIC PLUS may mistakenly detect
vehicles that are crossing your lane. Activat-
ing DISTRONIC PLUS at traffic lights with
crossing traffic, for example, could cause
your vehicle to pull away unintentionally. HOLD function
General notes The HOLD function can assist the driver in the
following situations:
R when pulling away, especially on steep
slopes
R when maneuvering on steep slopes
R when waiting in traffic
The vehicle is kept stationary without the
driver having to depress the brake pedal.
The braking effect is canceled and the HOLD
function deactivated when you depress the
accelerator pedal to pull away.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, it can still roll away despite being braked by the HOLD function if:
R there is a malfunction in the system or in
the voltage supply.
R the HOLD function has been deactivated by
pressing the accelerator pedal or the brake
pedal, e.g. by a vehicle occupant.
R the electrical system in the engine com-
partment, the battery or the fuses have
been tampered with.
R the battery is disconnected
There is a risk of an accident.
If you wish to exit the vehicle, always turn off the HOLD function and secure the vehicle
against rolling away.
! If DISTRONIC PLUS or the HOLD function
is activated, the vehicle brakes automati-
cally in certain situations. To prevent dam-
age to the vehicle, deactivate DISTRONIC
PLUS and the HOLD function in the follow-
ing or other similar situations:
R when towing the vehicle
R in the car wash
Deactivating the HOLD function
(Y page 192). Driving systems
191Driving and parking Z

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

Example: displays in the COMAND display
0043 Selection of raised level (Y page 197)
0044 Activity of ABC spring struts for roll and
pitching support
0087 Selected suspension tuning, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (Y page 198)
0085 G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral accel-
eration)
0083 Current vehicle level 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 replace-
ment for your attention to your immediate
surroundings. You are always responsible for
safe maneuvering, parking and exiting a park- ing space. When maneuvering, parking or
pulling out of a parking space, make sure thatthere 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. PARK-
TRONIC 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 shift the transmission to position D,Ror N
R release the electric parking brake.
PARKTRONIC is deactivated at speeds above
11 mph (18 km/h). It is reactivated at lower
speeds.
PARKTRONIC monitors the area around your
vehicle using six sensors in the front bumper and four sensors in the rear bumper.
Range of the sensors General notes
PARKTRONIC does not take objects into con-
sideration that are:
R below the detection range, e.g. people, ani-
mals or objects.
R above the detection range, e.g. overhang-
ing loads, truck overhangs or loading
ramps. 0043
Sensors in the front bumper, left-hand
side (example) Driving systems
199Driving and parking Z

Problems with PARKTRONIC
Problem
Possible causes/consequences and
0050
0050Solutions Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
You also hear a warning
tone for approximately
two seconds.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds,
and the indicator lamp
in the PARKTRONIC
button lights up. PARKTRONIC has malfunctioned and has switched off.
X If problems persist, have PARKTRONIC checked at a qualified
specialist workshop. Only the red segments
in the PARKTRONIC
warning displays are lit.
PARKTRONIC is deacti-
vated after approx-
imately five seconds. The PARKTRONIC sensors are dirty or there is interference.
X Clean the PARKTRONIC sensors (Y page 543).
X Switch the ignition back on. The problem may be caused by an external source of radio or
ultrasound waves.
X See if PARKTRONIC functions in a different location. Active Parking Assist
General notes Active Parking Assist is an electronic parking
aid with ultrasound. Ultrasound is used to
measure the road on both sides of the vehicle. A suitable parking space is indicated by the
parking symbol. Active steering intervention
can assist you during parking.
You may also use PARKTRONIC (Y page 199).
When PARKTRONIC is switched off, Active
Parking Assist is also unavailable.
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 maneu-
vering, 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
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 park-
ing. Stop the vehicle if necessary or cancel the Active Parking Assist parking procedure. 202
Driving systemsDriving and parking

X
Stop the movement of the multifunction
steering wheel or steer yourself.
Active Parking Assist will be canceled at
once. The Park Assist Canceled
Park Assist Canceled mes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
or X Press the PARKTRONIC button on the cen-
ter console (Y page 201).
PARKTRONIC is switched off and Active
Parking Assist is immediately canceled.
The Park Assist Canceled
Park Assist Canceled message
appears in the multifunction display.
Active Parking Assist is canceled automati-
cally if: R parking using Active Parking Assist is no
longer possible
R you are driving faster than 6 mph (10 km/h)
R a wheel spins, ESP ®
intervenes or fails. The
00E5 ESP warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster
A warning tone sounds. The parking symbol
goes out and the Park Assist Canceled
Park Assist Canceled
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
If Active Parking Assist is canceled, you must
steer again yourself. Rear view camera
General notes Rear view camera
0043is in the trunk lid handle.
Rear view camera 0043is an optical parking and
maneuvering aid. It shows the area behind your vehicle with guide lines in the COMAND
display.
The area behind the vehicle is displayed as a
mirror image, as in the rear view mirror.
i The text of messages shown in the
COMAND display depends on the language
setting. The following are examples of rear view camera messages in the COMAND
display.
Important safety notes The rear view camera is only an aid. It is not a
replacement for your attention to your imme-
diate surroundings. You are always responsi-
ble for safe maneuvering and parking. When
maneuvering or parking, make sure that there are no persons, animals or objects in the area
in which you are maneuvering.
Under the following circumstances, the rear
view camera will not function, or will function in a limited manner:
R the tailgate is open
R in heavy rain, snow or fog
R at night or in very dark places
R if the camera is exposed to very bright light
R if the area is lit by fluorescent light or LED
lighting (the display may flicker)
R if there is a sudden change in temperature,
e.g. when driving into a heated garage in
winter
R if the camera lens is dirty or obstructed
R if the rear of your vehicle is damaged. In this
event, have the camera position and setting checked at a qualified specialist workshop
The field of vision and other functions of the
rear view camera may be restricted due to
additional accessories on the rear of the vehi-
cle (e.g. license plate holder, bicycle rack). 206
Driving systemsDriving and parking

Additional messages for vehicles with PARK-
TRONIC
0043 Front warning display
0044 Additional PARKTRONIC measurement
operational readiness indicator
0087 Rear warning display
Vehicles with PARKTRONIC: if PARK-
TRONIC is operational (Y page 200), an addi-
tional operational readiness indicator will
appear in COMAND display 0044. If the PARK-
TRONIC warning displays are active or light
up, warning displays 0043and 0087are also active
or light up correspondingly in the COMAND
display.
"Reverse parking" function Backing up straight into a parking space
without turning the steering wheel 0043
White guide line without turning the steer-
ing wheel, vehicle width including the
exterior mirrors (static)
0044 Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic) 0087
Yellow guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 3 ft (1.0 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
0085 Red guide line at a distance of approx-
imately 10 in (0.25 m) fromthe rear of the
vehicle
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 207).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X With the help of white guide line 0043, check
whether the vehicle will fit into the parking space.
X Using white guide line 0043as a guide, care-
fully back up until you reach the end posi-
tion.
Red guide line 0085is then at the end of the
parking space. The vehicle is almost paral-
lel in the parking space.
Reverse perpendicular parking with the
steering wheel at an angle Turning the steering wheel
0043
Red guide line for the vehicle width includ-
ing the exterior mirrors, for current steer-
ing wheel angle (dynamic)
0044 Parking space marking
X Make sure that the rear view camera is
switched on (Y page 207).
The lane and the guide lines are shown.
X Drive past the parking space and bring the
vehicle to a standstill.
X While the vehicle is at a standstill, turn the
steering wheel in the direction of the park- 208
Driving systemsDriving an
d parking

The functionality of ATTENTION ASSIST is
restricted and warnings may be delayed or
not occur at all:
R if the road condition is poor, e.g. if the sur-
face is uneven or if there are potholes
R if there is a strong side wind
R if you have adopted a sporty driving style
with high cornering speeds or high rates of
acceleration
R if you are predominantly driving slower
than 50 mph (80 km/h) or faster than
112 mph (180 km/h)
R if you are currently using COMAND or mak-
ing a telephone call with it
R if the time has been set incorrectly
R in active driving situations, such as when
you change lanes or change your speed
ATTENTION ASSIST is only an aid to the
driver. It might not always recognize fatigue
or increasing inattentiveness in time or fail to
recognize them at all. The system is not a
substitute for a well-rested and attentive
driver.
Warning and display messages in the
multifunction display X
Activate ATTENTION ASSIST using the on-
board computer (Y page 231).
If ATTENTION ASSIST is active, you will be
warned no sooner than 20 minutes after
your journey has begun. You then hear an
intermittent warning tone twice and the
Attention Assist: Take a Break!
Attention Assist: Take a Break!
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
X If necessary, take a break.
X Press the 0076or0038 button to confirm
the message.
On long journeys, take regular breaks in good time to allow yourself to rest properly. If you
do not take a break and ATTENTION ASSIST
still detects increasing lapses in concentra-
tion, you will be warned again after
15 minutes at the earliest. ATTENTION ASSIST is reset when you con-
tinue your journey and starts assessing your
tiredness again if:
R you switch off the engine.
R you take off your seat belt and open the
driver's door, e.g. for a change of drivers or
to take a break.
When ATTENTION ASSIST is deactivated, the 00D7 symbol appears in the multifunction
display in the assistance graphics display. Night View Assist Plus
General notes In addition to the illumination provided by the
normal headlamps, Night View Assist Plus
uses infrared light to illuminate the road.
Camera 0044of Night View Assist Plus picks up
the infrared light and displays a black and
white image in COMAND. The image shown in COMAND corresponds to a road lit up by high-
beam headlamps. This enables you to see the
road's course and any obstacles in good time. When pedestrian recognition is active, pedes-
trians recognized by the system are visually
highlighted in color in the Night View Assist
Plus display with small frame corners.
i Infrared light is not visible to the human
eye and therefore does not glare. Night
View Assist Plus can therefore remain
switched on even if there is oncoming traf- fic. 210
Driving systemsDriving and parking