2016 MERCEDES-BENZ SL-Class key

Problems with fuel and the fuel tank
This section provides descriptions of and solutions to safety-relevant problems. Descriptions
of and solutions to further problems can be found in the Digital Operator's Manual.
ProblemPossible causes/consequences and MSolutions
Fuel is leaking from the
vehicle.The fuel line or the fuel tank is faulty.
GWARNING
Risk of explosion or fire.
XTurn the SmartKey to position0immediately and remove it
(
Ypage 151).
XDo not restart the engine under any circumstances.
XConsult a qualified specialist workshop.
Parking
Important safety notes
GWARNING
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 mate-
rials come into contact with parts of the vehi-
cle which are hot. Take particular care not to
park on dry grassland or harvested grain
fields.
GWARNING
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.
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment 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.
!Always secure the vehicle correctly
against rolling away. Otherwise, the vehicle
or its drivetrain could be damaged.
To ensure that the vehicle is secured against
rolling away unintentionally:
Rthe electric parking brake must be applied.
Rthe transmission must be in position P.
Rthe SmartKey must be removed from the
ignition lock.
Rthe front wheels must be turned towards
the curb on steep uphill or downhill gradi-
ents.
Parking171
Driving and parking
Z

Switching off the engine
Important safety notes
GWARNING
The automatic transmission switches to neu-
tral position Nwhen you switch off the engine.
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 vehi-
cle from rolling away by applying the parking
brake.
Vehicles with automatic transmission
XWith the SmartKey: shift the transmission
to position P.
XTurn the SmartKey to position 0in the igni-
tion lock and remove it.
The immobilizer is activated.
XWith KEYLESS-GO: press the KEYLESS-
GO Start/Stop button (
Ypage 152).
The engine stops and all the indicator
lamps in the instrument cluster go out.
When the driver's door is closed, this cor-
responds to key position 1. When the driv-
er's door is open, this corresponds to key
position 0(
Ypage 151).
If you try to switch off the engine when the
transmission is not in position P, a message
appears in the multifunction display. A signal
sounds.
iThe engine can be switched off while the
vehicle is in motion by pressing and holding the Start/Stop button for about three sec-
onds. This function operates independently
of the ECO start/stop automatic engine
switch-off function.
Electric parking brake
General notes
GWARNING
If you leave children unsupervised in the vehi-
cle, they could set it in motion by, for example:
Rrelease the parking brake.
Rshift the automatic transmission out of the
parking position P.
Rstart the engine.
In addition, they may operate vehicle equip-
ment 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.
The function of the electric parking brake is
dependent on the on-board voltage. If the on-
board voltage is low or there is a malfunction
in the system, it may not be possible to apply
the released parking brake.
XIf this is the case, only park the vehicle on
level ground and secure it to prevent it roll-
ing away.
XShift the automatic transmission to posi-
tion P.
It may not be possible to release an applied
parking brake if the on-board voltage is low or
there is a malfunction in the system. Contact a qualified specialist workshop.
iThe electric parking brake performs a
function test at regular intervals while the
engine is switched off. The sounds that can
be heard while this is occurring are normal.
172Parking
Driving and parking

Applyingorreleasing manually
XTo engage: push handle :.
When th eelectric parking brak eis
engaged, th eF (USAonly) or !
(Canada only) red indicator lamp lights up
in th einstrumen tcluster.
iThe electric parking brak ecan also be
applie dwhen th eSmartKey is removed.
XTo release: switch on theignition .
XPull handle :.
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in th einstrumen tclus -
te rgoes out .
iThe electric parking brak ecan only be
released:
Rif th eSmartKey is in position 1in th e
ignition loc k (
Ypage 151) or
Rif theignition was switched on usin gth e
Start/Sto pbutto n
Applying automatically
The electric parking brak eis applie dauto -
matically if:
RDISTRONI CPLU Sbrings th evehicl eto a
standstill or
Rth eHOLD function is keepin gth evehicl e
stationary
In addition ,at least on eof th efollowin gcon-
dition smus tbe fulfilled :
Rtheengin eis switched off .
Rthedriver' sseat belt is no tinserted in th e
belt buckl eand th edriver' sdoor is open .
Rthevehicl eis stationary for alengthy
period.
The red F(USAonly) or !(Canada
only) indicator lamp in th einstrumen tcluste r
lights up.
The electric parking brak eis no tautomati-
call yengage dif th eengin eis switched off by
th eECO start/sto pfunction .
Releasing automatically
The electric parking brak eis release dauto -
matically when all of th efollowin gcondition s
are fulfilled :
Rtheengin eis running.
Rth etransmission is in position Dor R.
Rth edriver' sseat belt is fastened.
Ryou depr esstheaccelerato rpedal.
If th etransmission is in position R,th etrunk
lid mus tbe closed.
If your seat belt is no tfastened, th efollowin g
condition smus tbe fulfilled to automatically
release th eelectric parking brake:
Rth edriver' sdoor is closed.
Ryou hav eshifte dout of Por you hav epre -
viously driven faste rthan 2mph (3 km/h).
En sure that you do no tdepress th eacceler -
ato rpedal unintentionally. Otherwise the
parking brak ewill be release dand th evehicl e
will start to move.
Eme rgency braking
The vehicl ecan also be braked during an
emergenc yby usin gth eelectric parking
brake.
XWhil edriving ,push handle :of th eelectric
parking brake.
iThe vehicl eis braked for as lon gas th e
handle of th eelectric parking brak eis
pre ssed. The longer th eelectric parking
Parking173
Driving and parking
Z

!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, but
drive on for a short while. This allows the air-
flow to cool the brakes more quickly.
Wet roads
If you have driven for a long time in heavy rain
without braking, there may be a delayed reac-
tion 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 then 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 vehi- cle washed, brake firmly while paying atten-
tion to the traffic conditions. This will warm up
the brake discs, thereby drying them more
quickly and protecting them against corro-
sion.
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.
RBrake occasionally to remove any possible
salt residue. Make sure that you do not
endanger other road users when doing so.
RCarefully depress the brake pedal and the
beginning and end of a journey.
RMaintain a greater distance to the vehicle
ahead.
Servicing the brakes
!If the brake warning lamp lights up in the
instrument cluster and you hear a warning
tone even though the parking brake has
been released, the brake fluid level may be too low. Observe additional warning mes-
sages 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 immedi-
ately. This work should be carried out at a
qualified specialist workshop.
!As the ESP®system operates automati-
cally, the engine and the ignition system
must be switched off (SmartKey in position
0 or 1in the ignition lock or Start/Stop
button in position 0or 1) when:
Rtesting the parking brake on a brake
dynamometer.
Ryou intend to have the vehicle towed with
the front axle raised.
Braking maneuvers 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 quali-
fied specialist workshop.
Have brake pads installed and brake fluid
replaced at a qualified specialist workshop.
If the brake system has only been subject to
moderate loads, you should test the function-
ality of your brakes at regular intervals.
Information on BAS (Brake Assist)
(
Ypage 72).
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 vehi-
cle'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
Driving tips177
Driving and parking
Z

RSPORT handling mode is activated.
(
Ypage 76)
Rthe steering wheel is in the straight-ahead
position.
Rthe vehicle is stationary and the brake
pedal is depressed (left foot).
Rthe transmission is in positionD.
Activating RACE START
XDepress the brake pedal with your left foot
and keep it depressed.
XTurn the drive program selector clockwise
(
Ypage 163) until the RSlamp lights up.
The RACE START Confirm: Paddle UP
Cancel: Paddle DOWNmessage appears
in the multifunction display.
iIf the activation conditions are no longer
fulfilled, RACE START is canceled. The mul-
tifunction display shows the RACE START
Canceledmessage.
XTo cancel: pull the left steering wheel pad-
dle shifter (
Ypage 164).
or
XTo confirm: pull the right steering wheel
paddle shifter (
Ypage 164).
The RACE START Available Depress
gas pedal.message appears in the mul-
tifunction display.
iIf you do not depress the accelerator
pedal fully within two seconds, RACE
START is canceled. The RACE START Not
PossibleSeeOperator'sManualmes-
sage appears in the multifunction display.
XFully depress the accelerator pedal.
The engine speed increases to at least
3,500 rpm.
The RACE START Release brake to
startmessage appears in the multifunc-
tion display.
iIf you do not release the brake pedal
within five seconds, RACE START is can- celed. The multifunction display shows the
RACE START Canceled
message.
XTake your foot off the brake, but keep the
accelerator pedal depressed.
The vehicle pulls away at maximum accel-
eration.
The
RACE
STARTActivemessage 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
START
Not Possible See Operator's Manual
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
iIf 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 systems193
Driving and parking
Z

Selecting sports tuning
XMake sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a sporty driving
style.
The message 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
XMake sure that the engine is running or that
it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. You have selec-
ted the suspension for a comfortable driv-
ing style.
The message COMFORT
appears 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
Mercedes-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. In the SPORT
suspension setting, it is lowered by up to
0.5 in (13 mm) and in 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
GWARNING
The vehicle is slightly lowered if you:
Rhave selected the SPORT suspension tun-
ing at normal level and
Rswitch off the engine
Persons in the vicinity of the wheel arch or the underbody may thus become trapped. There
is a risk of injury.
194Driving systems
Driving and parking

Make sure that nobody is in the vicinity of the
wheel arch or the underbody when you switchoff the engine.
Setting raised level
XMake sure that the engine is running or thatit has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XMake sure that a speed of 75 mph
(120 km/h) is not exceeded.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
If the engine has been switched off by the
ECO start/stop function, it is now restar-
ted.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. The vehicle
height is adjusted to raised level.
Setting the normal level
XMake sure that the engine is running or that it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;goes out. The vehicle is
adjusted to normal level.
The "Raised level" setting is canceled if you:
Rare driving faster than approximately
75 mph (120 km/h).
Rdrive 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:
Rthe road surface condition, e.g. bumps
Rthe vehicle load
Ryour individual selection of the sporty or
comfort button
Your selection remains stored even if you
remove the SmartKey from the ignition lock.
Selecting sports tuning
Driving systems195
Driving and parking
Z

XMake sure that the engine is running or thatit has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Sports suspen-
sion tuning is selected.
The ABC Active Body Control SPORT
message appears in the multifunction dis-
play.
The firmer setting of the suspension tuning in
sports mode ensures even better contact
with the road. Select this mode if you prefer a
firmer suspension setting.
Selecting comfort tuning
XMake sure that the engine is running or that it has been switched off by the ECO start/
stop function.
XIf indicator lamp ;is not lit:press but-
ton :.
Indicator lamp ;lights up. Comfortable
suspension tuning is selected.
The ABC
ActiveBodyControlCOMFORT
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.
XMake sure that the SmartKey is in position
2 in the ignition lock.
XMake sure COMAND is switched on
(
Ypage 297).
XPress button :.
The corresponding displays appear in the
COMAND display.
Example: displays in the COMAND display
:
Selection of raised level (Ypage 194)
;Activity of ABC spring struts for roll and
pitching support
=Selected suspension setting, i.e. sporty or
comfortable (
Ypage 195)
?G-FORCE (longitudinal and lateral accel-
eration)
ACurrent vehicle level
196Driving systems
Driving and parking