Braking
X
If ABS intervenes: continue to depress the
brake peda lvigorously unti lthe braking sit-
uatio niso ver.
X To make afullb rake application:
depress the brake peda lwithf ullf orce.
If ABS intervenes when braking ,you will fee la
pulsing in the brake pedal.
The pulsating brake peda lcan be an indica-
tio nofh azardou sroadc onditions, and func-
tions as areminder to take extra car ewhile
driving. BAS (Brak
eAssis tSystem)
i Observ
ethe "Important safety notes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 54).
BAS operates in emergency braking situa-
tions. If yo udepress the brake peda lquickly,
BAS automaticall yboosts the braking force,
thu sshortening the stopping distance. G
WARNING
If BAS is malfunctioning ,the braking distance
in an emergency braking situatio nis
increased .There is ariskofana ccident.
In an emergency braking situation, depress
the brake peda lwithf ullf orce. ABS prevents
the wheels from locking.
The brakes will functio nasusual once you
release the brake pedal. BAS is deactivated. ESP
®
(Electroni cStability Program)
General notes i
Observ
ethe "Important safety notes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 54).
ESP ®
monitors driving stability and traction,
i.e .power transmission between the tire sand
the roa dsurface.
If ESP ®
detects tha tthe vehicl eisdeviating
from the direction desired by the driver ,one
or more wheels ar ebraked to stabilize the vehicle. The engine outpu
tisa lsom odified to
kee pthe vehicl eonthe desired course within
physical limits .ESP ®
assists the driver when
pulling away on we torslipper yroads. ESP ®
can also stabilize the vehicl eduring braking.
ETS (Electroni cTraction System) i
Observ
ethe "Important safety notes "sec-
tio n(Ypage 54).
Tractio ncontro lispartofE SP®
.
Tractio ncontro lbrakes the drive wheels indi-
viduall yifthey spin. Thi senables yo utopull
away and accelerate on slippery surfaces, for
exampl eifthe roa dsurface is slippery on one
side.
Tractio ncontro lremains active, eve nifyou
deactivate ESP ®
.
Important safety notes G
WARNING
If ESP ®
is malfunctioning ,ESP ®
is unabl eto
stabilize the vehicle. Additionally, further driv- ing safety system sare deactivated. This
increases the ris kofskidding and an accident.
Driv eonc arefully. Hav eESP®
checked at a
qualified specialist workshop.
! Switch the ignition off when:
R the electri cparking brake is being tested
using abrake dynamometer.
R the vehicl eisbeing towed with the rear
axl eraised.
Application of the brakes by ESP ®
ma yoth-
erwis edestro ythe brake system.
Whe nSPOR Thandling mod eisactivated ,the
0074 warning lamp lights up in the instrument
panel.
Whe nESP®
is deactivated ,the 00BB and
0089 warning lamps light up in the instrument
panel.
Observ ethe informatio nonwarning lamps
(Y page 193 )and display messages which Driving safety systems
55Safety Z
may be show
ninthe instrument cluster
(Y page1 70).
i Only use wheels with the recommended
tire sizes. Only then willE SP®
function
properly.
Characteristics of ESP ®ESP
®
is activated automatically when the
engine is started.
If ESP ®
intervenes, the 0089ESP®
warning
lamp flashes in the instrument cluster.
If ESP ®
intervenes:
X Do not deactivate ESP ®
under any circum-
stances.
X Only depress the accelerator peda lasfar as
necessary when pulling away.
X Adapt yourd riving style to suitt he prevail-
ing road and weather conditions.
Deactivating/activating ESP ®Important safety notes
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page54).
You can select between the following states
of ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
is activated.
R SPORT handling mode is activated.
R ESP ®
is deactivated. G
WARNING
When SPORT handling mode is activated,
there is agreater risk of skidding and acci-
dents.
Only activate SPORT handling mode in the sit- uations described in the following. G
WARNING
If you deactivate ESP ®
,E SP ®
no longer sta-
bilizes the vehicle. There is an increase drisk
of skidding and an accident. Only deactivate ESP
®
in the situations descri-
bed in the following.
In the following situations, it may be better to activate SPORT handling mode or deactivate
ESP ®
:
R when using snow chains
R in deep snow
R on sand or gravel
R when driving on designated road swhen the
vehicle's own oversteering and understeer-
ing characteristics are desired
Driving in SPORT handling mode or without
ESP ®
requires an extremely qualified and
experienced driver.
i Activate ESP ®
as soon as the situations
described above no longer apply.E SP®
will
otherwise not be abletos tabilize the vehi-
cle if the vehicl estarts to skid or awheel
starts to spin.
! Avoid spinning the driven wheels for an
extended perio dwith ESP ®
deactivated.
You could otherwise damage the drivetrain.
Deactivating/activating ESP ® X
To activate SPORT handlin gmode:
briefl ypress button 0043.
The 0074 handling mode warning lamp in
the instrument cluster lights up. The 56
Driving safety systemsSafety
SPORT handling mode
SPORT handling mode
message appears
in the multifunction display.
X To deactivate SPORT handling mode:
briefly press button 0043.
The 0074 handling mode warning lamp in
the instrument cluster goes out. ESP ®
is
activated.
X To deactivate ESP ®
:press button 0043.
The 00BB ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster lights up. The 00E5OFFOFF
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
X To activate ESP ®
:when SPORT handling
mode is activated or ESP ®
is deactivated,
press button 0043.
The 00BB ESP®
OFF warning lamp in the
instrument cluster goes out. The 00E5ONON
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
Characteristics of activated SPORT han-
dling mode
SPORT handling mode raises the intervention threshold for stabilizing the vehicle. This
allows for asportier driving style on desig-
nated race circuits and may in certain situa-
tions improve the traction in comparison with
ESP ®
.
If SPORT handling mode is activated and one or more wheels start to spin, the 0089warn-
ing lamp in the instrument cluster flashes.
ESP ®
only stabilizes the vehicle to alimited
degree.
When SPORT handling mode is activated:
R ESP ®
only improves driving stability to a
limited degree.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly.
R engine torque is only restricted to alimited
degree, and the drive wheels are able to
spin. The spinning wheels produce acut-
ting effect for better traction. Characteristics when ESP
®
is deactivated
If ESP ®
is deactivated and one or more wheels
start to spin, the 0089warning lamp in the
instrument cluster does not flash. In such sit-
uations, ESP ®
will not stabilize the vehicle.
If you deactivate ESP ®
:
R ESP ®
no longer improves driving stability.
R engine torque is no longer limited and the
drive wheels are able to spin. The spinning
of the wheels results in acutting action for
better traction.
R traction control is still activated.
R ESP ®
still provides support when you brake
firmly. EBD (electronic brake force distribu-
tion)
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 54).
EBD monitors and controls the brake pres-
sure on the rear wheels to improve driving
stability while braking. G
WARNING
If EBD has malfunctioned, the rear wheels can still lock, e.g. under full braking. This
increases the risk of skidding and an accident.
You should therefore adapty our driving style
to the different handling characteristics. Have the brake system checked at aqualified spe-
cialist workshop.
Observe information regarding indicator and
warning lamps (Y page 192) as well as dis-
play messages (Y page 166). ADAPTIVE BRAKE
i Observe the "Important safety notes" sec-
tion (Y page 54).
ADAPTIVE BRAKE enhances braking safety
and offers increased braking comfort.Ina ddi-
tion to the braking function, ADAPTIVE BRAKE Driving safety systems
57Safety Z
G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, alwaysr emove the
SmartKey from the ignitio nlock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secure dinachild
restraint system, and do not give them access to an unlocked vehicle. Achild's unsupervised
access to avehicl ecouldr esult in an accident
and/or serious personal injury .They could:
R injure themselves on vehicl eparts
R be seriouslyorf atally injured by extreme
heatorc old
R injure themselves or have an accident with
vehicl eequipment that may still be in oper-
ation even after the SmartKey has been
removed from the ignition, such as the seat
adjustment, steering whee ladjustment or
memory function.
If children open adoor, they coul dcause
severe or even fatal injury to other persons; if they get out of the vehicle, they coul dinjure
themselves when doing so or be seriouslyor
even fatally injured by any passing traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, coul dbecome very
hot, and achild coul dbeburned on these
parts. G
WARNING
If you attach heavy or larg eobjects to the
SmartKey ,the SmartKey coul dbeuninten-
tionally turned in the ignitio nlock. This could
caus ethe engine to be switched off. There is a
risk of an accident.
Do not attach any heavy or larg eobjects to the
SmartKey .Remove any bulky key rings before
inserting the SmartKey into the ignitio nlock.
! Keep the SmartKey away from strong
magnetic fields. Otherwise, the remote
control function coul dbeaffected.
Strong magnetic fields can occur in the
vicinity of powerful electrical installations. 0043
0037 To lock the vehicle
0044 0054 To unlock the trunk lid
0087 0036 To unlock the vehicle
The turn signals flas honce when unlocking
and three times when locking.
When it is dark, the surround lighting also
comes on if it is activated in the on-board
computer (Y page158).
X To unlock centrally: press the0036but-
ton.
If you do not open the vehicl ewithinapprox-
imatel y40seconds of unlocking:
R the vehicl eislocked again.
R the anti-theft alarm system is armed again.
X To lockc entrally: press the 0037button. Changing the setting
softhe locking
system
You can change the setting of the locking
system in such awaythat only the driver's
door and the fuel filler flap are unlocked .This
is useful if you frequently travel on youro wn.
X To chang ethe setting: press and hold
downt he0036 and0037 buttons simulta-
neously for approximatel ysix seconds until
the battery check lamp (Y page65)
flashes twice . SmartKey
63Opening and closing Z
Doors
Important safet
ynotes G
WARNING
If children are lef tunsupervised in th evehicle,
they could:
R ope nthe doors ,thu se ndangerin gother
people or road users.
R get out and disrup ttraffic.
R operat ethe vehicle' sequipment.
Additionally, children could set th evehicle in
motion if, fo rexample, they:
R release th eparking brake.
R shiftin gthe automatic transmissio nout of
par kposition P
R Start th eengine.
There is ariskofana ccidentand injury.
Whe nleavin gthe vehicle, always take the
SmartKey wit hyou and loc kthe vehicle. Never
leav echildren or animals unattended in the
vehicle. Always keep th eSmartKey out of
reach of children. G
WARNING
Whe nleavin gthe vehicle, always remov ethe
SmartKey from th eignition lock. Always take
th eS martKey wit hyou and loc kthe vehicle.
Do no tleav echildren unsupervised in the
vehicle, eve niftheya re secure dinachild
restrain tsystem, and do no tgivet he ma ccess
to an unlocke dvehicle. Achild' su nsupervised
access to avehicle could result in an accident
and/o rserious personal injury. The ycould:
R injure themselves on vehicle parts
R be seriously or fatally injured by extreme
heat or cold
R injure themselves or hav eanacciden twith
vehicle equipmen ttha tm ay still be in oper-
ation eve nafter th eSmartKey has been
removed from th eignition ,suc hast heseat
adjustment, steerin gwhee ladjustmen tor
memor yfunction.
If children ope nadoor, they could cause
severe or eve nfatal injury to other persons; if they get out of th
evehicle, they could injure
themselves when doin gsoorbeseriously or
eve nfatally injured by any passin gtraffic.
Do no texposet he child restrain tsystem to
direc tsunlight. The child restrain tsystem's
metal parts ,for example, could becom every
hot ,and achild could be burne donthese
parts. G
WARNING
If objects ,luggage or load sare no tsecure dor
no tsecure dsufficiently, they could slip ,tip
over or be flun garound and thereby hit vehicle
occupants. There is ariskofi njury, particu-
larl yint he event of sudden braking or asud-
den chang eindirection.
Always stor eobjects so that they canno tbe
flun garound .Secureo bjects ,luggage or
load sagainst slippin gortippin gb efor ethe
journey. Unlockin
gand opening th edoors
from th eoutside
Coupe !
The doors swin
gupwards and out when
opened. Therefore, mak esuret hatthe re is
sufficien tclearanc eabov ethe vehicle. X
To ope nthe door: pointthe SmartKey
toward sdoorh andle 0043.
X Press the 0036buttonont heSmartKey.
Door handle 0043moves out.
X Lif tthe doo rbyd oorh andle 0043and swin git
up as far as it will go. 68
DoorsOpening an
dclosing
X
Turn the mechanical key counter-clockwise
to position 0049.
The door is locked.
X Turn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
X Check that both doors are locked.
i If you lock the vehicle as described above,
the fuel filler flap is not locked. The anti-
theft alarm system is not armed.
Roadster X
Open the driver's door.
X Close the front-passenger door and the
trunk lid.
X Press the lockin gbutton (Y page 70).
X Check that the lockin gknobisint he lower
position on the front-passenger door. Press the lockin gknobd own by hand, if neces-
sary.
X Close the driver's door.
X Take the mechanical key out of the Smart-
Key (Y page 64).
X Insert the mechanical key into the lock of
the driver's door as far as it will go. X
Turn the mechanical key clockwise as far as
it will go to position 0047.
X Turn the mechanical key back and remove
it.
X Make sure that the doors and the trunk lid
are locked.
X Insert the mechanical key into the Smart-
Key. i
If you lock the vehicle as described above,
the fuel filler flap is not locked. The anti-
theft alarm system is not armed. Trunk
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
Combustion engines emit poisonous exhaust
gases such as carbon monoxide. Exhaust
gases can enter the vehicle interior if the
trunk lid is open when the engine is running,
especially if the vehicle is in motion .There is a
risk of poisoning.
Always switch off the engine before opening
the trunk lid. Never drive with the trunk lid
open. G
WARNING
When leaving the vehicle, alway sremove the
SmartKey from the ignition lock. Always take
the SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave children unsupervised in the
vehicle, even if they are secured in achild
restraint system, and do not give them access to an unlocked vehicle. Achild's unsupervised
access to avehicle could result in an accident
and/or serious personal injury. They could:
R injure themselves on vehicle parts
R be seriously or fatally injured by extreme
heat or cold
R injure themselves or have an accident with
vehicle equipment that may still be in oper-
ation even after the SmartKey has been
removed from the ignition ,such as the seat
adjustment, steerin gwheel adjustmen tor
memory function.
If children open adoor, they could cause
severe or even fatal injury to other persons; if they get out of the vehicle, they could injure
themselves when doing so or be seriously or
even fatally injured by any passing traffic.
Do not expose the child restraint system to
direct sunlight. The child restraint system's
metal parts, for example, could become very 72
TrunkOpening and closing
hot, and
achild could be burned on these
parts. G
WARNING
Do not carry heavy or hard objectsint he
passenger compartmentort runk unless they
are firmly secured in place.
Unsecured or improperly positioned cargo
increases achild's risk of injury in the event of
R strongb raking maneuvers
R sudden changes of direction
R an accident
! The temperature in the trunk may be high.
For this reason, do not store any tempera-
ture-sensitive objectsint he trunk.
! The trunk lid swings upwards when
opened. Therefore, make sure that there is sufficient clearance above the trunk lid.
Coupe:tof ully open the trunk lid, aminimum
height of 5.5 ft (1.68 m) from the ground is
necessary.
Roadster: to fully open the trunk lid, amini-
mum height of 5.7 ft (1.75 m) from the ground
is necessary.
The trunk lid can be:
R opened automatically from outside
R opened automatically from inside
R locked separately
R unlocked with the mechanical key
R opened with the emergency release button Opening/closing the trunk
Opening/closing from outside Opening
X Press the 0054button on the SmartKey.
The trunk lid opens slightly. X
Reach into the gap and pull up the trunk lid.
Closing X
Push the trunk lid down until it engages.
Use handle 0043to pull down the trunk lid if
necessary.
X If necessary, lock the vehicle with the 0037
button on the SmartKey.
Opening the trunk from inside the vehi- cle You can open the tailgate from the driver's
seat when the vehicle is stationary. Trunk
73Opening and closing Z
The trunk lid emergenc
yrelease does not
unlock the trunk lid if the battery is discon-
nected or discharged.
If the vehicle was locked centrally, opening
the trunk lid with the trunk lid emergency
release triggers the anti-theft alarm system. Side windows
Important safety notes
G
WARNING
While opening the side windows, body parts
could become trapped between the side win- dow and the door frame as the side window
moves. There is arisk of injury.
Make sure that nobody touches the side win-
dow during the opening procedure. If some-
body becomes trapped, release the switch or pull the switch to close the side window again. G
WARNING
While closing the side windows, body parts in the closing area could become trapped. There is ar isk of injury.
When closing make sure that no parts of the
body are in the closing area. If somebody
becomes trapped, release the switch or press
the switch to open the side window again. G
WARNING
If children operate the side windows they
could become trapped, particularly if they are left unsupervised. There is arisk of injury.
When leaving the vehicle, alway stake the
SmartKey with you and lock the vehicle. Never
leave children unsupervised in the vehicle.
The side windows are equipped with an auto-
matic reversin gfeature. If an object blocks or
restricts aside window during the closing
process, the side window opens again auto-
matically. G
WARNING
The reversin gfeature does not react:
R to soft, light and thin objects, e.g. small fin-
gers
R over the last 4mmofthe closing movement
R during resetting
R when closing the side window again man-
ually immediately after automatic reversing
This means that the reversin gfeature cannot
prevent someone being trapped in these sit-
uations. There is arisk of injury.
Make sure that no body parts are in close
proximit yduring the closing procedure. If
someone becomes trapped, press the switch
to open the side window again.
Observe the importan tsafety notes in the
"Children in the vehicle" section (Y page 51). Opening and closing the side win-
dows
0043
Left side window
0044 Right side window
The switches for both side windows are
located on the driver's door. There is also a
switch for the front-passenger side window
on the front-passenger door.
The switches on the driver's door take prec-
edence. Side windows
75Opening and closing Z